Chapter 20
Twenty
The morning sunlight spilled across the breakfast table, highlighting the delicate china and the soft, golden rolls placed neatly on a platter between Minerva and her sister.
The clink of Chastity’s spoon against her teacup was the only sound in the otherwise quiet room.
Minerva had tried to enjoy the meal, but her appetite had been elusive ever since her visit to Evan’s mansion.
Just as Minerva thought to break the silence to ask Chastity about their next engagement, a sudden knock at the door interrupted them. Minerva’s eyes darted up, and a footman entered, bowing as he approached with a folded note on a silver tray.
“A message for Lady Minerva,” he announced, holding the tray out for her.
Minerva swallowed hard, her pulse quickening as she reached for the note. The paper felt smooth and crisp in her fingers, and she had a sinking feeling she already knew who had sent it. Offering the footman a polite nod, she waited for him to retreat before she unfolded the message.
Chastity watched her with curious eyes, pausing mid-sentence. “Who is it from?” she asked, her tone deceptively light.
Minerva forced a casual smile, hoping it didn’t look as strained as it felt. “Oh, just... a friend,” she said, her voice catching slightly. She cleared her throat, avoiding her sister’s gaze as she scanned the contents of the note.
Lady Minerva,
I have found the gentleman we discussed. He will not confess to anything directly, but he has agreed to speak with you. Meet us in the park at noon, near the west fountain. I hope you are prepared for this encounter.
—E
Minerva’s heart thumped erratically. He had done it. Evan had found the man who might hold the answers she so desperately sought. Relief and nervous anticipation warred within her, and she clenched her jaw to keep from betraying her emotions.
“Minerva?” Chastity’s voice broke through her thoughts, and Minerva realized she had been staring at the note for far too long.
Quickly folding it and tucking it away, Minerva met her sister’s inquisitive gaze. “Nothing important,” she said, feigning nonchalance as she set her napkin in her lap. “Just... an errand I must attend to later.”
Chastity’s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t press further. “An errand?” she echoed, her voice laced with skepticism. “You have been rather busy with mysterious errands lately, haven’t you?”
Minerva’s cheeks flushed, and she busied herself with slicing a roll in half. “Oh, nothing of interest,” she replied, hoping to change the subject. “Just some matters to see to.” She picked up her teacup, her hands steadier than she felt. “What will you be wearing to tonight’s soiree?”
Chastity eyed her for a moment longer, suspicion flickering in her gaze, but she allowed the topic to drop, albeit reluctantly. “Yes, well,” she said, ”Perhaps that lilac dress…”
Evan stood beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak in the park, the leaves casting dappled shadows across the ground.
The afternoon was bright and pleasant, but his mood was anything but serene.
His hands were clasped behind his back, and he couldn’t help but pace a few steps every now and then, the anticipation and uncertainty gnawing at him.
He had spent days searching, questioning his circle of acquaintances and discreetly pressing for information until he had finally found the man he suspected had been courting Chastity in secret.
The revelation had surprised him—though, admittedly, it shouldn't have.
Love often found its way into the most unexpected corners of society, and this case was no different.
Evan’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.
He turned to see Minerva making her way toward him, her expression composed, but he could see the worry beneath her calm facade.
Her presence never failed to stir something deep within him—a mix of admiration, exasperation, and something else he still couldn’t quite name.
Their exchange in the gallery had left him introspective, more aware of the flaws in his own character. He wanted to be the kind of man who could be worthy of her respect. It had been a strange realization, but one he could not dismiss.
Minerva reached him, her gaze searching his face for any hint of what news he might bear. “Your Grace,” she greeted, her voice steady, though he could sense the anxiety beneath it. “You found him?”
Evan nodded, his expression softening. “I have,” he said, though there was a heaviness in his voice. He gestured to a bench nearby, where a young man sat with his head bowed, nervously twisting the brim of his hat in his hands.
The gentleman in question was Lord Wellford.
He came from a good, honorable family with a proper social standing, but he hadn’t made a significant name for himself within the social circles.
He wasn’t known for any particular accomplishments, wealth, or notable influence.
Moreover, Wellford had the air of someone who wore his heart on his sleeve.
He was not the sort of suitor Minerva might have chosen for Chastity, but his loyalty to Chastity had been evident in the way he had spoken of her, even if he had still refused to admit to their courtship.
Minerva’s eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight of Wellford. “Lord Wellford?” she whispered, more to herself than to Evan. Her surprise was clear, but Evan also noticed the flicker of understanding in her eyes.
Evan stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. “He cares for her, Minerva. More than I think you realize.” His tone softened further. “I know you want what is best for your sister, but sometimes love is found in places we least expect.”
Minerva looked up at him, her expression conflicted. For a moment, Evan thought she might argue, but then she drew in a deep breath and nodded. She set her shoulders and approached Lord Wellford.
Lord Wellford stood as Minerva neared, his face pale, eyes shadowed with apprehension. “Lady Minerva,” he greeted, his voice tight with nerves, and he dipped his head stiffly. His grip on his hat was almost desperate, the brim bending under the pressure of his fingers.
Minerva drew herself up, poised and unyielding, even as her heart ached for her sister. “Lord Wellford,” she began, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of determination. “We must speak about my sister.”
Wellford’s jaw clenched, and he looked as though he might bolt. “I am not sure what you mean,” he replied—though his eyes betrayed him, darting nervously to the side.
Minerva arched an eyebrow, her tone hardening slightly. “Do not play coy, my lord. I know about the affection between you and my sister.”
“Well, I—” He faltered, his shoulders tensing as he glanced between Minerva and Evan. “I assure you, Lady Minerva, I would never wish to compromise your sister’s reputation. I have always acted with the greatest respect.”
Evan, who had been silently observing, shifted his stance, stepping forward. “Come now, Wellford,” he said with a touch of teasing in his voice. “We are not here to accuse you of any wrongdoing. But there is a matter of the heart at stake, and it deserves your honesty.”
Wellford’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, his gaze flickering to Evan as if he distrusted the Duke’s easy manner. Still, Wellford shook his head. “I do not know what you mean,” he repeated, though his voice wavered, his composure fraying.
Minerva’s eyes narrowed. “Do not deny it. Chastity has been heartbroken since you left her. You owe her—”
Evan gently touched her arm, cutting off her words. “Minerva,” he said softly, his gaze meeting hers with a steadiness that spoke volumes. “Perhaps we should give Lord Wellford a moment. This cannot be easy for him.”
Minerva bit the inside of her cheek, frustration simmering, but she took a breath and stepped back.
Evan turned his attention back to Wellford, his voice softer now, his teasing edge replaced by an unexpected kindness.
“She means a great deal to you, doesn’t she?
” he asked, his eyes searching Wellford’s face.
Wellford’s defenses wavered. His eyes glistened with emotion he couldn’t hide.
“Yes,” he admitted, his voice cracking. “She means everything to me. But being a secret—being hidden away—do you understand how it felt?” His words tumbled out, raw and aching.
“I wanted to be worthy of her, but it was never enough.”
Evan watched as Minerva took a breath, her voice unwavering but full of a quiet vulnerability he hadn’t often seen in her. “Lord Wellford,” she began, her words measured but sincere, “what you need to understand is that the secrecy of your courtship wasn’t Chastity’s doing. It was mine.”
Evan felt a pang of surprise at her admission, but he remained silent, observing the way Wellford’s brow furrowed with confusion.
“Yours?” Wellford echoed, his voice uncertain, as if he were trying to make sense of her words.
“Yes, mine,” Minerva replied. Her poise was intact, but Evan could see the guilt simmering beneath her composed exterior. “I have always tried to protect my sister—sometimes too much. I feared scandal, the possibility of disgrace. She did not believe that I would approve of a match.”
Evan studied Wellford’s reaction. The young lord’s shoulders relaxed just a fraction. Clearly, Minerva’s confession had taken him by surprise, perhaps even disarmed him.
Minerva continued, her voice growing gentler. “Chastity never wanted to hide you. She wanted to be with you openly, to share her joy with the world. But she wanted my approval, even though it hurt her. And now, because of my misguided attempts to protect her, she’s the one suffering.”
Evan’s admiration for Minerva deepened. It took courage to admit fault, especially when that fault had caused so much heartache. But as he watched her, he knew this was a side of her he was growing to understand—and perhaps even care for.
Evan decided to step in, sensing that Wellford needed more than just a confession to be swayed.
He adopted a gentler tone, a stark contrast to his usual teasing demeanor.
“Minerva’s telling the truth,” he said, his gaze steady on Wellford.
“Love doesn’t always come easily, nor is it without obstacles.
But if it is real, it is worth the effort, don’t you think? ”
Wellford’s eyes shifted between Evan and Minerva, doubt and hope warring on his face. He held his hat tighter, the muscles in his jaw working as he processed everything.
“I thought…” Wellford finally spoke, his voice breaking slightly. “I thought Chastity didn’t care enough to stand up for us. That she was content to let things stay hidden.”
Minerva’s expression softened further, and Evan felt a stirring of something he couldn’t quite name as he watched her take a step closer to Wellford.
“She cared deeply,” Minerva said, her voice thick with sincerity.
“And she still does. If you felt hidden or unimportant, it wasn’t because of her lack of feeling, but because of my fear. And for that, I am so sorry.”
Evan’s heart twisted slightly at the genuine remorse in her voice.
He leaned forward, catching Wellford’s gaze.
“Sometimes,” Evan said, his voice warm but firm, “the right path forward means letting go of old hurts. If you still care for her, don’t let a mistake like this be the end. Give her—and yourself—another chance.”
Wellford’s eyes met Evan’s, and for the first time, there was a flicker of understanding. He looked back at Minerva, who stood with an earnestness that seemed to reach him at last. The tension in Wellford’s frame began to ease, and Evan could see the hope beginning to take root.
“Wellford, Lady Chastity deserves to hear how you feel,” Evan added, softening his voice even more. “And you deserve to know the truth of her heart.”
The young lord hesitated, fear and longing etched on his face. Finally, he drew in a deep breath, his voice steadier than before. “Very well,” he said, determination glinting in his eyes. “I will speak to her. I owe her—and myself—that much.”
Evan couldn’t help the small, satisfied smile that curved his lips. He exchanged a brief glance with Minerva, whose relief was palpable, and something about the moment felt… right. For once, it felt as though they were on the same side, and that realization sent an unexpected warmth through him.