A Duke's Lesson in Love

Chapter 21 - Longing

The gentle radiance of the moon's light streamed through the parted curtains, painting Eleanor's bedroom with a shimmering silver hue. Eleanor lay comfortably in her bed, the covers drawn all the way up to her chin, her thoughts a blur, filled and overflowing ruthlessly. The manor was quiet, the halls hushed with the stillness of the night.

Just as Eleanor felt her eyelids grow heavy, the gentle creak of her bedroom door pulled her from the brink of slumber. Her heart quickened, her senses heightened, as the figure of the Duke of Arden stepped into the room. His nightshirt billowed around him, a ghostly silhouette against the moonlit backdrop.

Her breath caught in her throat, her hands rushed to wipe the residue of tiredness from her eyes. She watched in silent wonder as the Duke moved towards, closing the door softly behind him. The room seemed to shrink in size, the air feeling increasingly heavy.

And then, he was beside her, his presence a comforting weight on the mattress. Eleanor's gaze met his, her eyes mirroring a kaleidoscope of emotions that had gone unspoken for too long.

"Nicholas, what are you doing so late?" she whispered, her voice barely audible in the echoes of the night.

He smiled, his happiness reaching his eyes creasing them ever so slightly. "Eleanor, I have missed you. I was unable to wait any longer."

In the space of a heartbeat, he lay down beside her, their bodies mere inches apart due to the small nature of an employee's bed. The warmth of his proximity sent a shiver down Eleanor's spine, her skin tingling leaving her achingly breathless.

Nicholas turned her to face away him, and wrapped his familiar arms around her, pulling her close till they reach utmost comfort. "I missed you, Eleanor," he confessed continuously, his words a gentle murmur.

Eleanor's heart swelled, her own longing echoing his sentiment. She moved her arms out of his embrace and placing her hands on top of his. Her fingers tentatively tracing the outline of his hand, the touch of a silent affirmation of their shared emotions.

"I missed you," she admitted, sinking herself further into his embrace.

With a delicate grace, his head lowered to her neck. His breath against her neck was hot, his thumb brushing against her skin in a tender gesture that spoke volumes. Eleanor's heart pounded like the rhythmic beat of a secret melody.

"I could not bear the distance," he murmured, his lips grazing her neck.

He then continued to cover every inch of Eleanor's neck with kisses, murmurs of love and gratitude left his lips as he continued to consume her love.

Eleanor's breath hitched, her senses reeling from the intimacy of their proximity. She felt his warm breath against her skin, his presence, touch became a soothing balm to the ache that had lingered in his absence.

As if guided by an unspoken, understanding, they drew closer, their bodies aligning in a shared embrace. Eleanor's head found its resting back into his shoulder, the contours of their forms melding together as if they were two halves of a harmonious whole.

***

The morning sun cast a warm embrace upon Blackwood Manor, its golden rays filtering through the windows and gently coaxing Eleanor from her slumber. She blinked in the soft light, her senses slowly returning to her as the remnants of dreams ebbed away.

And then, reality swept in like a tide, and Eleanor's eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. Nicholas, the Duke of this merry manor, lay beside her. His features softened in the embrace of sleep.

Just as she began to process the delicate complexities of the situation, the Duke stirred, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers. A tender smile tugged at his lips, and Eleanor found herself drawn into his gaze.

"Good morning, Eleanor," his voice a low melodic timbre that sent shivers down her spine.

"Morning, Nicholas," she replied, her voice a soft echo of his.

His fingers brushed against her cheek, the touch a gentle caress that spoke of the connection they shared. "Have you any plans for the day, my dear?"

"It is my rest day," she confessed her tone tinged with a hint of uncertainty

A mischievous glint danced in his eyes, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "In that case, would you do me the honour of joining me in my quarters?"

Eleanor's heart skipped a beat, her curiosity piqued by his request. "Your quarters? What ever for?" she echoed, her brows knitting in mild confusion.

Nicholas nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yes, Eleanor. I have a proposition for you."

And so, with Nicholas grasping her hand, Eleanor rose from the bed, her movements fluid as she followed him. They walked together, still clad in their nightwear, the corridors a quiet canvas upon which their presence was painted.

As they reached the entrance to his quarters, Nicholas turned to her, his eyes earnest and sincere. "Eleanor, I propose that we spend the day here, in seclusion. No one will disturb us."

Eleanor's hear raced. The prospect of spending an entire day in the Duke's company, free from the constraints of duty and proprietary, was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

"I... I don't know, Nicholas," she began, her voice a mixture of uncertainty and longing.

He took her hand, his touch a grounding force amidst the whirlwind of emotions. "Eleanor, please. This is a day for us, a day to simply be."

Eleanor's gaze met his, her heart yearning for the solace and intimacy that his proposition promised. With a nod, she found herself yielding to the pull of his sincerity, her hesitations melting away like morning mist.

"Very well," she whispered, a tentative smile curving her lips. "Let us spending this day in sanctuary."

And as they stepped in to the haven of his quarters, Eleanor felt a sense of anticipation and excitement coursing through her veins. The world outside faded into insignificance, leaving only the Duke and Eleanor, their hearts beating in the rhythm to the whispers of their desires, and the promise of a day unburdened by all – a day solely theirs to embrace. 

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