And besides, if she was to survive, then she was to come up with creative ways to get out of her own situation. Merely being obedient was not going to get her anywhere in life.
With haste, she started to move downstairs. One of the maids noticed her, but she waved her away immediately, making her intention of not being noticed clear.
She slowly peeked through the door, just enough so she could see what was going on. But without being seen herself.
Their drawing room had rarely seen a gathering of this sort. She could feel the charged tension in the atmosphere, even from a distance. Christopher sat waiting, eager to know the reason behind the visit. Letitia was in there, too.
They looked rather desperate, she thought to herself, but then continued to peek through the door, her heart now racing.
Christopher had told her to stay away, but she could not stop herself. Not knowing was worse than any other fate that her father had planned for her. She could bear those consequences as well as she had done this.
At first, she only heard his voice as he spoke to the help, but then, she stole a glance.
Simon Linwood, Duke of Everly, was no myth. He was seated in their drawing room. Even sitting down, it was hard to miss just how tall his stature was. He was towering over them, and Rachel could tell that he was at least a foot taller than her father.
But his expression was not a welcoming one. Rather, it conveyed nothing at all, and that only added to his overall intimidating manner.
She gulped loudly. Had she chosen the wrong person to start a rumor about? As much as she never wished to know the consequences, she was about to find them out.
“Your Grace, it is an honor to welcome you to our home,” Christopher began. “Though we were not expecting such a visit…”
Christopher must have realized that he said the wrong thing, for he scrambled to correct himself.
“I meant to say that we are happy you are here, of course,” he rushed. “No one is happier than my daughter, Letitia. I would be pleased to introduce both of you.”
“I am not here for Letitia,” came the response. It was dry and to the point.
“I am not sure if I understand, Your Grace,” Christopher sounded thoroughly confused. “If not for my daughter, what else could be the reason for your visit?”
“Miss Rachel Montrose,” Simon replied. “I am here to see her.”
At the sound of her own name, it seemed that her heart came to a stop. She stumbled, blowing her cover. All eyes turned to the door behind which she hid, and she wished desperately for the floor to swallow her whole.
“Rachel?” Christopher barked. “Is that you hiding there? Come out here,now.”
“I was just… I...” she stumbled over her words. But now there was no more use in hiding. She had been discovered.
Mustering all the courage she could fathom, she made her way inside the drawing room. Rachel was careful to keep her gaze trained on the ground, but even so, she could feel that the duke was looking in her direction.
Heavens.A blush formed on her cheeks, even though they had not even made eye contact yet.
“Have you been communicating with the duke?” Christopher questioned. “You must have done something silly. Your Grace, I really do apologize.”
Simon waved him off, but Christopher was not done yelling.
“Do you want to tarnish our reputation? What have you done? Speak!”
“I was only…” Rachel spluttered out, but her father did not give her the space to speak.
“Did you drag the Duke of Everly into some ridiculous scheme? This is beyond shameful!”
Simon’s deep voice interrupted, smooth and commanding, “Viscount.”
Christopher froze, turning back to the duke with a strained smile. “Your Grace, I assure you, whatever my daughter has said, she?—”
“I am not here to discuss fabrications,” Simon said evenly, his gaze shifting back to Rachel. “I am here because the lady in question has declared herself my fiancée. I intend to make that claim a reality.”
Rachel’s breath caught. Letitia gasped audibly, and Christopher stared at the duke as though he’d sprouted another head.
