Evelina shifted on her seat, straightening her back. Then she took Eliza’s hands in her own, not breaking eye contact for a split second as she said, “I want you to keep in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way you are now, do you hear me? Her voice was firm, urgent to pass her message. “You are a beautiful young lady, Eliza. Brave, kind, so incredibly intelligent.”
“You really think so?”
Evelina wished she could banish the girl’s doubts. “Iknowso,” she declared, her voice unwavering.
Eliza’s gaze shifted to the puppy at her feet for a moment, then a small, shy smile spread across her face. “Thank you.”
Evelina smiled as well, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “And about your father, change takes time, my dear. Trust in the bond you share with him. Give it room to grow and evolve,” she advised softly. “You are cherished, Eliza, and you are indeed fortunate to have a father who loves you deeply. Believe me, he does. You’ll begin to notice this from now on.”
Eliza nodded.
Silence fell over the gardens once again, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air. Evelina let out a sigh, wishing with all she had that her words provided comfort to her charge.
She decided right then and there that she would take the Duke’s request for help more seriously.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Eliza, quick now! We must hurry to the mansion before we’re soaked through!” Evelina called out, her voice barely audible over the deafening roars of the thunderstorm that descended upon them with a ferocity that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth.
As the rain continued to fall in unrelenting sheets, she reached out to grab the little girl’s hand, who was struggling to keep pace with her.
Eliza, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration, giggled as they ran, screeching excitedly, her voice carried by the howling wind. “Miss Balfour, this is my first time running in the rain! First the puppy, and now this? This is the best day!”
Despite the little girl’s infectious joy, Evelina’s face was creased with worry as they hurried towards the safety of the mansion.
“Indeed, it may feel like a grand adventure, Eliza, but we must ensure you don’t catch a chill. Let’s get you inside quickly,” she shouted above the thunder.
As they reached the mansion’s entrance, she turned to Eliza’s bewildered handmaiden. “Please, take the young lady inside, quickly now. Draw her a bath and get her dry clothes.”
The handmaiden seemed shaken by the scene for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise, but she quickly nodded in understanding. “Yes, Miss Balfour.”
Evelina stood for a moment, watching them vanish from sight, a mix of relief and concern clouding her features. She was still surprised at how quickly the weather had turned. They had been playing with the puppy just as the storm unleashed its full fury on the estate.
A bolt of lightning had streaked across the darkening sky, illuminating the garden with an eerie glow before the resounding boom of thunder followed. They had to put the puppy down and leave, as the first soft droplets of rain had soon turned into a torrential downpour.
With quickening steps, the ladies made their way through the estate garden, the rain drenching them within moments.
At what seemed like the worst possible moment, the Duke stepped into the mansion, a mix of surprise and concern etched on his face as he took in the scene before him.
“Miss Balfour? Why… Why are you wet?”
His eyes were fixed on Evelina’s drenched figure. But then, his attention was momentarily diverted as he noticed his daughter disappearing up the stairs.
Just as his jaw dropped in astonishment, Eliza called out to him, “Father! Oh, you’re back from your business trip!” Her voice echoed down the stairs as she rushed towards him. “Father, you won’t believe what happened! We got caught in the rain, and we had to run, quite fast!”
Her enthusiasm was palpable, her young spirit untouched by the dampness that clung to her.
Gabriel instinctively moved to avoid her embrace, only to realize she was even wetter than he was. His brow furrowed in confusion.
“What in the world happened here?” His gaze shifted to Evelina, seeking an explanation for the chaotic state of affairs.
Evelina avoided his gaze, feeling a wave of apprehension wash over her. She knew all too well the implications of their current state and the potential blame that would be directed at her. And no one would fault him for blaming her.
She lowered her head and bit her lip as thunder boomed again.
“Are you both all right?” Gabriel’s concerned voice cut through the tension, surprising her.
Her head snapped up immediately as she sensed the worry behind his question. Taking a moment to compose herself, she met his eyes, noting the sincerity in them as they roamed over her. His concern stirred emotions within her that she struggled to comprehend fully.
