Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

" S top right there."

The words caught in Evelina's throat, laced with a blend of shock and uncertainty, cut through the charged air, her hand instinctively raising as if to create a barrier between herself and Gabriel.

Much to her surprise, the duke complied, "As you wish," his simple response, devoid of its usual assertiveness.

This sudden shift from the usually hard-headed man she had come to know left her reeling, nervous chuckles escaping her lips at the surreal turn of events.

Am I dreaming? Is this truly reality?

As he stood before her in silence, a man she had known in various capacities but never quite like this, her mind raced with questions and doubts. Could this man, who had professed his love and desire for marriage to her, be the same person she had interacted with not so long ago?

Her mind shifted to their last interaction, the open expression he had now on his face contrasting greatly with the harsh dark gaze she had grown accustomed to.

Her heart beating erratically, Evelina began to pace, the sound of her footsteps echoing the room, somewhat akin to being physical manifestations of the thumps in her chest.

The duke is a man of his word, he's never been one to lie for any reason.

But still…

She halted in her steps and regarded him before continuing to pace again, her thoughts whirling loudly within her.

How could he be in love with me? He never showed this.

When did this happen? And why now? Why does it have to be on this very day that he comes to confess?

Is it his intention to confuse me? Surely he could not be so cruel as to play tricks on me…

Despite doing her best to rationalize, as well as imagine the worst from all possible angles, the expression on the face of the man before her quenched the fires of doubt as they came.

"Evelina…"

Gabriel's voice, a blend of warmth and uncertainty, tugged at her heart, drawing her out of her thoughts. Her name rolled off his tongue like a soft melody, stirring the emotions within her that she for so long had struggled to contain.

"I know this must be very confusing, Evelina, but I-" His admission hung in the air, heavy with sincerity and vulnerability.

"Stop," Evelina's cheeks burned with a deep blush as she interjected, her voice a confusion of embarrassment and longing, "Just stop… saying my name in that way."

"Hm?" Gabriel's brows angled curiously for a moment. Then a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes, noting her reaction, his demeanor a mix of realization and intrigue.

"In what way, Evelina?" He cocked his head to the side as he gently inquired, his words doused with a slight playfulness, only ending up intensifying the swirling emotions within her.

Watching him closely, Evelina couldn't deny the effect he had on her. The tenderness in his tone, the care with which he pronounced her name, sent shivers down her spine, awakening a cascade of sensations she struggled to comprehend.

Control yourself, Evelina. You must.

Her gaze flickered away from him, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, as she attempted to regain her composure through measured breaths.

However, before she could fully steady herself, Gabriel's voice once again pierced the fragile silence, bringing all her attempts to a halt.

"It was not my intention to barge in on the eve of your wedding to reveal my feelings," His tone was tinged with regret. "I must admit, I had not paid attention to the invitation letter when it arrived."

Her brows raised in accusation as he carried on, "If not for Eliza even, I would not be here. I would have missed your wedding, expecting I had ample time to convince you of my feelings." A smile filled his handsome face as he continued, "I am honestly so thankful to the heavens that I-"

Evelina's frustration bubbled to the surface, her tone laced with a blend of incredulity and hurt as she cut him short, retorting sharply, "If what you say is true today, one would assume you'd have bothered to pay attention to the date of the woman you claim to love getting married, is it not?"

Gabriel's sigh echoed in the room, a heavy exhalation as he shook his head guiltily. "I could not bring myself to look at it," His tone fell as he raised his eyes up to her, seeming to plea for understanding, "doing so would have solidified the situation, and I had simply not been ready for that."

Evelina kept her eyes fixed on him, searching for any sort of pretense behind the truth in his gaze. Yet, his deep, green eyes were more open and sincere than she'd ever witnessed of them before, leaving her at a complete loss for words.

"Evelina," Her breath caught in her throat once again as he cautiously took a step forward, his eyes fixed on her still. "I need you to know, I'm absolutely in love with you. I have not felt for anyone the way I feel for you. So I cannot stand by and watch you get married to the earl, I won't let you go."

His proximity sent a shiver down her spine, her breathing coming in hitches at the sudden closeness. Her heart began another series of pounding in her chest as she regarded him.

Should I not just…

Despite the magnetic pull between them, she fought to maintain composure, resisting the urge to surrender to her feelings commanding her to run into his arms shamelessly.

With a steadying breath, she managed to her throat, steeling herself, a mix of apprehension and determination in her eyes as she spoke, "Before anything else, I want to know. Everything. Explain it to me. I need to understand."

Confusion graced the duke's expression despite the eagerness shining in his eyes, "I'm not sure I understand…," he hesitated, "Still I want to answer all your questions, if you could only specify them?"

Evelina couldn't help but laugh, marveled once again at his calmness and politeness, "I mean, this, this is all too sudden."

"I know this, I am at fault for this very reason. Still, I am ready to respond to whatever you request of me." She shook her head at his words.

It's truly like he's an entirely different person.

Would it not be better if he had approached me in his usual, demeaning manner?

That would not have rattled me nor gave me these conflicting feelings. If he had, I would not be yearning to have him wrap his arms around me this very moment.

"Why? Your Grace? Why me? Why do you seem so certain you have fallen for me? When did this happen? And why did you not show it?" Evelina's voice quivered slightly, betraying the storm of emotions raging within her as she finally managed to make sense of the various questions swarming her mind.

"I need to understand, to hear it all from you. Why?"

There was a smile on the duke's face as he stared down at her, his tone low and reassuring as he spoke, "In truth, Evelina, I've known for longer than I care to admit. From the moment I met you, the very first day you walked into my study, there was something about you."

His smile grew as his eyes carefully shifted across her face, causing a light blush to fill her cheeks. "And it was not just your beauty, it was more than the way your hair framed your soft features, and how even when you frowned, you remained one of the most beautiful women I'd ever laid my eyes on."

A low laughter left his lips as he went on, "I found you adorable, intriguing. In the face of my wrath, you dared to respond, something not even many a gentlemen I had come across could do. Despite how startled and desperate you seemed, you continued to bite my hand each time I extended it in a manner you did not fancy."

Could he be referring to me as an untamed animal? Even in such a moment like this?

Another blush filled Evelina's cheeks. Still, she could not pull her gaze from his as he continued, "I was unfamiliar with the feeling. I thought about you for days till we crossed paths again. Because I could not place the truth why, I branded you an enemy, a worthy adversary and nothing more."

He sighed. "But I believe I'd been slowly falling for you for a while, each passing day only intensifying the emotion."

Evelina's brows angled in confusion, her eyes searching his for the truth she longed to hear. "So why now? What made you come to terms with it? Tell me, Your Grace, why did you keep this hidden for so long, allowing me to believe I had no choice but to marry the Earl?" She sputtered over her words, "A-and now you come, when all this has happened, and-"

"I was a coward, Evelina," his gaze softened, a flicker of regret crossing his features. "I had been afraid of what would happen if I acknowledged the depths of my feelings, not only to you but to myself."

He took a deep breath, his eyes seeming to plead for her comprehension, "I've always struggled with opening up, with letting anyone see the depths of my heart for as long as I can remember. And as you know, the thought of marriage again was a daunting prospect, one I avoided at all costs."

He took one last step forward, leaving only a foot's space between them. Evelina's heart raced as she struggled to pay mind to the content of his words, "However with you, it's different. I am no longer afraid, I've realized it wasn't duty that led me here; this is what I want, I long for you, Evelina, so much so that not a vow I made in the past can stand against this feeling."

His gentle yet firm words seemed to echo the room many seconds after he finished speaking.

He longs for me?

Evelina felt her cheeks turn crimson once more. Still, her mind reected succumbing so easily. Her frustration boiled over, her tone edged with exasperation. "And how can I be sure you would not end up making or breaking another vow in the nearest future, Your Grace?"

His loud laughter caught her off guard, another reminder of how rare it was to witness the man in such a manner; she tried to pout at such a response to her question, yet found herself struggling, in awe at how handsome he was, so close to her.

When the mirth subsided, his smile remained unwavering, a sense of calm in his tone as he spoke, "You've always been so beautiful when you glare at me like that passionate, my love."

Evelina's eardrums nearly popped in their positions, her balance feeling terribly off as her head felt faint.

‘My love'?

Her cheeks flamed an undeniable shade of tomato paste, her eyes sparkling with delight as well embarrassment as she avoided the duke's gaze, suddenly feeling terribly shy in his presence.

It was as though the man before her was truly a stranger, a softer and more vulnerable version; most preferable of the Gabriel she thought she knew.

If you keep speaking like this, Your Grace, I fear I'd have no other choice than to throw myself in your arms this very moment.

Her cheeks flushed even deeper at her untoward thoughts and she murmured accusingly at him, "Why are you not arguing back? You've been oddly paceable, it is not like you."

Gabriel's laughter filled the space between them, a melody that warmed her heart. "I wish for you to accept my proposal first, Evelina. Let's start with love before diving into arguments. We'll have a lifetime for disagreements, I'm sure, but first, let's cross this bridge, hm?"

A soft gasp let her lips as he suddenly reached out and rubbed his thumb across her cheek gently as he spoke. Evelina's resolve wavered, her eyes lifted to his, feeling all her skepticism wash away, hope filling her instantly.

Her cheeks continued to burn with a deep blush as she stood there, breathing heavily as his touch sent body-wracking vibrations down her system. At last, Gabriel took away his hand.

The longing that followed this was all Evelina needed. She bit her lip in a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Is this really happening?

She wondered for what felt like the hundredth time again, disbelief mingling with joy in her heart. The man she loved was asking her to be his forever.

As the weight of Gabriel's proposal settled in her mind, a rush of emotions flooded her thoughts. The idea of spending a lifetime with him filled her with warmth and happiness, painting a picture of a future she had dreamed of but never dared to believe possible.

And now it was.

Yet, amidst the euphoria, a seed of doubt sprouted in her mind, growing rapidly by the second.

"What is it?"

Surprise filled her face as she raised her eyes back to Gabriel's once more, his astute observation of her change in demeanor leaving a warm tingling in her chest.

"Your Grace-"

She was almost immediately cut short, as he shook his head, saying, "I want you to call me by my name, Evelina. Please, drop the formalities."

"P-Pardon?"

Her breath hitched in her throat as he reached out and took her hands in his. "Gabriel. Gabriel Jones. That is my name." He nodded his head affirmatively.

"I-I know your name, Your Grace." Evelina's cheeks flushed harder as she frantically pulled her hands out of his, battling to remember what she'd meant to say at this point.

The duke's eyes narrowed slightly at her, a flash of his ever trumping character shining through. "Then say it, call me by my name."

"Y-Your Grace…" Evelina's voice quivered slightly, and she gulped before slowly pushing out the word he wished to hear. "Gabriel…"

Her cheeks flamed as another smile lifter his handsome features, "Yes?"

"B-Before I say yes," She coughed and cleared her throat as she pushed on, "there's something you must know. I have one condition."

Gabriel's expression softened, his gaze unwavering as he peered at her, "Tell me. I'll do anything for you. No matter what it is, Evelina." His voice was a gentle reassurance amidst the tension, "I want you to know you can always count on me."

Evelina drew in a deep breath and went straight to the point, her eyes locked with his. "If we are to be married, you must help me care for my sisters," she stated firmly, her tone unwavering.

For a second, Gabriel seemed to hesitate. Then, he opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, she continued, her words flowing with urgency.

"I've always been the one looking after them, as our father isn't capable. I need you to understand this," she insisted, the weight of her responsibility evident in her plea.

"Evelina..."

I do not wish to lose you over this, please understand.

As he tried to interject, her voice cut through the room once more, her eyes pleading with him to comprehend, "I know it's a lot to ask, but my sisters and I have a close bond, I simply cannot-"

"Evelina."

Her eyes widened with surprise as he suddenly reached out, cupping her face in his hand tenderly. Like clockwork, her heart began to race rapidly at his unexpected touch.

With a soft smile playing on his lips, his eyes searched hers, filled with warmth and affection. "I gladly accept your condition," he declared, his chuckle breaking the tension that lingered in the room. "Truth be told, I had already anticipated this, if you had not brought it up, I would have."

Evelina's astonishment was palpable as she searched his eyes for any hint of doubt. "Do you mean this?" she questioned, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," he replied earnestly, his thumb caressing her skin gently once again. A sigh escaped him, his eyes softening as they locked onto her lips. "I love you, Evelina. It's only natural for me to consider these things."

Leaning in closer, he whispered once more, the depth of his feelings resonating in the quiet intimacy of the moment, "I love you, so much."

Evelina felt as though she was floating.

Could this be real life? Am I worthy of feeling so much happiness in this moment?

"And I love you too, Gabriel."

Finally able to confess the words she'd never admitted to any other but herself felt more freeing than she could imagine. Boldly, she took a step, finally closing the distance between them, feeling the warmth of his breath directly on her skin, a moment of intimacy shared between them.

"I've loved you for a while now," she stared up at him, hoping her eyes reflected the sincerity in her words, her heart fluttering with vulnerability and affection.

Gabriel's eyes widened, revealing his pleasant surprise. The next moment, his smile materialized into a smirk, his eyes dancing with a hint of mischief.

"I've known this," he teased, his fingers gently pinching her cheeks. "Your cheeks have always been a clear testament of your feelings," he added playfully, his words laced with affection.

A deep blush painted Evelina's cheeks once more as she playfully swatted at him, the light touch failing to do much as he expertly caught her hand in his. His laughter filled the air, a melody that resonated in her heart, bringing a sense of ease and comfort to the moment she could not help but smile at.

Filled with joy, she leaned in smoothly, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled him in a tender kiss. The moment was electric, a blend of passion and affection that enveloped them both in a sweet embrace.

As the kiss deepened, a wave of heat sparked in the air, burning brighter the fire that burned between them. Just as the intensity peaked, Gabriel pulled back slightly, his eyes locked on hers with a deep longing. "We only need to wait a couple of weeks before we can continue this," he murmured, his voice husky as he spoke. "I want to marry you, as quickly as possible, my love."

Evelina's cheeks flushed deeply at his words, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anticipation. "I... I can't wait," she stammered, her voice filled with emotion as she met his gaze, her eyes shining with love and happiness.

"Oh, spare me the excuses my lord viscount. There is no excuse for the manner in which I have watched you regard your daughters." Clara's voice echoed through the hall, her arms crossed as she eyed James.

As they stepped out of the drawing room at last, the couple exchanged surprised expressions, noting the palpable tension in the air in the hall as James stood before the Countess, a mix of defiance and guilt in his expression.

"I have my reasons, as I have said. You simply do not understand the complexities of the situation," James retorted, his tone defensive as he tried to justify his actions. "The manner in which I have raised my girls, is mine and mine alone to-"

"As their father, it is your duty to prioritize their well-being over your own desires," Clara's gaze fixed on him with an almost warning smile, her resolve unyielding as she stood her ground. "The manner with which you have raised them has nothing to do with giving them opportunity to choose in life what works best for them."

James's attempts to defend himself faltered in the face of her unwavering conviction; he was heavily unaccustomed to such reproach. "B-But the Earl's proposal is a great benefit to any family. It is unwise for anyone dismiss it so easily, making a mockery out of the man-"

"Careful, lord viscount," the woman's cackle was enough to send shivers down Evelina's spine even from where she stood, "now you would not want people believing you a man who exalts men and status above his family, would you?"

"B-But, that is not what I- Of course, I am not such a man," James pleaded, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice.

"Wonderful! A strong, loving father figure you are, my lord! The ladies of the ton must hear about the kindness as well strong character of the viscount of Elderglen, yes?" Clara's expression lit up, a grin brightening her face as she suddenly began gushing praises at him.

"The happiness and welfare of your daughters come first, yes, indeed. So now, you shall inform lord Anthony that this marriage will not take place," she stated, her words final and unyielding despite her wide, innocent smile.

The weight of her words hung heavy in the air for a moment. James, clearly defeated, nodded solemnly in acceptance. "You're right, countess. I shall do the needful as soon as I can."

From the corner of her eye, Evelina saw her sisters step out from where presumably they'd been cowering, forced to witness the exchange between their father and Clara.

Their eyes were wide with disbelief, all sharing equally astonished expressions, their surprise mirroring hers.

Could this day get any better?

She felt her now betrothed's gaze on her and she instinctively turned to find him staring at her with a multitude of love and tenderness.

Could this be heaven?

"My my, would you take a look at that!" Finally, Evelina's eyes were pulled from Gabriel as Clara's voice drew their attention.

The woman's eyes twinkled mischievously as she addressed, "Well, it seems the lovely couple have settled their differences. Truly what a wonderful day it is."

Evelina felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, a shy smile playing on her lips as she stole another glance at Gabriel.

His laughter rang out, warm and genuine, as he responded, "Yes, we have indeed found common ground. We are to be married, a couple weeks from now, soonest."

"Truly?"

"A couple of weeks?!"

"Oh, Evelina, I am so happy for you!" Margaret was the first to rush over to her as always, pulling her into a deep embrace.

"Thank you!" Evelina's laughter resounded as the rest of the girls scurried into the embrace, squealing and laughing along.

Evelina's heart swelled with gratitude for her sisters' support and as her eyes returned to her soon-to-be husband's, her heart sang at the thought of his acceptance to allow her to keep their support close-by even in marriage.

"Also," Her brows raised inquisitively as he spoke up again, his eyes fixed on her with a smile, "I would like to invite you all to a dinner at the Dunmore estate tomorrow evening."

His eyes shifted to each person as his smile grew wider, "I wish for us all to get to know each other better; after all, we're going to be family."

"Oh, yes, we are!" Penelope's exclaimed excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy as she giggled heartily.

"Someone get me a glass! A toast must be had!" Clara beamed at the group, her eyes twinkling with warmth. "Congratulations, my dears! A toast to Evelina and Gabriel, may your love grow stronger each day!"

Her lighthearted comment elicited laughter from the gathered family, filling the room with a even more joy. However, amongst the ton, there was one, silent with an awkward smile on their face.

Evelina's gaze flickered to her father, observing his stunned expression as he seemed to struggle with processing the unfolding events. When their eyes met, he quickly averted his gaze, offering his congratulations in a subdued tone.

"Indeed, I can not help but be glad for the turn of events. I hope for a long happy life for you two."

The weight of Clara's earlier admonishment lingered in the air, casting a shadow over his usual composure. Despite the tension, Evelina appreciated his effort to convey his well wishes, accepting his gesture with a gentle smile that held slight empathy.

"Thank you, Father, truly."