Evelina’s mouth hung open, the corners twitching with rage and shock. “T-That’s your response? You pulled me away from a prospect for such a flimsy reason?”
His eyes flicked to her, the look in them nearly sheepish, before they darted away again.
Evelina kept her eyes on him, caught in the storm of conflicting emotions, feeling the air grow heavier by the second. “You’re not being truthful, Your Grace,” she said sharply. “You’re deliberately trying to sabotage me, is it? And for what reason?”
“Sabotage?” The duke’s eyes flitted up to hers at last. There seemed to be a realization settling behind his gaze, then very quickly as it came, it was clouded by his usual stoic expression.
Evelina’s eyes blazed with a mixture of hurt and defiance at this and she confronted again, voice trembling with roughly suppressed emotions. “Do not try to pretend, Your Grace, I know you’ve been against me since the day we met, and this... this is just another way to undermine me!”
“You’re sorely mistaken. I had no intentions to-”
His eyes narrowed with a slight exasperation and hidden emotions as she pressed him further. However, Evelina was too enraged at this point to let him finish.
“Why did you have to interfere? Tell me!” Evelina demanded, too enraged at this point to let him finish.
“Miss Balfour, I have given you my reasons, and?—”
“I was on the brink of something good, and you just had to ruin it, all because of this inexpiable, very odd hate you have for me?”
“You think this ishate, Evelina?!” he bellowed suddenly, startling her.
For a moment, his eyes softened. But as quickly as it came, it was gone.
“Sabotage, Evelina? Really?” he scoffed. The derision in his voice was like a dagger to her heart. “That man is not who you think he is. Believe me, you would not wish to get involved with a man drowning in debt. Perhaps if you weren’t so desperate, you would possess the ability to think, and to be grateful.”
Then he turned on his heel and stormed off, leaving her ears ringing and heart aching in the wake of his revelation.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“You may come in.”
Evelina had been standing at the door to the Duke’s study for what felt like an eternity, her heart pounding in her chest as she raised her hand to knock. Only with a deep breath did she gather her courage and then rapped gently on the frame, before her nerves got the better of her.
As she pushed the heavy door open, she was met with his ever-so-piercing green eyes.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she greeted him, with a polite nod.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, ignoring her greeting. “What’s so pressing that you have come to see me so early? I thought I would finally get to enjoy a peaceful morning today, but it seems you’re quite dedicated to ensuring that I have no respite.”
Evelina’s eyebrows knitted together, and she bit her tongue, keeping herself from answering in the way he expected.
Insufferable man.
His insanity did not matter to her at this moment. Her thoughts were fixated on dear Eliza. Her reason for being here had to be achieved.
The silence that followed seemed to surprise the duke, and his fingers drummed the table as he watched her, brows raised in question.
“Is there a problem with my daughter or the lessons you have with her?” he asked, his tone measured.
Evelina reassured him immediately, “No, everything is well with Lady Eliza, Your Grace.” She cleared her throat and hesitated briefly before continuing, “It concerns the nature of our lessons.”
Gabriel observed her with a hint of intrigue, waiting for her to elaborate.
“Your Grace,” Taking another deep breath, she finally mustered the courage to make her request, “May I have your permission to conduct today’s lessons with Lady Eliza in the gardens?”
A hush fell over the room following her inquiry. Gabriel looked away from her, seeming to consider her request.
Sensing the weight of the moment, she cleared her throat before delicately reminding him, “Your Grace, you mentioned previously that outdoor lessons would require your approval, hence my presence today.”
