Page 40 of Shining Knight
Chapter Ten
Eugenia did notwish to face the world, but she knew that at some point it would be necessary. Just not yet. When there was a knock on her door, she tried to ignore it, but it opened anyway. It was probably Stevens or her aunt, come to check how she did, but she closed her eyes, determined to ignore them.
The side of her bed sank and a hand touched her face. It was decidedly not her aunt. She opened her eyes to see her eldest brother’s face looking down at her with sadness.
“Rowley!” she exclaimed in little more than a whisper. Without a word, he gathered her in his arms. “You have heard?”
“Yes, what Tinsley knows. I should like to hear the whole from you if you feel able. Edmund and Heath are also here. May I take you to them?”
“I want to go home, Rowley.”
“I know you do,” he said, stroking the side of her face, “but unfortunately, this must be dealt with first.”
“I was afraid you would say that. May I bathe first? Graham must have put me straight into bed.”
“Everything is to be prepared for you when we arrive back at Knighton House.”
“Oh, I see. Very well. My aunt knows?”
“I have spoken with her. She will attend us later, once we have made some decisions.”
Rowley stood up and held out a hand to her. When she moved, she winced.
Her brother scowled. “I want to know what happened, but I will not make you tell the story more than once.”
“I am well enough, truly, but I do feel as if I was kicked and thrown from a horse.”
Rowley said nothing, which was worse than him venting his spleen. He found her slippers and led her from the house. He helped her into the carriage even though they lived only a short distance away. Even though, perhaps, she did not look different on the outside, she felt different and exposed—as though everyone would know what had happened simply by looking at her.
As soon as she entered the doors of Knighton House, both of her brothers enveloped her in a hug. It was difficult not to feel relief. She felt safe, although she knew this was only a mild reprieve from the storm to come.
Quincy cleared his throat. “Everything is prepared for my lady, Your Grace.”
“Brothers, we shall allow Eugenia time to bathe and refresh herself before the inquisition. We will be waiting for you in my study when you are ready, my dear.”
She climbed the familiar staircase and entered her room, where Stevens was waiting with a tub full of steaming water. The maid gasped when she saw her mistress. Eugenia had not looked at herself, but she could not imagine it was a pleasant sight.
“You may go, Stevens. I shall do for myself.”
“But my lady,” she protested.
“Please go.” She did not feel like arguing, nor being cosseted. “I will ring when I am ready to dress.”
Stevens bobbed a curtsy and left.
Eugenia turned to look at her reflection. A deep purple bruise was forming on her chin and a cut marked her swollen lip. That was only the part which could be seen. She slipped off her gown and climbed into the tub, deliberately numbing her mind. Detaching herself seemed the best way to deal with this.
She knew her brothers wanted to discuss her future. Surely Rowley would not force her to wed Ravenhill? She would rather die than have him touch her again. She also had not missed the look on Perth’s face when he discovered her, either. What would become of her?
Stevens helped her to dress and she made her way downstairs to the study. Her brothers stood up when she entered, and she walked over and sat in a chair near the fire.
Rowley closed the door and came to sit across from her. He reached over and took her hand. “There is no easy way to speak of this, but if we delay, it may cost us dearly. I have asked Tinsley to be here to fill in those parts of the story of which you might be unaware.”
Eugenia had not noticed him there, but turned her head and saw him lurking in the corner. His gaze pierced straight through her and she had to look away.
“He has told us that Ravenhill broke into your room and you were fighting him off when he himself discovered you.”
She nodded. “Ravenhill tried my door first, but I had locked it as Graham advised me to do.” She swallowed hard. “I heard him walk away and thought he had given up, but then I found him at my window. Somehow he managed to force the sash. I thought I could get away but he caught hold of my ankle.”
