They Dared the Maid to Ride the Duke’s Wildest Stallion—She Shocked Everyone by Riding It Bareback
Chapter 13
The legal proceedings lasted months.
Eleanor’s claim was proven.
The stolen property was returned.
But the scandal reached London.
Some members of society whispered that the duke had become too close to a maid.
Others said Eleanor had manipulated him.
She ignored them.
Alexander did not.
At a formal dinner, one aristocratic woman remarked:
“It must be difficult for Your Grace to maintain standards when your household servants become ambitious.”
The room went silent.
Alexander put down his glass.
“Miss Reed is not ambitious.”
The woman smiled.
“Then perhaps merely fortunate.”
Alexander stood.
“No.”
He looked across the table.
“She is honest.”
Nobody spoke.
“She saved my horse when others abused him.”
He continued.
“She discovered a conspiracy when men with titles failed to see it.”
His gaze moved around the room.
“She risked her life to save mine.”
Then he looked at Eleanor.
“And she has never once asked me for anything.”
The woman lowered her eyes.
Alexander sat down.
Eleanor whispered:
“You did not need to defend me.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
He looked at her.
“Because I love you.”
The words were quiet.
But Eleanor heard them.
Her breath caught.
The duke reached for her hand beneath the table.
She held it.
For the first time, she did not care who was watching.
