“I want you to change your mind,” he said, his tone soft. “Love me or not I do not care. I understand why you did what you did, why you said it, and I still love you.”
“Your Grace,” she began, but he shushed her with his finger over her lips.
“You broke my heart, Eugenia,” he said. “I cannot eat, I scarcely sleep, but you hurt me to protect me, just as you put your life on the line to keep me alive. There is no greater love than that. You said you do not love me, but your actions say otherwise. I just want you to know that I refuse to give up on you.”
“You should,” Eugenia whispered. “I am no good for you.”
“Youare what is good for me, my love, my angel,” he replied, his tone so soft she could barely hear it. “You, not society. Iwillfind a way to win you back, somehow, I will convince you that we belong together.”
“Please,” Eugenia said now near tears. “Do not. I cannot live with the guilt of what should happen if we continue like this. I am low-born, you are not. I cannot be responsible for your downfall. Forget me, I beg you.”
He did not care who might see; Maximilian traced his finger down her cheek. He smiled. “You should remember something, angel. I am a Duke. We dukes always get what we want.”
* * *
For the next two days, Eugenia tried to avoid him. Yet, fate or Lady Helena worked against her, and she found herself meeting him in corridors or near the kitchen. Maximilian always smiled at her and pressed his finger to his lips as though they shared a secret. Which, she supposed, they did. His face told her what his words did not – he would not give up on her.
Eugenia knew full well Maximilian’s responsibilities to his guests required his full attention, and so she tried to lurk in the chambers she shared with Lady Helena. More stubborn than a mule, her mistress demanded Eugenia accompany her everywhere. Thus, late one afternoon, she overheard Earl and Lady Whitington discussing their return to London.
“He refuses to talk of a contract.” The Earl sighed. “I suppose he is not quite ready to settle down with a wife. Our Helena is young yet, my dear. We can afford to wait a while, perhaps next year he will come around.”
Countess Whitington patted Lady Helena’s hand and tried to comfort her when she had no need of it. “I am sure it is not you, daughter. He is still sowing those wild oats of his.”
Lady Helena shot Eugenia a sharp, amused glance and smothered her giggles with her hands. To anyone else, she covered her horror at being rejected by the most sought-after bachelor in the kingdom. Eugenia stilled her eyes that were strongly tempted to roll.
My Lady and her drama.
“We should return to London within the week,” Earl Whitington decided. “I have business I must see to.”
His Countess nodded. “I am beginning to feel we have overstayed our welcome, Whit, darling. Her Grace, the Duchess, spends more time with the Dentonshires than with us these days.”
Were these the words Eugenia had to hear to validate her persistence to free Maximilian from her presence?He will pursue me while I am here. But not as far as London.She dreaded this spur of the moment departure. Sniffing back unshed tears, Eugenia hardened her heart.It is for the best, for him as well as me, perhaps one day he will even forgive me.
Later that day, Eugenia followed Lady Helena to the dining hall as usual, and there stood Maximilian waiting nearby – why wouldn’t he be? She couldn’t ignore him. Even though she was miserably happy at the sight, she walked to him and curtseyed anyway. “Your Grace.”
He smiled down at her from his tall height. “I am very happy to see you.”
“You must not be,” she said, her heart quickening. “The Earl and Countess of Whitington are planning to return to London. I will be going with them.”
His smile vanished. “Perhaps I can persuade them to remain a while longer. I know my stepmother has been preoccupied with the Dentonshires and has neglected them, but I may find a few good reasons to convince them to stay longer.”
“Of course, you must do what you feel you must,” Eugenia replied slowly. “I know that once I do return to London, whenever that is, that you will not pursue me there.”
“You think that, do you?” Maximilian traced his finger down her cheek to her chin. “Eugenia, I will pursue you to the ends of this earth if I have to. Please, come visit the stables with me. I will ask Lady Helena to free you from your duties for an hour or so.”
Eugenia hesitated and bit her lip. She knew staying away from him was the best course of action at this point. Her conscience was saying no, but her heart was leaping at the chance at bonding with the horses with him. Being around the horses showed her there were no social distances between herself and Maximilian; they could mingle as peers and feel free to love each other. “Very well. Though I think it is a big mistake.”
“Time spent with you is hardly a mistake,” Maximilian said. “Thank you. I will ask Lady Helena, privately, if she can spare you after breakfast tomorrow.”
For the first time in a long while, Eugenia’s spirits rose. “She will probably say yes, as she approves of us.”
“She is a very generous soul.” His mouth moved in a smile. “As are her parents. I must go. I will see you tomorrow?”
Returning a forced smile, Eugenia discreetly brushed his fingers with her own. “I expect so. Until then.”
“Until then.”
Maximilian turned and walked toward the dining hall doors; a bowed footman awaited inside. In the meantime, Eugenia mindlessly drifted toward the kitchen and remembered Mr. Oldman strode at her shoulder. She looked up and gave him a smile that showed she appreciated his steady, reassuring presence. He usually did not invade her personal space as he did now, and Eugenia found she did not mind.
