Just the fact that she’d used his title rather than his name told him a great deal. He snapped straighter, his jaw hard as granite. “Lady Evelyn.”
“I need you to understand.”
Those words were never followed by anything he wanted to hear. A protest rumbled in his throat, threatening to burst from his mouth. “Understand?” Even he could hear the barely contained anger in his voice.
“My mother. She—”
“Dinner is served.” The butler called from the doorway.
Which was fine. He didn’t need to hear more. Her mother wished for this courtship but Evie did not.
She didn’t have to finish the sentence for him to understand. He started to turn, but her hand on his arm stopped him.
“Are we still to sit together?”
“Of course.” He barely got the two words out. He’d not be rude. He still cared for Evie. And she liked him. Or so he thought. Perhaps he’d been completely wrong.
It wouldn’t be the first time.
Stiff as a board, he moved to the front of the assembly, leading everyone to the dining room.