Ever the eager host, James smiled widely as he gestured to the girls. “Your Grace, allow me to introduce my daughters.” His gaze swept over the girls. “There’s Margaret, who just debuted this Season. I am sure that you must have noticed her before.” His expression gave away his agenda. “And Evelina, her elder sister. Then there’s Louisa, Alexandra, and Penelope.” He glared at the girls. “Quickly now, greet His Grace.”
With no other choice, the sisters curtsied once again.
An unfathomable emotion crossed Gabriel’s face for a moment. As his gaze shifted and his eyes met Evelina’s, a fleeting warmth rushed through her whole body.
“And what do you think of the weather, Your Grace? I am glad I picked out today for our dinner. There was something I could smell in the air. Did I tell you, I am quite good at predicting the weather? Not to toot my own horn, but it is a hereditary thing, I believe.”
Evelina averted her eyes, completely embarrassed by her father’s endless chatter.
“My father and grandfather had it. Perhaps if the heavens had blessed me with a son, he would have had the same talent. Ha! These girls… they do not know anything, I believe.”
Gabriel’s expression shifted at this. Evelina drew in a sharp breath as she recognized the look well. As she had expected, he spoke immediately after.
“Being a father to a girl myself, I can tell you, My Lord. They do know a lot. Perhaps you might need to pay them a bit more attention.” His gaze shifted to the Balfour sisters lined up beside them. “From what I can see, and have witnessed, your daughters seem to be very well-behaved, respectable, intelligent ladies.”
From the corner of her eye, Evelina saw her sisters smiling and blushing lightly at his words. She tried to suppress her own grin as she regarded him, feeling somewhat grateful for his comment.
“Ah, but of course, Your Grace!” James exclaimed, shaking his head as he forced a laugh. “Sometimes I do forget, but I am grateful. It took me a lot to instill these manners in them, being a widower, but I persevered.”
Lies! Lies from the pit of hell!
Evelina’s disgruntled expression slightly mirrored Gabriel’s. He raised an eyebrow, easily calling the Viscount out with just one look.
James chuckled awkwardly. He averted his gaze and snapped his fingers in an odd manner as he added, “Well, yes, we’re only glad we do not have to suffer the thunderstorms we had only two nights—that is all I mean, of course. What a day that was!”
At the mention of that eventful night, Evelina’s cheeks reddened. She felt Gabriel’s eyes on her, but she could not bring herself to face him.
“Indeed, My Lord. What a day it was.”
His loaded statement made her flush a deeper red.
James prattled on after, his words a desperate attempt to fill the silence. At this point, Gabriel hardly acknowledged him, making the scene more painful to witness.
Embarrassed by her father’s lack of tact, and grappling with the emotions that the Duke’s fervent glances stirred within her, Evelina felt as if the walls were closing in on her.
This would certainly be quite the night.
“Announcing the arrival of the Earl of Oakwood,” the butler’s voice declared suddenly, a most welcome sound.
“Ah, yes!” James turned to the door of the drawing room, his eyes twinkling at the sight of the Earl.
Lord Oakwood stepped into the room with a wide grin, extending his hand politely to the Viscount. “Good evening, My Lord. Delightful to see you looking so well.”
The man’s greeting was warm, easing the wrinkles that seemed to have formed on James’s face from forcing an interaction with the duke.
His tone was almost thankful as he responded, “My Lord, what an absolutely, great pleasure it is to have you here,”
Their camaraderie was evident as they shook hands firmly, laughing and exchanging pleasantries as though they shared a long history. The Earl’s chuckles came easily, his charm effortlessly captivating the room.
Evelina, however, felt sick at the sight of it all.
“I made sure to adjust the menu today,” James spoke, his smile overly broad. “All of the dishes you shared you do not like, you shall not find them on the table this evening.”
“Oh, goodness, you truly did not have to do any of that.” The Earl’s false humility and chuckle grated on Evelina’s nerves further.
“Nonsense!” James shook his head vigorously. “It was not a problem, none at all. Ensuring you have a good time is of the utmost importance.”
Evelina balled her fists behind her dress. It had, in fact, been a problem—ahugeone. Given the precarious state of their finances, the Earl’s picky choices made it harder to cut down on unnecessary costs.
