“Lord Kelkirk is a very nice man, Daniel,” she said when he had left.
“He has his moments.” Daniel got up to shut the door.
“I’m glad he’s your friend.”
Taking her cup, Daniel placed it on the tray and then he opened the buttons of her pelisse and slipped two fingers into the neckline of her dress to caress her soft flesh.
“Daniel!”
He took her lips for a thorough kiss that left Eva breathless and wanting more. He then buttoned her pelisse back up and placed her on the chair opposite his.
“Tell me of your shopping exhibition, Eva,” Daniel said, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. The woman was a walking siren.
“Sh-shopping?”
He laughed as she struggled to compose herself. It was no different for him - just breathing her scent had him hard as a table leg.
“With my grandmother…today,” he prodded.
“Oh, yes, of course,” Eva smoothed her hair and skirts. Daniel had never touched her like that in daylight. She wondered why he had now. “Your grandmother told me I had a responsibility to the dukedom and dressing like a maiden aunt was not taking that responsibility seriously. She then dragged me from shop to shop until she was satisfied I would be dressed as befitted a duchess.”
“Did she? Never has had any tact. Half of London is terrified of her, you know.” Daniel swallowed a small piece of cake and immediately reached for another.
“She talked of balls and dances and what I would need to learn.” Eva sighed. “And corrected me constantly over my bearing and address.”
“Shall I tell her to leave you alone?”#p#分页标题#e#
“Of course not!” Eva looked indignant. “It was rather sweet having someone care about those things, even if she is a little brusque.”
Daniel choked on his cake.
“A small, rosy-cheeked child is sweet, Eva, not my grandmother.”
“She is my grandmother now, too,” Eva picked up her parcels, preparing to leave the room. “And as I do not have another yardstick with which to measure her, I will call her sweet if I wish to.”
“That is, of course, your prerogative, however misguided.” Daniel rose as she did. “I will be in my office with my man of affairs for awhile, Eva. Apparently I have been neglecting things since my return to London.”
“Then I shall finish the letters I started before your grandmother descended and will see you later, Daniel.”
He watched her leave the room. The changes in her over the past two weeks were vast. She now felt comfortable around him, she laughed more freely and he believed she no longer feared him. However, it was only because of her upbringing that she could believe his grandmother was sweet.
CHAPTER NINE
Wernham intercepted Eva as she took her parcels to her room. “A note has arrived for you, your Grace.”
Taking the missive, she thanked him. Hopefully, it was from Claire. Eva would love to speak with her new friend because she knew so much about society. She was aware that Daniel was not pushing her to attend any functions, yet she also understood that speculation was mounting about her. His grandmother had told her that in no uncertain terms today.
You need to get out there, gal. Your husband will become a laughingstock if you don’t!
And because her husband had been so generous to both her and Reggie, she did not want that to happen. Therefore she would go to a function soon. She just wanted to have a bit more coaching from Claire first.
Opening the note, she quickly scanned the contents.
Come alone to the park across the road now or I shall be forced to journey to Edinburgh to collect my son.
Pushing aside the instant wash of icy fear as she read the words, Eva quickly pulled on her gloves and bonnet and hurried from the room. The note was from her father and she knew he would do as he stated and she could not allow that, would not allow Reggie to be hurt anymore. Heart thumping, she reached the front entrance.
“You are going out, your Grace?”
“Just to the park, Wernham, a friend is awaiting me there,” she lied. “I shall return soon.”
“His Grace would be displeased if you did not take someone with you, your Grace.”
“Molly is coming, Wernham, she will be along shortly so do not fret and please do not bother my husband as he is very busy.”
Reaching for the door, Eva forced a bright smile onto her face as she opened it herself and ran down the steps before he could stop her.
The day was warm and under different circumstances she would enjoy the walk. Hurrying along the path she reached the park. Pushing open a small gate, she held it for a lady holding the hand of little girl.