Fortunately for the sensibilities of the housekeeper, she interrupted them to announce supper before Hugh could begin to act on practicing any of those ideas.
Chapter 17
The roiling emotions inside of Edwin jangled together like discordant notes, smashing into each other within his chest and causing his head to pound. Irene's words circled around his head, pecking at his insides. Eleanor wanted space? From him? The fact that his wife was evidently planning a trip to Bath to see her parents without even speaking to him about it was something he could all too easily believe.
The question was why.
Although their marriage had been hasty, he'd been under the impression that she'd become reconciled to that. She had been furious when she'd realized that he wouldn't allow her to misbehave any more than her father would have, and that he'd use the same measures to keep her in line, but she'd seemed to have accepted that as well. Especially since she had the most amazingly passionate reaction to him following any discipline.
So what had happened? And why hadn't she spoken to him about it?
He suddenly wondered if she would have told him beforehand or just slipped away with Irene, leaving a note or some such behind. Somehow that seemed very Eleanor. Rash, impulsive even in her planned escapades, putting off the consequences until the last possible minute. Did the silly chit truly not think he'd be after her the moment he discovered her gone?
Over and over his fist clenched on top of his knee as he was jolted along in the carriage. When they reached the townhouse he was out before the groom could open the door, waving off the astonished man without even looking at him. The door to the house opened before he reached it and he barreled through.
"Lady Hyde," he snapped out Banks. "Where is she?"
"I believe Lady Hyde is in library, my lord," said the man with a look of surprise on his face. After all, he'd never seen Lord Hyde in quite such a state before, although that look of frustration was becoming more well-known to the staff ever since Lady Hyde had taken up residence. The butler gently closed the door as Lord Hyde stalked off down the hallway, thinking to himself that the parlor maids would have ample opportunity for gossip after this.
Eleanor was indeed in the library and Edwin paused in the doorway, taken aback for a moment by the picture of domestic bliss that she presented. She was perched on one of the window benches, her knees drawn up to rest her book upon, wearing a soft blue dress that made her look both younger and more innocent than he knew her to be. Still, the sight of her softened him somewhat, enough so that when she glanced up, sensing his presence, she didn't realize immediately that something was amiss.
"You're home!" she said smiling as she put her book aside and stood to greet him. As always, her heart beat a little faster when she saw her handsome husband. "How is Hugh?"
"Hugh is fine. How was your visit with Irene?" His voice was soft, dangerous, and Eleanor stopped walking towards him, taking a moment to really look at him. There was something slightly disheveled about his appearance, his cravat was just a little off center, his jacket not pulled quite right and his
hair looked as if he'd run his hand through it multiple times. The expression on his face was that of contained emotion, his jaw tight with it.
Instincts said to run, but she already knew where that got her.
"Very productive," she said carefully, watching as his eyes flashed. Her breath caught in her throat. Did he know? Had Irene said something to him after promising not to? "She's a quick learner, by next Season she shouldn't have any trouble sorting through which events she and Hugh should attend."
"I see," Edwin said softly. The menace in his tone made her spine stiffen, especially as he strode forward, circling around her like a predator examining a particularly tasty treat. Ignoring his prowling as best she could, Eleanor did not deign to turn with him as he circled behind her.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked lightly, still unsure whether or not he actually knew anything. If he didn't then she surely wasn't going to give him any hints. For all she knew this was just another side to Edwin being amorous, although her bottom was already tingling instinctively, as if trying to warn her.
"I don't know," Edwin said coming up on her other side, he'd circled much closer. Close enough that she had to tip her head back to look up at him. "Is something wrong Eleanor?"
"N-no..." Inwardly she cursed herself for stammering.
"Are you feeling quite well?"
"Yes."
He paused, studying her. "Missing your parents?"
Eleanor sucked in a breath. He knew. The guilt flashed across her face and his eyes flared, seeing that confirmation. She took an involuntary step back and he followed.
"I hear we're taking a trip to Bath."
Immediately Eleanor's chin lifted. While she might have been surprised and momentarily cowed, it was not her natural state. So her plan had been discovered before she was ready for it, it didn't change what she wanted. Besides, perhaps he would give some hint as to his feelings for her in his reaction. After all, her father was always shipping her mother off to Bath or the estates whenever he could. If Edwin was amiable to her trip and only angry that she hadn't spoken with him about it first then that could be rather indicative, couldn't it?
"I was planning a trip to Bath to see my parents and asked Irene if she would care to accompany me, if that's what you're referring to."
Edwin shifted closer, staring her down. Their bodies were only inches, her breasts a deep breath away from brushing his chest, but Eleanor refused to back down. Her roiling emotions were threaded through with sensual excitement. Why was it that angering Edwin was so desperately thrilling to her? Or was it just that she liked knowing she affected him?
Recklessly she tilted her chin up even more haughtily. "I don't recall inviting you however."
"Why not?"