Page 19 of The Odyssean Duke

“I shall think further upon the matter,” Evelina said, knowing that she would die of mortification if she confessed how frightened she was to her friends.

And could they even understand her? They were happy with their husbands and spoke of intimacy in fond, hushed tones and sly looks at one another. The only member of the Corset Chronicles Club who had not experienced such intimacy and who might have fears like Evelina was Lady Rosalind, and that poor young miss would be only able to commiserate.

The song ended, and polite applause followed. Evelina let her attention wander over the small crowd, who had gathered to watch the orchestra. And then?—

Her muscles tensed all at once, and it took an embarrassing amount of strength not to let her jaw drop. It was he, the Duke of Rothbury. Evelina’s heart beat so madly that she feared it might burst from her chest. His Grace was surrounded by Lady Brookshire’s daughters, whose names Evelina could not quite recall. The eldest tittered in laughter, and Evelina tore her eyes away from the man, something bitter curling inside her.

The Duke of Rothbury was not amusing in the least and certainly unworthy of laughter! If those ladies only knew how he had made a mockery of her the night before, they would…

They would be far more scandalized at her behavior than by his. Evelina shook her head, as if by doing so she might cast away all thoughts of him. That man had offered tomarryher, as if she would be willing to wed a duke.

Evelina tried not to think about how much he had seemed to understand her plight or how she was just a little, irrationally tempted to accept his proposal.

CHAPTER 8

Stephan cast a sharp look at Murrayton, who had abandoned him the moment his wife, the Countess of Murrayton, entered the garden. Although they had not yet been formally introduced, Stephan knew it must be she. Even if Murrayton’s fond smile had not been present, she was exactly as Murrayton had described—a dark-haired beauty with blue eyes.

The women before Stephan were beautiful, too. But Lady Brookshire’s three daughters had descended upon him the moment he set foot in the gardens, and while the prospect of three unwedded misses had seemed promising, he had quickly grown to regret his choice to speak with them. They were too eager and clearly vying for a proposal, which was…

Desirable, but also frustratingly hollow.

“I am so pleased that you could accept our mother’s invitation,” said Lady Maria, the eldest. “We did not think you would, given that it arrived so close to the date.”

Stephan forced a smile and wondered if Lady Maria or her sisters, Lady Angelica and Lady Catherine, noticed. There was nothing he wanted to say, but it was apparent that a response was expected of him. His heart raced. Once, he must have known how to speak to women. “I was surprised to receive an invitation so quickly. But also, quite pleased with it.”

“Mother will be so pleased to hear that,” Lady Angelica said.

Stephan nodded, only partially listening. He could not blame the young women for being so eager to win his favor. Young ladies had very few options in the world, and Stephan never faulted a woman for trying to improve her lot in life. That did not make him any more eager to be the object of one’s affections, though.

And did these young misses expect a loving marriage? If not, would they be content without one?Stephan did not imagine that most women would be happy committing to that, even if it was expected. Not all these women were like Lady Thornwall.

“I have heard that you were in the navy,” said Lady Catherine.

“I was,” he said. “An admiral.”

“What was it like?” Lady Maria asked, her blue eyes wide. “Oh, you must tell us everything!”

Stephan doubted that Lady Maria wanted to know everything. He imagined that she had been taught the gentlest version of reality, where naval officers were brave and dashing. She had notheard of the wounded or dying men, and if she had, Stephan did not imagine Lady Maria understood what it had really been like. This lady would have heard nothing about the stench of infection or death. She would not know of the long days spent in the heat or the lashing tempests that rocked the ship perilously from side to side.

“It was…” Stephan trailed off.

The navy was often terrible, but not always. It was probably the closest thing he ever had to a real home, as Evelina had described one. At least, he had belonged there.

“It was awful,” Stephan said, “but marginally better than a garden party.”

The ladies laughed, and Stephan’s smile faltered. He had not been making a joke, but it seemed that was how they understood it.

“I apologize, but my friend is calling for me,” Stephan said. “It must be urgent.”

He departed before the ladies could protest or ask him to stay longer. As he approached, Murrayton grinned brightly at him. “Amelia, this is my dear friend?—”

“The Duke of Rothbury,” Lady Murrayton said. “Of course. Your reputation precedes you.”

That was not how a proper introduction ought to occur, and Stephan found himself halting abruptly and staring blankly at her. Lady Murrayton curtsied, and Stephan bowed stiffly. “Lady Murrayton, I presume.”

“Yes.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you at last,” Lady Murrayton said. “My husband speaks so very highly of you.”