As he departed, his parting smile etched in her memory, Evelina sat there, frozen. The realization went through her like a bolt of lightning – She was in love with Gabriel.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Here is the last batch of fruits you requested, Miss Balfour,” a housemaid announced as she approached, a basket of apples in her hands.
“Oh, wonderful!” Evelina rose from her seat and walked over, her eyes lighting up at the sight. “Thank you, Sarah. These apples look delightful,” she spoke with a warm smile, reaching out to take them.
Sarah, the maid, as she recognized, dipped into a respectful curtsy. “I’m glad you approve, Miss. Is there anything else you require?”
Evelina shook her head, her gratitude evident in her tone. “No, that will be all for now, thank you, Sarah. Your diligence is always appreciated.”
The maid’s eyes gleamed with pride at the acknowledgment. “It is my pleasure to serve you, Miss. If there is anything else you need, please do not hesitate to ask.”
With a nod of farewell, she turned to leave, leaving Evelina to savor the pleasantness of the moment.
During her lessons with Eliza, she had bonded with most of the servants at Dunmore House. She had met Sarah in the early hours of the morning, as the sun cast a golden glow over the estate. They ended up working side by side, and despite the maid’s horror and resistance, they folded linens with practiced ease.
Sarah shared a childhood memory that tugged at Evelina’s heartstrings. At that moment, Evelina ignored class distinctions and treated the woman as she would anyone in pain, giving her advice and words of comfort.
Their friendship deepened as they crossed paths more often at the estate, through simple gestures and heartfelt conversations. And it was so with lots other staff of the duke’s.
Evelina had a preference for that being the kind of life she would like to lead if given the opportunity. She would not want for anything else, other than a functioning, close-knit staff.
Thus, she was grateful for the relationships she had fostered in Dunmore House. Not only did they make her job easier, but they also felt like an escape into another reality, where she was a proper lady in a grand house, with adequate staff.
“That looks a bit heavy—let me take that off your hands.”
The Duke’s voice, warm and unexpected, sent a shiver down her spine as she felt his presence suddenly behind her. She leaped forward, and the basket slipped from her grasp, a cascade of apples tumbling to the ground.
Gabriel arched an eyebrow at her sudden movement, his eyes darting from her to the apples at their feet.
Evelina’s cheeks burned with embarrassment, and her eyes widened in fear. “I-I’m so sorry, Your Grace, I did not mean to?—”
A soft chuckle escaped his lips, amusement dancing in his eyes as he reassured her, “It’s quite all right, Miss Balfour. Accidents happen, no harm done.”
Unable to tear her eyes away from his striking smile, her distress only seemed to deepen and she insisted, “No, it’s not all right. I can’t believe I was so clumsy!”
“No one is above mistakes, of course. Especially not you, considering all that has transpired since I met you.”
He’s teasing me… But it feels different. Those eyes…
Evelina was helpless against the blush that bloomed on her cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze, feeling the heat spread down her neck as he continued to stare at her. She could barely muster a response as she struggled to calm her racing heart.
“I-I would act more cautiously next time. I’m sorry.”
Gabriel’s expression changed, and his voice, low and soothing, seemed to seek to ease her embarrassment, “Please, do not distress yourself over such a trifle matter. “I assure you, there is no need for apologies.” His lips quirked up. “Still, you should have just let the maid bring the basket if you were going to be this jumpy and worried.”
Evelina pouted. “And you, Your Grace, could have easily ordered one of the footmen to assist me instead of… startling me like this.”
A small smirk tugged at the corners of Gabriel’s lips. “Ah, well, I had grown rather tired of sitting idly by. It was interesting to follow you.”
His eyes held a spark of mischief as he observed her reaction, seeming to enjoy the way her cheeks flamed.
Get it together, Evelina.
She shook her head. As her gaze fell to the floor, she noticed a small dent and stain on Gabriel’s boot. A small gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in dismay at the sight.
“Your boot! How hard did the fruits fall to leave prints? Goodness, I... I’m terribly sorry, Your Grace,” She stammered, her gaze flitting from the dent and back.
