“Do what?”
“Correct her speech. Not when it’s not her lessons.”
“She is supposed to be having lessons right now. That includes the art of conversation, does it not? Wouldn’t that help her socialize with people when she’s older?” It only made sense to him. As much as he would rather keep Lilly at the manor forever, sooner or later, she will have to start socializing with people and get ready for her debut in society.
Marina has been very insistent on Lilly socializing with other children. Why isn’t she happy that I’m taking it seriously?
“You need to learn how to talk to her without correcting her. Not every conversation needs to be a lesson.”
“I do not make every conversation a lesson,” he said.
“Forgive me. I must be mistaken, Your Grace.” Amusement colored her tone, but the title caught him by surprise, just like it had earlier.
“Do not call me that.” His voice sounded angrier than expected.
She startled slightly at the sound of his tone. “I was only jesting.” Her voice was a little wounded, which reminded him of how she flinched in his study, as if she had been expecting him to yell at her. He took a deep breath and summoned a fact to the front of his mind, just like he had in his study.
Her mother yelled at her, and her father ignored her. Flinching was only instinct.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I want you to know that I will never lash out at you, even when we disagree on something.” After a moment of deliberation, he said. “I noticed you flinch in my study. I never want to give you a reason to. I do not want you to see me as someone to fear. Rather, I would rather you see me as … an ally.” He stumbled over the last word. ‘Ally’ did not feel correct. Partner? Friend? Surely not lover.
She blushed and looked away. “Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate you telling me … Evan.”
The sound of his name made him relax, but conversation made him feel unsure. He decided to change the subject. “What did you mean when you said I was cold?”
“Your manner,” she said. “You act like you’re annoyed to be here.”
“I am not annoyed.”
“Lilly doesn’t know that. All she sees is a frown on your face.” She pulled her face into an exaggerated frown. “This is what you look like. All of the time.”
“I look nothing like that.”
“You do to a child.”
“Forgive me if I do not smile constantly. My wife died only last year, leaving me with a grieving child who wakes up screaming every night,” he said.
Not to mention the ton seems to think I poisoned her, and she made it clear for years how much she disliked marrying me.
Even though he tried to tell himself that it did not matter what other people thought about him, the constant looks of disdain and casually thrown insults had worn him down.
“I understand,” she said softly. Sympathy shone in her eyes. “But that’s all the more reason to smile, especially around Lilly. It has been a grim year for her, too. She deserves some levity. And you deserve to be happy.”
He could not figure out how to reply to her. By now, they had reached the river, where Lilly was tracing patterns in the muddy shore with the tip of her shoe. Prince William was splashing in the water, barking with excitement.
Evan breathed in the scent of wet earth, fresh water, and even a hint of algae. When he was a child, he disliked the outdoors, which did not hold the same fascination that books did to him. But now that he was older, he could appreciate it more.
“Prince William,” Marina called.
The little dog ran out of the water and stopped at her feet, tail wagging as water dripped from his fur. Marina grinned and leaned down to pet him.
Lilly laughed. “River Lady,” she said.
The duchess smiled. “That’s me, isn’t it? Foolishly diving in to save a dog that does not need saving.” She gave the dog a mock stern look. “Although I would appreciate it if you stayed out of the river, mister. You are trying your luck with such a strong current.”
Prince William jumped on her skirt in response, covering it with mud and water.
“Down,” Evan ordered the dog.
