“Are you mocking me, Miss Balfour?”
“No, I am not, Your Grace.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “I believe you’ve scolded me quite enough earlier—I understand now that you think my actions were wrong.” She pouted.
“But doyouthink your actions were wrong, Miss Balfour?” He let out a frustrated groan as he began pacing near the hearth. “You could have called for a servant, given them directions, and asked that they fetch the animal for you. Why on earth did you do it yourself?”
“And have them catch a cold in my stead?” Her eyes tracked his movements, her face scrunched up in confusion.
He came to a halt, staring at her in disbelief. “You are a lady, you can’t be expected to do their job nor relieve them from it.”
Evelina fell silent. She considered this was indeed what any proper lady would do. However, one had to already be used to having people do things for them.
Unfortunately, because of her family’s financial situation, she had not enjoyed such a luxury in years.
She let out a sigh, and her gaze drifted to the fireplace. “I… did not feel it would be proper. After all, this estate is not my own. It feels untoward to make such demands.”
“You are the tutor of the master’s daughter—and the daughter of a Viscount. You have more privileges than anyone else in this house,” Gabriel spoke firmly.
Evelina looked up at him, slightly surprised by the sincerity in his eyes. She recalled their kiss and wondered if a day wouldcome when such privileges were granted because she was more than just an esteemed employee.
What are you doing to me, Gabriel?
She looked up again to find his expression had softened marginally, though his concern remained evident.
“Evelina, you must understand the danger you put yourself in. What if something had happened to you out there? It would have taken a while before anyone realized.”
His voice carried a note of vulnerability beneath the stern facade he tried to maintain, and the mere sound of her name on his lips made her feel tingly.
“I-I’m sorry.”
He raised an eyebrow, surprised by her response.
“I’m sorry. Truly, I am. I did not mean to cause trouble. It’s just… I couldn’t sleep. I felt uncomfortable in a new bed, away from my sisters. I’d never spent a night away from them.”
In the hushed atmosphere of the dimly lit room, his intense gaze remained fixed on her, his breath heavy with concern. Evelina’s heart fluttered as she struggled not to look away.
“You cannot let this happen again, Miss Balfour,” he implored, his voice soft yet firm. “Promise me, even if we’re miles apart, even if you’re in your family home, you will not put yourself in danger again.”
Evelina found herself captivated by the sincerity in his eyes. As she absorbed his words, memories of their recent intimate moment flooded her mind—the way he had held her so tenderly, so protectively.
Warmth rushed through her as she realized the depth of his feelings for her. The realization dawned upon her that she actuallylovedhis attention, his protectiveness.
“I promise, Your Grace. I shall be more careful in times to come” she offered in a soft tone, her defiant demeanor was nowhere to be found.
Gabriel seemed satisfied by her response, and he gave her one last look before finally sinking into one of the chairs by the fireplace.
A serene silence fell over the library at last. Evelina’s eyes flicked to the puppy in her arms, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she watched him drift off to sleep.
“You’re a darling little thing, aren’t you?” she cooed.
A subtle shift in the atmosphere caught her attention, and as she lifted her gaze, she found Gabriel watching her, his expression sending a jolt through her body.
Stop looking at me like that…
She looked away immediately, breaking the intense connection. Then, she cleared her throat, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks.
Redirecting her focus to the sleepy pup in her arms, she contemplated the idea of taking the animal to Eliza’s room once it woke up, envisioning the little girl’s joy at the surprise.
A warm smile spread across her face at the thought.
