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Tears welled up in Eveline’s eyes, but she let herself be led by her sister, only stopping to give the Duke another apologetic look. His reputation would not suffer a brutal blow the way hers would, but he would no doubt be inconvenienced by the rumors.

“You should take the back entrance,” Lord Yardley suggested. “Let her at least escape tonight without facing their stares.”

“Thank you, My Lord,” Ava told him. “And I am sorry this…”

“Think nothing of it, dear girl,” Lord Yardley reassured her. “I know your sister, and I am sure this is nothing more than a misunderstanding.”

Her silence was all the answer Eveline needed to know that she did not believe that to be true. It almost stung, but Ava wasn’t wrong.

The Duke had said nothing, and his face had been unreadable, but no doubt he would be livid, seeing as what he had predicted had happened. He would no doubt tell the truth of what had happened, and she would be ruined come morning, known as the wanton who asked a man she did not know to kiss her.

Lily was beside them in an instant, taking her other hand.

“I have already told them to prepare your carriage,” she informed Ava.

“Thank you, Lily,” Ava said tonelessly.

“Please, do not be upset with Evie. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for why she was in that chamber. You know she?—”

“As much as I appreciate your counsel, Lily, I would rather not discuss this here or now. There are too many eyes and ears,” Ava interrupted. “I will write to you. For now, I must deal with this… We shall see you for tea later.”

“I will expect your invitation, then,” Lily said, hugging them both. “Safe travels.”

Eveline was still in a state of shock when she was helped into the carriage, but she was also afraid, seeing how still Ava had become.

Her sister was often loud when she was angry, but this cold fury scared her even more. She knew her sister was blaming herself already for the incident and wanted to assure her that she had not failed.

“Ava, I?—”

“I certainly hope whatever it was that happened between you two was worth your reputation.”

CHAPTER 4

“Icertainly hope whatever it was that happened between you two was worth your reputation.”

Ava’s words were full of ice as she finally turned to glare at Eveline.

Eveline wasn’t too stunned by the incident to be blind to her anger. She had not only ruined her reputation but had also ruined the effort her sister had put into her education for the past ten years since their mother’s passing.

Being only three years older and forced into the role by their father’s lack of care, Ava had spent her waking moments raising her sisters, hoping to see them well-settled in their husbands’ homes. That was the only reason she chose not to have a debut and to avoid getting married.

“Ava, I cannot begin to apologize for what I have done,” Eveline started. “I should never have?—”

“Why were you in that chamber?” Ava asked. “I was looking everywhere for you, and you just… disappeared. You asked me for more independence, and I gave it tonight. I left you dancing with Lord Salsbury, thinking you would behave without my hovering, and what did you do? You threw my generosity in my face. I am sorely disappointed in you.”

“I did not mean to cause a scandal, Ava!” Eveline cried, feeling the first tears spill over. “I only went to get some air to escape your matchmaking schemes. I did not think that chamber would be occupied. You do not understand what it has been like for me this past week, with the matches you’ve attempted to make for me without understanding what I need.”

“And what is that? A love match?” Ava spat. “You have to be realistic, Evie. Love matches seldom happen for us. A wealthy husband you can eventually grow to love will guarantee you and your children a safe future. That is all I have been laboring for. For you and Stella—and now you’ve ruined it.”

“I have never asked you to find me a rich husband! I do not want a man who will not love or respect me!” Eveline cried. “I only want a man who will not see me only as a broodmare to bear heirs. I do not want an unhappy future. I will not stand for it.”

“Evie…” Ava sighed.

There was no ice in her eyes anymore. All that was left was a tired woman who had given up on her dreams for responsibility’s sake.

Eveline felt guilty for being ungrateful.

“I apologize, Ava. I wasn’t thinking,” she said. “I should have left that chamber the moment I realized it was occupied.”