Page 38 of Ravished By the Beastly Duke

Eveline tried not to let her confusion show at the sudden change in dynamics between them. Usually, he would have locked himself in his chambers until dinner. But he had come out to greet her sisters, even attempted to make conversation, and had not gotten irritated by Ava’s coldness, and now he suggested a stroll around the garden. She was unsure how to react to this gentlemanly side of him.

“You seem uncomfortable,” he noted.

She turned to see that he had a soft smile on his face. She flushed, dipping her head.

“I was only thinking back to the conversation you and my sisters had,” she muttered. “I am sorry for Ava’s behavior. She is just really protective of me.”

“I assumed that much.” He smiled. “I took no offense to it. It was rather amusing.”

“I do not think that was an outcome Ava would have expected.” She laughed softly. “She will not appreciate her intimidation being seen as amusing.”

He chuckled softly too. “I do not doubt that.”

Eveline stared at the easy smile on his face and decided that she much preferred this look on him. She was happy that he was finally letting his guard down around her, and she hoped he would not retreat behind his walls again.

“What do you think about the changes I made to the garden?” she asked once they were in the middle of a pavilion she had erected.

“I am much impressed,” he answered, looking around. “This was once… This was once a refuge for me, but now I feel like it will be a place of recreation. This pavilion has been needed.”

She blushed at his praise, grateful for his approval. She had feared he would ask them to restore it to its former state, but the smile on his face told her that he was being sincere.

“I am happy you approve,” she told him.

“We did not finish our conversation about your family,” he added suddenly.

She turned to him.

“I was jealous seeing you three together,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “I never had siblings, and I wish I had one. Perhaps life might have gone much differently. Theo and the others are the closest thing I have to brothers, and I cherish our bond.”

“I cannot wait to meet the rest of your friends, then.” She gave him a small smile. “Are they all like the Duke of Emerton?”

“Christ, no.” He laughed. “They are much better behaved than him. He is an anomaly, but we tolerate him because he humors us.”

“I have a feeling you care more for him than you let on,” she mused.

“Indeed. He is a fiercely loyal friend and has saved my life, but I will never let him know how much I value him, or he will never let me live it down.”

Eveline laughed, shaking her head. The closest friend she had outside of her sisters was Lily, and she had never had any reservations about showing how much she cared for her.

She really had to write to her soon, or it would be fire and brimstone later if they met at any events. Her friend had a temper that took prolonged apologies to cool.

“You will meet them all soon.” He smiled. “The Rightons are hosting a ball in a week, and we have been invited.”

“Oh…”

The Rightons were a powerful family that threw parties for only the elite of Society. Percival Righton, the Duke of Haversham, was sixth in line to the throne and a close relative of the Queen, which fanned his pompous nature.

She worried her lip as she mentally sifted through her wardrobe for anything appropriate to wear to such an event. She might have to make alterations to the dress she had worn to her wedding.

“What worries you so?” her husband asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“It is nothing, Your Grace,” she answered. “I have never been to one of their balls, so it is quite overwhelming to imagine.”

“Do not fret. I will be by your side.”

She nodded, smiling gratefully.

“I also have taken the liberty of commissioning a new dress for you,” he added, unable to meet her eyes. “I thought of it as a reward for how well you have managed my household. When we’re in town later, you can commission as many as you would like.”

---