Page 42 of Never his Duchess

She glanced at her sisters, who had fallen silent and were staring.

“What is it?” she asked. “Is there something on my?—?”

“No, nothing,” Marianne said. “It’s just that… nothing. Let’s take our tea.”

They took a seat by the window. Usually, Evelyn enjoyed this café. It was for ladies only—the only one of its kind—where young women such as themselves could come without Aunt Eugenia as a chaperone. Of course, Eugenia was technically there, but she was currently outside chatting with one of her friends.

“So,” Evelyn said, “why do you think Harrison hasn’t responded? He hasn’t called on you.”

“You know why,” Charlotte said quietly. “It doesn’t matter if one has done nothing wrong. If one has a sibling with scandal clinging to her…”

“Lottie,” Marianne hissed. “Charlotte, do not?—”

“It had to be said. It’s exactly as Nathaniel warned: there would be a scandal. And now…”

“I would hardly call it a scandal,” Evelyn replied, shaking her head. “There are rumors, yes, but most are ridiculous. A few scandal sheets, perhaps. But is that truly a scandal? Or a real threat to anyone?”

And yet, as she spoke the words, she knew they weren’t quite true. She felt the way people were still looking at them. Whispering. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she looked down just as the tea was served.

“Perhaps,” Marianne said quietly, “you should stop rejecting gentlemen. If Harrison’s response is anything to go by, we may all suffer for it. I don’t want you to?—”

“I understand,” Evelyn said. “I do. But what would you have me do instead? Marry one of the fools Nathaniel keeps dragging before me?”

“No,” Charlotte said, placing one hand over her sister’s. “Admit that you care for Nathaniel. Admit that he cares for you.”

“He doesn’t,” Evelyn said, pulling her hand away. “Not at all.”

But that, too, was not true.

She remembered the way he touched her when they fenced. The way he had almost kissed her. The way she sometimes caught him watching her in the gardens. Were those signs?

Or was he merely appraising her worth for someone else?

“The way you speak with him—it’s very clear you care,” Marianne said. “And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. We haven’t spent much time with him, but it’s obvious he truly cares for you. You must admit that. You must.”

“I must admit nothing. He’s done nothing but vex me at every turn! Bringing in that ridiculous mental court, starting construction on rooms that did not need it, and somehow always finding me wherever I am!”

“I thought you said that had stopped,” Charlotte interjected.

Evelyn bit her bottom lip. It was true. The annoying, unnecessary work had ended a fortnight ago. Renovations continued elsewhere, but none near her. And now, anything requiring repairs was only handled after checking with her schedule.

Nathaniel had been… considerate.

But that didn’t mean anything.

Or did it?

Sweat broke out along her neck. She rolled her shoulders.

“Excuse me for a moment. I need air,” she said, rising quickly. She stumbled outside before her sisters could respond.

Behind the small café, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She had hoped for a few moments of quiet, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Whispers. Giggles. Growing louder.

“She must know how she’s perceived. How dare she show her face?”

“I’m more surprised she goes outside at all. We all know why she should stay hidden—with a man like that?—”