A Duke For Lady Eve (Belles 0f Christmas Book 5)
Page 17
Aunt Edith released her and Evelyn pulled back, rubbing her arm. She kept calm composure as she formulated a new plan to convince her brothers to place a frog under her aunt’s pillow when the snow melted and the amphibians returned.
“Let us go in.”
Evelyn entered the room after her aunt; her heart beat rapidly as she laid eyes upon Julia and Dr. Cooper standing just off to the side of the room. It was time. She had promised the doctor when he’d called on her that night, renewing his offer, that he could expect an answer by Twelfth Night. Which meant she only had a few hours left to accept him.
Her stomach churned as she crossed the room toward her friend, her smile slipping between nerves and joy. How could she go through with this when the very idea set her body to shaking? She adored Jared Cooper; he was a good man. But he was not Alverton.
And blast her wretched heart, she’d fallen in love with the duke.
Pausing in the middle of the room, she heard the voice she’d thought of constantly over the previous week. Turning slightly, she first caught sight of the over-frilly debutante cousin of his, flanked on either side by regal, turban-endowed matrons of poise and distinction. How Alverton ever convinced the women in his family to attend the assembly was shocking, and Evelyn wished very much to know of his method.
That the man himself attended just one week after falling from a horse was an absolute miracle.
She paused, her eye catching Alverton’s and her world sliding to a halt. He watched her over the crowd of people gathering to dance, and she found she could not avert her gaze, so securely was he holding it in his own.
“You look breathtaking, Miss Trainor,” Dr. Cooper said just behind her. Evelyn turned to face him and her stomach sank at the hopeful look shining in his soft, blue eyes.
Suddenly, she knew she could not accept him.
How could she live with herself if she agreed to marry a man who cared so wholly for her when her heart was pinned on another man?
Jared Cooper deserved better than that.
Evelyn would have to return to London with her father and secure another husband, but that was the cost. It would be easier to endure an equally loveless marriage than one so painfully unbalanced.
His hand reached for her and he asked, “May I have the pleasure of the first set?”
Dipping her head in acquiescence, Evelyn placed her gloved hand within his own and followed the doctor to the center of the room to line up beside the other couples. She did her best to deliver a pleasant smile to her partner but was afraid she simply looked pained.
Glancing over Dr. Cooper’s shoulder, she caught the duke’s eye as he leaned against the wall. A blush warmed her cheeks—so pointed was his attention—and she was grateful when the music began.
What message was he attempting to send to her? She’d already rejected his offer of marriage. Surely he would return to London the moment he felt he could withstand the trip.
Had he come merely to torment her?
“You appear quite distracted this evening,” Dr. Cooper said.
“Forgive me,” Evelyn said. “My mind refuses to rest.”
The dance began and she felt Alverton and Dr. Cooper both watching her with equal interest, one man from his place standing beside the wall, and the other while he danced with her. She was overwhelmed, the stuffy heat of the room causing her corseted stomach to draw quick, shallow breaths while she tried to dance gracefully in the unfamiliar gown.
“Might I be so bold as to request sitting out during the next dance?” Dr. Cooper said. “Or would you prefer to dance?”
She looked down the aisle of couples and found Julia partnering Lord Sanders. Her friend’s smile was beautiful, her hair arranged more intricately than usual. Was that in an attempt to impress the earl?
Bringing her attention back to her partner, she said, “That would be fine, Dr. Cooper.”
The conversation needed to occur whether she wanted it to or not. It was just as well that she should put the man from his misery sooner rather than later.
They danced the remainder of the song with little conversation but the energy humming between them was fraught with nerves.
“Have you spoken with Julia yet this evening?” he inquired.
“No,” Evelyn said. “But she is positively glowing.”
“Indeed,” he agreed. “My sister has cause for such joy. I think you will find her well pleased.”
Evelyn searched the dancers for Julia’s face and found her friend at once. Julia’s countenance was bright, her smile unrelenting. “You cannot force me to wait to learn the nature of that joy, Dr. Cooper. Not now.”
He smiled softly, finding his sister in the crowd before saying, “She has agreed to marry Mr. Hart.”
The vicar? Evelyn nearly missed a step due to her surprise, but a quick glance at Mr. Hart seated along the wall was enough to prove Dr. Cooper’s claim. The vicar watched Julia with a contented smile, his eyes glimmering with joy. Evelyn found her heart lightened with happiness for her friend, for clearly, Julia was delighted with the arrangement.
As their dance came to a close, Evelyn dipped into a curtsy, doing her best to avoid Alverton’s strong gaze watching her from across the room. She placed her hand on Dr. Cooper’s forearm. “Might we find somewhere more private to speak?” she asked.
He agreed, leading her to the door. The back of her neck warmed and she followed him, her heart racing as she tried to determine how best to let him down.
“I can only assume,” he said finally, as he led her to a secluded bench just outside the assembly hall, “that you do not have good news to share with me.”
She glanced up sharply. “Why ever do you say that?”
“Because you cannot seem to look me in the eye,” he said softly.
Her cheeks grew warm and she cast her eyes to her hands, watching her fingers fidget. “I cannot marry you, Dr. Cooper.”
He sighed. “I figured so.”
She lifted her chin, doing her best to hold his gaze. “It would be unfair to you. I cannot accept you when my heart belongs to someone else.” Drawing a breath, Evelyn continued, the words resonating and settling as she said them. “I could not marry you for the sole purpose of security and comfort. It does not rest well within my soul.”
His lips formed a small smile. “And I could not sway you if I promised that I do not mind if you married me for the sole purpose of security and comfort? I believe we could find happiness.”
“You are probably correct, but I cannot take such a chance. And I cannot sit here any longer and allow you to guard yourself from the possibility of loving another woman.”
He stepped forward, reaching for her hand. “But I am content loving you, Evelyn. I am happy to do so for the rest of my life with the mere hope that you will grow to return my regard in time.”
And she could, potentially, reach a level of contentedness herself. But she did not love him in that way. And she was quite afraid she never would. “But what if I cannot? Dr. Cooper, please accept my refusal.”
“Very well,” he said, releasing her hand. He glanced back to the assemblies. “I believe our dance is coming to a close. Might I escort you back to your aunt?”
“You needn’t,” she replied. “I can find her well enough on my own.”
He nodded, his hands grasping behind his back. “If it is all the same to you, I believe I will take my leave.”
She dipped her head and watched him walk away, his shoulders bent in defeat. It sorrowed her that she couldn’t accept the man, but it was for the best. Now she needed to find a way to explain that to Julia.
Letting herself back into the ballroom, Evelyn sought out Lord Sanders and Julia within the dancers. The song was indeed drawing to a close and she had promised the next set to the earl.
“Might I claim the next?” Alverton asked, coming to stand beside her. He was dashing in a well-cut navy coat, his cravat starched and flawlessly falling into his waistcoat.
Her body h
ummed anxiously at the duke’s proximity but she did her best to appear unaffected. “I am sorry, your grace,” she said, continuing to search the crowd, “but it is promised to Lord Sanders.”
“He will not mind.”
She shot a glance at the duke, amused to find him standing beside her, watching the dancers without a care in the world. “You are confident, your grace.”
He speared her with a look. “I hope I have every right to be.”
Where was this coming from? The last she’d spoken to him was days ago in her father’s library after he’d been injured, and he had left the room with solemn acceptance. That was quite different from the attitude he was affecting now.
Lord Sanders escorted Julia to a seat along the wall beside the vicar—Evelyn assumed Mr. Hart to have claimed the next set—before turning toward Evelyn and the duke. The couple smiled at one another, love exuding from each of them and Evelyn wondered how she had not seen the connection herself earlier. Julia was going to make a perfect vicar’s wife.
Lord Sanders reached them shortly and bowed. “I believe this is my set.”
“Unless you are willing to forfeit it to me,” Alverton said. “I would be much obliged.”
Sanders turned toward his friend, his eyebrows lifting. “What has the lady to say of this arrangement?”
Evelyn was at a loss. She’d never been placed in this position before. It could not be proper.
“If Miss Trainor has no objections, I would be happy to oblige,” Sanders continued, “but I will gladly hold my honor and dance with her if she finds the arrangement distasteful.”
Evelyn swallowed. “I do not find it distasteful, my lord.”
He stepped back, flourishing his hands toward Alverton. “Then by all means, please excuse me.”
Alverton reached forward and Evelyn placed her hand on his arm as he led her to the floor. A soft, slow instrumental began and Evelyn found her heart beating rapidly within her chest.
“Dr. Cooper has gone home, I take it?” Alverton asked, his voice low.
She nodded, turning away from him in the motion of the dance. When they came back together, Alverton said, “And might I be so bold as to inquire why he chose to leave the Twelfth Night ball before midnight?”
“He found much to be disappointed in, and little to entice him to remain.”
“You rejected him,” he said plainly.
“Yes,” she answered with equal frankness. “I could not marry a man who loves me so dearly when I do not return his regard. The imbalance would cause me to resent him in time, I fear.”
The dance continued, bringing Evelyn and Alverton together several times in close proximity. The longer their silence stretched, the more shallow Evelyn’s breathing became, until she could no longer look the duke in the eye without fear of suddenly swooning.
Evelyn was too strong a woman to swoon; the idea bothered her very much.
She trained her gaze upon the buttons of the duke’s gold waistcoat instead.
“Shall we remove ourselves from the room at the close of the dance?” Alverton asked.
“No, thank you, your grace. I have done as much this evening once already and the experience was far from enjoyable.” If she could remain within the busy ballroom until Aunt Edith was prepared to return home, then she would be safe from reliving the earlier rejection.
“I would like to think a conversation with me might have a more favorable outcome,” he said, his deep timbre washing over her.
“Why ever do you think that?” she asked. She might love the man, but that did not mean she was any more suited to marry him.
“Because I have learned a few things and I am quite certain you would like to know them as well.”
Drat the man. Why had he fed into her curiosity? It was unfair. “Still, I cannot think it is wise. I would prefer to dance.”
“Fine. We shall dance.”
The song came to a close and the master of ceremonies announced the minuet. Alverton led Evelyn to her place and took his own, watching her while they waited for the song to begin.
When the first strains of the violin cut through the air, Alverton leaned forward. “Please listen carefully, for I fully intend to convince you to agree to become my wife.”
Chapter 22
Her eyes were wide in shock, and Alverton had to guide her through the first few steps before she regained her bearings. He cleared his throat, prepared to argue his case.
When her young brothers had come to his house earlier that day with their insights and stolen information, he had been skeptical at first, but so far they had proved accurate: Dr. Cooper had not received an acceptance a week prior like Evelyn had allowed Alverton to believe.
“I have been put under strict authority not to reveal my sources,” he began, further garnering her interest, he hoped, “but I was told that you have been falsely informed of the dire straits of your father’s finances.”
She paused, widening her eyes. “How can you know of that?” she whispered loudly, her gaze flicking to the surrounding dancers.
“Are you prepared to meet me in private now?” he asked.
She looked unconvinced.
“I promise not to press you,” he said. “I merely wish to talk.”
They could not leave the dance now without ruining the set. Instead, they moved through the motions together, Alverton’s stomach growing more nervous as the dance neared its close.
As the final strands of the violin sounded, Alverton bowed, reaching for Evelyn’s hand. He caught sight of Miss Rowe standing beside her mother, watching him closely, but he ignored the irritating girl.
She’d done her best to visit him within his own chamber on three occasions that week and he’d informed his own mother that if they were not removed from the house by the end of the day tomorrow then he would forcibly remove them himself. He was through putting up with the dowager’s antics.
“This way,” he said, releasing her hand. It would not do for them to be seen leaving in such a way. He stepped through the door and she followed. He led her into a parlor just through the inn on the other side of the wall, and she looked ill at ease.
“Perhaps we ought to go outside,” she said. “I am sure everyone in that hall watched us leave.”
“I will be quick,” he replied. “Your aunt has lied to you. Your father is not in dire straits, and your brothers will not be sent to the poorhouse. You could remain unmarried for the rest of your days and comfortably reside within your own house, if your brother permitted it after he inherited.”
“How do you know such a thing?”
“My informant overheard your aunt speaking the falsehoods and investigated the situation. I am not ashamed to say that I questioned your father myself when I learned of this so I could be certain I was delivering accurate information to you.”
“When?” she asked.
“This afternoon,” he said. “After my little informants told me everything, I was fortunate to receive a visit from your father. He has taken to visiting me this last week while I laid in my sickbed, and I learned a good deal about your family and situation between our political conversations. He had no trouble trusting me with this knowledge today when I asked him to verify the claims.”
She stared at him and Alverton did his best to smile easily. He lowered himself on a chair and indicated the seat opposite him. Evelyn sat, her dainty eyebrows pulled together in confusion.
“We are not poor?” she asked softly.
“No.”
“Then why must I wear those wretched dresses?”
Alverton chuckled. “I did not inquire on that score, but my assumption is that the discrepancy is found in your father’s lack of knowledge or interest in ladies fashion, not the lack of funds.”
She chuckled, bewildered, leaning back a little in her chair. “How did I not see that before? I did question him about Aunt Edith’s allegations, but he was so focused on my insult that he likely missed the intent of the conversation.”
She shook her head. “It is not very shocking, you must understand. On our way here tonight she attempted to convince me to snag a title while I still could.”
“Then let us move on to more pleasant matters,” he said, standing. He crossed the rug and sat in the chair beside hers. Her face remained calm and composed, but her eyes widened infinitesimally. “I was also able to learn through these anonymous informants that when Dr. Cooper came to the house before me and offered for you, you did not answer him right away. But you let me believe you had.”
“I wanted you to leave me be,” she said, wincing. “Forgive me, your grace, but it is the truth. I could never accept you and I needed you to understand and return to London so I might sort out my life in peace.”
He tried not to feel hurt by her rejection. How had he ever thought she had tried to snare him? It was madness. “Why could you never accept me?”
“I am nothing like Miss Rowe,” she said with feeling. “Furthermore, I was not raised to take on a role with such a grand title or distinction and I would not know what to do or how to act. I could never reach the grace your mother exudes.” She sighed, resigned. “It is too great a duty to bear, and one I was not born to. If I was meant to take on the role, then God would have seen fit to place me in a position to learn it. As it is, I am content with my lot in life.”
“What utter rot.”
“Your grace!” she gasped, her cheeks growing pink.
“Excuse my language, but I heartily disagree. I have spent my life being told of my superiority. I believed I was better than everyone else for so long that I’d lost the opportunity to be the man I ought to be. You’ve shown me through your generosity and kindness that the rank does not make up the person, but the heart does. And you have the heart of a duchess.”
She shook her head, so he reached forward and lifted her chin. “Miss Rowe is not suited to the position. She merely wishes for the esteem. I have spent years rejecting the women you described, and I had no idea that who I needed was living in a small country house in the middle of Wiltshire.” He smiled, unable to contain his amusement.