But just as his valet left, his brother appeared. Peter stood in the doorway of his bedchambers, blocking his way. “I believe you are forgetting something.”
“I have forgotten nothing. Now get out of the way before I am late.”
Peter smiled and gestured to his brother’s neck. “Perhaps you are trying to imply cravats are out of fashion this Season, but I daresay that despite all of your power, your influence does not outshine Beau Brummel’s in matters of clothing.”
Evan’s hand went to his neck to realize he had indeed forgotten his cravat. “Bloody hell.” He looked to see it lying on the dark blue comforter that covered his large bed. He snatched it up with more anger than was necessary.
Peter held out his hand. “Allow me. You are so agitated, you will mess it up.”
“I am not agitated.”
Peter snorted and tied Evan’s cravat around his neck. “There. Now you are presentable for meeting your future bride.”
Evan growled in response, even though a small, foolish part of him wished Joanna to actually be his future bride. He was beginning to think she truly was an enchantress with the way she had possessed his thoughts after such a short time. All he knew was he enjoyed spending time with her, and after their courtship ended, there would be little opportunity to see her. Not only that, but he would have to endure the sight of her on another man’s arm, which filled him with displeasure. But his rational mind knew better. Marrying would only open himself up to heartbreak and loss, which was the last thing he wanted.
Peter walked Evan outside to the carriage. The duke was going alone to the ball because the dowager duchess was staying athome with a headache, but Evan suspected she only pretended to have headaches to get out of tedious social obligations. Peter smirked at the sight of his brother in formal attire. “I will never envy you for these nights. It must be tedious to have so many social obligations just because of a title.”
“Balls are full of people who think they are much more interesting and much funnier than they really are. You would fit in perfectly.”
Peter laughed. “Perhaps you are right. But I would prefer a night at the club or a night at home. Luckily, I have the good fortune to be able to decline my invitations without causing a horrible scandal.”
“I usually hate these events,” Evan said. “But I must admit, I am looking forward to tonight.”
“Of course you are! You are going with your beloved, after all! You can spend the night dancing with her.”
Evan glowered at him. “Beloved is a strong word, and you know it.”
“Are you certain? You seem like a different man ever since you started courting Miss Thorne. You seem… lighter.”
“Lighter?” He smirked. “Your descriptions are as elegant as always.”
Peter rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. Less troubled. Less… you. And let me be clear: that is a good thing.”
“Perhaps you are right.” Evan found himself smiling a little more easily for the past few days. Just thinking about Joanna was enough to brighten his mood. He enjoyed being able to take care of her when they went shopping and he looked forward to doing even more of that in the near future.
But unfortunately, in the near future, all of it would end. As soon as the Season was finished, so were they. He offered to help her find suitors because he wanted to protect her, even though the words burned him as he forced himself to say them.
He could not stomach the thought of her falling out of society again when their courtship ended. It would not be long before she and the rest of her family had fully descended into poverty, and then she would have no hope of securing a comfortable future.
But at the same time, the thought of her on another man’s arm made bile rise up in his throat. He wanted her for himself. Thinking of her with another was enough to make anger and envy rise up inside of him. He wanted her to look at him, and only him. It was just one more thing that he would have to come to terms with. He had no right to her. So he would take care of her as much as he could, and that included finding her a suitor who could keep her happy and comfortable for the rest of her life.
He bid Peter a good night as they reached his carriage. The driver took off to Clifford Manor, where Joanna was waiting for him.
As soon as the carriage pulled up to the front of the manor, the front door opened, and she emerged, with her chaperone following behind her.
His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her clad in silk. The dress fanned out around her as she glided forward. The blue diamond necklace went perfectly with her dress and it formed a V leading down to her breasts.
She was absolutely tantalizing. It would be difficult for him to follow the no-touching rule. Even now, he was tempted for them to find a quiet spot, away from her parents and her chaperone, so he could truly appreciate her beauty the way he wanted to.
She gave him a soft smile. “Good evening, Your Grace.”
“You look beautiful,” he whispered to her. “I will be the envy of the ball with you on my arm tonight.”
She giggled. “I could say the same about myself. After all, everyone will be wondering how I thawed your icy heart.”
Longing spread through his chest at the thought. If only it was that simple. If only he could give into the temptation she presented to him and give his heart to her completely. He cursed himself for his wayward, indulgent thoughts. He should knowbetter than to even want a real relationship with her. He knew such a thing would only bring pain. But something about her made him forget rational thought.
He helped her into the carriage, delighting in the feeling of her small hand on his own. She felt so delicate and small compared to him, which only made him feel more protective, more possessive. Her hands were also so cold, which made him worry. Was the manor cold? Perhaps her father could not afford to heat it properly. He already suspected she didn’t get enough food.
