Page 23

CHAPTER 9

“He is, without any doubt, the most infuriating man to ever walk this earth!”

Evie was clutching her parasol so hard that it shook a little as she vented to the two other young ladies with her.

“Even Colin was not so domineering, and to think he is my brother!” she continued, hating the way her voice turned into a sort of wail.

How embarrassing that I, a grown woman, could be reduced to such a state by an overgrown, controlling tyrant!

It was a fine afternoon in the park, and many of thetonwere out to enjoy the mild weather, dressed in their promenading finery. A few of them turned to look at Evie, but Scarlett merely shot everyone a warning smile, and they soon decided that it was in their best interests to mind their own affairs.

“Dearest,” Phoebe sighed, patting her arm gently. “I am sure His Grace only means well. On the bright side, he appears to be doing his due diligence in keeping you safe from those who mean to prey on your kindness.”

“More like he is going above and beyond due diligence.” Scarlett chortled, delicately hiding a mischievous smile behind her gloved hand. “One would think that the Duke of Ashton means to keep her unwed until her brother returns!”

“I think he means to do exactly that!” Evie groaned in dismay. “Oh, please do tell me—whatever am I to do with him?”

Both her companions shared a look before they sighed in surrender.

“I suppose you cannot do anything much beyond following his rules,” Phoebe murmured. “You are, after all, under his care and living in his residence at that…”

“Which is also a startling matter in itself,” Scarlett added. “Why, even my brother does not exactly live with Mama and me. He very much prefers his townhouse, and it is still considered acceptable.”

Of course, Evie was quite aware that she did not really need to live with Daniel for him to keep an eye on her. It was one of the things she argued about with Colin prior to his departure, but her brother had been adamant that it was for the best. That Daniel was someone he would trust even with his own life and that he was the most suitable guardian.

As if her grandmother was not formidable enough to scare off lesser men who dared to sniff around her!

But it was not the fact that he was so controlling that irked Evie—it was also the fact that she could hardly put him out of her mind.

Was she to have no respite from him at all? Must the man antagonize her even in her thoughts? Her dreams?

“Well, when a gentleman acts in such a manner, it could only be one of two things,” Scarlett pointed out. “It is either due to the obvious, which is that he desires control above all things, or…”

Evie frowned as she turned towards the redhead. “Or what?”

“Or that he actually desires you.”

At her friend’s words, she nearly choked. How was she to know that the redhead would be able to get to the heart of the matter?

But then again, Daniel did say that it was nothing more than a mistake. That they both should forget that it ever happened.

Evie could not even begin to grasp which was more mortifying—the fact that she had thoroughly enjoyed her first kiss, that it haunted her even in her waking hours…

Or the fact that the man who kissed her apparently dismissed it as nothing more than an error in judgment. A great error on both their parts.

“Well?” Scarlett looked at her expectantly. “Which one is it?”

“I… I…”

This time, both of her companions looked at her with renewed interest, and Evie wished she could come up with something—anything—to divert their attention.

How could she tell them about the kiss? Or that their interactions had an undercurrent of such passion?

Or it seemed like that from her side. With Daniel, she could never be sure. She could never deduce much from his cold expression.

She only knew that somehow, she could feel that she was not the only one so affected by it.

“Well, speak of the devil!” Scarlett smiled brilliantly as her gaze swiveled to two gentlemen headed in their direction.