Page 58 of Her Devil of a Duke
“And that is an offer you are not taking back,Your Grace. I must confess I was worried where I would find any great lodgings here. Most places are still barricaded in by the recent snowfall.” Simon sat back with a smile as he lifted his coffee cup. “Besides, I should be at my best for when I arrive. Hester and I intend to make a little announcement tomorrow evening.”
“Hester?” Rafe smirked, noting the way his friend used her Christian name and no longer her more formal address, very unlike himself. “Wait… what have I missed, Simon?”
“Well, whilst you have been trapped here in Sussex, I have been trapped in London. I went on foot many times to see Hester, and while I was tumbling through that waist-high snow, a realization occurred to me that I could no longer deny. I am in love, Rafe. I have asked Hester to marry me, and I am delighted to say, between us, that she has accepted.”
“This is wonderful news man!” Rafe reached across the table and shook his friend’s hand, congratulating him heartily. “I couldn’t be happier for you. You intend to announce your betrothal tomorrow night?”
“Indeed, we do.” Simon laughed—he was so giddy with happiness. “Her father is delighted by the match too, of course, though that matters little to me. From what I understand talking to Hester, she will be very glad to be away from that man’s house.”
“Ah. Linfield estate, a fine refuge for ladies escaping their disgruntled families,” Rafe teased his friend.
“Youcan keep that privilege, old boy. My woman assures me she loves me too. Something I never thought I would be so blessed to hear.” He sighed happily and sat back. “So, yes. We are to make the announcement tomorrow night. I would be glad for you to come to the ball. I could persuade Mr. Gulliver to extend the invitation.”
I doubt you would be successful, my friend.
“Do not worry about that,” Rafe waved away the idea. “I’ll be busy making preparations to leave for London tomorrow anyway. I wished to return today, but…” he trailed off.
“There is still ice on the roads. Some less-traveled areas are even wracked with it,” Simon grimaced. “After just making that lengthy trip myself, my friend, I encourage you to wait at least another day.”
Rafe huffed into his palms. “I’ll prepare tomorrow evening, and with a little luck and some good warm sunshine, the snow will have melted enough to allow me to depart early the following morning. Perhaps that would be for the best.” He sipped from his cup, indulging in the taste of coffee as a thought came to him.
Simon would see Evelyn tomorrow evening. She had to be part of the events. Surely her aunt and uncle would not announce the betrothal of her cousin without having her there?
“Do you know if Miss Evelyn Voss is to be there tomorrow evening?” he asked.
Simon’s brow furrowed as he sipped from his coffee.
“I was not aware you were acquainted with Hester’s cousin.”
“A little,” Rafe lied.
“Truly? Just a little?” Simon said with plain suspicion. “Ah, Rafe. I thought you said you were going to behave from now on.”
“Believe me, I am holding onto that.” Rafe was firm on that point, sitting forward. “I will not tell you all the details but let me say this. Something has passed between Miss Evelyn and myself, and it did not happen because I was being wayward or indulgent. It happened for entirely different reasons.”
Simon tilted his head to the side, watching Rafe as if he was a hawk. Rafe decided to talk quickly before his friend could ask him any more questions.
“I’m just wondering if you know whether she’ll be there tomorrow evening at this ball or not.”
“I believe she will be,” Simon nodded slowly and sat forward. “Though, if what has passed between the two of you is what I suspect, then let me give you this warning now.”
“What warning?” Rafe’s chest tightened at the words.
“I understand from Hester that her parents do not just intend to announce our betrothal tomorrow night, but another’s. It is my understanding that they will be announcing a betrothal between Miss Evelyn and Laurence Windham.”
Rafe nearly dropped his coffee cup.
So soon?
The prickling feeling in his eyes shocked him. Was it tears threatening him now? Did he wish to cry at the mere thought of being separated from Evelyn forever?
“Ah, I see,” he forced himself to speak and snatched up the coffee cup, taking a large gulp in the hope the acrid taste would dispel that strange feeling. “Well, that is good news. She has had her sights on Mr. Windham for some time, I believe.”
“Oh? Is that the case?”
“Yes.” Rafe looked down at his plate, staring at the food he could not bring himself to eat. He tried to persuade himself to be happy, to see that Evelyn would now have everything she had ever wanted. Had she not wanted Mr. Windham even from the moment she saw him kissing another woman?
She doesn’t want me. I was a distraction, that was all.
