“Hush!” Everly shouted. She’d feared Valiant would mention her and Asher’s embrace last evening.
“Oh! What did you see?” Beatrix turned wide blue eyes at Valiant.
“Not another word,” Everly warned Valiant. “We are not discussing him.”
“Oh, please, Everly. Do share,” Brinley begged.
“It’s only fair. After all, what do you think they’re discussing?” Valiant asked.
∫ ∫ ∫
2 7
“We’re not discussing this,” Asher said to his brothers as he glared out his window.
“Oh, we are most definitely discussing this,” Lore said. “I’ve never had reason to tease you before. In fact, I’ve never been old enough to do so.”
“You’re still not old enough,” Asher murmured.
Hero chuckled. “The woman forced you into a wager. I’ve never seen you do something so reckless.”
It had been reckless and now Asher desperately hoped Brinley had a boy. He’d lose his mind if he was forced to go to parties every night for the remainder of the summer.
Lore hummed in thought for a moment and then said, “I would like to say that Lady Everly is the last woman I’d see you marrying, but now I think she’s perfect for you.”
Asher turned to his brothers, ready to deny there would be a wedding, but then decided to ask, “Perfect?”
“Oh, yes.” Lore grinned. “She brings out the best in you. Can’t recall the last time you weren’t scowling about one thing or another, like some great being who can only see immoral corruption. You looked rather human back there.”
Asher’s lips twitched. “I prefer you’d continue to believe me immortal.”
Hero laughed again. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much around you, brother. Tell me, were you this way before…” His words trailed off.
But Asher knew what he’d been about to say. Had Asher been a happy lad before John’s death? A death he could have prevented?
He had been.
He’d continued to have fleeting moments of happiness, but then Mary died and then his father. After every tragedy, it simply became easier to pretend that nothing with an emotional attachment mattered. He stopped being Asher and became Ayers, letting duty be his guide.
“Please, marry her,” Lore said.
“There will be no wedding.” And he admitted that a part of him was saddened by the thought.
Everly was acting very strange at breakfast but having her at his table had made him realize just how much he didn’t want that to change.
But it would. In less than a fortnight, she would face a judge. Asher hoped to have found what answers they needed well before then.
“Why not?” Hero asked. “You’re both unattached. Do you still pine for Mary?”
Asher’s eyes widened. His wife was never something he discussed with his brothers or anyone for that matter. Both of them were younger than him. Hero by six and Lore by eight.
He thought boundaries were being crossed.
Lore cut him off before he could say a word. “Don’t get High and Mighty on us again. You’re our brother, and you’ve repeatedly stuck your nose into our affairs.”
“It’s my job to look after you,” Asher countered.
“And you’re our brother,” Hero said. “We can look after you as well.”
The words sounded close to the ones Valiant had used yesterday when she informed him that she cared for him.
Did Hero and Lore care for him as well?
He supposed, in the back of his mind, he’d always known they did. They were family, after all, and it was hard to not care for someone you’ve spent your entire life with.
But did they truly care?
That troubled him. It was better to keep his distance. They’d all be thankful for it later, he was sure of it. “Thank you for your concern, but it’s not necessary. My life is my own and I’ll not have you interfere.” He looked at both of them and ignored the pinch in his chest at their hurt gazes.
Thankfully, the carriage stopped.
Asher moved to leave first, finding the carriage far too confining.
“This isn’t over,” Hero said. “I don’t know what has made you become this way, but I’ll not give up on you, Asher.”
Their eyes met. Their blue eyes that were similar in nearly every way.
Then Asher got out and moved so that he’d not be in the way of those passing by.
The weather had relented, giving them the first clear view of the sun in days, and the streets were full of the wealthy and their servants who rushed behind them with their packages. He scowled at anyone who dared to approach their group.
“Shall we break off into pairs?” Beatrix said as the women gathered with him. She’d been grinning when she’d come over, but at their expressions, her smile fell.
“Breaking apart would be advisable,” Asher said. “That would cover more ground faster. A lord with every lady.”
“Because women can’t do anything without a man’s aid?” Everly asked with bright eyes.
“Precisely, and I’ll not have you all getting distracted with purchases.” He’d made sure to leave his humor in the carriage.
She was taken aback and then her eyes narrowed.
He ignored her anger and the disturbing feeling in his stomach.
Valiant hadn’t liked his response either and spoke in a bitter tone. “If you didn’t wish for us to come along then why didn’t you have servants do this?”
Asher answered, “You’re here, because Everly is here. Everly is here, because she has to go where I ago, and there is a reason I didn’t send footmen.” He turned away.
“And what is that?” Everly asked at his back.
He looked over his shoulder and said, “Because people are less likely to lie to a lord.”
* * *
Everly followed Asher down the sidewalk and with every step, her rage grew. He hadn’t spoken more than a ‘this way’ and ‘let’s go’ since his declaration on the power of being a lord. It irritated her to no end that he’d suddenly returned to the gentleman she’d always known him to be. Haughty. Unapproachable. Dull.
He asked neither her nor Valiant’s opinions as they went from one shop to the other and whenever he gazed at her, she found it so indifferent that Everly began to truly feel as though she didn’t matter to him.
She recalled the gentle words he’d whispered to her the previous night when he’d taken her in his arms.
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”
“I’ll protect you.”
They were no longer romantic. Instead, she recalled that none of those declarations were synonyms for:
I’ll respect you.
I value your opinion.
He was an overbearing tyrant through and through.
Yet, he does all this for you.
She waved away that thought. Perhaps, Asher wasn’t doing this for her. Maybe he was trying to prove something to himself.
That he had more courage and honor than any other gentleman in the world?
“Something must have happened in the carriage,” Valiant whispered, reminding Everly that she was not alone. “He wasn’t this irritable at the house.”
Everly said nothing, believing nothing polite would come from her lips if she did.
She was angry… and a little hurt. She’d not allowed anyone to hurt her in some time.
When they entered the library, Everly remained at the door, not bothering to go far. Asher would once again do all the questioning, just as he’d done at the apothecary and the silk shop. Then he’d say, “Let’s go,” and Everly would follow behind like a well-trained animal from the menagerie because she had little choice!
Valiant stayed with her and nodded politely to anyone who saw them. It was more than Everly offered anyone. She simply kept her gaze averted while her rage grew, ready to boil over.
“What do you think my brothers discussed?” Valiant asked her.
�
�Perhaps, how best to lure Asher to a cliff to push him off,” Everly said. “Though, I’m sure that wasn’t it.”
Valiant chuckled.
Everly turned her fury on her friend. “He is lucky I’ve no fire poker on me, for I would dearly love to stab your brother at this moment.”
Valiant pretended to sober. “Go and talk to him.”
“Absolutely not.” She crossed her arms. “I never want to speak to him again.”
“That’s not true.”
“Tis quite true.” Everly swallowed around the pain in her throat. Her eyes stung and to ensure Valiant didn’t see it, she left the door and went to the aisles of books. She was blind to everything but pretended to be engrossed in the covers as she wondered farther and deeper into the building, toward the halls that would be filled with more books and rooms with places to quietly read.
She heard nothing but her own thoughts and the rushing blood in her ears.
Asher had claimed he cared for her, but that had been a lie.
When someone she recognized thought to approach, she grabbed the first book she saw, put her nose between the pages, and started to rush away, farther into the shelves and into the first empty room she found.
It was red with dark floors and furniture. It was the phytology room with books dedicated to the study of plants both English and exotic.
Everly chose a spot in the corner of the room that would leave her hidden from the eyes that passed by the door. She’d barely taken a seat before Asher strolled in with a visible scowl.
She gasped.
He turned to her.
Had she remained silent, he’d likely have never seen her, yet now he did.
He was at her side in a blink, his brows pulled together hard, his breathing rough. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I had to send Valiant off with Brinley and Lore before you were nowhere to be found. Let’s go.”
“Go hang,” she whispered.
His eyes widened, but then narrowed again. “That is what I am trying to keep you from doing.”
The words stung and that they’d come from his mouth hurt worse. It was almost impossible for her to believe that just last night she’d allowed him to use that mouth on her. The tongue he now wielded like a sharp rapier had once warmed her like nothing else.
“I… can’t do this,” Everly replied as she suddenly made a decision.
“What are you talking about?” he asked. “All you have to do is do as I say.”
“That’s just it,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t do it. I won’t.”
He was stunned by her words and then said, “Everly, you have no choice.”
“I do.” She straightened her shoulders even as she felt her eyes begin to burn once more. “I’d like to be returned to the constable.”
∫ ∫ ∫
2 8
Asher was sure he’d heard Everly wrong. “What did you say?”
“I want to return to the country.” The tears in her hazel gaze made her eyes glass windows to her heart.
He’d hurt her.
This time, the pain in his own chest could not be ignored. He’d been purposefully callous to her, believing it the only way to keep his distance, but now he knew it had been wrong. He pressed fingers to his brows and thumbs to his lower jaw as he thought of the best way to apologize. “Everly...”
“No. I don’t want to hear your sincere apologies. We will both be forced to live with our regrets.” The words struck him just as he was sure she’d intended. “Now, if you would be so kind, please call for a runner. I’m sure one would be willing to escort me to the country.”
“I’m not going to do that,” he said. “Let me apologize.”
“Go hang,” she said. The tears were gone. “I don’t need you. Lord Renner said he’d be my witness. He may not be a duke, but he is a lord nonetheless. It will do.” She turned to leave.
He grabbed her arm in panic. “Wait, Everly.”
“Let me go.”
He didn’t. He closed the door then pushed her against the bookshelf, pressing himself against her. He cupped her head, finding her hair soft as silk. He gently pulled it back, tilting her head.
Her eyes widened. Was it outrage? Fear? “D-don’t you dare.” Her face had colored, the pulse in her throat visibly rushing.
He was left little choice.
* * *
She tried to turn her head, but he was too strong. His mouth met hers brutally.
She bit him. The rich taste of metal touched her tongue as he bled. Yet still, he would not relent.
His body held her captive. His hands forced her head in an angle that pried her mouth open.
Then he ravished her mouth.
And Everly… shuddered.
Her hands went to his face and for a fleeting moment she thought to scratch him, but then her traitorous fingers found his hair. She heard his hat hit the ground with a soft thud.
He groaned and move impossibly closer.
A whimper rose from her throat.
His mouth moved down her jaw and pressed to the thin skin at her neck, licking and sucking.
She was trembling with desire. She pressed her eyes closed and tried to find reason, to break from under this power he now had over her. “I hate you,” she whispered. It was the only thing she could think to say.
He stiffened and became as unyielding as a pillar under her hands. His mouth still on her throat, he said, “Perhaps it’s for the best.”
She frowned, certain she’d heard him wrong. What did that mean? She told herself not to care.
But then he lifted his head and looked at her.
She saw the crimson from where she’d bitten him and regretted the impulsive reaction immediately, but it was his eyes that stole her breath.
“What happened?” she asked. Her hands still in his hair, she began to stroke him, trying to beat back his visible hurt. She told herself his pain shouldn’t matter, but her heart wouldn’t listen. She’d never cared for a man before. She wanted to protect this one.
He closed his eyes and lowered his forehead to hers. “There are… things I’ve never discussed with anyone.”
Would he do so with her? Did Everly truly wish for that?
Foolishly, she did.
“You can tell me,” she said in the sweetest voice she could find. She wasn’t used to consoling people this way. Usually, she was forceful with her friends. Asher brought out a very tender part of her. A part she hadn’t known still existed after all these years.
* * *
Could he tell her?
Asher wasn’t sure she or anyone else would understand the complexity of his mind. Life was easier when there’d been fewer people involved. Lord Beaumont had never cared to engage in family matters, but Hero and Lore’s wife were not so reserved. With their friendly characters, Beatrix and Brinley were making his family closer than they’d been in years.
It troubled him.
Asher tightened his arms around Everly and sighed. Perhaps, if he told her the truth, it would put some distance between them. Asher told himself it was the only reason he dared share a word with her, but deep down, he knew it was more.
Her hands calmed him as did her soft words. “It’s all right. I’m here. I’m listening.”
He was not accustomed to her gentleness. If she ever knew its power, she could take over the world.
Asher broke under her sweet ministrations. “I failed to save my brother’s life.”
* * *
Asher barely gave Everly a moment to comprehend his words. Once they were out of his mouth, he was out of her arms. He opened the door and had disappeared before Everly realized she should follow.
At the door to the library, he waited.
“Asher.”
“We’re to visit another jewelry store next,” he said instead of his customary “Let’s go.” And this time, he waited for her to proceed him.
“Where’s Valiant?” she asked when they were on the street.
“With Lore and Brinley.” He was still distant, but this time, she knew his confession was weighing on him. She noticed his lips once again. The bite had stopped bleeding but was still visible.
“I’m sorry… for biting you.”
He smirked. “I deserved it.”
She sighed with relief and then straightened her shoulders. “Yes, you did. I hope this is not a habit of yours? Taking advantage of women?” She made sure it was clear she was teasing.
His lips lifted and fell again, his eyes warm as a summer sky. “Only the ones with red hair.”
She feared the grin that spread up and high on her face made her look mad, but she couldn’t help it.
She wanted to hate Asher, especially after how he’d treated her moments before, but she found her heart unwilling to commit to loathing him.
It took a moment for her to realize that they’d stopped walking.
Asher’s gaze was so heavy on her that it may as well have been his hands stroking her face with a look that sped up her heart.
“Lady Wycliff,” a coy voice called. Miss Christensen doused Everly’s good mood.
She turned as the woman approached. Abigail Christensen was once again surrounded by a group of three women whose existence seemed to encompass making sure that Abigail’s shadow never touched the ground.
Though Abigail wore a smile, it was strained. Her color was high, and her eyes glittered with anger. She turned to the duke with an expression that could be interpreted as nothing short of betrayal. “Lord Ayers.”
Her friends seemed to be astonished at the sight of Everly and the duke together. Had Abigail shared her dreams of becoming Lady Ayers? If the new daggers that went Everly’s way were any indication, she thought it a possibility.
“Miss Christensen.” Asher kept his voice polite, but his expression closed. All the warmth had faded from his gaze, but there was pity. “I hope you are finding the Season to be a pleasing affair?”
“I am.” Miss Christensen sighed. “Though, of course, my circles are nothing compared to yours.”
“I’m sure you’ll adjust.” Even Asher cringed at the words.
His set down had come out harsher than he’d intended, but it was clear to her friends that if Miss Christensen thought to elevate to the ranks of the ton, it would not be on Asher’s arm.
The Perfect Duke (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 14