Page 35 of Ravished By the Beastly Duke

She did care for the Duke, the feeling even more pronounced since Wilson had told her about his childhood. But while she felt obligated to brighten up the estate, she could scarcely call what she felt for him love.

“Why?” Stella pressed.

“Because I do not know how he feels about me,” Eveline answered, sighing. “He used to just avoid me, but after he kissed me a few nights ago, we ate dinner together, and he recommended books that showed me he had a playful side to him too—and he looks at me with such intensity that I am sometimes breathless.”

She fell back into her seat with a flourish. It felt good to be a little girl again, discussing her tales of love with her sisters.

“I just wish I knew what he was thinking when he looked at me,” she added.

“You could always ask him,” Stella suggested optimistically. “Or better yet, tell him how you feel about him?”

“Tell him?” Eveline raised an eyebrow. “I could never. He might not take it so well.”

Besides, what would she even say? That she fancied him?

She knew she liked him, desired him even, but she also knew that he desired only a cordial relationship between them. If she were to breach that agreement, she might ruin the newfound friendship between them. And she would rather let her feelings choke her than return to the yawning loneliness she had been accustomed to.

“If he cares for you as you say, then he might feel the same way,” Ava suggested. “I still do not want you to reveal your heart too early or give it to him too easily. If a man knows he has such power over you, he might break you just to keep you bound to him.”

A dark mood descended over Eveline as she considered her sister’s words. While she understood they came from a place of love, she couldn’t help but resent them.

They didn’t know the Duke well enough to assume that he would behave as despicably as other men could, and while she couldn’t say she knew him well, she had a much better grasp on his character than they did, considering she had spent more time with him than they ever had.

“You do not know him well enough to assume that he would behave thus, Ava,” she pointed out. “He had faced some struggles, so it explains his unwillingness to be vulnerable, but he will not be so despicable as to use a woman’s feelings against her.”

“You cannot say you know him well enough as well, Evie.” Ava sniffed. “It has only been a few weeks.”

“But—”

“Why do you defend him so, Evie?” Ava probed. “Is there something more you know about him that we don’t?”

Eveline kept silent, weighing her thoughts while trying to keep a placid expression on her face. Even if she trusted her sister, she still wasn’t blind to her prejudice against the Duke, and as such she couldn’t trust her with what Wilson had told her. Evenshestill felt guilty for knowing because if the Duke somehow discovered that she knew, he might not take kindly to it, and it could ruin their rapport.

“Why don’t we discuss happier things, hmm?” she pivoted, trying to push past her melancholy. “Tell me what new lessons Ava had you take, Stella.”

Her sisters launched into a discussion, and she sat back, watching them talk over each other. She felt elated that she had invited them. She did not realize just how much she had come to depend on their bond until she no longer had them close by.

Yes, she had always fought with Ava over her strict views on decorum, but she craved having her sister’s guidance as she navigated her new role and new life. Some days, she still doubted she would be able to adequately perform her duties.

She shook the thoughts out of her head, choosing to savor the short time she had with her sisters.

They were laughing as she poured the tea when her sisters suddenly fell silent. She looked up to see what had caused it.

The Duke had stepped into the room, looking uncomfortable.

“Good day, ladies,” he greeted, bowing respectfully.

Her sisters rose and curtsied.

“Good day, Your Grace,” Ava returned.

“What brings you here?” Eveline asked, rising to her feet.

She had told him her sisters would be visiting, but she had not expected him to attend. He seemed the sort that did not enjoy socializing, but it seemed it would not be so with her family. Perhaps it was due to the newfound friendship between them.

“I wanted to meet your sisters,” he answered, moving to sit. “I barely spoke to them when I came to propose, and even at the wedding, I did not have the opportunity. I want to remedy that.”

“That is only because you chose not to, Your Grace,” Ava answered, sitting regally as though she were a queen holding court in her palace.

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