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Chapter 17
By the time Evie woke up, her carriage was already packed and ready. Her own carriage. Meaning Somerset’s carriage, the one her grandfather used to travel in when he was alive. Her heart constricted at the memory. She ran a hand over the shiny surface, smiling as if seeing a good friend for the first time in weeks. Her old driver was at the reins, a couple of footmen who used to work in Peacehaven stood guard, and even her elderly housekeeper bustled around the vehicle. The latter was about to travel in the carriage with Evie.
Evie could not believe what she was seeing. Four outriders were lining up to journey with her, too. Where did all these people come from? She had asked Gabriel to prepare a vehicle for her last night, but she’d imagined she’d travel in one of his carriages with a maid. Instead, there was all this. Her insides warmed at the thought of how much trouble he’d gone through to ensure she had a comfortable ride home.
She’d walked into Gabriel’s room earlier, his study, and all the other rooms she could think that he might be, but he was nowhere to be found. Evie noted the readiness of her ride and took a last look at the townhouse; she hadn’t had enough time to call it her home.
“Leaving without saying goodbye?” a dear, deep voice called from behind her.
She turned and saw Gabriel leaning against the carriage in a casual stance, feet crossed at the ankles, arms folded on his chest, his golden blond hair gleaming in the sun, a relaxed smile on his lips. God, she was going to miss those lips. Oh, who was she kidding? She was going to miss all of him. A lot.
“I didn’t think you were home.” Evie smiled slightly.
“I wasn’t. Had a last-minute errand to run. Your solicitor did a great job procuring your old staff for you.” He shrugged and pushed off the carriage.
“My solicitor?”
“Yes, he will speak with you at Peacehaven once he rounds up the rest of your runaway staff. You will have some busy days ahead of you, running all your estates.”
“Did you go through the marital contract with him already? I would have liked to be present during the negotiations.”
One side of Gabriel’s mouth kicked up in a smile. “I did not strip your accounts naked if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“You are a master at stripping things naked, as I recall,” she said saucily, and he laughed.
“Perhaps some things.” He came closer to her. “Nothing is final without your signature, so not to worry. Are you ready for your trip?”
Evie nodded, still smiling. Because if she didn’t, the alternative would be to bawl her eyes out. Gabriel took one of her hands and placed a warm kiss on her knuckles. Evie swallowed, trying very hard not to give in to the urge to cry.
He handed her into the carriage, but instead of closing the door, he poked his torso in.
“I’ve got a present for you,” he said shyly. She could have sworn he looked embarrassed and out of place. “It’s a tiny thing….”
Evie stared, wide-eyed, as he handed her a piece of ginger root. She blinked and looked at him questioningly.
“Remember, Mrs. Adley said it helps with motion sickness? I know she had hers in biscuits, but I was told just a nibble before you start the journey should settle the stomach just as well. I don’t know if it’s true, but it couldn’t hurt, right?” He grinned, reached up, and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. “Farewell, Lady St. Clare,” he said, his voice husky.
He tipped his hat, shut the door, and signaled for the driver to get moving before Evie could even open her mouth to reply.Lady St. Clare. The name rang in her ears. The name she would never be called by, but the one that warned her that she was leaving something important behind.
* * *
Melancholy ate at Evie most of the trip, but the closer she got to Peacehaven, the giddier and more excited she became. She could smell the musk of the sea, could hear the splashing of the waves. Her heart beat louder in her chest with anticipation. She was back home.
Evie was almost hanging out of the carriage window as they neared Peacehaven. The sun shone brightly in the sky, shooting sparks off the mansion’s roof. The sparkling white Georgian facade with Greek columns and angel figures on the walls of the manor made it look like a fairytale palace. Surrounded by colorful, lush gardens and overall greenery, the place really did look like a heavenly garden.
By the time the carriage stopped, Evie’s cheeks had started to hurt; her grin was that wide. As she stepped out of the carriage, her elderly butler greeted her from the steps of the house, bowing deeply. She entered the hall, and more of her old servants lined the space. She whirled around, taking in the walls, the paintings, and the people inside her most favorite place on earth. Tears collected at the corners of her eyes as servants bowed to greet their mistress.
Evie walked around her house most of the day, making certain everything was where it was supposed to be. Just before sundown, she went to her favorite spot, a cliff with a bench overlooking the sea. She sat down and listened to the sounds of birds chirping, waves splashing, and the wind whistling. If she listened intently, she just might hear the footsteps and then the sound of her grandfather’s lovely voice.
“I miss you,” she whispered into the void. “I wish you were here. But I am well now. I’m even married. And no, he doesn’t love me. But you don’t have to worry. He’s a good man.” She smiled to herself.
“He’s an idiot if he doesn’t love you,” a male voice said from behind her, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She turned to regard the caretaker of the estate.
“Mr. Cromwell! What a pleasure to see you. I was going to walk over to your cottage a bit later. I just arrived this afternoon.”
He nodded. “I was doing the rounds when I heard you’d arrived. Thought I’d find you here.”
Evie smiled. “You know me well.”
