Chapter 3 #2
But even more, he was worried about how much he was looking forward to seeing her again.
The British Institution had always been Evelyn’s safe space.
But today, she stepped through the front doors more nervous than she had ever been.
She strode across the foyer and was almost through when a voice called to her, “Lady Evelyn?”
“Yes?” she said, finding the Institution’s keeper striding toward her.
“You forgot the clue,” he said, looking at her quizzically.
“Of course,” she said, realizing that it did look rather strange for her not to stop, when she had nearly every morning for the past few months, ever since they had returned to London. “I was so eager I rushed right by.”
She read the day’s clue, registering it, but her mind was too preoccupied to solve it as of yet. She would do that later, after she spoke with the duke.
She greeted the few people within as she made her way to the third chamber, finding the duke pacing, hands clasped behind his back. When she entered, he immediately turned toward the door, as if he had been waiting for her.
For a moment, she forgot why they were here, what had drawn them together, and appreciated the breadth of his profile, the power with which he held himself, drawing her in.
An attraction he had to shake off, especially when he turned around and caught her staring at him, those brilliant blue eyes focusing on her.
“There you are,” he said, his mouth in a grim line.
“And good morning to you, your grace,” she said, forcing the smile onto her face, even if she didn’t quite feel it. They could still be civil, being in public, even though, as handsome as he was, he was still slightly infuriating.
“Good morning,” he said through pursed lips.
Evelyn was more tense than usual, but she refused to let it show.
“Why do we not get to the point in which you tell me I was wrong and explain how your plan is better?” he said, staring down at her, and Evelyn lifted a brow.
“First, let us recognize that I am not the one you are angry at, and it would be best if you didn’t take your ire out on me. It would be far better for us to work together and not be antagonistic about this.”
“Fine.”
“Whoever has spread these lies needs to keep suspicion away from themselves, perhaps?” Evelyn said logically.
“Perhaps. It is as though someone wants us publicly linked.”
He was staring at her in a way that had Evelyn’s spine straightening.
“Are you suggesting that I might be to blame for this?”
He shrugged. “There are many young ladies who would like to be married to a duke.”
“There just might be, but I am not among them. That, I can assure you,” she said, nearly snorting.
“Am I so bad?” he lifted a brow.
“Let us just say that you are not a man I would wish to be married to. Especially if you felt forced into the situation.”
He tilted his head in agreement. “That would certainly cause resentment.”
Despite the disdain each of them was showing for it, all of the talk of marriage had her flustered, and she decided to change the subject before he noted it. “Have you heard from Pine?”
“All he has uncovered is the history of the diamond. That it has changed hands multiple times. It was even owned by my family for some time until my father sold it, although for what reason, I have no idea.”
“Has he discovered where the rumor originated?”
“No, but he would have a difficult time doing so, for he has no access to our circles.”
“We just might have to determine that ourselves.”
“I have considered this time and again, and it is complete nonsense for anyone to blame a duke or a young lady. We are the least likely suspects. For what reason could we be suspected of stealing the diamond?”
“Perhaps someone is angry with us, although why, I am unsure.”
“I cannot think of anything that makes sense,” he said. “Tell me, what is your plan?”
She placed her hands on her hips as she sighed. “Unfortunately, it seems the damage is already done. Whether anyone actually believes that I am in the wrong, no one wants to be linked to my father or to me. He is humiliated and refuses to attend lectures.”
“I understand,” the duke said. “I am already facing political ramifications. Any influence I had is disintegrating.”
“And our innocence almost makes us look guilty, for what can we say besides that we were simply standing there, watching the spectacle?”
“We were both with friends.”
“Beside one another, as it happened,” she said. “Simply… standing in the same room.”
With him completely oblivious to her, but she didn’t need to speak that aloud at the moment.
“Well, that appears to be enough,” the duke said. “What do we do now?”
“Do we take action or stay silent?”
“I think we need to look into this ourselves,” Evelyn said. “Take control. Be cautious but try to determine who is out to make us look suspicious.”
“Controlling the situation would help, but I would not want anyone aware of any interest we might have,” the duke said through pursed lips. He looked sinfully delicious, all brooding and concerned, but Evelyn tried to push that thought away.
“Why not?” she pushed. “It would make sense for us to want to learn more about a situation involving our names.”
“You do not fully understand just what is at stake for me here,” he said, his frustration evident.
“No?” she said, lifting a brow, trying to control her own temper, one that didn’t make itself known very often. “An unmarried woman targeted by scandal rarely recovers from it.”
The duke stilled at that.
“Why are you not married?” he finally asked, and she crossed her arms over her chest.
“The same could be asked of you.”
He snorted. “I suppose. Best leave it be, Lady Evelyn. I believe the best way to proceed is for each of us to discreetly inquire within our own circles where these rumors originated.”
“Very well,” Evelyn said, realizing that the duke might not be her best partner. He was too safe. Too careful.
She would do what she could, even if it meant doing it on her own.
“Good day, then, your grace,” she said, departing the room, leaving him behind as she made her way out of the museum, stopping in the second chamber to solve the puzzle that had been rolling around in the back of her mind.
She provided her answer to the puzzle on the way out the door before joining her father, who had been reading next door.
As she entered the carriage, she caught sight of Lady Norwood, a well-known gossip, watching her intently, but Evelyn shrugged. There was nothing to see here, just a lady going about her usual routine.
She wasn’t about to change, nor to bend.
For anyone.