“He doesn’t like to be disturbed,” Mrs. Shaw said with a look of panic. “Not so early in the day.”
Evelyn shrugged. “He doesn’t give a hoot for the feelings of others. Why should I give a hoot for his?”
Before she could change her mind, Evelyn gripped the handle and burst into the room, despite Mrs. Shaw tugging at the sleeve of her dress.
The earl was not sitting behind his desk, and Evelyn froze in shock as she studied the dimly lit room.
The walls were lined with dark oak panels, the wooden shutters pulled across to block out the light. The timbered ceiling made the room feel small, confined. In the corner, a warm glow radiated from the tall candelabra even though it was the middle of the day.
“What the hell are you doing in here?”
She heard his deep thunderous roar emanating from behind the door and like a frightened animal, Mrs. Shaw retreated into the hallway. Evelyn refused to let fear quash her anger, and she slammed the door shut to find the earl sitting on a stool in front of an easel.
“Get out,” he yelled jumping up to block her view and knocking over the stool in the process.
Stand strong, she thought, remembering Mrs. Shaw’s words that he was a good man beneath the bravado.
Evelyn squared her shoulders. “I am not leaving until you pay me the respect I deserve.”
He stepped forward, his large frame towering above her, his jaw clenched. But she recalled the image of the sad gentleman sitting on the bench. She recalled the image of a man struggling to suppress his pain.
“If you want rid of me, you will have to pick me up and throw me out,” she continued, swallowing down her nerves.
He straightened. “Are you refusing to abide by my request?”
“I am.” Evelyn folded her a
rms across her chest to reinforce her position.
Uncertainty flashed in his eyes. He was obviously used to people doing what they were told. “Then you leave me no option. I will simply drag you out.”
“No, you won’t. You may be rude and odious, but you would never hurt me.”
Evelyn had no idea what he was capable of, but she would take a chance. His sharp tone did not worry her anymore. She moved to the desk, pulled out the chair and sat down.
“I would like you to tell me what arrangements have been made for me and my aunt.”
He hovered near the easel, his hesitant feet moving to step forward before stopping. “Wait out in the hall and I will find the letter.”
“I am waiting here.”
He muttered a curse and thrust his hand through his hair. “Are you always so stubborn?”
Evelyn smiled. “Only when the need arises.”
As another curse left his lips, he stomped over to the desk, rifled through his papers and practically threw the note at her. “Here. You can read it outside.”
Evelyn ignored him. She unfolded the paper and read the missive. Mr. Sutherby had expressed his concern for their welfare and asked to call for them at two. A hollow feeling gripped her as it was almost two o’clock. Soon, she would be far away from Stony Cross and the sour-faced Earl of Hale, never to cast sight on either of them again.
As though reading her thoughts, the earl said, “I told him he could call at five.”
“But I thought you were desperate to be rid of us,” she said wondering what had prompted the change of heart.
“Five o’clock suits me better.”
“Of course,” Evelyn replied with a snort.
He jerked his head towards the door. “Now you’ve seen the note you can go.”