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“It is most interesting. He sailed along the coast of Europe with his nephew, and, together, they compiled a collection of accounts of what they saw and experienced. There is even a detailed map at the back, but they write about the cultures, the fashion, the cuisine. There is a whole other world in just this book. To think of how many more are out there⁠—”

She cut herself off, realizing how passionately she was beginning to speak. Nancy had never judged her for her specific interests, the unladylike ones, and she realized she did not have to stop herself. In the past, the two of them had spoken of these things in whispers, and although Nancy didn’t share Eloise’s passion, she had always listened intently.

Eloise pushed that instinct down to stop speaking, and reminded herself: she was no longer at Wittby House where the walls had ears, and her mother and father watched her every move.

“It makes me feel like I am on an adventure, even if I am not on a boat of my own,” she said quietly, still not used to being free to speak.

“Yet,” Nancy winked.

“Oh, do not fool yourself,” Eloise laughed. “I will likely never set foot on a boat or ship, as much as I wish I could.”

“Eloise.” Nancy set down her teacup gently in favor of flipping through a couple of pages of the travel book, then she looked up. “You have dreamed of the sea, of sailing upon those waves you, for some reason, love so much, since I knew you, if not before. Now, you are here, and you have a wealthy husband, and you have the sea right on your doorstep. What stops you?”

“I am a duchess!” Eloise exclaimed. “I have duties and responsibilities, and a household to manage, dinners to prepare, and—and I do not know, balls to host in the future? I cannot just assume I can set sail just because it is my biggest passion.”

“You could, if you wished.”

The affirmation did not come from Nancy.

Eloise turned and saw the duke standing in the doorway. He wore his usual dark attire, a deeper blue than his usual black, and his hair was styled back from his face, no trace of unkemptness or the effects of the wind from riding. She noticed that his beard had been trimmed close to his jaw once more, but it was still thick and dark.

Nancy turned immediately at the sound of his voice, rising to her feet so she could curtsey. “Your Grace.”

“Lady Nancy,” the duke greeted. “It is good to see you again.”

“And you, Your Grace.”

The duke’s eyes flicked to Eloise’s, and she knew he would not elaborate on his remark, and she could not ask him yet. She was thankful Nancy did not push, but something heavier settled between them as she continued to gaze at him. Tension buried in her chest, weighty and demanding, as she was the sole, narrowed point of his attention.

He often looked away from her in these moments, but he did not now. He continued to look at her.

Eloise’s heart pounded faster and faster, and it was she who had to look away first this time.

It was Nancy who broke the silence. “Will you join us, Your Grace? I am rather hungry, but I do not think Her Grace and I will eat all of these delicious treats alone. Besides, I am eager to be acquainted with my best friend’s husband.”

“I am afraid I have business to attend to,” the duke said, and Eloise’s heart sank. It often did, when it came to conversations with her husband. “But do enjoy your time, ladies. Oh and Duchess? Lord Langford will be visiting later this afternoon.”

Her husband’s eyes glanced toward Nancy, as if to check as though she was fine with it. Nancy only nodded, a small smile on her face, and Eloise guessed she was looking forward to teasing the Marquess as she had at her wedding.

“I see,” Eloise answered. “It will be lovely to see him again. Will he be staying for dinner? I can speak with Mrs. Hale and arrange⁠—”

“I am uncertain yet,” he spoke over her. “We will see. Prepare for yourself and Lady Nancy in any case.”

“And you?”

The duke paused. Once more, he answered, “We will see.”

Then, he turned away and left the parlor without a goodbye.

Pickle gave a yip, as if he, too, wanted the duke to stay, but the footsteps retreated.

Nancy sighed. “I see exactly what you mean,” she muttered.

Sure enough, Lord Langford arrived while Eloise was showing Nancy the cliffs bordering Oldcliff Hall. Nancy had pointed out the vessels rocking in the bay further along, at the marina in the village, and she asked which ones the duke owned.

Eloise did not know, if any, so she tried to change the topic and redirect her friend’s interest, only to be told by Mr. Forster that Lord Langford had turned up for his visit.

The two of them retreated back inside, led into the drawing room, where the Duke and the Marquess each held a small glass of brandy.