Chapter Three

E vie returned to the house, glad she had run into Hatch and given him the news about her upcoming wedding in person. Afterward, they had talked briefly about things Hatch was doing about the estate, which had prevented him from traveling to town for the Season.

While Hatch was still as handsome as ever, she had sensed a hardness in him. Anger filled her, seeing how the war had affected him. Some of the best and brightest men of this generation had gone off to war, never to return. She should be thankful Hatch had come home to them, yet part of him had definitely been left on the battlefield. He had spoken of darkness in his soul, and that greatly concerned her. Perhaps seeing his brother settled in marriage might make Hatch think of claiming a duchess for himself. If he could find a kind, sensitive woman and have children with her, Evie guessed the burden Hatch carried deep within him might lessen.

She returned to her bedchamber, ringing for her maid and dressing for the day. After breakfast this morning, she and Mama were to go into the village and speak with Mrs. Hamshaw.

When she arrived at breakfast, it surprised her to see David. Evie squealed, falling into his arms.

"What are you doing home? I thought you and Elias were coming down together in a few weeks. Why, you had to have left the day after us to already be in Devonshire."

David seated her at the table and took his place across from her. Papa usually ate later, while Mama always took a tray in her room for the morning meal.

"I knew I would be bored with you gone from town," her brother admitted. "And the fact you are getting married made me want to spend time with you."

Evie laughed. "I will only reside a few miles from Valwood Park for most of the year though I will go to town for the Season. That is, unless I am increasing. The journey to London is far too rough and long to be made in that condition."

A footman poured tea for her and coffee for her brother, as another brought each plates filled with eggs, ham, and toast points. She smeared marmalade on her toast and bit into it.

"I also thought I might visit with our new duke," David continued, stirring sugar into his coffee. "I was disappointed when Hatch did not come to town."

"I saw him this morning," she revealed. "You know Hatch. Filled with concern for his tenants. As responsible as ever. He has a list which must be pages long of all he wants to do at Davenport Hall and on the estate itself. Did you know he's also visited all his ducal properties since his return home?"

"Doesn't surprise me. Hatch will be a role model for every peer in the land. He will be thorough in his duties and a shining example to all. What will be most difficult for him is the way ladies will swarm him next Season. After all, he is now a duke in need of a duchess."

The thought of those vipers clinging to Hatch left a bad taste in Evie's mouth. As his future sister-in-law, she would help him steer clear of certain individuals.

"Will you go see him today?" she asked.

"Probably tomorrow," David replied. "I would like to get settled here first."

She bit back a smile. "Then tell Mrs. Ludlow hello for me."

He had the decency to blush. "Do I have no secrets from you?"

"Mrs. Ludlow is a pretty widow. If you choose to see one another, it is none of my business." Pausing, she added, "But David, you are going to need to find a wife of your own, you know."

"When I am thirty," he declared. "That gives me three years. Perhaps I can talk Hatch into waiting until then, as well." He grinned shamelessly. "Until then, I will frequent Mrs. Ludlow's and others, seeking... companionship."

Two hours later, Evie rode with Mama to East Davenport. The village had taken its name from its two best-known families in the area at least two hundred years ago.

"I do not see why you wish for Mrs. Hamshaw to sew your gown, Evangeline," Mama complained. "We could have had one made up in town for you."

"Mrs. Hamshaw's gowns have always pleased me, Mama. Her work makes my heart sing. I want to look my best on my wedding day, and will in one of her creations."

They entered the dressmaker's shop, being greeted fondly.

"I hear there's to be a wedding," the seamstress said.

"I would have no other but you make my gown, Mrs. Hamshaw."

"It does my bones good to hear you say that, Lady Evie. Let's see if any of your measurements have changed."

They took an hour to look at various fabrics, finally settling on a gown of the palest powder blue with a beautiful lace overlay. The square neckline would show an appropriate amount of her bosom, and she adored the capped sleeves.

"I shall start on this at once, my lady," Mrs. Hamshaw told her. "I'll send word when you can come for a fitting. I'll tinker a bit with it before we do a final one. Wedding's the first week in October?"

"Yes. Now, let's look at veils."

After they finished, Mama said she had a headache and would return straight to Valwood Park.

"I am craving one of Mrs. Oatman's scones. I will walk back."

"Oh, it is so far, Evangeline."

"I enjoy the exercise, Mama. Besides, walking allows me to eat all the scones I want," she said breezily.

She saw Mama to the carriage and walked down the main thoroughfare until she reached the bakery. Heavenly smells hung in the air. Evie started to go inside but heard her name called. Turning, she saw Hatch.

"Your Grace!" she greeted.

"Lady Evie," he said, swinging from his horse and tying it to a post. "Are you in the mood for a treat? Lemon blueberry—or raspberry almond?"

"You still remember what scones I like?"

He studied her. "I remember everything about you."

A shiver danced along her spine.

"Then come have a scone with me, Your Grace."

He ordered one of each for her and a cranberry orange scone for himself, as well as a pot of tea. Mrs. Hamshaw had three tables inside the bakery and two outside, and they chose to sit in the late August sun.

"David is home," she informed Hatch after their tea arrived. "He said he would come visit you tomorrow."

"Why not today?" He chuckled. "Don't tell me. Some pretty widow has turned his head."

"You know him well. A Mrs. Ludlow. He has seen her several times over the past two years. They have an understanding. She knows nothing will come of it, but he does buy her a nice trinket here and there. He told me he plans to wed at thirty and wants to see if you will hold out that long with him."

His face solemn, Hatch said, "I have no plans to ever wed."

"But you must," she insisted. "Davenport Hall should be filled with children. After all, a duke needs an heir and a spare."

"Come riding with me," he said suddenly. "This afternoon. I would like to show you some of the things I have done and see what you think."

"You do not need my approval, Hatch."

"But I would like it anyway."

Again, his words caused a shiver to run through her. It was a pleasant feeling—yet it seemed to warn her. She pushed aside the thought. This was Hatch, after all.

"I would be pleased to ride with you. Shall I invite David?"

"He will be keeping Mrs. Ludlow company," Hatch said. "We will make it just us."

They made plans to meet at the Valwood stables. If the end of their ride coincided with teatime, he would stay for it.

"Don't tell Lady Valwood," he begged. "While I like your mother a good deal, I fear now that I am a duke, it will cause her head to spin to entertain me at tea."

"I promise to keep silent as the grave," Evie teased.

She left him in East Davenport, where he said he was going to a fitting with the tailor, and walked back to Valwood Park, taking her time to pick a bouquet of flowers and arranging them when she arrived home.

Evie changed into her riding habit and went down to the stables, where Hatch stood waiting next to a horse she had never seen before. She started to ask him about why he wasn't riding Rex, the horse he had taken to war, and bit back the question. Hatch had been very affected by his time at war. He may have lost his horse during battle. Talking about its absence might upset him.

She also wondered if he might be bothered by the small scar marring his cheek. He hadn't explained how he received it when she touched it. Evie decided to let sleeping dogs lie and simply enjoy their ride together.

Joseph, Valwood's head groom, led her horse from the stables. "Got Starlight all saddled and ready for you, my lady." He gazed up at the sky and then back to them. "Might want to keep your ride short, Your Grace. Looks like rain to me."

Hatch glanced at the sky. "I don't see any indication of rain."

The groom patted his hips with his hands. "Hips don't lie, Your Grace. I can feel in my old bones that a storm is coming."

"We'll keep that in mind," Hatch said, assisting Evie into the saddle and mounting his own horse.

Without asking, he spurred his horse into a gallop, and she followed. They had always enjoyed racing one another and did so until the end of the meadow. He pulled up on his reins as she and Starlight flew by him and then came to a halt.

"I love to give Starlight her head," she said. "It's so good to have you home again, Hatch."

"Let's head to my estate so I can show you some of the changes I'm implementing."

They cantered to his property, and he showed her a new fence being built and another which was in the midst of repairs. They went by some of his tenants' cottages, where he pointed out the ongoing work. Everyone greeted the new duke with enthusiasm, and Evie saw that whether he realized or not, Hatch was in his element. He would make for a wonderful Duke of Wentworth, his people loving him as much as his soldiers had.

The foreman invited them inside for a glass of cider and a teacake. By the time they left the cottage, the skies had darkened.

"Joseph has been proven right after all," Evie commented.

As they started for Valwood Park, the bottom suddenly dropped from the skies.

"Follow me!" called Hatch, riding ahead of her.

She followed and saw they came to what looked like an abandoned cottage. They sprang from their horses, Hatch tying the reins to a nearby bush, and sprinted toward the door. Inside, the cottage was dusty and neglected. Floorboards needed repairing. A windowpane was missing. She spotted three places where leaks had sprung in the roof and moved to a corner to avoid the incoming drips.

Evie shivered, cold and wet, and Hatch began briskly rubbing his large hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her. She appreciated the effort. Then her heart began to race wildly. She inhaled the woodsy scent of his cologne, coupled with a muskiness. Suddenly, she was aware of him. As a man.

Their gazes met, and those brilliant blue eyes of his burned.

With desire . . .

No man had looked at her as Hatch did now. It thrilled her. Excited her. Frightened her. Worried her.

Her heart continued pounding, almost seeming to fly from her chest, as she saw him slowly, deliberately lowering his head. Any moment now, his lips would graze hers.

This was wrong. Hatch was her good friend. She was betrothed to another man.

His brother.

And yet Evie wanted to sample whatever he might give her.

Their lips touched. It was as if kindling had been lit. His hands, holding her shoulders, tightened. Fire raced through her.

His lips were firm yet soft. Eager yet restrained. It seemed as if he waited for her to do something. What, she hadn't a clue.

Not wanting to wait, she broke the kiss and stared at him. Heat sizzled in his eyes.

"You want something of me," she said, breathless. "I don't understand. But I want to."

"Have you kissed a man before, Evie?" Hatch asked, his voice hoarse.

"Yes. Several times."

"What was it like?"

She frowned. "I'm not certain what you mean. Pleasant. At least a few times. Awkward on two occasions."

His eyes burned into her now. "But how were those kisses?"

"Just... kisses," she said, frustrated. "Ordinary, lips pressed together. What more—"

His thumb silenced her. "Then you haven't been kissed properly."

The most radiant smile lit his face then, taking her breath away. All of a sudden Hatch was no friend. He was a living, breathing, sensual man, heat rolling from him, placing her under his spell.

"I intend to teach you how to kiss."

It was unwise to go along with this scheme. Evie should stop this madness. Yet curiosity won out.

"Go right ahead," she said.

So he did.