“Indeed, my dear. Now, finish your food. You keep feeding Whiskers, but you ought to feed yourself too.”
Eliza giggled softly. “All right, Mother.”
Time seemed to freeze. Evelina’s head snapped up immediately, her soft gasp ringing out in the air.
Eliza’s eyes were wide as she realized her mistake, worry clouding her features as she met Evelina’s gaze; the loaded expression etched on her face mirroring the sudden shift in the garden’s atmosphere.
It took a couple of seconds for the words to sink in. But then, something akin to joy flickered in Evelina’s eyes, a subtle warmth that belied her initial shock.
Just as a smile of understanding began to curve her lips, the Duke’s voice sliced through the delicate moment, sharp and authoritative. “Eliza, never say that again.” He said in a low and dark tone.
His words cut through the settling air like a blade, his demeanor had changed completely from the warm one he had displayed mere moments before. It had turned dark so swiftly; Evelina couldn’t do anything but stare at him. Recognizing traces of the man she’d met originally.
His words lingered in the air, heavy and final, doubling the shadow that now hung over them.
Eliza’s eyes welled with tears, her lower lip quivering in the wake of her father’s reprimand. Her eyes darted between Evelina and the Duke, before she mumbled, “I’m sorry, I did not mean to.”
Evelina’s heart broke at the sight of the young girl’s distress, and she forced herself to present her a reassuring smile. “It’s all right, my dear. No harm done.”
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Gabriel’s features softening imperceptibly. His eyes flickered with remorse as he witnessed the sorrow on his daughter’s face.
“Let us continue our picnic,” he said with a gruff tenderness in his voice.
Eliza nodded meekly in response, her head still bowed, telling of her shame and sorrow.
The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air. Gabriel’s gaze shifted, his eyes seeking out Evelina, his eyes seeming to searchher, to proper place her thoughts or perhaps feelings in that moment.
With her heart heavy with of longing and resignation, she could barely meet his gaze fleetingly before her eyes dropped, unable to bear the weight of it all. He kept staring, yet she could not look at him.
She could not bring herself to.
Realization, stark and unforgiving, dawned on her—she would never be Eliza’s mother, no matter how bittersweet those fleeting moments of maternal affection had been.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Mrs. Higgins, what brings you out at this hour?”
Evelina quickened her steps forward from where she stood at the carriage, and inquired, her voice tinged with concern as she observed the weariness etched on the housekeeper’s face.
“Miss Baflour, welcome home. I hope today’s lesson went well.” Mrs. Higgins offered a smile, despite her burdened gaze. And when the older lady realized Evelina’s shock, she winked at her. Nothing could escape Mrs. Higgins after all.
“It did, thank you for asking. Now, is everything all right? You look a tad…” Evelina trailed off.
“And when do I not look this way, Miss?” Mrs. Higgins’ chuckles were light, yet they spoke to her exhaustion.
Evelina offered a sympathetic smile and sighed.
“Well, I am out because His Lordship has ordered me to buy more supplies for the house. Better yet, supplies for himself.”
Evelina’s brow furrowed in consternation, a mix of sympathy and frustration clouding her features. Her father’s selfishness never ceased to amaze her.
“But the sun is set, is that safe? Does he not know the time?” She felt anger and annoyance bubbling slowly in her system.
“He has been in his study most of the day, as usual, and the windows are shut, despite my pleas and suggestions. So, perhaps he does not?”
Evelina shook her head at Mrs. Higgins’ attempt to come to her father’s defense. “I believe you mentioned it nevertheless, did you not?” she scoffed.
Mrs. Higgins hesitated, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes. “Miss, His Lordship is in a sour mood today—please tread carefully.”
