Chapter 33
Chapter
Thirty-Three
T hankfully, the detour Rossi had made placed them closer to the ducal estate, and after winding their way through a series of country lanes, they arrived at Ebonmere Abbey before nightfall.
Ezra held back as Evangeline was greeted with delighted squeals, a flurry of questions, and the warm embrace of her sisters. She took it all in stride, never once revealing the turmoil she had endured at the hands of a madman.
A man who, at this very moment, was on his way back to London—tied up to within an inch of his life and secured at the rear of the carriage. Ezra had sent Evangeline’s maid with him, charged with ensuring his instructions were followed and that Gabriel Rossi was deposited at the nearest watch house for safekeeping… At least until Ezra decided what to do with him.
With a mix of relief and bone-deep amusement, he watched her surrounded by so much love and affection—everything she deserved, and especially today.
He drank in the sight of her. No matter what she might say, no matter how she might still protest, he knew now—without question—that what he felt for her was true. It was love. A love so fierce and rooted in truth that he feared, had he met her after Luisa, he would have been torn with choices no man wishes to make.
He hated himself for even thinking such a thing. But he could no longer deny the truth of it: the woman before him—smiling despite the weariness in her eyes and the disheveled curls left by Rossi’s rough treatment—had never looked more beautiful.
Ezra stepped out of the drawing room and waylaid a passing maid. “Have a bath prepared in Lady Evangeline’s chambers. A clean shift and turned-down bed, if you please.”
“Of course, my lord,” she said with a curtsy before hurrying off.
He returned to the threshold of the drawing room, leaning against the doorframe as the sisters continued their chatter and affections. Evangeline caught his eye, and at that silent exchange, he decided he would interrupt.
“Come, ladies,” he said gently. “Your sister has had a trying day and needs her rest. Tomorrow, when she’s had a good night’s sleep, you may ask her all the questions you like.”
Lady Angelica arched a brow. “You are not married to our sister yet, my lord. We are more than capable of looking after Evangeline.”
Ezra pressed his lips together, not wishing to cause offense, but before he could reply, Evangeline stepped forward and disengaged herself from her sisters. “Now, now, Angelica. Play nice, my sweet. I am very tired and in need of sleep. I shall see you all in the morning.”
A murmur of protests sounded from the girls, but they did not argue, merely allowed Evangeline to leave. He took her hand and led her from the room. “I’ll stay with you tonight. I want to ensure you sleep without fear.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, not arguing the point.
Upstairs, footmen moved to and fro, carrying buckets of hot water for her bath. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the steaming tub set before the fire, and Ezra moved to draw the curtains closed. When the last servant left, he turned and locked the door behind them, securing the space. He didn’t care if the staff gossiped. Let them.
“Can you help me with my gown, Ezra?” she asked, giving him her back.
He crossed to her, surprised—and quietly grateful—that she hadn’t asked him to leave. They’d barely spoken since the ordeal, and he hadn’t known how she felt. Whether she still wanted him near. He worked the hooks at the back of her gown, sliding the fabric down to pool at her feet, his fingers deftly loosening the laces of her stays.
“I’m sorry, Evangeline,” he said quietly. “For everything. I put your life at risk, and I hurt you. I don’t know how I’ll ever make it up to you.”
She said nothing. Merely stepped out of her shift, removed her stockings and slippers, and stepped into the bath. The water lapped at her skin as she sank down, and still he could not look away. She was perfect. She was everything. And even now, weary and worn from the day, he wanted her more than ever.
“You can wash my hair,” she said softly. “That will be a start.”
He knelt beside the tub, his lips twitching into a faint smile as he reached for the soap. “I love you,” he said simply. He met her startled gaze and hoped she knew his words as truth. “I know I cannot prove to you that you mean everything to me—not in a single day—but if you give me a second chance, I swear you’ll never doubt it again. I will love and will dote on you every moment we’re given. You are loved, Evangeline. Because of who you are. Not for a resemblance. Not as a replacement, but you.”
She watched him for a long, silent stretch before sitting up, sending water sloshing over the sides of the tub and soaking into his breeches. He didn’t move. Everything hung on what she would say next.
“I’m sorry too,” she whispered, her voice low. “I let my own insecurities—what I never received from my father, from any man—poison how I saw you. I told myself I wasn’t enough. That no one would ever see me as more than second best. And I placed all that onto you…and that wasn’t fair. I know better now. I know you see me. And I love you, Ezra. So very much. I don’t want our betrothal to end.”
“I want that too.” He pulled her gently into his arms, brushing his lips over her damp cheek, her temple, and finally her lips. “I love you for you. I’m in love with Evangeline Ravensmere. Not a ghost from my past, but you.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes and she glanced down. “I’m ashamed I ever let myself be jealous of a woman who didn’t deserve my anger. Not when she suffered so much.”
“I failed Luisa,” he murmured, cupping her cheek. “But I will not fail you. I cannot lose you, Evangeline. I would die if anything happened to you.”
“But it didn’t,” she said firmly, clasping his jaw. “We’re safe. We’re happy. And I cannot wait to marry you.”
“The duke and duchess will arrive tomorrow. Is that soon enough?” he asked. “Because I will not wait another day to make you my countess.”
Her smile bloomed like spring and everything for the first time in weeks felt right. “Tomorrow sounds perfect.”