The late duke hadn’t been able to contain his disappointment when they left his favorite fishing spot after a long day of teaching his son how to fish. Even though they had caught two fish that day, the victory felt hollow to both of them.
Evan hated disappointing his father, but it had been impossible to fake enthusiasm for outdoor sports. He certainly didn’t want to disappoint Lilly the same way.
I might not enjoy fishing, but I enjoy spending time with my daughter. I just need to focus on that.“I do like fishing,” he said. “We will have to go again soon. Perhaps on Saturday.”
She grinned, and Evan felt a little lighter at seeing her smile.
Just then, the maid returned, looking apologetic. “I am sorry, Your Grace, but Her Grace wished to inform you that she will not be joining you for dinner this evening.”
Lilly’s face fell. “Is she sick?”
The maid looked hesitant. “She said she has a headache.”
“Thank you,” Evan told the maid. “You may leave.”
The woman curtsied and left the room. Evan turned to Lilly. “She is probably just fatigued,” he told her.
Lilly looked concerned. “Does she have nightmares too?”
His stomach tightened from the question. “Perhaps you can ask her tomorrow,” he said with a pained smile.
She pouted. “Can I go play in my room? I am not very hungry.”
He nodded, resigned. “Yes, go play. Have fun.” He was disappointed that dinner was not going to happen after all, but it would be better if Lilly went to play in her room.
He, on the other hand, needed to pay his duchess a visit.
Chapter Twenty
Marina was brushing her hair out at her vanity when there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” she called, thinking it was another maid. She set the brush down and stood up to stretch.
The door opened, and Evan walked in.
She startled and realized she was just in her nightgown. She blushed and took a step back. She itched to find her dressing robe and put it over the nightgown.Do not be silly. He has seen you soaking wet with your corset sliding down, and that was before you were married. No need to show him how much he affects you now!“Good evening,” she said stiffly.
He stared at her for a moment longer than necessary before looking at a random spot over her left shoulder. Despite his best effort to keep his face completely neutral, like usual, his cheeks turned rosy, and Marina felt a small spark of satisfaction about that. He cleared his throat and sat down on the edge of her bed.
Marina gasped. “Do not tell me that you are here to finally claim your marital right!” Why else would he be on her bed, after all?
He looked startled. “I beg your pardon?”
But she did not hear him.Finally? Why did I say that? It is not like I have been anticipating … or imagining … heavens.She turned away from him. “I did not mean ‘finally,” she said quickly. “I just meant, why bother claiming it now, after all this time?”
Evan stared at her for a moment more before he started to laugh.
Marina felt her cheeks heat up. “I do not see why you have to mock me,” she muttered. “It is a perfectly reasonable question. You are in my bedchamber at night, and you are sitting on my bed.” Even as she said it, she could not help but enjoy the sound of his laughter.
Even though it was at my expense, it is still a wonderful sound. I wish he would laugh more often.
“I wanted to check on you tonight,” Evan said. “How is your head doing?”
She stared at him, feeling at a loss. “My head?”
“The maid said you would not be joining us for dinner because you had a headache. So, how is your head?”
Marina felt herself blush even harder. “It is not too bad,” she said.
“Are you lying?” He stood up and walked toward her. “I must ask because I need to know if you will have constant headaches around dinnertime every night for the near future. For my own planning purposes.”
