Page 96 of Ravished By the Beastly Duke

“And yet you cannot refute my words,” she said simply, her eyes daring him to prove her wrong. “William, tell me that you think that I am not good enough for you.”

“How could you ever think that? Eveline, you are good enough for any man.”

“Then why am I not good enough for you?” she asked.

But you are. In fact, you are too good for me.

Instead, William kept quiet, watching her wipe her tears away angrily.

“I apologize for this, Eveline. I truly do,” he offered, despite knowing that it really would not console her.

“Do not insult me with your apology,” Eveline snapped as she rose to her feet.

She winced in pain the moment she stood up, and she sat right back immediately.

William rushed to her side. “Are you fine, Eveline?” he asked, and he immediately made to check her leg.

Eveline held out her hand to stop him. “Do not touch me!” she sneered.

William was taken aback. “I only want to make sure that your ankle is fine.”

“My ankle and my well-being are no longer your responsibility, I assure you,” she retorted.

“You are still married to me, therefore I deserve to know,” he insisted. “And we are still living under the same roof.”

“You no longer have to worry about that, and you do not have to go to your estate in Bath. I shall move back to my father’s house.”

William was shocked, as he had not anticipated this.

“But… but you cannot,” he stammered.

“And why can I not?”

He was not quite certain what to say.

“Because you are still my wife, and I need to know that you are fine at all times.”

“And how will you know if I am safe when you are in Bath?” she asked.

Once again, William was at a loss for words.

“What kind of husband are you if you cannot bear to be under the same roof as your wife?” she continued. “I shall return to my father’s house, where I can be with my family. I have no reason to stay here alone, after all.”

William knew she was right, and yet he could not bear it. If his wife left his home, then that might suggest that their marriage was at an end.

Right in his presence, Eveline summoned her lady’s maid, who helped her up. “Gracie, pack some of my items. I am returning to my father’s house.”

With that, she left the drawing room, all the while leaning against her maid for support.

“Eveline,” William called.

Eveline stopped.

“This will remain your home if you ever decide to return,” William said. “But I will not be here.”

Without as much as a glance at him, Eveline left the drawing room. He remained there, wondering if he had truly made the right decision. And even some moments later, when the footmen began to carry his wife’s trunks to the carriage, he was still unsure.

He remained in the drawing room when his wife finally left the estate, watching from the window as the carriage took her away.

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