“He’d be a fool not to,” Margaret told her loyally. “But Society’s opinion about him is highly unlikely to change, which means, even if he is innocent, you will still become the face of scandal as soon as word of your engagement gets around. Have you considered how this will impact not only you but your sisters?”
Squaring her shoulders, Eve quietly nodded. “It is not what they would have wanted, but on the other hand, their greatest wish is for me to be happy and well taken care of. And perhaps, since I would not be requiring a Season, their financial concerns would be eased a little. Plus, I’m sure Ravenworth would help Josephine keep the house in London. And regarding our social position, it might be time for us to accept that our lives will never be what they once were. What matters is we have each other and friends like you, who would never turn their back on us no matter what.”
“I could never do so,” Margaret whispered. “I will back whatever decision you make for yourself, Eve.”
“Then let us go downstairs.” Eve rose with resolve. “It’s time for me to confront Ravenworth.”
* * *
Bryce had just pouredhimself his third glass of brandy when Mrs. Havisham entered the parlor with a much more approachable demeanor than she’d exuded earlier. She offered her husband a fleeting glance before directing her attention at Bryce. “Miss Potter would like to have a word with you,” she said. “She is waiting in the library.”
This, he had not expected. “In the library?” When Mrs. Havisham nodded, Bryce set down his glass. He considered Mr. Havisham, with whom he’d actually been enjoying a political debate during the absence of female company.
The man now frowned. “Are you sure that would be proper?” he asked his wife.
“Not entirely,” Mrs. Havisham said, “but I do think we ought to allow it.”
Mr. Havisham hesitated briefly, then addressed Bryce. “I must confess, you’re different from what I expected, so I’ll concede to Miss Potter’s wishes if you agree to leave the door wide open.”
“Of course.”
Bryce left the room with a quick stride which brought him to the library in a matter of seconds. Stepping inside, he drew to a halt when he spotted Eve. She was sitting in one of the armchairs next to the fire, with her foot propped up on a cushioned stool. Bryce drank in her profile–the smooth curve of her cheek and the careful sweep of her nose. Her golden hair came alive in the glow from the crackling flames, tempting him to cross the floor with haste so he might touch it.
Instead, he held himself perfectly still. Inside his chest, his heart ached with the knowledge that once this conversation was over, she would leave Ravenworth Manor together with the Havishams. She would leavehim. And upon this realization, he felt his entire world begin to crumble, the facets of his life disassembling to the point where he would be left a raw and tortured mess.
She must have sensed his presence, for she turned her head to look at him, her expression so firm and serious his insides quaked a little with apprehension.
Nevertheless, he took a step forward. “Mrs. Havisham said you wished to see me.”
“I do.” Her eyes, a darker shade of blue than usual, locked onto his. “Come join me.”
He went toward her on leaden feet. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he felt like a young lad about to be chastised as he’d once been for painting the floor with marmalade. Reaching her side, he lowered himself into the adjacent chair and gestured toward her foot. “How is it feeling?”
“It’s more tolerable than it was before. I made it down the stairs without too much trouble, though it did begin to ache a bit by the time I arrived here. The warmth from the fire seems to help.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Even if it would make her walk away from him faster. He drew a labored breath and pushed it back out past the tightness in his throat. “Are you ready to go to Amberly then?”
She pinched her lips together and frowned. For a second, his heart went utterly still and he began to imagine her telling him she’d never be ready to do so, that she would stay here with him and face whatever consequences were bound to arise.
Instead she gestured with her hand and said, “Come closer.”
Eyeing her, he wondered at her curious request and her tone. “Why?”
“Because I am asking you to.”
Hesitating briefly, he finally acquiesced and leaned forward slightly. So did she, and for one delightful moment, he expected her to breach the rest of the distance and kiss him. Instead her fist made contact with his shoulder in an unexpectedly hard punch for a woman of her size, and he instinctively pulled back. “What the he—” He clamped his mouth shut around the rest of the expletive. “You hit me. Again.”
“And I may do so once more if you continue to be so impossible to deal with.” Her eyes narrowed to a pair of reproachful slits, while a few stray strands of hair fell over her brow, curling beside her ear.
Bryce’s heart beat faster. His muscles flexed, and his body grew tight while desire surged through him. Christ, he’d not imagined he’d ever be so aroused by a woman’s high temper, but the fact was his blood was running hot, and damn it all, he was tempted in ways that would not be easy to explain if he succumbed to impulse. So he did his best to focus on what she was saying, except her lips were proving to be an inconvenient distraction. They continued to shape her words with the most enticing movements.
“Are you even listening?” she asked, adding a glare.
“Hmm?”
She rolled her eyes. “How are we going to deal with this if you refuse to cooperate?”
He could think of several ways, all of which would indeed involve his full cooperation. “Forgive me,” he murmured. “My mind began to wander.”
