Page 50 of Her Devil of a Duke
What is already lost…
The words had even more of an effect on Rafe than Stede could have possibly imagined. Rafe stared into that rubble, realizing with horror that as much as he tried to picture what the painting of his ex-betrothed was like, the memory was increasingly disappearing.
Instead, he saw another before him. He saw Evie as she turned away from him, with anger flashing in her eyes.
I’ve lost everything.
A guttural roar escaped Rafe’s lips and he fell on his back, powerless, gazing into the clouds above.
The butler was quite taken aback by the sound. It felt an eternity had passed with soft speckles of rain falling over Rafe, when Stede cautiously put a hand out to him to try to show him some comfort in his own way. But it was far too late now.
* * *
“My Lady, are you sure about this?” Petra whispered as she stood behind Evelyn in the corridor, shaking her head, her whole body dithering with fear. “The weather is still poor, I’ve heard from some of the servants even the west wing has collapsed.”
Evelyn froze for a moment, a chill running down her spine. Was that the noise she had heard? She had assumed it to be the rumblings of an oncoming thunder, but had largely ignored it for she would not have allowed the weather to keep her at the castle for any longer than necessary.
“…It is perfectly fine for travel.” Evelyn was determined as she pulled on her gloves and looked out of the window toward the snow. It had mostly melted now. There was a little sludge left at the sides of the road and on the lawn, but the drive had been completely cleared. Evelyn now had hope at least that on her horse alone, she could make it through the last of the sleet. “I shall be quite well.”
“But…” Petra looked ready to argue again. Then, her brows drew in worry, and she stepped forward. “Please, take care, my Lady. This weather… it bodes ill, I am sure of it.”
“You have a good heart, Petra.” Evelyn smiled sadly at Petra, realizing that when she returned home, there was more than one person from this house she was going to miss. She would miss Petra’s company. The young lady had been a good maid and a close confidante for Evelyn during her stay. “Thank you for all that you have done for me whilst I have been here.”
“Please, do not mention that,” Petra murmured as she tried for a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. “It has been so nice to have you here. I am sorry to see you go at all, in truth,” she whispered. “I… I apologize if I am being too forward in saying this, but…”
Evelyn turned to face Petra when she stuttered. “Don’t worry, you can never be too forward with me. Go on.”
“Well, it is just that some of the other maids and I wondered if you would be the lady the duke would marry at last.”
Something twisted inside of Evelyn at the words but she did her best not to show it. “Marry?” Evelyn could have laughed at the idea if she hadn’t been hoping for the exact thing just a night ago.
I would have said yes.
The truth hit her as if a wall of ice had enveloped her body. She inhaled sharply and shook her head.
“I am afraid your master is not the kind of gentleman who thinks of marriage.” Evelyn abruptly thought of all the gossip she’d ever heard of Rafe, all the rumors, all that her cousins had ever said of him. Evelyn had known all those whispers and yet had gone to his bed regardless, foolishly believing she could be more to him.
That mask proves he is exactly as Hester and Kitty said. He is full of wiles and deceptions.
“Oh dear, look at the time. I must be taking my leave if I intend to make it before nightfall. Goodbye, Petra.” Evelyn took the maid’s hand and Petra curtsied to her.
As Evelyn tied the ribbon of her bonnet, Petra moved to the nearby window.
“Oh, how strange,” Petra said as she peered out the glass. “The master must have a visitor.”
Evelyn stiffened, fearing what visitor had arrived. If she was seen here, the damage done to her reputation would be irreversible. She moved to stand beside Petra as she looked out onto the driveway. A carriage had pulled up on the drive and the occupant didn’t wait for the footman to open the door for them. Instead, they flung the door open and strode down from the carriage. The tall body swung itself around toward the door, the top hat lifting as the face was revealed.
That’s not possible.
Evelyn felt nauseous as her eyes met Mr. Windham’s gaze.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
“No,” Evelyn whispered as she stared at Mr. Windham’s face.
His expression was one she had never seen before, contorted, the lines around his mouth tightened, and his lips curled into a snarl, revealing clenched teeth. It made his face look longer than before, the cheeks hollowed with pure anger. He thrust his top hat at the footman who hurried behind him, then he marched toward the house.
Evelyn instinctively fell away from the window as she backed out of her room.
