“From other young women?”Evie narrowed her eyes on him.“I thought you’d be less overbearing than Papa, but it seems you’re just as intent on ruining potential friendships for me as he was.”
Adrian bristled.His muscles flexed and his jaw tightened as he leaned toward her.“I am nothing like Papa.”
Evie’s lips parted.She stared at him in dismay, clearly surprised by the level of anger her comment had led to.Of course she’d be stunned.Her impression of their father had been so vastly different.Yes, he’d been overprotective of her, but not for the reasons she thought – not because he worried she might be led astray by a rogue but rather because he’d feared ulterior motives from everyone they associated with.
Adrian had sworn he’d do better.He’d especially meant for Evie to have more freedom.But how could that happen if he didn’t let her make her own choices?
“You’re right.Please forgive me.It’s just that I know you always see the best in people, even when I struggle to find one good thing about them.”
A pained look entered her eyes.“I’m not as naïve as you likely believe me to be.”
He hoped that was true, though he couldn’t quite help but doubt it.“Come on.I’ll show you the rest of the house as promised.”
“Really?”
Having only visited the Marsdale parlor in the past, she’d asked Edward if he might give her a tour.He’d declined on account of being the host, but had suggested Adrian do the honors.
Starting downstairs, he led Evie through the various rooms, all of them closed off to everyone else for the evening.They visited Edward’s study – a space Evie appeared to show great interest in – then headed to the library, the music room, and the dining room before moving upstairs to the gallery.
It was there, while admiring all the faces of Edward’s ancestors, that Adrian made a decision.If he was to truly distance himself from Papa’s authoritarian rule, then he ought to provide his sister with more flexibility.
Without even glancing toward her he said, “Invite Miss Carmichael over for tea, if you like.It will give you a chance to further your acquaintance and to decide if she’s someone you’d like to count as a friend.”
“Really?Do you mean it?”
“I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise.”
Their father had never allowed either one to bring friends into the house.Adrian had known that it was because he’d worried about what they’d hear or see.
Evie, however, had always believed it was due to his hating the disruption such visits posed to his orderly life.
They returned to the ballroom where Edward was still busy being the attentive host.Mr.Harlowe, who stood a bit farther along, was engaged in conversation with Eldridge.Another curious point.Judging from their relaxed interaction, it looked as though they might be longtime friends.
And then there was Miss Carmichael who presently danced a reel with Viscount Stanton’s youngest son, Mr.Clive Newton.
Adrian tracked their movements with interest and made a mental note to have Murry investigate further.Despite what he’d just told Evie, he wasn’t about to let Miss Carmichael into his home without knowing more about her.
8
Samantha deliberately avoided Mr.Croft for the rest of the evening.Ever conscious of his assessing gaze, she fought the urge to glance in his direction.A difficult feat, considering the effect he’d had upon her when they’d first met.
She’d not been prepared.
For some inexplicable reason, she’d imagined him to be shorter, lankier of build, and weaselly looking.Instead, he’d been the exact opposite: tall with nearly black hair and piercing brown eyes – extremely imposing.His chiseled features lent him a stern appearance, while his broad shoulders spoke of physical strength and power.
Despite all the training she’d done, learning to feign indifference, to contain every thought behind an inscrutable mask, she knew she’d shown her hand when she’d blushed.His maleness had affected her.She’d felt the heat creep up her neck and into her cheeks.
But then he’d started to question her and something inside her shifted.
As mortifying as her response toward him had been in the moment, it occurred to her that it complimented the role she would play henceforth.From now on, she was no longer bold and daring, but rather a meek, perhaps even shy and rather unworldly, young woman.Completely nonthreatening.
“How do you feel it went?”Harlowe asked later as they headed back to Clearview House by carriage.
The ball itself had been everything she’d ever dreamed of.She hadn’t lied when she’d told Mr.Croft of her wish to experience one such event.As for the man himself…
“I found a subject with which to engage Croft’s sister.”A quick assessment of the young woman’s slouch as she’d shifted from foot to foot had prompted a comment about uncomfortable slippers.“He approached a while later and introductions were made.”
“So I saw.”
