Page 36 of A Rescue by the Rakish Duke
The door swung open widely, revealing Evan with a mischievous grin. “Am I interrupting? I, uh, can come back at a later hour.”
Gwendoline’s cheeks flushed. She quickly turned away, but not before she saw Damian glaring at his man.
“We were just finishing,” he explained curtly, his back more rigid than usual.
Evan’s eyes flicked back and forth between them, his grin widening. “Of course. Fear not. I will leave you both to, uh, finish later.”
Then, he winked at Gwendoline, causing Damian to growl.
“Stop flirting with my wife, Evan. Duchess, this is the infamous Evan Drake.”
Gwendoline shook her head in disbelief at the introduction. She merely nodded at the man, disregarding the proper etiquette. Her heart was still pounding from what had almost transpired.
She could not help but suppress a laugh, her hand rising to her mouth. “Your associate is not affected by your glares and tone, Your Grace.”
Evan gave her a friendly smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Gwendoline decided that she liked him.
“Yes, I’m certainly immune to the duke’s glares now, but I had to work toward it. It’s a useful skill, Your Grace, but I don’t think you should worry about acquiring it. This skill is just as necessary as dodging fists and detecting traps. Speaking of which…” Evan glanced at Damian. “Shall we get to business, Your Grace?”
Damian frowned at his man, confused. They had just talked. Their plans were already in motion. He didn’t understand the urgency.
Gwendoline tilted her head to the side and asked, “Business?”
“It’s nothing for you to be concerned about, Duchess,” Damian grunted with his usual somber expression.
He had dismissed her like this before, leaving her with a sour taste in her mouth. This moment reminded her of that.
The smile that Evan had coaxed from her evaporated.
“If it involves my cousin’s evil schemes, then we can agree that it concerns me greatly. I believe Mr. Drake can see that.”
“Your Grace,” Evan interjected, “your insight might prove valuable. Perhaps you?—”
“No,” Damian interrupted angrily. His ire was directed at Evan, though, as he shot him another one of his glares. “This matter is mine to handle. The duchess should not be involved.”
Evan raised his hands in mock surrender, giving Gwendoline a lopsided grin that Damian was quick to catch. “I will never challenge the duke’s wishes. Apologies, Your Grace.”
Gwendoline pursed her lips but then gave him a nod.
It wasn’t his fault. She realized just how difficult it was to argue with Damian. It was clear that he wasn’t in the mood to argue. She might have felt more dejected without Evan’s presence, which had added some needed levity.
“Very well, Your Grace,” she said after straightening her back and jutting her chin. She could barely keep her composure. “I’ll leave you two to deal with your business.”
To Evan, she nodded and said, “Mr. Drake.”
“Your Grace.”
Her frustration had reached an unbearable boiling point, so she cleared her throat and executed a slight, awkward bow.
Did she just bow to her husband’s man?
“I will take my leave now,” she said, hastily walking past Evan.
Her heart felt heavy in her throat, and the pounding was loud in her ears. She didn’t turn back.
Why did she push herself in places she was not wanted? She needed to stop this before she lost all her dignity.
