She hesitated before tentatively replying, her words carrying a hint of her surprise, “Yes, we’re all right, Your Grace. Thank you.” Her gaze shifted to Eliza, and she gave the little girl a smile. “I must start heading home now,” she murmured, her tone betraying a hint of her fear of the storm outside.
As she turned to the front door, however, Gabriel stepped in front of her, halting her in her tracks. Evelina looked up at him in surprise to find him staring at her as though she’d sprouted two heads.
“That is not going to happen,” he declared firmly.
Evelina raised an eyebrow in question. “Why not?”
The odd look on his face only intensified, and he shook his head at her. Then, concern crossed his face once more as he glanced at his daughter, who now stood next to her handmaiden, with a towel wrapped around her.
“Your Grace?” Evelina prompted, face wrinkled in confusion, trying to get him to step out of her way.
However, Gabriel ignored her, blocking her path once again, his eyes still fixed on his daughter.
“Eliza, my dear, it’s time for you to retire to bed,” he instructed while gesturing up the stairs, his voice firm but gentle, gesturing his daughter towards the door
“But Father, I wish to stay up a bit longer,” the little girl protested. “The storm is quite mesmerizing.”
She could barely meet his eyes as she made her request, yet she didn’t cower.
“It is not up for discussion,” Gabriel insisted, a hint of his old self creeping into his voice. As soon as Eliza disappeared upstairs, he looked back at Evelina, nodding towards the window. “Do take a look outside.”
Evelina turned to peer outside, her face contorting as she took in the darkness and the ferocity of the storm. The realization of the reason behind his insistence dawned on her, along with wonderment on his sudden show of care once again.
He can be thoughtful, after all.
“I see,” she murmured, torn between remaining indoors and leaving. She couldn’t just shirk her duty to her sisters.
Gabriel, sensing her inner conflict, spoke quietly, “It’s not safe for you to venture out in this weather, Evelina. Stay until the storm dies down. This, too, is not up for discussion.”
Evelina frowned at the command. “You must pardon me, Your Grace, but you’d do well to recall that I am not your daughter, nor your ward.”
Her statement seemed to irk him, as his brow furrowed.
But she continued, nonetheless. “I implore you to move out of my way. I must return home. It’s not proper for me to spend the night here.”
His eyes narrowed as he glared at her. “My answer is no.”
“Your Grace, I understand and appreciate your concern, but I must?—”
“I said, no, Miss Balfour,” he interjected firmly, cutting her off. “I insist that you stay the night. It’s far too dangerous for you to venture out in this storm.”
Evelina’s stomach fluttered at the protectiveness in his voice. His command sent tingles down her spine. However, it wasn’t enough to deter her.
“Your Grace, I have responsibilities at home. I cannot simply stay overnight.” She pursed her lips in exasperation. “Not tomention the ensuing rumors. Please, think sanely. Perhaps you are tired from your outing.” A flicker of defiance in her eyes.
She stepped around him, determined to assert her independence even in the face of his protective stance.
Gabriel’s brow furrowed even further as he quickly stepped in front of her once more.
“Your Grace!” Evelina huffed in exasperation, feeling helpless to his quick movements.
“You are right on that part—I myself just arrived, soaked from the rain. Trust me, Miss Balfour, it’s not safe out there., no carriage would ride at ease.” His expression softened slightly. “For your safety, you shall stay here tonight. It is decided.”
Evelina crossed her arms over her chest. “Nothing is decided, Your Grace. I am leaving, I cannot stay here.”
“And what makes you think you can just dictate your own terms here?” Gabriel’s voice held a note of exasperation, his frustration evident as he confronted her resistance. “You’re practically inviting trouble by insisting on leaving in this weather. Do you not realize the scandal it would cause if something were to happen to you on your way home from my estate?”
Evelina, her patience wearing thin, scoffed in disbelief at his accusatory tone. “Oh, now you’re insinuating that I have some ulterior motive, that I’m out to tarnish your reputation?”
