Page 18 of The Duke's Accidental Wallflower
Evan’s silence only deepened their curiosity. Cedric and Ashford exchanged a glance, both leaning in closer now, ready for the confession.
“Oh, this is good,” Ashford teased, practically bouncing on his heels. “Go on, out with it. Who is the mystery lady?”
Evan exhaled slowly, knowing he wasn’t getting out of this. He had no choice but to admit the truth, but the words tasted bitter on his tongue. “It was... Minerva Bellington.”
There was a moment of stunned silence as both Cedric and Ashford froze, clearly not expectingthatanswer. Cedric blinked, his usually composed expression faltering for a moment. “Minerva Bellington? Lady Minerva?”
Ashford’s jaw dropped. “TheLady Minerva Bellington? Well-bred, untouchable,thatMinerva Bellington?”
“I have heard of eligible bachelors being more afraid of her than match-making mamas,” Cedric pretended to whisper to Ashford conspiratorially.
“I would not blame them, I have seen her sharp gaze set straight a number of wayward suitors,” Ashford agreed.
Evan shot him a warning glance, but Ashford was already laughing, the shock wearing off. “Oh, this isrich.No wonder you are off your game! You nearly kissed one of the most proper women in all of London!”
“Keep your voice down,” Evan muttered through gritted teeth.
Cedric, though more reserved, was still clearly shocked. “Evan, you do realize what that means, do not you? You cannot go aroundalmostkissing women of Minerva Bellington’s standing without grave consequences.”
Ashford was still grinning like a cat who had just caught a mouse. “This is brilliant. No wonder you have been brooding. She did not swoon into your arms! She probably slapped you.”
Evan’s jaw clenched. “She did not slap me.”
“So, what happened?” Cedric asked, his voice more serious now. “What exactly transpired?”
Evan sighed, resigned to telling them everything. “It was an accident. We were in the same place—alone. Things escalated, but nothing happened. She... resisted.”
Ashford leaned forward, his grin widening. “A lady like that—of course she would resist. Did you expect her to melt into your arms?”
“I did not expect anything,” Evan snapped, glaring at Ashford. “It was not supposed to happen.” Unwittingly, he rubbed at his hand, and Ashford’s sharp eyes traveled to the bruise beneath his thumb.
“She bit you!” Ashford crowed. “Oh, this is a tale for the ages.”
Cedric crossed his arms, studying Evan carefully. “Lady Minerva is not just any woman, Evan. She is a well-bred lady, and this could ruin her if anyone finds out.”
Evan set his glass down with a little too much force. “No one is going to find out.”
Ashford raised an eyebrow. “.Are you certain that no one saw you?”
Cedric nodded, his tone more serious than before. “Let us hope that you are right, that no one will find out. We would all hate to see you marrying someone out of obligation.”
Evan’s jaw tightened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “I will not be marrying her—or anyone.”
Ashford, who had been enjoying the teasing, sobered at Evan’s words. “Come on, Evan. You cannot still be adamant against marriage.”
Evan glared at him, the tension in his voice palpable. “My mind has not changed, even from our days at Eton.”
“I thought you just wanted to have time to have your fun,” Cedric added. “You did a few grand tours of Europe, spent your money conspicuously, enjoyed a few trysts with ineligible women. But now, you are flirting with a very eligible woman and saying you are still against marriage in general?”
Evan’s fists clenched at his sides. “I have seen what marriage does to people. I will not do it.”
Ashford frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. “Surely it is time to start thinking about settle down, producing heirs?”
Evan’s eyes darkened, and his voice grew cold. “I have no desire to marry. That will be all.”
His friends fell silent, caught off guard by the severity of Evan’s tone.
Cedric, ever the more thoughtful of the two, spoke quietly. “You are not your parents, Evan.”
