Page 65 of Shining Knight
Chapter Fifteen
Eugenia did notspeak to her brothers on the ride back to Town. Besides being angry with them, she was too confused and did not trust what words might tumble forth. Graham seemed sincere, but she did not want his offer to be out of some misguided sense of chivalry. How would she know one way or the other?
It seemed she would have to accept this betrothal for now and make it believable. Would it be so hard to enjoy Graham’s company, now that she was aware of him in a completely different way? He had opened her eyes to new sensations and feelings within her which she had not even known existed. It was both fascinating and horrifying. Yet could she ever be satisfied now, for she could sense that her own feelings were changing?
When they arrived back at Knighton House after an uneventful journey, she was quickly ushered upstairs to bathe and dress for the evening. The last thing she wanted was to attend an evening party, but she did not argue.
Stevens came to dress her as though nothing had happened. Eugenia did not demur when the maid brought out a bright, rose-colored gown which was entirely more cheerful than she felt. Eugenia did not even object when Stevens dressed her hair in an elaborate style and placed flowers in the curls around her head.
“Stop this, Eugenia!” she chided herself. She was not one to dwell on misery; she had always been a happy person and she did not want that to change. Lifting her chin at her reflection in the looking-glass, she determined to enjoy herself that evening, and give the gossips little to speak of.
When she arrived downstairs in the drawing room, Edmund was the only one ready and, unconsciously, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“You look lovely, Sister,” he said with a kind smile as he came forward to kiss her cheek.
“Where are we going this evening?” she asked.
“The theater, I believe. I am here to play the supportive brother.”
“You are not playing, Edmund. You are always supportive.”
“I do try,” he agreed with a wink.
“By the by, what happened to Ravenhill when you and Heath escorted him out?”
For a moment, Edmund flashed her a look of pure deviltry.
“What did you do, Edmund?” she asked more forcefully. “Did you mean to keep everything delicious from me? At the very least, I deserve to know he will be punished!”
“Oh, I think it is safe to say he will leave you unmolested in the future.”
“Do not make me beg, Edmund,” she warned.
He held up his hands in surrender. “His debts have been purchased, in agreement for his never again darkening your door and also his absence from the metropolis until you are safely married. There is also the added disclaimer that he is not to try such tricks again with other ladies, nor besmirch your name.”
“I was hoping for more bloodlust, but I suppose that will have to do.”
“Is it so very wrong that I delight in his misery?” Edmund pretended to ponder. “It is quite a beautiful solution when you have time to reflect upon it with less anger,” he added.
“If you say so,” she said doubtfully. As she spoke, other members of the family began to join them.
She was collecting her wrap from the back of a side table when Quincy opened the entrance door to let Graham in. Eugenia should not have been surprised. For how else would they carry on as a betrothed couple before the eyes of theton, if not in each other’s company? She had seen him hundreds of times in evening dress, but now she saw him as aman—rather than a gentleman or brother—and it made everything more difficult.
Very firmly she reminded herself that nothing was to be different between them. She smiled brightly. “Good evening, Graham.” She curtsied.
He stepped forward and bowed over her hand. “My lady.”
“Shall we?” Knighton asked. “Shakespeare waits for no one.”
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,”Graham quoted.
“As you like it?” Eugenia asked as Graham handed her into the carriage and took his place beside her.
She was most definitely not in the mood for a romantic comedy about a duke’s daughter who had been banished, or the protagonist who had to pretend to be someone she was not. It was all rather too close to the truth, although the hero was hardly in love with her as Orlando was with Rosalind.
On countless occasions she had watched plays with Graham and enjoyed the witty, sarcastic banter they exchanged. Would the ladies continue to seek him out, as they always did, now that the two of them were engaged?
“You do look lovely, pet,” Graham leaned over and whispered in her ear. His warm breath tickled her neck and a shiver ran down her spine. How was she to stop her body from reacting to him? He had merely whispered in her ear.
