Page 11 of Ravished by the Beastly Duke (Regency Beasts #1)

CHAPTER 11

“ I see now why you delayed inviting us to your estate,” Ava mused, eyeing the castle. “This is absolutely marvelous, Evie.”

Eveline had been too excited to sleep after her kiss with the Duke, and while she had tossed and turned, she remembered that she had yet to write to her sisters. It had been no hard feat to write a letter. First, she apologized for not writing to them sooner, and then she described the estate in as much detail as Stella would no doubt demand, not forgetting to mention her duties to Ava. She refrained from mentioning her relationship with the Duke but hinted at his kindness to her.

She had also extended an invitation to visit, as she wanted very much to show them her new home and what she had accomplished. And so, in a week, they arrived.

Their awe had been all the answer she needed to know that she had indeed performed well.

“It is, indeed,” she answered. “I felt much the same when I first arrived.”

“And you look radiant, Sister,” Stella remarked with a smile. “Do you think I will be able to marry a duke too?”

“If you pay attention to your lessons,” Ava chided.

“It wasn’t lessons that got Eveline her Duke.” Stella pouted.

“Stella!” Ava gasped.

“Let us go into the drawing room. It is much too hot to be outside,” Eveline suggested, not wanting her sister to fight, and then led them down a scenic path to the room.

She described the changes she had made as she did so, savoring the way her sisters hung on her every word, offering praise where necessary.

“Wilma, please bring a tea tray,” she ordered once they sat.

“Yes, Your Grace,” the parlor maid answered, before scurrying away.

“I see you have adjusted to your role,” Ava noted. “It becomes you.”

“It’s only because of your guidance, Ava. Or else I would have been hopelessly lost.”

“You are doing fine,” Ava commended. “Although I cannot help but wonder if you are truly well. How has the Duke treated you?”

“Kindly,” Eveline answered with a blush. “He has been kind to me.”

“Is that not only because you have been performing your duties well? Has he shown you his rage? Does he hurt you when…” Ava trailed off with a pointed look at Stella, but Eveline caught her meaning.

“No,” Eveline answered, shaking her head. “He doesn’t hurt me, and he seems to care for me.”

She thought back to how attentive her husband had been over the last few days and smiled again, lowering her head.

“What is it, Evie?” Stella asked excitedly. “Have you fallen in love with your husband?”

“Love?” Eveline protested. “That is far-reaching, Stella. I… I cannot deny I have feelings for him, but I am confused.”

She did care for the Duke, the feeling even more pronounced since Wilson had told her about his childhood. But while she felt obligated to brighten up the estate, she could scarcely call what she felt for him love.

“Why?” Stella pressed.

“Because I do not know how he feels about me,” Eveline answered, sighing. “He used to just avoid me, but after he kissed me a few nights ago, we ate dinner together, and he recommended books that showed me he had a playful side to him too—and he looks at me with such intensity that I am sometimes breathless.”

She fell back into her seat with a flourish. It felt good to be a little girl again, discussing her tales of love with her sisters.

“I just wish I knew what he was thinking when he looked at me,” she added.

“You could always ask him,” Stella suggested optimistically. “Or better yet, tell him how you feel about him?”

“Tell him?” Eveline raised an eyebrow. “I could never. He might not take it so well.”

Besides, what would she even say? That she fancied him?

She knew she liked him, desired him even, but she also knew that he desired only a cordial relationship between them. If she were to breach that agreement, she might ruin the newfound friendship between them. And she would rather let her feelings choke her than return to the yawning loneliness she had been accustomed to.

“If he cares for you as you say, then he might feel the same way,” Ava suggested. “I still do not want you to reveal your heart too early or give it to him too easily. If a man knows he has such power over you, he might break you just to keep you bound to him.”

A dark mood descended over Eveline as she considered her sister’s words. While she understood they came from a place of love, she couldn’t help but resent them.

They didn’t know the Duke well enough to assume that he would behave as despicably as other men could, and while she couldn’t say she knew him well, she had a much better grasp on his character than they did, considering she had spent more time with him than they ever had.

“You do not know him well enough to assume that he would behave thus, Ava,” she pointed out. “He had faced some struggles, so it explains his unwillingness to be vulnerable, but he will not be so despicable as to use a woman’s feelings against her.”

“You cannot say you know him well enough as well, Evie.” Ava sniffed. “It has only been a few weeks.”

“But—”

“Why do you defend him so, Evie?” Ava probed. “Is there something more you know about him that we don’t?”

Eveline kept silent, weighing her thoughts while trying to keep a placid expression on her face. Even if she trusted her sister, she still wasn’t blind to her prejudice against the Duke, and as such she couldn’t trust her with what Wilson had told her. Even she still felt guilty for knowing because if the Duke somehow discovered that she knew, he might not take kindly to it, and it could ruin their rapport.

“Why don’t we discuss happier things, hmm?” she pivoted, trying to push past her melancholy. “Tell me what new lessons Ava had you take, Stella.”

Her sisters launched into a discussion, and she sat back, watching them talk over each other. She felt elated that she had invited them. She did not realize just how much she had come to depend on their bond until she no longer had them close by.

Yes, she had always fought with Ava over her strict views on decorum, but she craved having her sister’s guidance as she navigated her new role and new life. Some days, she still doubted she would be able to adequately perform her duties.

She shook the thoughts out of her head, choosing to savor the short time she had with her sisters.

They were laughing as she poured the tea when her sisters suddenly fell silent. She looked up to see what had caused it.

The Duke had stepped into the room, looking uncomfortable.

“Good day, ladies,” he greeted, bowing respectfully.

Her sisters rose and curtsied.

“Good day, Your Grace,” Ava returned.

“What brings you here?” Eveline asked, rising to her feet.

She had told him her sisters would be visiting, but she had not expected him to attend. He seemed the sort that did not enjoy socializing, but it seemed it would not be so with her family. Perhaps it was due to the newfound friendship between them.

“I wanted to meet your sisters,” he answered, moving to sit. “I barely spoke to them when I came to propose, and even at the wedding, I did not have the opportunity. I want to remedy that.”

“That is only because you chose not to, Your Grace,” Ava answered, sitting regally as though she were a queen holding court in her palace.

Eveline shot her a warning look.

“Indeed,” the Duke answered. “And I apologize for that. I hope your journey was uneventful?”

“It wasn’t, albeit the roads leading up to the estate could have been smoother,” Ava muttered, picking up her cup.

“I will have my men see to it promptly,” the Duke assured her, nodding his head.

Eveline watched him to see if he took any offense to her sister’s words, but he looked sedate.

“Your Grace?” Stella asked shyly.

He turned to her.

“I was wondering…” Her sister’s eyes were downcast, and she blushed. “Do you have any friends who are unattached?”

Ava nearly choked on her tea, while the Duke’s eyes widened before he laughed softly.

“Indeed, I do,” he answered. “Why do you ask?”

“I am unmarried, and I will debut soon,” Stella explained. “It might be easier for me to secure a match now rather than wait till my debut.”

The Duke laughed softly, while Ava reddened with embarrassment.

“Stella, this is not a proper conversation,” she scolded.

“I am only trying to improve my chances before I make my debut,” Stella argued stubbornly. “Besides, will not you be happy if I also wed early enough?”

“Still, Stella. You should not behave thus.”

“It is all right,” the Duke interjected. “I do not mind answering her questions.”

“You will forgive me if I do not permit you to teach my sister improper conversation,” Ava snapped.

“It is not entirely improper conversation, but I understand your reservations,” the Duke relented. “Still, I can answer to a certain degree that is not utterly improper. I do have unattached friends, but they aren’t people I would recommend to you.”

Stella pouted, folding her arms. “Why?” she asked.

“Let’s just say I do not think your sister will approve very much of their manners.”

“That is a shame.” Stella frowned.

“Indeed. I shall return to my work, then,” the Duke announced, rising to his feet. “It was a pleasure to meet you both. Enjoy the rest of your visit. Perhaps your next visit would be longer, and we shall be better acquainted.”

“Indeed, Your Grace.” Stella nodded with a bright smile. “I still want to peruse your library.”

“You are welcome to do it any time.” The Duke smiled at her.

He bowed and exited the room.

Eveline turned to Ava with a sharp look. “Why were you so rude to him?” she asked.

“I wasn’t rude to him,” Ava scoffed, taking a delicate sip of her tea.

“You weren’t rude?” Eveline sputtered incredulously. “You nit-picked on everything he said, and that was only when you chose to answer.”

“I was only treating him as I deemed fit.”

“Why?” she protested. “It is not fair for you to treat him so when he hasn’t been anything but kind to me.”

“I only do so because I need him to know that you have family who will not condone any mistreatment of you.” Ava sniffed. “Yes, I may have exaggerated, but I still do not trust him. After all, he should have known better than to kiss you in that chamber. You wouldn’t have been married to him if you two hadn’t been caught in a scandal.”

Eveline was surprised that her sister still hadn’t forgiven the Duke for the scandal that brought them together. While she understood it was fear guiding her sister’s judgment, she couldn’t understand why they didn’t believe she was happy. She dreaded to imagine herself still navigating ballrooms in search of a husband.

The thought caused her to shudder.

It had been traumatizing, being paraded in the hope of securing a marriage to a nobleman who might have treated her worse than the Duke, like a broodmare.

“That is because you have not given yourself the chance to get to know him,” Eveline stated. “He really is good to me, Ava. If he was unkind to me, you know I would not have kept the truth from you. You have to remember that it was I who asked him to kiss me, so I am as much to blame as he is.”

Ava sighed, bowing her head. “I know you will be well, but I cannot help but worry. I have cared for you since you were little. I cannot help but fear for you,” she admitted. “I should apologize to the Duke for my behavior today. It was unseemly of me.”

“You should,” Eveline affirmed. “But he holds no grudges. I am sure he thought nothing unkind about your horrid behavior.”

Ava laughed, wrapping her in a hug.

“The house hasn’t been the same without you.” She pouted. “Even Father feels your absence. He is more quiet than ever. He hasn’t even scolded Stella for missing her lessons. He is finally paying for a piano tutor, yet she has refused to be a good student.”

“Only because Mrs. Florence is dreadfully boring and too strict,” Stella complained.

Eveline smiled fondly at her sisters, remembering the dynamics of their household. Nostalgia brought tears to her eyes, but she swallowed down the feeling, not wanting to ruin their visit.

“I will extend your apologies to the Duke,” she told Ava. “And I will ask him to recommend some suitable gentlemen for you.”

Her eyes flicked to Stella, who smiled brightly.

She honestly pitied the ton when her youngest sister finally made her debut. They will be grossly unprepared for the storm that was Stella.

“We really must be on our way if we are to arrive before nightfall,” Ava announced.

After one last hug, they were helped into the carriage.

Eveline stood on the front steps, waving them goodbye until they were mere specks in the distance. Her tears spilled over as loneliness seeped into her heart again. She had tried not to feel jealous when they had been regaling her with their stories, but the ugly feeling had only waited to rear its head. It hurt that they seemed to be living well without her, when she was barely coping without them.

“You must have missed them dearly,” the Duke said suddenly from beside her.

She started and wiped her cheeks and nose with her hands, turning away to hide her tears. Through her blurry eyes, she saw him hold out a kerchief to her. She took it gratefully and cleaned up her face.

When her emotions finally settled, she tried to hand it back to him, but he shook his head.

“Keep it,” he said. “You look like you will still need it.”

She chuckled weakly, wiping her eyes again as another tear fell.

“Thank you.” She sighed before hastily adding, “I do not weep because I am unhappy. I just…”

“I know you miss them dearly,” he said. “I almost feel guilty for taking you away from them. You three seem to love each other very much.”

“We do.” She nodded. “When my mother died, my father retreated into his study, so all we had was each other. It strengthened the bond between us.”

He nodded in understanding, holding out his arm to her.

“The weather is pleasant this evening, and it would be a shame to spend it indoors,” he began. “I would like to take a turn about the gardens. I hear you have made improvements to my mother’s garden. It might do you good also to enjoy a pleasant stroll with a handsome gentleman.”

While his words were full of humor, she tried to discern whether he was upset by the fact that she had tampered with a place that held significant value to him, but she glimpsed no anger in his gaze.

“I am sorry I took the liberty of doing so without asking you,” she offered, taking his arm.

“You do not need to be,” he assured her, leading them at a sedate pace. “I gave you free rein of the house because I trusted your judgment. I only want to enjoy what you have spent time and effort working on. The other parts of the estate look beautiful. I can only expect the gardens to be much the same.”

Eveline tried not to let her confusion show at the sudden change in dynamics between them. Usually, he would have locked himself in his chambers until dinner. But he had come out to greet her sisters, even attempted to make conversation, and had not gotten irritated by Ava’s coldness, and now he suggested a stroll around the garden. She was unsure how to react to this gentlemanly side of him.

“You seem uncomfortable,” he noted.

She turned to see that he had a soft smile on his face. She flushed, dipping her head.

“I was only thinking back to the conversation you and my sisters had,” she muttered. “I am sorry for Ava’s behavior. She is just really protective of me.”

“I assumed that much.” He smiled. “I took no offense to it. It was rather amusing.”

“I do not think that was an outcome Ava would have expected.” She laughed softly. “She will not appreciate her intimidation being seen as amusing.”

He chuckled softly too. “I do not doubt that.”

Eveline stared at the easy smile on his face and decided that she much preferred this look on him. She was happy that he was finally letting his guard down around her, and she hoped he would not retreat behind his walls again.

“What do you think about the changes I made to the garden?” she asked once they were in the middle of a pavilion she had erected.

“I am much impressed,” he answered, looking around. “This was once… This was once a refuge for me, but now I feel like it will be a place of recreation. This pavilion has been needed.”

She blushed at his praise, grateful for his approval. She had feared he would ask them to restore it to its former state, but the smile on his face told her that he was being sincere.

“I am happy you approve,” she told him.

“We did not finish our conversation about your family,” he added suddenly.

She turned to him.

“I was jealous seeing you three together,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “I never had siblings, and I wish I had one. Perhaps life might have gone much differently. Theo and the others are the closest thing I have to brothers, and I cherish our bond.”

“I cannot wait to meet the rest of your friends, then.” She gave him a small smile. “Are they all like the Duke of Emerton?”

“Christ, no.” He laughed. “They are much better behaved than him. He is an anomaly, but we tolerate him because he humors us.”

“I have a feeling you care more for him than you let on,” she mused.

“Indeed. He is a fiercely loyal friend and has saved my life, but I will never let him know how much I value him, or he will never let me live it down.”

Eveline laughed, shaking her head. The closest friend she had outside of her sisters was Lily, and she had never had any reservations about showing how much she cared for her.

She really had to write to her soon, or it would be fire and brimstone later if they met at any events. Her friend had a temper that took prolonged apologies to cool.

“You will meet them all soon.” He smiled. “The Rightons are hosting a ball in a week, and we have been invited.”

“Oh…”

The Rightons were a powerful family that threw parties for only the elite of Society. Percival Righton, the Duke of Haversham, was sixth in line to the throne and a close relative of the Queen, which fanned his pompous nature.

She worried her lip as she mentally sifted through her wardrobe for anything appropriate to wear to such an event. She might have to make alterations to the dress she had worn to her wedding.

“What worries you so?” her husband asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“It is nothing, Your Grace,” she answered. “I have never been to one of their balls, so it is quite overwhelming to imagine.”

“Do not fret. I will be by your side.”

She nodded, smiling gratefully.

“I also have taken the liberty of commissioning a new dress for you,” he added, unable to meet her eyes. “I thought of it as a reward for how well you have managed my household. When we’re in town later, you can commission as many as you would like.”

Her eyes went wide, but her fear of embarrassing him abated quickly.

“I… I do not know what to say,” she told him. “Thank you.”

He smiled and nodded at her.

They stood beside each other in silence, even though her body was vibrating with excitement.

“Would you like to play cards, husband?” she asked suddenly.

He turned to her with a mischievous smile. “Will we be placing bets?”

“Of course.” She smiled back. “But I must warn you, I do not lose.”

“Then you shall be a most worthy opponent,” he said. “I do not intend to play nicely because you’re a woman.”

“That’s not how a gentleman should behave,” she mock gasped.

“Of course.” He nodded, lifting his nose. “But if I were a gentleman, you would not want me.”

She smiled to herself, knowing his words were true.