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But many didn’t have a choice, he knew that, and Rangeley did seem committed to making the most of the situation.
He collected Evie and the four of them set off down a path into the cool forest.
He walked with Evie on his arm, Matilda just ahead, explaining the attributes of various flora and fauna to Rangeley as they walked.
Thinking their companions were sufficiently distracted, her turned to Evie and drew in a ragged breath preparing for what he had to say next. “I’m sorry about earlier with my cousin.”
She shook her head. “There is no need to apologize to me.”
“There isn’t?” That surprised him.
“No. There is clearly tension between the two of you. Family can be difficult.”
“But I was overly harsh.” And now he was acting equally foolish as he tried to convince her of his wrongdoing. “Many find me difficult.”
She shook her head. “I like you just the way you are.”
He looked down at her, one corner of his mouth pulling into a frown. He wasn’t sure he believed it. Everyone hated his temper, even himself, and she was sure to understand eventually. “That’s a lovely thought but…”
Her brows rose. “You don’t believe me?”
He shrugged. “I believe that you believe it. But eventually, you’ll feel the way everyone else does.” The way other potential duchesses had.
She let out a frustrated breath, her brows drawing together. “I know my own mind.”
He looked at her then, his chest tightening as he realized that he’d upset her. Which was what he’d expected all along. “I didn’t say you didn’t.”
“Perhaps you just question my judgement? My mother does as well and so I understand but I can assure you that just because I don’t share my thoughts doesn’t mean I don’t have the answers.”
Evan pressed his lips shut as he realized that he’d offended her with his unintended accusation. Was he acting like her mother, not trusting her decisions or opinions? “It’s not you I don’t trust. It’s me. Or rather the reaction that I bring out in people.”
She stopped then, her hand coming to rest on his biceps. That bit of intimacy made his shoulders, which had been rising with tension, relax back down. “I don’t mind the occasional disagreement with persnickety relations if you don’t mind my mother.”
That made his eyes widen in surprise and then he chuckled. Her mother would be a persnickety relation indeed. “Fair enough.”
“But while I think your cousin overstepped, I also feel that you might have been too harsh with him.”
“I knew it bothered you.” His jaw tightened as all that tension returned.
“It didn’t bother me. But it did him…”
Evan looked at the ground, knowing that she was likely right. “I don’t need your help—”
Her fingers flexed against his arm. “I’m sure you don’t. You figure out what’s best, I know you will.”
And that was what made Evie so lovely. She didn’t press in this moment. She’d said her piece and then left it alone. He relaxed again as her words sunk in.
She was right. He needed to apologize.
They finished their walk, chatting about small things as they circled back around to return to the blankets. He helped Evie settle back into her spot, her delicate hands smoothing her skirts as they fanned out around her.
Pulling his gaze away from her, he looked at Everett. Then, he drew in a deep breath. “Cousin.”
Lord Everett turned to him, his eyes widening slightly with surprise. “Yes?”
“I wish to ask you your opinion.” And then he laid out his plan for moving the huts back away from the water while moving the tenants who’d lost their homes into an unused building on the property. It wasn’t quite an apology but it was a softening of position that he hoped Everett would appreciate.
Cousin Everett scratched his chin as he considered, clearly giving the matter real thought and making Evan wince as he realized the man truly did want to help. “Your plan to give them a temporary home is a good one. What I can’t decide if it’s more cost effective to wall the river near their homes. That bottom land is good for grazing their livestock and watering their animals in addition to their own water needs.”
