His smile was tired and should have been on the face of an older man. “I would rather you put all your efforts into protecting my sister, your Grace, as it is she who has suffered at their hands the most and it is she who deserves happiness.”
Daniel kept his eyes level as Reggie stared at him. “Your family will never touch your sister again. You have my word on that.”
Reggie looked at him a few seconds longer and then nodded, which made Daniel release the breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “But I will have your word, Reggie, that if at any time you have concerns or are in trouble, you will come to me instantly.”
“I promise.”
“Good. Now finish your breakfast and I shall have my man look into Edinburgh. I’m guessing you wish to leave soon?”
“Yes. A fresh start and new city is what I crave, although Eva will not be happy at the prospect.”
“Only because she worries for you, Reggie. I believe that is what sisters are meant to do,” Daniel said. He’d always wanted a sibling and now it seemed he had one in the form of a brother in law.
When Eva walked in ten minutes later, Daniel and Reggie were still planning his trip.
“Good morning, Eva.” Daniel rose to greet her. “Reggie, your sister is in the room. Please rise.”
Surprise flashed across her pretty face as he spoke but she said nothing, instead moving to hug her brother. Then she found her chair. Daniel felt the foolish urge to request a hug, too.
“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.#p#分页标题#e#
“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.”