A Duke For Lady Eve (Belles 0f Christmas Book 5)

by Kasey Stockton

  “Of course not,” Evelyn said, confused. What was this anger coming from? Of course he had a right to be upset, but Evelyn had told him the truth…this time. She had never intended to see him again after the masquerade.

  “I am not a title-chasing woman, your grace. Is that not clear in the way I have done my best to avoid a connection with you? Surely if I was after your title, I would have leapt at the opportunity of being courted by you.”

  He shook his head, his eyes growing angrier. “Not if it gave up your ruse. You would have had to employ your household in the scheme.” He paused, his gaze turning toward the direction of her house. “You did, didn’t you? Your own brother referred to you as Lady Eve whilst he lay on the sofa yesterday.”

  “Because it is a game we’ve played since he was a very small boy. It is a game I have played my entire life with a dear friend of mine. But I can assure you I would never lie with the object of making it real, your grace. I do not desire the title, for then I would have to be married to a titled man.” She must make him understand her motives. Regardless of her true feelings, it was important to force Alverton to understand that she did not desire him for a spouse—now or before. She sucked in a breath and spat her final blow. “And there is not a titled man of my acquaintance whom I could stomach marrying.”

  Alverton’s already stone face hardened further, his eyes going dark. He raked his gaze over her person and stepped back. “Thank you for your honesty, Miss Trainor. I apologize for so wrongly using you.” He paused a moment before continuing, “But how can I trust anything you say now?”

  He did not offer her an opportunity to speak further, but turned and stalked away, toward Chesford Hall.

  Evelyn’s chest heaved with adrenaline, her hands shaking from the confrontation. She immediately wished she could recall the words spoken in anger, for she did not mean them to be hurtful. She only wanted him to understand that her dishonesty had nothing to do with him.

  But that was not true, was it? It was his desire to avoid title-hungry flirts which had forced her to keep the secret longer than she’d intended.

  But what did that matter now? Groaning in irritation, Evelyn turned on the path and marched home. Given his extreme reaction, Alverton was likely going to do his best to never see her again. And to think, just minutes ago she had been hoping he would pull her into his arms and wrap her in a tight embrace.

  So much for that ridiculous daydream.

  Evelyn was so distracted by her own thoughts she hardly noticed the carriage rumbling down the lane until it stopped in front of her own house.

  “Happy Christmas!” Julia called, drawing Evelyn’s attention at once.

  She glanced up to find her friend stepping from their carriage on the arm of her brother. Julia’s head tilted to the side as she approached, her soft eyebrows drawing together. “What is it, Evelyn?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “Nothing. My ruse is up and the duke is furious.”

  Dr. Cooper paused behind his sister, turning to search her eyes. Julia merely shook her head. “I was afraid of this. What shall you do?”

  “Avoid him, I suppose. But I don’t think that will be a hardship. He has determined that I am just the same as every title-hungry debutante who does their utmost to trap him in marriage.”

  “Then clearly he does not know you at all,” Dr. Cooper said, offering his arm and a conciliatory smile. “Now let us go inside before we all freeze.”

  Evelyn led her friends into the house, but it was for naught. She was frozen to the core. Alverton’s biting words and angry face would not leave her mind’s eye, and she wondered if her heart would ever thaw.

  * * *

  Christmas dinner had been quite the same as always. Julia and Dr. Cooper were pleasant company, the former keeping Father in conversation and the latter doing her part to visit with Evelyn and Aunt Edith both. Mr. Hart arrived, rounding out their numbers and conversation.

  But Evelyn was far from pleasant that evening. She knew she was far more reticent than usual, but it seemed to escape her father. Aunt Edith, on the other hand, eyed her closely, suspicion gleaming in the older woman’s gaze.

  Sitting in the library, the Yule log blazing in the fireplace, the conversation turned to politics between the men, as it usually did when Father, Dr. Cooper, and Mr. Hart got together.

  “When shall they learn to speak of those things when they are not in the same room as the women?” Aunt Edith complained. “It is always this way, and I find it so tedious.”

  “Then it is good we are here to distract you,” Julia replied. “Did you hear of the new visitors at Chesford Place?”

  “Only what your brother shared with us yesterday,” Evelyn replied. “There was a fine carriage seen traveling toward the earl’s estate.”

  “A fine carriage, indeed,” Julia said, leaning closer. “Containing a duchess and two women.”

  “Alverton’s mother,” Evelyn said at once. But she saw him just that morning and he hadn’t even mentioned it. “And who are the women?”

  Julia looked between Aunt Edith and Evelyn. “I do not know this to be certain, but I was informed that one of the women is the duchess’s sister, the other woman her daughter.”

  “But Alverton does not have any sisters,” Evelyn said.

  “Not the duke’s sister, Evelyn,” Aunt Edith snapped. “His cousin.”

  Realization dawned on her and she sat back in her seat, her fingers playing with the fringe of her shawl. It was no wonder the man had been on edge that morning—the very women he was hoping to escape had brought themselves to his doorstep. It was horrible how blatantly they did not seem to care about Alverton, the man, and merely sought Alverton, the duke.

  And his own mother was part of it all.

  “I invited them to dine this evening,” Aunt Edith said, causing Evelyn to grow still. “But Lord Sanders claimed a prior engagement. Perhaps he already knew of their impending arrival.”

  He had seemed surprised to hear that a carriage was on its way to his house, but Evelyn supposed he could have been play acting.

  Although, that did not seem right to her.

  “I am sure I’ve never seen so handsome a man as Lord Sanders,” Julia said, surprising Evelyn. She was usually so quick to blush, but her cheeks were not the slightest bit pink.

  “Perhaps I ought to try again,” Aunt Edith said, a hungry look in her beady eyes. “If we extend the invitation to include their guests, then surely the men will not refuse.”

  “A duke has every right to refuse condescending to dine in our home,” Evelyn argued. She could not share the finer points of the development between Alverton and herself with Julia yet, for she did not want Aunt Edith to hear the details of what had transpired in the woods earlier, but she was certain Alverton would never step foot near her again.

  Julia smiled at Aunt Edith with a level of patience Evelyn did not possess. “All the same, you are certainly welcome to try.”

  Aunt Edith pierced Evelyn with a look that caused trepidation to swirl within her. What was she planning? Surely she must realize they were born too low to reach for such heights. Surely she could not think chasing the earl or the duke a good idea.

  Evelyn swallowed, turning her attention to her father. He was relaxed and in his element, his hands crossed languidly over his stomach and a satisfied smile peeking out from under his mustache. He did not appear ill or weak at the moment, but she could not let this opportunity pass. Perhaps if she was to mention something, Dr. Cooper would become interested enough to inquire further on Father’s health.

  For one small moment she considered commenting on the vicar’s improved leg—for he had hardly been able to walk just earlier that year—as a way to enter into the conversation of health. But no, that would not be at all kind of her in such a setting. And the man looked peaceful, his dark hair pushed away from his face and a comfortable sense about him.

  Clearing her throat, Evelyn garnered the attention of the entire room. Well, the
re was no sense in wasting the opportunity. “Shall I call for tea, Father?” she asked. “I know how tiresome evenings have become for you of late.”

  “Yes, dear,” he said, and then promptly turned back to finish what he had been saying to the men.

  Evelyn stood, watching Dr. Cooper as though she could speak to him through her mind. He caught her stare and held it, his fair eyebrows arching as though in question.

  Evelyn widened her eyes, glancing to her father in an indication that Dr. Cooper should ask why the man was feeling so tired in the evenings, but the doctor did not seem to understand her plea. Frustrated, she turned away and pulled the bell, asking the maid who entered moments later for a tea tray.

  She was certainly going to need to be more creative. Unless she could find a way to get Dr. Cooper alone, then she could speak plainly to him.

  “Julia,” she said, seating herself beside her friend once more on the couch. “How has your father been?”

  “He is well,” her friend replied. “He is enjoying Bath immensely and has reported that the waters are doing wonders for his gout. I do not know if that is truth, but I am glad he is feeling well.”

  “How wonderful. Surely he misses Derham, though. Does he plan to return?”

  “For a visit, perhaps, but I do not think we will find him living here again.”

  “He was a good man,” Aunt Edith said, decisively. She made it sound as though Julia’s father had died.

  Evelyn and Julia shared a glance, swallowing their mirth. A maid entered the room bearing a tray.

  “Father has determined that he could not rest if he lived in Derham,” Julia explained as Evelyn began preparing the tea. “And Mother enjoys the variety of Society. I am quite certain they will never leave Bath.”

  “Yes,” Dr. Cooper said, joining the conversation from the other side of the rug. “Father cannot rest while people need assistance. He did his best to retire, due to his own ailments, but when I was overwhelmed with calls, he would assist me anyway.”

  Evelyn swallowed a smile so she would not appear too much like a cat before cream. Things were going precisely as she had hoped.

  “But surely Derham cannot be so busy as to require the both of you,” Aunt Edith said.

  “I suppose you would be surprised on the number of times my poor brother is called upon in the dead of night,” Julia said, accepting a cup of tea and bringing it to her lips.

  Father clapped Dr. Cooper on the shoulder. “We are fortunate to have such a competent young man to call on in our times of need.”

  “Or before we reach desperate need in those early hours of the morning,” Evelyn said, gazing into her father’s face so he might not misread her meaning. “It is likely better to call on him before we reach such dire straits.”

  Father held her gaze a moment before chuckling. “But how can one know when one will find themselves in need of a doctor?”

  “Many don’t know prior to their time of need,” Dr. Cooper responded. “Which puts me in mind of Harry. Might I check on the boy?”

  “Yes,” Evelyn said, rising. She reached forward and set the teapot on the tray, wiping her hands down her skirt.

  The occupants in the room all stared at her as though she’d gone mad. Had he meant later?

  Dr. Cooper leapt to his feet. “I suppose now is as good a time as any,” he said. He shot his sister a look. “Excuse us a moment.”

  Julia rose as well, setting down her teacup with a hint of sorrow. “I shall accompany you.”

  They left the library and climbed the stairs toward the twins’ chamber. Julia came close behind Evelyn and whispered, “You must tell me the details of your discussion with the duke. I’ve been dying to hear, and the waiting is pure torment.”

  “Not now, Julia,” Evelyn said in equally hushed tones. They had other things to worry about at present—like the state of Father’s health—and besides, she had been grateful for the distraction. “I shall tell you everything later.”

  Julia glanced over her shoulder toward her brother. Dr. Cooper was not the reason Evelyn intended to wait, but Julia could believe what she wished.

  Evelyn reached forward and rapped her knuckles on the door twice before opening it and letting herself into the room. Harry lay in bed, hands resting behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. Jack sat on the bed opposite his brother, reading aloud from a book.

  “May we intrude?” Evelyn asked. “Dr. Cooper would like to check your leg, Harry.”

  Jack closed the book and placed it on the small table beside his bed.

  “That would be fine,” Harry said, pushing himself to sit up against his headboard. He had done marvelously today sitting still and allowing his leg to heal, but his pure boredom was evident in the draw of his features.

  “Perhaps you can show me what you are reading?” Julia asked Jack, coming to sit beside him on the narrow bed. Evelyn crossed the room and stood behind the doctor as he pulled the bandage from Harry’s leg and checked the wound. She snuck a glance at the cut on his leg and winced, her dinner swirling in her stomach.

  She did not usually have a weak stomach, but the sight of her brother’s injury made her ill. If only she had prevented it.

  But for Harry, she could be strong. Much as she had the day before when she held his hand while Dr. Cooper worked.

  “Your leg looks well, Harry,” Dr. Cooper said. “No infection. But watch for redness and swelling, you understand?”

  “Yes, Dr. Cooper.”

  “Very good.” Dr. Cooper grinned at the boy before wrapping him back up and gently moving his leg under the blanket once again. “Happy Christmas, young man.”

  Harry settled back onto his bed, sighing in long-suffering, and they turned to leave. Pausing at the door to wait for Julia, who was listening to Jack tell her something with enthusiasm, Evelyn grasped Dr. Cooper by the hand and pulled him into the corridor.

  Wide eyes fell upon her and she whispered urgently, squeezing his fingers. “Something is wrong with my father and he refuses to tell me what it is.”

  His expression of shock transformed to bewilderment. “What am I meant to do about it?”

  “You are a surgeon, Dr. Cooper. Can you not inquire about what ails him?”

  “He looks perfectly healthy, Evelyn. What cause do I have to question him?”

  She groaned quietly, whispering fiercely. “I gave you a perfectly just cause earlier when I mentioned how he tires in the evenings. You could have used that.”

  “Evelyn,” Dr. Cooper said, much as he had when they were children, “most men of your father’s age tire easily in the evenings. It is a perfectly acceptable change.”

  “Very well,” she said crisply as she heard the bed shifting inside the room. Julia must be finished. “But promise me you will be mindful of my warnings? I do not wish to be knocking on your door in the middle of the night next.”

  Dr. Cooper looked appalled. With wild eyes, he shook his head slightly, pulling his hand from her grasp. “Miss Trainor, you must allow me the wisdom and knowledge of my own profession and take me for my word. I shall watch more carefully, but you should watch your tongue.”

  Her cheeks flushed at once as she recalled the words which had just escaped her lips. Any listening ears would not understand that they’d been previously speaking about the array of townsfolk who knock on Dr. Cooper’s door with medical emergencies in the middle of the night.

  She had just successfully made herself sound like a trollop.

  Turning back toward the room, Evelyn stilled at the sight of her friend standing in the doorway, a displeased expression washing over her face. “Are you ready to return downstairs?” Evelyn asked, though even she could hear how her voice sounded strained.

  Lifting her head, Julia nodded. “Of course.” She leaned back into the boys’ room and said, “Goodnight Jack. Feel better, Harry.”

  Dr. Cooper was already halfway down the stairs when Evelyn turned back around, and she was grateful for the space. Drawing Julia�
��s arm under her own, Evelyn said, “I just asked your brother to keep a watch on my father, and accidentally made it sound as though I was propositioning him.”

  “What is new?” Julia asked wryly. “Perhaps you ought to step back and allow your father some privacy.”

  “Who needs privacy when their very health is in danger?”

  “Yes,” Julia said quietly, shaking her head, “who indeed?”

  They made it to the bottom of the stairs when Julia tugged on Evelyn’s arm. Spearing her with a look that was quite solemn, she said, “It is not kind of you to trifle with him.”

  Evelyn sucked in a quiet, small breath. “What do you mean?”

  “My brother. You know he’s loved you for some time now. I saw you grasp his hand. But please, do not tug his heart along if you do not return his feelings, Evelyn. I know you to be kinder than that.”

  A beat of silence passed before Julia released her arm and started toward the library. But Evelyn found she could not move.

  It was true; she knew of the doctor’s feelings. He had shared them with her himself. But that had been months ago…surely his heart was not still turned toward her.

  Guilt filled her body and she squeezed her eyes shut. When had things gone so wrong?

  Chapter 12

  Sanders’ drawing room was stuffed with hot air and self-importance.

  Mother perched upon the settee opposite Alverton, her mouth outlined in disapproval as she watched him with unabashed interest as he did his best to ignore Miss Rowe.

  Mrs. Rowe sat primly on the sofa beside Sanders, her turban covering a mound of badly tinted black hair, and her rouge standing out against pallid skin. And this was the refined lineage Alverton was meant to align himself with. His aunt turned to Sanders and began questioning the earl about his sisters’ prospects.

  “They are quite young, of course. You will not have met them in Society yet,” Sanders said.

  “I look forward to it,” she cooed. “If they are half as well-mannered as you, my lord, then we are sure to absolutely adore them.”