Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

" E liza, quick now! We must hurry to the mansion before we're soaked through!" Evelina called out, her voice barely audible over the deafening roars of the thunderstorm that descended upon them with a ferocity that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth.

As the rain continued to fall in unrelenting sheets, she reached out to grab the little girl's hand, who was struggling to keep pace with her.

Eliza, her cheeks flushed with exhilaration, giggled as they ran, screeching excitedly, her voice carried by the howling wind. "Miss Balfour, this is my first time running in the rain! First the puppy, and now this? This is the best day!"

Despite the little girl's infectious joy, Evelina's face was creased with worry as they hurried towards the safety of the mansion.

"Indeed, it may feel like a grand adventure, Eliza, but we must ensure you don't catch a chill. Let's get you inside quickly," she shouted above the thunder.

As they reached the mansion's entrance, she turned to Eliza's bewildered handmaiden. "Please, take the young lady inside, quickly now. Draw her a bath and get her dry clothes."

The handmaiden seemed shaken by the scene for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise, but she quickly nodded in understanding. "Yes, Miss Balfour."

Evelina stood for a moment, watching them vanish from sight, a mix of relief and concern clouding her features. She was still surprised at how quickly the weather had turned. They had been playing with the puppy just as the storm unleashed its full fury on the estate.

A bolt of lightning had streaked across the darkening sky, illuminating the garden with an eerie glow before the resounding boom of thunder followed. They had to put the puppy down and leave, as the first soft droplets of rain had soon turned into a torrential downpour.

With quickening steps, the ladies made their way through the estate garden, the rain drenching them within moments.

At what seemed like the worst possible moment, the Duke stepped into the mansion, a mix of surprise and concern etched on his face as he took in the scene before him.

"Miss Balfour? Why… Why are you wet?"

His eyes were fixed on Evelina's drenched figure. But then, his attention was momentarily diverted as he noticed his daughter disappearing up the stairs.

Just as his jaw dropped in astonishment, Eliza called out to him, "Father! Oh, you're back from your business trip!" Her voice echoed down the stairs as she rushed towards him. "Father, you won't believe what happened! We got caught in the rain, and we had to run, quite fast!"

Her enthusiasm was palpable, her young spirit untouched by the dampness that clung to her.

Gabriel instinctively moved to avoid her embrace, only to realize she was even wetter than he was. His brow furrowed in confusion.

"What in the world happened here?" His gaze shifted to Evelina, seeking an explanation for the chaotic state of affairs.

Evelina avoided his gaze, feeling a wave of apprehension wash over her. She knew all too well the implications of their current state and the potential blame that would be directed at her. And no one would fault him for blaming her.

She lowered her head and bit her lip as thunder boomed again.

"Are you both all right?" Gabriel's concerned voice cut through the tension, surprising her.

Her head snapped up immediately as she sensed the worry behind his question. Taking a moment to compose herself, she met his eyes, noting the sincerity in them as they roamed over her. His concern stirred emotions within her that she struggled to comprehend fully.

She hesitated before tentatively replying, her words carrying a hint of her surprise, "Yes, we're all right, Your Grace. Thank you." Her gaze shifted to Eliza, and she gave the little girl a smile. "I must start heading home now," she murmured, her tone betraying a hint of her fear of the storm outside.

As she turned to the front door, however, Gabriel stepped in front of her, halting her in her tracks. Evelina looked up at him in surprise to find him staring at her as though she'd sprouted two heads.

"That is not going to happen," he declared firmly.

Evelina raised an eyebrow in question. "Why not?"

The odd look on his face only intensified, and he shook his head at her. Then, concern crossed his face once more as he glanced at his daughter, who now stood next to her handmaiden, with a towel wrapped around her.

"Your Grace?" Evelina prompted, face wrinkled in confusion, trying to get him to step out of her way.

However, Gabriel ignored her, blocking her path once again, his eyes still fixed on his daughter.

"Eliza, my dear, it's time for you to retire to bed," he instructed while gesturing up the stairs, his voice firm but gentle, gesturing his daughter towards the door

"But Father, I wish to stay up a bit longer," the little girl protested. "The storm is quite mesmerizing."

She could barely meet his eyes as she made her request, yet she didn't cower.

"It is not up for discussion," Gabriel insisted, a hint of his old self creeping into his voice. As soon as Eliza disappeared upstairs, he looked back at Evelina, nodding towards the window. "Do take a look outside."

Evelina turned to peer outside, her face contorting as she took in the darkness and the ferocity of the storm. The realization of the reason behind his insistence dawned on her, along with wonderment on his sudden show of care once again.

He can be thoughtful, after all.

"I see," she murmured, torn between remaining indoors and leaving. She couldn't just shirk her duty to her sisters.

Gabriel, sensing her inner conflict, spoke quietly, "It's not safe for you to venture out in this weather, Evelina. Stay until the storm dies down. This, too, is not up for discussion."

Evelina frowned at the command. "You must pardon me, Your Grace, but you'd do well to recall that I am not your daughter, nor your ward."

Her statement seemed to irk him, as his brow furrowed.

But she continued, nonetheless. "I implore you to move out of my way. I must return home. It's not proper for me to spend the night here."

His eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "My answer is no."

"Your Grace, I understand and appreciate your concern, but I must?—"

"I said, no, Miss Balfour," he interjected firmly, cutting her off. "I insist that you stay the night. It's far too dangerous for you to venture out in this storm."

Evelina's stomach fluttered at the protectiveness in his voice. His command sent tingles down her spine. However, it wasn't enough to deter her.

"Your Grace, I have responsibilities at home. I cannot simply stay overnight." She pursed her lips in exasperation. "Not to mention the ensuing rumors. Please, think sanely. Perhaps you are tired from your outing." A flicker of defiance in her eyes.

She stepped around him, determined to assert her independence even in the face of his protective stance.

Gabriel's brow furrowed even further as he quickly stepped in front of her once more.

"Your Grace!" Evelina huffed in exasperation, feeling helpless to his quick movements.

"You are right on that part—I myself just arrived, soaked from the rain. Trust me, Miss Balfour, it's not safe out there., no carriage would ride at ease." His expression softened slightly. "For your safety, you shall stay here tonight. It is decided."

Evelina crossed her arms over her chest. "Nothing is decided, Your Grace. I am leaving, I cannot stay here."

"And what makes you think you can just dictate your own terms here?" Gabriel's voice held a note of exasperation, his frustration evident as he confronted her resistance. "You're practically inviting trouble by insisting on leaving in this weather. Do you not realize the scandal it would cause if something were to happen to you on your way home from my estate?"

Evelina, her patience wearing thin, scoffed in disbelief at his accusatory tone. "Oh, now you're insinuating that I have some ulterior motive, that I'm out to tarnish your reputation?"

She rolled her eyes and stepped around him again, but then groaned loudly as he blocked her path once more. "Is this a show of power for you? Will you please move?" Her voice rose, her annoyance flaring.

"Are you so blind to the consequences of your actions?" Gabriel shot back with frustration. "Do you not see the potential harm, not just to yourself but to others as well? What about poor Eliza? Have you considered the impact on her if something were to happen to you?"

"You act as though it's a certainty that some misfortune will befall me," Evelina retorted, holding his gaze challengingly. "Are you suggesting that you've orchestrated an accident on my way home, hm?"

At this point, she was desperate to go home only for the sake of standing up to him. She couldn't explain why but she couldn't back down.Still, she felt tired from the day's activities, so she was forced to change tack.

"Your Grace, I cannot stay here. You know what the ton would say about me—about us," she sighed, her gaze falling to the ground.

Gabriel's eyes remained fixed on her as he took a step closer, the air between them crackling with tension. "Miss Balfour, trust me. I would never put you in a compromising position. I will protect your reputation as if it were my own," his voice was low, intensity underscoring his words as he sought to reassure her.

Evelina raised her eyes to his, her resolve wavering at his proximity. And she couldn't tear her gaze away.. "There would be whispers—rumors will surely follow. A spinster spending the night in a widowed duke's house?" she reasoned, a note of vulnerability creeping into her voice. She couldn't stop thinking of the implications of this decision.

What if I am caught? What if I am ruined? What will happen to my sisters…

"I understand your concerns, but I promise you, I will not let any harm come to you. My servants are discreet, and I will ensure your safety."

Evelina couldn't explain why, but his voice was like a soothing balm to her soul. And she couldn't say no to him.

As he stared into her eyes, a jolt of awareness shot through her. Her eyes flicked to the floor, her cheeks reddening as she recalled his actions the last time they were this close.

Desperate to have him stop staring at her with such intensity, she finally relented, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

"Very well, Your Grace. I will trust you."

A flicker of something deeper underlined her words, a tentative step into the unknown as she allowed herself to be guided by his magnetism.

As the night deepened, Evelina found herself restlessly tossing and turning in the grand chamber the Duke had graciously assigned her.

Despite the luxury surrounding her, a tension lingered in the air, shrouding her thoughts in a veil of unease.

The plush bed, adorned with silk sheets and downy pillows, offered no solace as she lay awake, the weight of her absence from her family home weighing heavily on her heart.

Her mind wandered to her sisters, picturing them in the drawing room, unaware of her stay at the Duke's mansion. She could almost hear their voices, filled with concern and confusion, wondering why she had not returned as expected.

The thought of their worry niggled at her, adding to her restlessness that plagued her through the night.

"Do you think the puppy would be all right all alone in the rain, Miss Balfour?"

Evelina sat up in her bed as Eliza's words before they took off in the rain echoed in her mind. Without a second thought, she pulled back the covers and made for the door.

The flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the hallway. Her steps echoed softly as she made her way past the grand staircase and towards the looming darkness of the outdoors.

The air was heavy with the impending storm, the distant rumble of thunder an omen for her solitary journey.

As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, a gust of wind carried in the scent of rain and earth, making her hesitate.

The patter of raindrops on the cobblestones outside turned into a symphony as she braved the downpour, wrapping her shawl tightly around her shoulders in a feeble attempt to shield herself from the relentless deluge.

Her heart raced as she navigated the slippery paths, her senses on high alert in the darkness punctuated by flashes of lightning and deafening claps of thunder.

"There you are, Whiskers."

Relief flooded her as she finally reached the secluded area where they had hidden the puppy. Its eyes were wide with fear, but its fur was miraculously dry.

A smile of reassurance tugged at her lips as she cooed to the trembling animal, and the night momentarily seemed less scary in the presence of the small, grateful creature.

However, just as a sense of calm settled over her, a sudden chill ran down her spine as she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind her.

With a sharp intake of breath, she whirled around, her eyes widening in terror. She let out a scream as the lightning illuminated a tall, dark figure mere feet away.

The figure rushed through the downpour, eliciting more screams from her, swiftly closing the distance to where she stood, her voice lost in the wind.

"Stop yelling, it's only me!" The man's urgent words pierced the chaos, his hand reaching out to grasp both sides of her arms gently but firmly.

As a bolt of lightning split the sky, revealing his features, Evelina's initial fear melted into recognition. It was Gabriel. His familiar voice was a balm to her frayed nerves, his face a welcome sight.

Still reeling from the shock of his sudden appearance, she managed to raise her voice above the howling wind. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked back incredulously.

Despite the rain pelting them, the intensity of the storm seemed to fade into the background, a familiar tension rising between them.

With Gabriel's hands still firmly holding her arms, Evelina became acutely aware of the tingling sensation spreading through her body. Conflicting emotions swirled within her as she hesitated, torn between the instinct to pull away and the inexplicable desire to remain in his grasp.

Uncertain of what to say next, her gaze dropped to the rain-soaked ground, the silence between them heavy.

Gabriel seemed upset as he pulled on her arm gently. "Come with me, we must go back inside immediately," his voice, filled with urgency , broke through the storm's cacophony.

The rain continued to pour down relentlessly as Evelina met his gaze, her voice loud as she spoke, "I cannot go back inside yet, Your Grace."

Her eyes flickered sheepishly towards Whiskers, who had been barking only a moment ago and had ceased only when she stopped screaming.

The presence of the animal, once hidden from the duke, was now exposed, and not only just by the glow of the lightning.

Gabriel followed her gaze, his expression unreadable as he said, "Leave the dog and come inside with me, now."

His words held a sense of urgency, a desire to protect her that caused her heart to race.

However, Evelina response was unwavering as she shook her head gently. "I cannot. Eliza will be worried."

"Eliza will understand. Come inside, Evelina," Gabriel insisted, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

Yet, Evelina stood her ground. "It's the dog she found, and she wishes to keep it. She would fret if she woke up and found it harmed or gone. I also fear that she would come out to search for the animal."

"So, what is it that you intend to do? Wait out here in case she steps out?" There was a heavy irritation as Gabriel scoffed. The rain continued to drench them both as his eyes bored into hers with disbelief, his voice edged with frustration. "Are you planning to stay here in the rain because of the animal?"

Evelina's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. as she admitted, "No, I was trying to think of a solution before you arrived, Your Gra?—"

"I do not care for excuses," he growled, cutting her off abruptly. "We shall catch a cold out here. Come inside with me."

"Stop treating me like a child!" Evelina snapped, wriggling out of his grasp. "What is your problem?"

"Me?!" Gabriel retorted sharply, his temper flaring, "What is your problem?! Why must you always argue? Can you not just listen for once? Why must you be so infuriating ?"

As thunder boomed overhead, Evelina's frustration boiled over, her voice rising higher with heat. "Perhaps if you didn't bark orders at me and disregard my opinions, we wouldn't argue!"

A strained and angry cackle rang out from Gabriel's lips amidst the pouring rain, "There you go again, talking back! Must you always defy my words?" His tone was laced with exasperation as he continued to yell, "I'm furious about many things at the moment, but what vexes me most is that you're in danger of falling ill , and you're still not listening to me!"

Evelina steadied herself, and her brows furrowed in a deep, angry frown as she yelled back again, her voice cutting through the sound of thunder and rain. "What you need to understand is that I do not have to listen to you! I'm under no obligation to obey your commands if they don't pertain to Eliza's studies! You mean nothing to me! And I am nothing to you, Your Grace! You cannot just talk?—"

Gabriel stepped forward, gently grabbing her arms gently once again and pulling her towards him. An electric current shot through her as she felt his lips on hers, and she gasped. She could practically taste his anger on his lips. But it wasn't just that. She could feel his longing too.

As the kiss deepened, Evelina initially shocked, felt herself melting into his embrace, her arms instinctively finding their place around his neck.

Gabriel's hands, gentle and firm, expertly slid down her arms to her waist, pulling her closer to him and fueling their desire.

The rain soaked into their clothes, yet Evelina felt everything but cold. The rain tasted sweeter on his lips, and she couldn't get enough.

Gabriel's struggle with his emotions was evident as he reluctantly took a few steps back, breaking the kiss. They were both panting, trying to catch their breaths when she noticed his hands reaching towards her, before he quickly pulled them back to his sides.

He didn't want to pull away.

The Duke eventually composed himself, yet he failed to keep the longing from his voice. "Take the dog and go back inside."

Evelina, still basking in the aftermath of their kiss, obeyed without a word, her movements quick and automatic as she did as she was told.