Chapter 3
“Must I wear this insufferable costume?” Evelina complained as she sat in the drawing room of her brother’s London home. The fabric of her emerald green dress was far too itchy, and the feathers in her pinned-up hair made her feel like a peacock on display.
“Yes, and stop fussing with your dress. You look like a proper lady for once. I would hate for you to crease your dress before our guests even arrive,” her aunt scolded her with a stern gaze.
Giving up, Evelina sat back and sighed, turning to her brother instead. “Will you still not tell me who it is we are meeting, or why I have to be here?” She asked irritably.
Felix shifted in his seat, seeming even more uncomfortable than he had been at the country estate. He cleared his throat before answering. “We are meeting with the Duke of Stormhaven and his friend, Mr. Adrian St. Clair.”
“And which one of these fools am I to be forced to endure until they finally realize that I am not the woman of their dreams?” She forced a stiff smile.
Seeming almost defeated, Felix let out a heavy sigh as he lowered his voice to a tired note. “Must you always be so difficult? I am certain that neither His Grace, nor his friend is a fool…”
“But you do not deny the fact that I am to be thrust in that direction?” Her irritation grew when her brother averted his gaze and turned toward the door where footsteps could be heard coming down the hall.
I am to be presented like a prized mare.
Evelina began to strum the tips of her fingers on the armrest of the chaise lounge, filling the air with a rapid rhythm that matched her irritation.
It did not take long for the butler to appear in the doorway, his neat black livery immaculate as he bowed with one arm over his waist. “Begging your pardon, my lord, but the Duke of Stormhaven and Mr. St. Clair have arrived.” His graying hair clung steadily to the top of his head as he spoke in an imperious voice.
It is too late to run now.
Evelina felt her face flushing with anger as she stood along with her aunt and brother. She should have trusted her instincts and stayed at home, but she would never have heard the end of the matter if she had not come along.
There was no possible way that she would allow herself to be forced into a marriage. The duke was more than likely a stuffy, old codger who would expect her to be the perfect picture of a lady, but she would show him that his expectations were sorely misplaced.
The doors of the drawing room were pushed open even further, and Evelina found herself sucking in a sharp breath.
He is handsome.
The taller of the two men had dark hair and an olive complexion. He was well-built and muscular with strong arms and a defined jaw. Yet it was his dark eyes that drew her most of all. They were deeper than a coal mine and almost cold as she looked her up and down.
Breaking the moment between them, Felix came forward and bowed. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Grace.” He angled himself toward the darker-complexioned man, letting Evelina know that he was the duke.
Finally?
Her concerns piqued again as Evelina began to wonder just how long the matter had been under discussion. Had her brother been secretly plotting against her for months on end? Her thoughts were cut short by her brother turning to her as he made the introduction.
“May I present to you, Your Grace, my younger sister, Lady Evelina Mortimer, and my aunt, Lady Augusta.” He turned patiently to Evelina, giving her a warning look when his back was turned to the men.
Evelina took her cue, composing herself as she curtsied and came up straight.
“The pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.” She allowed her gaze to wander over to the friend as she took in his red hair, smaller stature, and slightly less handsome looks.
He carried a boyish charm in his gaze, yet there was something almost likable about the way he smiled at her.
He is far more pleasant than the duke.
She returned his smile, but quickly looked back to the duke, who seemed to be taking her in like a prize he had won.
Just who does he think he is?
She bristled again at the cool look in his eyes. The opposing interests that both men were showing in her made her want to leave the room screaming.
“Shall we have a seat while we wait for the tea to be brought in?” Felix asked as he stepped aside and gestured for the men to have a seat.
“Thank you, my lord,” the duke said curtly in a deep voice that sent a shiver of something unknown down Evelina’s spine.
Why was it that a man as handsome and respectable as the duke was not yet married? Her mind could not help but wander down the path as she watched his precise and calculated movements.
It was highly unlikely that her brother had brought Mr. St. Clair to be her suitor when he was showing such obvious favor to the duke.
The men chose their seats opposite the woman, and Felix returned to his chair beside her.
An uncomfortable silence lingered for a moment before Evelina decided to speak once again. “So, which one of you fine gentlemen am I to impress?” She sat up straighter and placed her hands in her lap, enjoying the discomfort in her brother’s gaze.
Good. Let him squirm.
Mr. St. Clair almost laughed as he made a scoffing sound, yet the duke sat rigid, his gaze lingering on her as he refused to crack even a hint of a smile.
Her palms suddenly began to itch, and Evelina wondered what it would take to break the man if he truly was the one who had been chosen to court her.
Felix laughed nervously as he stiffened in his chair. “I hope you do not mind my sister’s little jest, Your Grace. She does so love to tease.” His hands fidgeted slightly on the armrests of his chair.
So, it is the duke.
Allowing the realization to settle over her like a pebble on her shoe, Evelina sat back and examined the stoic duke with his cool features.
She studied him more intently, taking his measure with a deliberate air.
If he were to be her intended suitor, then she would at least gain a proper opinion on the man.
Mr. St. Clair spoke up first as he smiled around the room, seemingly enjoying the turn of events. “I rather like a good jest from time to time.” He barely concealed his chuckle.
Evelina offered up a smile but turned back to the duke. “And you, Your Grace? Do you also enjoy a good jest, or is silence the order of the day when it comes to polite conversations? I hope that I have not offended your good opinion of me beyond repair.”
Felix once again inhaled sharply, but Evelina did not even bother looking away as she held the duke’s gaze.
Rather than flinching, the duke sat back in his chair and placed one arm over the armrest to his right. “Silence often reveals far more than idle conversation ever could. Would you not agree, Lady Evelina?” he raised an eyebrow as he began to strum his fingers over the armrest with calculated ease.
He is used to being answered and obeyed.
“And what, pray tell, has my lack of silence revealed to you, Your Grace?” She crossed her feet at the ankles and placed her hands demurely in her lap.
The duke’s eyes bore into hers with a cold indifference. “That you hate to be controlled, Lady Evelina.” His voice was cool and clipped.
Evelina parted her lips in a silent gasp.
How did he know?
In all her years of being shown and presented like a prized mare, she had never met any man who had summed her up so quickly and with such cool indifference.
The fact both infuriated and intrigued her in equal measure.
It was not often that anyone was able to meet her in the little word games that she played with suitors.
“And you, Your Grace, will you not ask how I feel on the matter?” She mirrored his gaze and lifted an eyebrow in question.
The duke’s hand moved to his chin as he ran the tips of his fingers over his cleanly shaven jaw.
“I think it is rather clear that my silence has affected you, Lady Evelina. You would not have commented on the fact if it had not been a cause for concern.” His gaze was still unwavering as he seemed to be taking her in with unceasing accuracy.
What is it about this man?
Evelina began to silently seethe as an awkward silence set in among the guests.
Her aunt and Felix exchanged a look of concern, but she paid little heed to the matter as she began to plot her escape. It was one thing to be thrust under the noses of suitors, but another matter entirely if the man was going to make a fool of her.
Leaning forward, Mr. St. Clair broke the tension with a laugh. “I do so enjoy your views on the matter, Lady Evelina. This visit has already been far more entertaining than many others of the same nature. Please do regale us with more of your opinions.”
The door to the parlor suddenly opened, drawing their attention to the side as a footman in dark livery carried in a tray of tea.
Clearing her throat, Evelina’s aunt addressed her directly. “Would you care to pour the tea for us, Lady Evelina?” She smiled sweetly, but the stern look in her eyes conveyed the fact that there was little or no choice in the matter.
Evelina got to her feet and began the senseless ritual of pouring the tea before forcing a smile. It had never made any sense to her why the ton placed so much value in a lady’s ability to do something so mundane, but she played her part and handed the duke the very first cup.
“Thank you, Lady Evelina,” he said stiffly and accepted the cup as the tips of his fingers briefly brushed against her gloved hand.
Something akin to a jolt ran up her arm, making her recoil slightly. Not so much that those around her had noticed, but enough to make her pause and meet his gaze.
What was that?
Her breathing deepened slightly as she averted her gaze and reached for the second cup. It was brief and fleeting, but the feeling of uncertainty had been there.
She refocused her attention on the task at hand and put the thought from her mind. Once everyone had been served, she returned to her seat and placed her hands in her lap.
Her aunt’s eyebrows shot up again as she gingerly sipped her tea. “You forgot to pour a cup for yourself, Evelina, dearest,” she said sweetly with just a hint of warning in her voice.
Felix eyed her wearily, but said nothing as the awkward silence ensued.
“I did not forget to pour my tea, Aunt Augusta, I simply do not wish to have any at present,” Evelina said firmly.
“But everyone else is having their tea now, dearest.” The term of endearment became more strained.
Evelina’s brows knit together as she frowned. “My apologies, but I do not feel the need for tea at the moment. I am suddenly feeling too ill.” She stood with a flourish, avoiding looking at either her aunt or brother as she headed directly toward the door.
Let them try to stop me now.
She headed directly toward the door, pausing only when the duke spoke up.
“Would you kindly have a seat again, Lady Evelina. We must still discuss the matter that will determine the rest of your life.”