Chapter Twenty-Eight
Storm decided to go to his study as soon as he returned from Eleanor. It seemed to have taken an eternity, but in four more days, Eleanor would finally be his. Finally. Now that he knew how wonderful the rest of his life would be, his patience was running thin. Not to mention he was extremely tired. Last night he had said longer than usual, longer than he really should have, yet not nearly as long as he wanted to. No amount of sleep was worth missing time with her, but exhaustion had been setting in. When he opened the door to his study however, it was not a lack of sleep he feared any longer. It was Bonnet. She was sitting at his desk, eye puffy, clearly exhausted, and terror filled him instantly. Never had he seen Bonnet look so lost.
“What is wrong?”
He hurried to her side, but when he went to hug her she pushed him away.
“How could you do this to her? To me? To this family? I… I... I knew you were not in love, but I did not think, I… I... I did not know you could do something like this.”
He looked his sister completely bewildered.
“Bonnet what on earth are you talking about?”
He reached out to her again, but again she actually recoiled from his touch.
“Do not touch me.”
Kneeling in front of her, Storm just stared.
“Bonnet, please, please, tell me what it is I did?”
“You made me believe, you made everyone believe, that you wanted this marriage. The notes at the afternoon teas, the waltzes, the… well the way you just look at her now. You made us all think you cared for her. But then… this…”
She was making no sense whatsoever, but Storm at least knew now that she believed he was causing Eleanor pain. He failed to see what could have occurred during the short walk from her house to his.
“I have not done anything wrong Bonnet. And you know I want to marry her. And I do care for her.”
His sister’s eyes met his and then his heart almost broke. Never had she looked at him in such complete disappointment. In his life he never wanted to see that look from Bonnet again.
“Then how can you have a mistress.”
Nothing that Bonnet had ever said could truly have shocked him as much as that sentence.
“Bonnet, I do not have a mistress.”
She rose then, fury coming to her lips.
“Do not start lying to me! You have snuck out of this house every night for this past week.”
She whirled to face him her finger shaking in anger.
“Why make us spend these past few weeks making her feel welcomed and respected by the ton when you are just going to throw her to the side before you have even married her? I will not have you ruin her Storm. I will not.”
This time it was Storm who was angry. How could his sister believe he would do such a thing? Bonnet knew him better than anyone in this world. He could hardly believe she was accusing him of not respecting Eleanor.
“Bonnet you are clearly hysterical and that you would think of me in such a way breaks my heart.”
And with that he did something he had never once done in his life. He turned on his heels and walked away from his sister without so much as a farewell. Of course, he should have realized, she would just follow him.
“Storm Westbrook, you get back in here right now. I am not done talking to you.”
“Bonnet, I love you, but right now I am not sure I can look at you. I am exhausted. There is only half an hour until you are to take Eleanor to for her wedding gown fitting and I have no intention of spending it squabbling with you.”
He had almost made it to the stairs when his sister spoke with tears in her voice.
“Storm please.”
A commotion in the hallways put the argument on hold and to his surprise he noticed Eleanor and her Felicity had arrived. Storm knew Eleanor was aware that something was afoot the moment their eyes met, but she hastily spoke.
“Felicity arrived early to surprise us. I hope it is not an inconvenience, but she was so anxious to see Peaches I could not deny her plea to arrive a few minutes early.”
Bonnet was about to greet them, her tears having been discretely wiped away, but again they were all saved by Peaches arrival. His sister was rushing down the stairs as she secured the last of the pins in her hair and through her arms around Felicity.
“Oh Peaches, I am so happy to see you! Come, we must talk about the events I have missed.”
The two headed toward the drawing room, and after an uncomfortable moment Eleanor moved toward him and his sister.
“Whatever are you two arguing about?”
Eleanor ushered them back into his study and Storm realized there was no choice left but to clear things up with Bonnet.
“Apparently my sister no longer trusts my judgement.”
Bonnet glared.
“That is not fair.”
“Oh, and your accusation is fair?”
Eleanor watched the exchange curiously.
“What accusation?”
Storm smirked at his sister.
“Go on, tell her.”
Bonnet shifted on her feet embarrassed and uncomfortable.
“Storm, please.”
He ignored her, turning to Eleanor who he wanted to have in his arms more than anything in the world at this precise moment. She was so concerned for him, but more than that, she was breathtaking. Always he felt that when he looked at her.
“Bonnet accused me of having a mistress since she has been spying on me and noticed I have been sneaking out almost every night this week. She is quite offended on your behalf.”
A little oh escaped his fiancés lovely lips. She was so bewitching in the morning and without thought or logic, Storm just wrapped his arms around her and placed a feather light kiss to her lips. So be it if Bonnet was there to see it. Eleanor’s eyes twinkled back at him, her hands resting gently on his chest for only a moment before you pushed him away.
“Bonnet, I am flattered that you are defending me, but Storm does not have a mistress.”
His sister looked at them bewildered.
“He sneaks out Eleanor. There is only one reason Storm has ever snuck out of this house.”
“I am sure of it Bonnet, because he has been sneaking out to visit me.”
Her gasp filled the room and Storm was not sure if Bonnets face could get any redder. Clearly more explanation was needed. Eleanor quickly continued to explain.
“Oh dear, that statement made it sound sordid. Bonnet I assure you Storm has been a perfect gentleman, well nearly perfect,” she added with a slight blush, “but it is my fault he sneaks out. We have so little time together during the day and as much time as I have spent here, I had not learned that much about him. I did not want to get to my wedding day without having known the man I was marrying. So, we just agreed to meet in the evenings when everyone else is sleeping and stay up talking so that we may learn more about each other.”
Bonnet just stared wide eyed at them. Storms heart softened just slightly.
“Bonnet how could you think I would take a mistress.”
She shrugged.
“I… I am not sure. Oh Storm, I am so sorry.”
Bonnet turned away, tears in her eyes and though Storm went forward, it was Eleanor that took her in her arms to comfort her. Again, Storm felt his heart flip. This is what he imaged life with his wife would be. It was so important for his family to love the woman he chose, but also for her to love them back just as much.
“Bonnet, you brother would never jeopardize your family’s reputation. Or the example he sets for your brothers. Do not blame him for this. It was I that begged for him to sneak out.”
Bonnet ended the embrace and smiled weakly.
“I am sorry Eleanor. I am so glad that you are going to be my sister.”
Storm cleared his throat realizing they had forgotten he was in the room.
“Shall we just agree that all is forgiven and forget this conversation has taken place?”
Bonnet blushed.
“I think that would be most wise.”
Then, she gently pressed a kiss to his cheek, whispered another apology and headed out to make sure the girls were ready to leave. Alone once again with Eleanor, Storm could not help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
“Do not make fun of her. It was sweet that she defended me.”
It was sweet, now that it was over.
“Yes, my lady.”
She rolled her eyes at him and slipped her arm through his.
“Come, let us be off. I do not want to keep your family waiting.”
“As you wish my dear.”
When they entered the hallways all his sisters and Miss Larford were waiting. Greeting happened all around and sadly, Storm realized he would have to lose Eleanor’s company. Raising her hand to his lips, he wished her a good day. Nodding, wishing him well in return Eleanor allowed him to help her into a shawl. It was clearly going to rain.
“I will see you at dinner.”
Eleanor met his gaze, and to his surprise, her hand came to his cheek and she stood on her tiptoes to place a kiss gently to his lips. He slipped his arm around her and deepened the kiss ever so slightly to return her caress. Then, just as quickly as it started, the kiss ended. It was, he confessed, the sweetest moment he had ever experienced.
“Oh, how romantic.”
Her sister’s words made her blush, but Eleanor turned to the group.
“Let us be off. I am anxious to see my wedding dress.”
Storms eyes lingered on her until the door closed but it was his youngest sister Willow who ended up with the last word.
“You do know if you break her heart this whole family is going to revolt against you.”
He laughed at that, walking up the stairs to where his youngest sister stood.
“What if she breaks mine?”
Willow gave it a moment of thought tilting her head to the side to study him. Again, Storm wondered if he had under estimated yet another one of his sisters.
“If she breaks it, she was not worthy of it in the first place and I shall never give her a second thought. You brother, are perfect. It is why none of my sisters have married yet. No man could ever compare.”
And with that, she headed back to her room and Storm headed to his, too tired to worry if his sister’s words were true.