She pressed her lips together. “I am no beauty.”
“You are wrong.” He smiled. “You outshine every other young lady in any room.”
A blush rose on her cheeks, and she looked down. “Is that why I am five and twenty and unwed?”
He moved until he stood before her and gently tipped her chin up. “Only because you were waiting for me to offer.”
“About your offer…” She hesitated. “If you truly mean it, I will marry you.”
A smile lit his face. “Nothing would make me happier.”
She searched his eyes. “You must be certain. It is an advantageous match for me, but for you—what do you gain?”
He traced a light touch along her cheek. “I gainyou.”
“Be serious, Evander.”
“I am,” he replied. “I will post the banns at once. And in three weeks’ time, you shall be my wife.”
Her eyes shimmered. “Does your mother have that much time left?”
He swallowed hard. “I hope so.”
“Then perhaps we should marry by special license.”
His grin turned roguish. “What you are proposing is scandalous, but I like it. My father will despise the idea, which is an added benefit.”
She laughed softly. “You are awful.”
He reached for her hand. “Awfully in love with you.”
Olivia visibly stiffened, her eyes widening ever so slightly. “You… love me?”
Realizing what he had just let slip, Evander’s breath caught.Fool,he silently cursed himself. He shook his head quickly. “I do… as a friend.” The words tumbled out too quickly. “It was merely an expression. Surely you have heard it before,” he added, forcing a light tone in a desperate attempt to deflect.
“I haven’t,” she replied, her voice soft, almost wary.
“Then you need to get out more,” he said with a faint, crooked smile.
To his relief, she didn’t press him further. Her gaze dropped to her hands for a moment before she looked up again. “Should we tell my family?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, Wilton’s voice cut through the air from the corridor. “There is no need. We overheard everything.”
Evander dropped his hand from Olivia’s and took a step back, scanning the corridor.How had I not heard them approaching?His instincts must have been dulled by the sheer weight of this moment.
Dosia and the Dowager Lady Wilton approached swiftly, their faces alight with joy. Dosia reached Olivia first, embracing her tightly. “We are so happy for you,” she said warmly, her eyes shining.
Evander’s gaze flicked to Olivia. Her smile was polite, her posture composed—but her eyes… they told another story. There was no spark of true happiness there, only a quiet resignation and a flicker of uncertainty.She is marrying me out of duty, not love,he thought grimly. But that would not deter him. If it took days, weeks, or a lifetime, he would win her heart.I will not let this be a practical arrangement. I will woo her until she sees we belong together.
Wilton moved to his side. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
Evander glanced at him, brow furrowed. “For what?”
“I know why you are doing this,” Wilton replied, his tone layered with meaning.
Evander’s pulse quickened. “You do?” he asked carefully, wondering if his friend had truly glimpsed the feelings he so carefully guarded.
Wilton nodded once, his next words carrying the weight of a warning. “Be true to her.”
