“Eva, Daniel is going to help me go to Edinburgh University.” The boy didn’t say it loudly or sound overly excited but Daniel knew by the gleam in his eyes that he was. His sister, however, did not appear to be.
“Why do you want to go away to school when you have only just arrived?”
“You know it has always been my fondest wish, Eva.”
“But I had thought you would stay here with me.”
Me, not we, Daniel noticed. The ease with which they had shared each other’s company on the journey seemed to have dissipated with their arrival in London and that of Eva’s brother.
“I want this, Eva, and if Daniel is happy to help me achieve it, then it is something I must do.”
“But we cannot ask it of the duke, Reggie, when he has already given me so much.”
What had he given her? A marriage, shelter and food on her table, but had any of those things made her truly happy?
“I am happy to do this, Eva, if you agree.” Daniel said nothing further as he continued with his meal, content to watch the siblings. They were not demonstrative, neither raising their voice to the other, both talking calmly as if they were discussing the weather.
Eva’s hair was darker than her brother’s but their eyes were identical. Her cheeks were fuller now and her skin had a healthy glow that Reggie’s lacked. She wore a simple white dress this morning with a modest neckline and short sleeves, yet because of its simplicity, the lush body beneath was enhanced. He wanted her in his bed again - underneath him, on top of him. He wanted to explore and taste every inch of her.
“It would be selfish of me to stop you if it is your wish, brother. It is just that I will miss you so much.” Eva felt as if her heart was being ripped in two. Reggie was here with her finally and now he wanted to leave.
“I cannot live with you forever, Eva. It is past time I did something useful.”
“Suddenly you want to be useful? Is this a new development?”
Reggie’s chuckle made her laugh. They had not done much of that over the past few years and it felt good to do so now.
“I will have my man look into Edinburgh,” Daniel broke in, “but you will need new clothes and other items before you leave.”
“Do not concern yourself further, your Grace. I shall look after my brother.” Eva realized as soon as the words left her mouth how ungrateful they sounded.
“In that case, I shall leave you to your breakfast together.”
The duke rose and bowed to her, then shook the hand Reggie held out to him.
“That was neither fair nor necessary, Eva.” Reggie said as the door closed. “The duke has been kind enough to assist me in finding a place at Edinburgh University. Without his support, sister, none of this would be possible. I would beg you to remember that fact.”
A wave of shame washed over her. She had spoken without thought, something she rarely did, yet Reggie’s welfare had always been her concern and everything seemed to be happening so fast. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Tis not me you should apologize to, sister.” His fingers clamped around hers where they lay clenched on the table. “Whatever is between you is your business, Eva, but remember that were it not for that man, you would still be living with our father and I would have had no where to run.”
“Our destiny’s were determined over a hand of cards, Reggie. How can either of us hope to find a future together after such a beginning?” There were moments when Eva hoped they could overcome what their fathers had done, and then others when she would despair that their past would always dictate their future.
Reggie sighed, loud and long. “I should have known the reason would involve gambling. But the thing is, Eva, you trust him, and therefore, so do I. And now I want you to go and apologize to him in case he changes his mind and won’t help me get to Edinburgh.”
“He would never break his word to you, Reggie.”
Her brother gave her a steady look. “You know this about him, yet still you doubt him?”
Pulling her hand free, Eva fiddled with her cup. “The doubts are mine, not his.”
Reggie nodded but said nothing further on the matter. They finished their meal in silence; Reggie was the first to rise.
“I’m going into the library and you should find your husband and apologize, sister.”
“Dear Lord, must I?” Eva did not look forward to the prospect.
“One thing neither of us has ever been, sister, is a coward.”
