CHAPTERFIVE
Evan had been searchingthe house for the better part of three hours and had yet to find Evie.
Despite her assertion yesterday that it was a house party and they’d be seeing a great deal of one another, she’d been decidedly absent from the festivities.
Was she avoiding him?
He winced at the idea. But perhaps she had not enjoyed their time together yesterday and was attempting to subtly exit their acquaintance.
Avoidance was far gentler than many endings he’d had. But still. And what of her mother? Surely, she did not condone her daughter avoiding a duke? Which left him to wonder. Was something wrong?
He left the lawn games and started for the place he thought most likely to find her…the kitchen.
But Mrs. Derby only had her staff for company and she hadn’t seen Evie all morning.
“Was she at breakfast?” Mrs. Derby asked, her brow knitted in concern.
“Not that I saw,” Evan answered.
Mrs. Derby gave him a long look. “That’s right. She had a tray brought to her room. If she’s not ill, her mother is involved, you can be certain of that.”
If she were ill, he had no idea how he might see her, he could not visit her in her rooms. With a frown, he scratched his chin. “Could you have one of the staff speak to her maid?”
“Of course,” Mrs. Derby nodded. “But before we do that, you might want to check the library. She’s an avid reader and she frequently arrives in the kitchen with a book in hand.”
His eyes lit as he remembered her sharing that same detail with him.
Turning, he started for the library, taking the stairs two at a time.
Though he was glad to have another place to search, that didn’t begin to explain why she’d not participated in any activities this morning and why she was avoiding him.
The halls were quiet, most guests outside as he approached the library, the doors open wide.
He saw her standing by the large windows framed in light the moment he entered. She looked like an angel, a halo about her as one hand rested against the paned glass. Moving closer, he noted that she watched the games below, her fingers curled into a small fist.
“Evie.”
She gasped, spinning about, and dropping the book in her other hand onto the floor. Immediately she bent to retrieve it, gathering her skirt in one hand as she bent down. “Your Grace. Apologies.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
“I shouldn’t be here. In the library. I just needed something to occupy my time and I thought everyone was outside.” Picking up the book, she started toward him. “I’ll leave you to find whatever it is you’re looking for.”
She surely meant a book and he smiled as she moved closer. “But I came looking for you.”
She stopped only feet from him, her eyes widening in surprise. “Me?”
“I did tell you yesterday that I’d like to see you again and you assured me there would be plenty of opportunity.”
She nodded, nipping at her lip again. “I planned to join the festivities later.”
“Why not this morning? Do you not like the sun?” She’d claimed to love the outdoors yesterday.
“No. I like the sun well enough.”
“Worried about your skin? Does your bonnet not keep it off your face?”
Her blue eyes met his, hers crinkling a bit with what looked like regret. “It serves its purpose.”