Page 78 of The Phantom Duke
Maria exchanged looks with Evelina. There was somethingoddin Ezekiel’s response, especially after he had just defended himself for looking so different to Damien. As though he wished to insinuate something.
It could not be thatDamienwas an illegitimate child; there was no evidence of that at all. Still, she felt uncomfortable and tried to assuage herself of the feeling. Maria had agreed to this meeting, but a cold sense of foreboding curled in her chest.
She had assumed that Ezekiel’s intentions were pure and honest. Were they, though? Or did the young man have some more nefarious designs? It was impossible to know if the comment was a cruel insinuation or merely an innocent musing.
“I think the best approach would be for me to speak to Damien alone, perhaps this evening. Prepare the ground as it were,” Maria said.
Evelina nodded her approval. “That man definitely needs some softening up before the delivery of news like this.”
Ezekiel listened earnestly. “I must confess that I am keen to meet him. I have waited so long for this moment. To be reunited with my brother. It is hard to contemplate the notion of extending that period any longer. When do you think that I might be permitted to come to Winterleigh?”
Maria took a deep breath. It was all moving very quickly, and she was nervous about Damien’s reaction. She felt that her own relationship with him hung on a knife’s edge, liable to explode into flames at the slightest deviation from the norm.
How can I introduce the idea of a long-lost brother without Damien believing that I am conspiring against him?
“I appreciate that, Ezekiel, but you must be patient. Your brother must be handled carefully, or all will be lost. Let me speak to him and then write to you tomorrow. I will know better where we stand then.”
Ezekiel reluctantly accepted. He remained with the two women, drinking tea and talking of his home in Northumberland for an hour before taking his leave.
“Well, what do you make of him?” Evelina said after getting up and checking at the door that he was out of earshot.
She did not know entirely what she felt about the young man, only that he was not what she anticipated. “Quite remarkable,” Maria said.
“I would tend to agree. I have never seen a more beautiful man. He would have the heads of ladies turning everywhere in this city, if he had a title, that is.”
“Do you think so?” Maria said, absently.
“It is self-evident. Do you disagree?”
“He was somewhat effeminate, I thought,” Maria said. “A little too delicate-featured for a man.”
Evelina scoffed. “You have been spoiled by your barbarous duke. Damien is a relic of an older time. Ezekiel is a man of our ownage. In terms of looks, anyway. Such a shame that no one will look twice at him once they know he has no rank.”
“I do not think I would ever have considered a man such as he attractive,” Maria said, resolutely. “Damien has strength. Solidity. He can protect a woman. I am not sure I could be so confident about Ezekiel. Besides…”
Maria frowned, resting her chin on her hands thoughtfully, stirring honey into her tea, watching the swirling liquid.
“Besides?” Evelina asked.
“You did not think that he was suggesting something when he spoke of his surprise at how different he and Damien are?” Maria said.
“We had just remarked upon it,” Evelina pointed out.
“Yes, but we have seen both men. He does not know what Damien looks like firsthand. He has clearly been listening to rumors, though. We did not use the word savage.”
“We implied it. A pirate is not a civilized man.”
“Perhaps I am overthinking,” Maria admitted. “Now that the moment is here, though, I find myself exceedingly nervous. I do not know how I am going to introduce this news to Damien without sacrificing myself and Gilbert. I am afraid, Evelina. Iwanted to do this for Damien, but I am deathly afraid that it will be the end of us!”
CHAPTER 21
“What do youmeanthat you did not notice any discomfort?” Simon asked, his face an expression of nearly comical outrage. “How long ago did you observe this?”
“You behave as though I have committed treason,” Damien said.
“It is no little thing! How can you suddenly have no discomfort around sunlight when you have found light to be uncomfortable for as long as I have known you? You cannot be miraculously cured!”
Damien shrugged. “Do you need more brandy, old man?”
