Page 49 of The Duke's Accidental Wallflower
Evan’s gaze flicked briefly to Mrs. Dorset, who had stiffened at the mention of her name, and he had the good grace to look slightly chastened—if only for a moment. His teasing smile softened into something more sincere. “My apologies, Mrs. Dorset,” he said, offering her a polite bow. “I wouldn’t dream of compromising Lady Minerva’s honor.”
Mrs. Dorset’s expression remained stony, but she gave a small, approving nod.
Evan turned his attention back to Minerva, his eyes holding a flicker of genuine concern. “Very well,” he said, his voice gentler. “I promise, no more nonsense. Tell me what troubles you, and I will give it the seriousness it deserves.”
Minerva’s embarrassment only deepened as she realized how vulnerable this moment made her feel, standing before Evan with her chaperone scrutinizing every word and movement. She swallowed, gathering her courage. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice steadier now. “This truly is a matter of great importance, and I hope you will treat it as such.”
Evan straightened, and with a slight incline of his head, he indicated that she had his full attention. Minerva couldn’t shake the discomfort of having this conversation in front of Mrs. Dorset, but she forced herself to push past it. There was too much at stake to let her embarrassment get the better of her now.
He chuckled, a low, warm sound that did little to soothe her nerves. “Shame,” he replied, his tone light but his eyes now more serious. “Still, I am at your service. What is it you need?”
Minerva let out a breath, grateful that his teasing had subsided, even if she couldn’t quite banish the flutter in her chest at his nearness. “I need your help,” she said, her voice firm. “And I need you to understand that this is not a jest. My sister’s future may depend on it.”
Evan’s amusement vanished, replaced by a sharp, attentive look. “I see,” he said quietly, his posture shifting to something more alert, more earnest. “Then tell me everything.”
Minerva nodded, her fingers loosening around her reticule as she took a calming breath, feeling a bit steadier now that hewas taking her seriously. This was no time for games—and thankfully, Evan seemed to realize that as well.
Minerva’s lips pressed into a thin line, her fingers tightening around her reticule. “Hardly,” she shot back, annoyed at how easily he could make her feel defensive. “I have come to seek... counsel.”
Evan’s eyebrow arched, his interest deepening. “Counsel?” he echoed, as though the word was entirely foreign coming from her. “Now that sounds serious.” He leaned against the edge of the desk, still the picture of a charming rogue but with a hint of something else—curiosity, maybe, or concern. “What sort of trouble has found you this time?”
Minerva bristled at his casual tone, but the worry she carried for her sister outweighed her irritation. She drew in a breath, willing herself to focus. “It is not me who is in trouble,” she admitted, her voice softening. “It is my sister, Chastity.”
The humor in Evan’s expression faltered, and for a split second, Minerva thought she saw a genuine flicker of concern. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual grin. “Ah, the infamous younger sister,” he said lightly. “What mischief has she gotten herself into? Run off with a circus troupe? Eloped with a footman?”
Minerva’s temper flared, her frustration spilling over. “This is not a joke,” she snapped, her cheeks flushing. “She is heartbroken, and she blames me.”
Evan’s smile faded, and Minerva felt a pang of confusion at the way his eyes softened, almost imperceptibly. But he masked it well, straightening and giving her a casual shrug. “Heartbroken?” he repeated, his voice still playful but less mocking. “That sounds dreadfully dramatic.”
Minerva’s shoulders slumped, and she looked away, feeling guilty.
“I tried to protect her,” she said, her voice cracking. “I believed my actions were just, yet I fear I have wrought naught but further complications.”
Silence fell between them, and Minerva risked a glance at Evan. He was studying her, his gaze sharp yet unexpectedly gentle. She hated how vulnerable she felt, standing there under his scrutiny, but she could not deny the relief that flooded her at the hint of understanding she saw in his eyes.
He sighed, a sound that held more weight than she had expected. “To protect her, you say?” he murmured, his tone softer now. “It is, indeed, an act most becoming of you.”
Minerva’s head jerked up, startled by the sincerity in his voice. But before she could question it, he gave her one of his infuriating smirks, leaning back as if to put distance between them. “But I must say, I never imagined you would come tomefor advice. I am honored, truly.”
Minerva’s frustration flared again, but this time, she felt the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “If you would take this seriously,”she began, though the sharpness in her voice had softened. “I might actually get some help from you.”
Evan’s gaze never wavered, and she found herself holding her breath as he regarded her, his eyes thoughtful. Finally, he inclined his head, the playful mask slipping just enough to reveal something warmer, something sincere. “All right,” he said quietly. “Tell me what happened.”
Minerva swallowed hard, the tension in her chest easing slightly. She wasn’t sure what had made her come here, what had driven her to seek him out of all people. But as she looked into his eyes and saw the genuine concern he was trying so hard to hide, she realized that perhaps she had chosen better than she’d thought.
Minerva took a deep breath, steadying herself. She had come this far, and now she had to follow through. Chastity’s heartbreak and the guilt she carried for her part in it pressed heavily on her chest. She clasped her hands tightly, her knuckles turning white.
“It all started when I discovered that Chastity had been... seeing someone in secret,” Minerva began, her voice low but steady. She kept her eyes on Evan, trying to gauge his reaction, but his face was impassive, waiting for her to continue. “I did not know who he was, only that she was meeting him at events we attended, slipping away when I was not paying attention. I never imagined it would come to this.”
Evan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “And you are certain he is someone of our circle?” he asked, his voice gentle but probing.
Minerva nodded. “Yes. From what I could gather, he is well-educated. He studied at Oxford—classical literature, I believe. And Chastity spoke of him with... such reverence.” Her voice faltered for a moment, the ache of her sister’s betrayal fresh. “I know they danced together at several events, though always in a way that seemed... inconspicuous. It was meant to be secret, but now that everything has fallen apart, I need to know who he is.”
Evan’s expression had shifted as she spoke, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced by a seriousness she had rarely seen. His mouth tightened as if he were wrestling with some unspoken thought. When she finished, he exhaled, his shoulders relaxing.
“Let me see if I have this right,” he said, his voice lightening with just a hint of humor. “You want me to hunt down this mystery scholar from Oxford, this lovestruck philosopher who managed to charm your sister under your very nose?”
Minerva bristled, her pride flaring. “I do not find this situation amusing, Your Grace,” she snapped. “Chastity is heartbroken, and if there is any way to... to mend this, to set things right, I will do whatever it takes.”
