She took a step backwards as he advanced. She couldn’t think when he was near.
“I thought it best not to prolong it further, Eva. Your fears about London are not easing and in fact, I believe they are escalating.”
It was all so simple to him. He had decided they were to go and he was the duke; therefore, they must.
“I had only wanted some time, Daniel - time to understand how to act and become comfortable in my new role as your duchess.”
“I have business to attend to in London that cannot wait, Eva. You are my duchess and I am bound for London. Therefore, so are you.”
He was being rational. His words were calm and concise and she hated him for his composure when inside she was terrified.
“You were born to live this life. Nothing you see can upset you, but I was raised in a small house with two servants, one of those being me. Can you not understand how daunting the prospect of London society is to me?” She could hear the tension in her voice; the uncertainty was making her hysterical. There had been many times in Eva’s life when she had been scared, yet she couldn’t remember one that filled her with the panic that consumed her now. “I will make mistakes and be laughed at.” Lord, she sounded pathetic.
“Eva, there really is no need for this. Everything will go well, I promise you.”
She heard the sympathy in his words, yet they did nothing to soothe her. “Do you think people will not laugh when I spill wine down my dress or step on my partner’s toes because I am a duchess? That they will not laugh when I wear pearls at the wrong time of day or snub the king because I have no idea what he looks like?”
“I’m sure the king will be announced before he is upon you, Eva, and if not, I shall make sure to alert you to his presence myself and as for the pearls, I’m sure Claire will know what is proper.”
He was smiling now - a sweet gentle smile that urged her to respond – however, Eva was past the point of responding. “I’m glad you find my insecurities so amusing, your Grace. Perhaps in light of them, I should follow you to London at a later date.” Please, Eva added silently.
He was closer now, his big, disturbing presence inches from where she stood.
“Firstly, your fears do not amuse me. They are real and justified but they will not ease until you go to London to see for yourself the place is not a city filled with heathens and evildoers intent on nefarious deeds. Secondly, you are coming with me because otherwise I will receive a letter once I get there stating that you need more time and then another after that.”
“I could humiliate us both.” Eva bit her lip after blurting out the words.
His big hands wrapped around her shoulders, sending little waves of heat through her body.#p#分页标题#e#
“I have vowed to protect you, Eva, and I don’t believe eating with the wrong fork or missing a step in a dance will result in your being ostracized. You have more elegance in your fingers than half of society and I have no doubt you will captivate everyone you see. Now we shall speak no more on the matter, as the decision has been made and will not be reversed.”
“If we are laughed from London, your Grace, you shall have only yourself to b-blame,” Eva whispered.
His fingers cupped her chin. Lifting it, he then kissed her slowly and thoroughly and Eva remembered last night and all the delicious emotions he had created inside her. When he lifted his head, she was breathless and aching for more.
“Have a little faith in both of us, Duchess.”
She didn’t speak again. Instead she moved out of his arms and with a quick curtsy, left the room.
CHAPTER SEVEN
They rolled out of Stratton early the next morning. Simon had decided to visit with family and would catch up with them in London so he bid farewell at the gate.
“I will call upon you the instant I arrive, Eva, and I know you will be settled, with your worries eased by then.”
“I hope so,” Eva said, and Daniel knew her smile was forced.
Daniel left his wife alone with her thoughts for the first few miles, hoping that with time, the rigid set of her shoulders would ease. She had not looked his way once, instead keeping her eyes fixed on the window, but he had read each change of emotion as it flashed across her face. She sat so straight, her back had to be aching, yet she seemed unaware of any pain - and unaware of him, too.
Eva had clearly struggled to walk away from Stratton and what she now viewed as her home, saying goodbye several times to the servants until he had simply taken her hand and urged her into the carriage. She had watched Stratton until it disappeared and he understood then that this was probably the first place she had really felt safe and now he was making her leave that safety behind.