The little girl’s giggles carried across the garden as she began to search for them.
“Father, where are you?”
Gabriel’s voice floated from behind a large oak tree. “Oh, you’ll never find me here!”
Evelina’s playful giggle sounded from a bush nearby. “Quick, Eliza, where do you think he’s hiding?”
“I’ll find you both, just you wait!” the little girl declared with determination.
After a few rounds of hide-and-seek, they regrouped on the blanket, breathless and grinning from ear to ear, the setting sun casting a warm glow over their faces.
“Your skills have surely improved since our last game, dear daughter.” Gabriel’s eyes were full of pride as he patted Eliza’s head affectionately.
“Indeed, dearest, you’re becoming quite the expert seeker!” Evelina chimed in, unable to contain her own praises.
The young girl beamed with pride, her cheeks flushing. “It’s all thanks to Miss Balfour! She taught me how to listen, and to be aware of my surroundings!”
“To listen, you say?” Gabriel raised an eyebrow at Evelina, causing her cheeks to redden slightly. “And how did she go about that? I was not aware such a thing was included in the curriculum.”
Evelina cleared her throat. “It’s a lesson I developed with my sisters, Your Grace. After all, there is no harm in acquiring such knowledge—only good can come of it.”
Gabriel responded with a heart-stopping smile. She struggled to hold his gaze, battling the slow flush creeping up her cheeks.
“It seems you have quite a couple of unconventional methods in store, Miss Balfour. Again, I wonder if I should be concerned. Do you teach my daughter what she actually should know?” he teased.
His tone was slow, teasing, as once again, had become the norm. Evelina bit her lip, hopeless against the crimson that now filledher cheeks. It was true, there was a lot of knowledge she had acquired whilst trying to survive in Elderglen Manor. Listening attentively helped her tell when her father returned home. She could tell just how drunk he was from the way his footsteps dragged across the hall before he reached the drawing room.
That skill had helped her decide whether she needed to send her younger sisters to their chambers, to shield them from the shame and pain of his state. Also, having barely any servants or guards forced her to become more aware of her movements and surroundings.
Perhaps if I married into a wealthy family… What would life be like in Dunmore House? Perhaps even having the opportunity to be the lady of the house…
Evelina’s mind drifted to a false reality, one where the Duke was hers and she was his. She wondered what sort of family they would have.
Shaking off her untoward thoughts, she stated matter-of-factly, “I believe you have seen the results yourself, Your Grace. I need not try to defend the obvious.”
“Yes, Father,” Eliza piped up. “I have made immense progress in all my lessons. Miss Balfour has taught me a lot.”
“And what about me, hmm?” Gabriel clutched at his chest, feigning hurt. “Have I not taught you important skills as well?”
“Forgive me, but which ones? How to keep a straight face at all times? Or command the gardens with your presence alone to expose those in hiding?” Evelina snorted.
“Sharp-witted as always, my dear Miss Balfour.”
There was something about the way he called her that. Evelina’s cheeks flushed and she suddenly felt tongue-tied. While Eliza’s giggles carried in the air, her cheeks reddened as she watched the duke shake his head, and then tilt his head back to place a cherry in his mouth.
Oh, dear heavens…
As though they had a mind of their own, Evelina’s eyes followed his movements. Before she realized it, she was lost in the surprisingly intimate moment, her gaze lingering on him, tracing the path of his lips as he savored the succulent cherries.
The air seemed to crackle with tension, and as Gabriel’s gaze lazily shifted to her, sparks flew higher. Every movement, each bite, seemed to ignite a spark within her, bringing back the memory of that stormy night.
As his fingers delicately plucked another cherry, she felt a flush creeping up her neck, her pulse quickening at the sight. She found herself wishing she could switch places with the luscious fruit.
“Don’t you think so, Miss Balfour?” Eliza’s voice pierced through her reverie, grounding her in reality.
The spell was broken, but the heat lingered.
Keeping her flaming cheeks from Gabriel’s inquisitive gaze, she lowered her head as she nodded.
