Page 26 of My Dangerous Duke

Eleanor felt her father’s coarse words like a slap on the face, and as she was struggling to keep herself composed, she felt a sudden presence at her back. Her hurt changing to curiosity, she watched as all four sets of her family member’s eyes rose slowly above her head. Then as she heard Xander’s voice, and felt his warm breath tickle over the back of her bare neck, she suddenly knew.

“Apologies, Honey,” Xander purred in Eleanor’s ear, his eyes steady on Victor Langley. “I was showing the Duke of Huxton the armory and we got distracted.”

Straightening back up to his full height, Xander placed his hands on Eleanor’s shoulders and smiled frighteningly at his blackmailers. In front of him, Eleanor turned her head to look at him, her brown eyes wide with gratitude and surprise.

“It is all right, dearest,” she managed to say, a smile tugging across her lips. “My parents were just asking about my new responsibilities as a duchess.”

“Yes,” Xander stated quickly, staring Victor down. “She has been quite busy fulfilling her duties toourfamily.” He furrowed his brow slightly, feigning concern. “I pray it did not interrupt any of your plans. However, a duchess ranks far above any of you, does she not?”

Xander felt a deep satisfaction as he saw Eleanor’s family squirm like the very worms they were, and turned his wife around in his arms.

“I apologize for not being here to assist you for our first ball,” he told her, meeting her eyes. “But you did wonderfully without me. You were right about the redecorating. I have never seen this room look brighter.”

A look of pure relief shone through Eleanor’s eyes at this recognition, and she smiled up at him thankfully.

“Excuse me, son,” Victor mumbled.

“Your Grace,” Xander snapped, turning his eyes sharply to Eleanor’s Father. “You shall refer to me as Your Grace.”

Victor flinched at the steeliness of his voice, then shot him a dirty look. Xander looked back coolly, not at all bothered by the man’s discomfort.

“Your Grace,” Victor went on, trying to sound unfazed, “It has been over two weeks and I have still been denied entry at White’s. I am willing to be patient with such a delay but surely you will assist me in gaining entrance.”

Xander’s amusement faded as Victor’s boldness moved from annoying to downright disrespectful.

“I will do no such thing,” Xander, retorted, moving Eleanor behind him so he could meet Victor eye to eye.

“That was our deal,” Victor hissed.

“You really want to bring that up now?” Xander asked, clenching his fists.

“The guests, Xander,” Eleanor whispered from behind him.

After a moment of inner struggle, Xander dragged his glare away from Victor and looked toward the full room. Most everyone was preoccupied with lively talk and leisure, but a few curious faces had already turned their way.

“Enjoy your stay in Larsen,” Xander stated with finality, turning his gaze back to Victor. “Now if you will excuse us, my wife and I need to greet our other guests.”

“Wewillspeak again, Your Grace,” Victor called adamantly after him.

“As you say,” Xander quipped, continuing to lead Eleanor away.

They were soon surrounded by throngs of people, wanting to meet Eleanor and greet him as they passed. He had not lied that they needed to make the rounds. Xander knew his reputation as a dangerous man, and almost everyone was curious to see who was bold enough to marry him.

“You should not have done that,” Eleanor murmured when they were finally able to break away from the crowd.

“It needed to be done,” Xander stated, lifting two glasses of champagne off of a nearby tray and handing one to her. “We need to appear as normal a couple as possible and introduce ourselves.”

“Not that,” Eleanor replied testily, “I mean with my father. I know you do not think much of him, but you should not vex him like that. He is more dangerous than most might think.”

Xander nearly choked on his champagne as he heard this, sputtering some over his chin as he laughed.

“I am afraid of very few things, Honey,” he scoffed, looking down at her. “Your father is not one of them.”

“Be careful, Xander,” she warned, looking at him seriously.

“He has played all of his cards,” Xander said with a shrug. “He has nothing else.”

Eleanor’s beautiful face furrowed into a frown as she once more crossed her arms at him again.