He tried to convince himself that all this was merely a passing interest, nothing more.
Despite his attempts to rationalize his thoughts, however, his mind betrayed him, reminding him of Evelina’s growing presence in his daily contemplations.
A small audible snort escaped his lips as he grappled with the realization. He could no longer deny that she occupied his mind. His inner turmoil deepened as he battled with his growing attraction towards her, unable to comprehend why she captivated him so.
Every encounter with her, or even just watching her tutor Eliza, only intensified his inner conflict. His gaze lingered on her far longer than necessary, inexplicably drawn to her audacity and boldness.
He found himself ensnared in a web of intrigue and attraction, each interaction with her stirring emotions he couldn’t quite grasp. It was as though she’d cast a spell on him.
Theodore had momentarily fallen silent, the weight of his friend’s reaction sinking in. Then, he let out a disbelieving chuckle, drawing Gabriel’s attention back to the conversation.
“I must say, Dunmore, in all eight years I’ve known you, I have never seen you react quite like this,” he remarked, his tone a mix of wonder and caution. His laughter grew as he continued, “Especially not because of a woman.”
The words hung in the air, adding to the awkward tension that enveloped the room.
“And?” Gabriel prompted, hesitantly raising an eyebrow. “What exactly are you implying?”
Theodore let out a short breath. “Although Miss Balfour and Anna seem to share similarities, you never harbored such feelings for Anna, did you?” he asked in a measured voice.
The question lingered in the air, a subtle challenge.
Theodore opened his mouth once more when Gabriel admitted in a stern, dark tone, “They are certainly nothing alike.”
The sharp edge to his voice revealed the depth of his discomfort and the ever-raw emotions tied to discussing his late wife. Theodore’s expression shifted, realizing he had crossed the line, the tension in the room escalating as Gabriel eyed him as he attempted to speak again.
Theodore hesitated for a moment, realizing he had crossed the line. “All I’m saying, Dunmore, is that Miss Balfour’s spirit reminds me a lot of Anna, and?—”
“Watch your words, Thornfield,” Gabriel growled. He clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with anger.
But his reaction only elicited a cautious smile from Theodore. “Merely speaking simple truths, my friend. Do you not see theresemblance?” He let out an awkward laugh before continuing. “The way Miss Balfour carries herself, it’s nearly as though you find yourself attracted to a certain type?—”
“I said that’s enough, Theodore,” Gabriel hissed. His hand tightened around his glass, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to contain his emotions.
The room fell silent immediately, the implication hanging heavily between them.
“I overstepped. My apologies, Dunmore.” Theodore lowered his gaze to the table, but Gabriel continued glaring at him, a silent warning that spoke volumes.
“Let this be the last time we speak of this,” he uttered with finality. “The late Duchess’s memory is certainly not a subject of amusement.”
Theodore looked up at last, sympathy and guilt flickering in his eyes. He nodded, clearly regretting his words. “Certainly. Miss Balfour is only a tutor, that is all.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Now, Eliza,” Evelina began, her voice soft and encouraging. “Shall we begin our piano lesson? I assure you, there is nothing to fear. The keys are merely waiting for your touch to bring them to life.”
They stood in the middle of the sophisticated music room in Dunmore House, regarding the grand piano that was sitting in front of a massive window overlooking the backyard and the numerous flower gardens. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the polished ebony surface of the piano.
Evelina turned to face her young pupil, who stood beside her with trepidation etched on her delicate features.
Eliza nodded hesitantly, her small hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Yes, Miss Balfour,” she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evelina’s heart went out to the child. She placed a gentle hand on Eliza’s shoulder, guiding her to the piano bench. “My dear, we shall take this journey together, one note at a time. But, before we begin, might I inquire if you have any favorite melodies? Perhaps a lullaby your nurse once sang to you, or a tune you’ve heard at a garden party?”
Eliza’s eyes widened slightly at the question, as if surprised to be asked for her opinion. She was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, “I… I do enjoyGreensleeves. The melody is quite pleasing.”
Evelina smiled warmly, pleased to see a spark of interest in the young girl’s eyes. “An excellent choice, Eliza.Greensleevesis indeed a beautiful piece. Perhaps once we’ve mastered the basics, we might work towards playing it together. Would that be agreeable to you?”
A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Eliza’s mouth as she nodded. “I should like that very much, Miss Balfour.”
