Page 24 of To Honor

He’d already dismissed Amalia, so she and her father were alone in the solar chamber where they’d been summoned.

“You’ve been there too often of late.”

While it was true her visits to the village had increased since she’d been meeting Gareth, Evelina had hoped her father would not take notice.

She attempted a different position.

“What else would you have me do, Father, after my tutoring sessions each day?”

Evelina knew the answer before he gave it. “Supervise servants. Manage food supplies. Embroidery. Needlework. There is much for you to do, Evelina, as you know well.”

“I do most of those things,” she said, earning a stern glance for it.

“I’ve not once seen you with a needle in your hands,” he challenged.

“Because I’ve not the knack, nor inclination, for it.”

“Evelina . . .”

When he used her full given name, it was never a good sign.

“Father,” she countered. “I have complained little even though there is so much more I wish to do here at Ashcroft Manor.”

“Complained little? I’ve heard naught but complaints for as long as I can remember.”

This was the reason she refused, even as Amalia suggested it, to speak to her father about being involved in the knight school. Or being able to teach the villagers’ children of history, something she had stopped suggesting some time ago. Speaking with her father was impossible.

Unwilling to lose her composure, she remained calm. Though it was not easy.

“Father, what have I done to earn your scorn?”

That did seem to give him pause. “Scorn? You have all that you could wish for, Evie. I simply ask that you understand your place here and as an Ashcroft. The only Ashcroft,” he added, as he often did. “Unless you wish your cousin to inherit the title.”

Her father would be appalled how little she cared if he did, indeed, inherit.

“I wish only to serve you,” she said, honestly. But added, “And be happy as well.”

“Happy,” he muttered, under his breath.

Sighing, she resigned herself to not swaying him to her side but instead getting to the village to see Gareth.

“Aye, Father. If that is all,” she said with a slight bow, preparing to find Amalia.

“It is not,” he said in a voice that was as commanding as it was firm.

She froze. Could he know about Gareth?

“An envoy from Count Geoffrey V of Anjou will be arriving any time. I need you here, to help prepare.”

Evelina could not hide her surprise. “An envoy from Lady Maude’s husband? Is such a visit safe? Do any know he comes here? And why—”

“You need only know they will be arriving this eve or on the morrow. See that all is ready.”

She did not move. So this was why he cared about her visit to the village.

“You are dismissed, Evie.”

His use of her familiar name did little to comfort her as it sometimes did. Not only would she need to find Amalia to bring word to Gareth, but this meant she’d not be seeing him today or tomorrow. But his announcement offered even worse implications.