Oh well. In for a penny, in for a pound. And he was all in now. There was no turning back.
CHAPTER7
“Hear me out, Rothwell. Then you may say whatever you like.” Lady Worthington’s commanding tone was one he knew well. He suspected it was one that Evangeline had heard all her life.
Not that her ladyship was cruel or uncaring. She had always been kind to Evangeline in his presence, and he knew the affection he observed between the two was genuine.
But he’d never truly understood why she was so eager to play matchmaker on the marriage mart for everyone else and yet so readily accepted Evangeline’s wish to remain unmarried.
“I will listen until you’re finished and give everything due consideration,” he assured the older woman he’d known almost as long as he had his own aunt.
She narrowed her dark eyes at him, as if she doubted his easy acquiescence, but she seemed satisfied enough to settle into a chair, holding her cane out before her like a scepter.
“Heed me, Grayson. You cannot court Evangeline. She is not here as one of the ladies for your consideration. She is here as my niece and my most valued companion and assistant.”
Frustration had him tapping his fingers against the arm of his chair, though she’d said nothing he hadn’t expected. Any match between himself and Evie would meet with resistance from all sides. He knew that and had weighed the possible consequences.
But if Evangeline was willing to bear it, so was he.
Gray waited a beat while Lady Worthington stared at him expectantly.
“Is there more you wished to say?”
She scoffed in quiet outrage. “Did you hear anything I said?”
“I heard every word, though I have questions.”
She waved a beringed hand at him. “Ask your questions, though I dare say you already know the answers.”
He didn’t. Not completely. But Evie would be better equipped to answer than her aunt.
“Will she ever be allowed to have a life of her own?”
“How dare you, Rothwell.” The older woman leaned forward with her weight poised on her cane as if she meant to launch herself at him. “I want nothing but that girl’s happiness. From the day she was born, I have loved her as my own.”
“Why did you take her in?” Gray knew Evie’s parents had passed away when she was young, and, as a motherless boy, he’d felt a kinship with her because of it. But he’d never pushed for details. Now he wanted to.
“There was no one else who would. And I was and am happy to do all I can for her.” She stared at him with a fervent earnestness in her gaze. “I always will, and I shall see that she’s cared for once I’m gone.”
He’d never doubted Lady Worthington held her niece in the highest esteem, but it shed no light on why Evangeline was so set against any other sort of life.
“Do you truly believe that she’ll be content as a lady’s companion for the rest of her days? Evangeline is intelligent, passionate, and interested in seeing more of the world. She may not wish to marry, but she deserves more than moldering at the edges of ballrooms year after year.”
“Moldering? Mercy, you’ve given this a great deal of thought. Or, rather, you’ve givenhera great deal of thought. That’s it, isn’t it?”
He could speak only of what he desired, but it felt premature without talking to Evangeline first.
“I care for her deeply, Lady Worthington.”
The older woman nodded knowingly. “That’s never been in doubt. But if you have any intentions beyond concern for her well-being as a friend, I must dissuade you.”
“Why?”
“Have you lost all good sense, Grayson?” She looked astounded and irritated, her knuckles white as she clutched her cane and color rushed up to her cheeks. “Surely, you do not need me to explain.” She waved toward the library door as if to indicate everything related to the house party. “You must marry a noblewoman. The five who we chose for the house party are from the best families—”
“And Evangeline is from yours.”
“You know little of my family, Rothwell, and you needn’t. But if I must spell it out, I am not a nobleman’s daughter. Evangeline is not a nobleman’s daughter.”
