Page 101 of Outrageous

Exley continued. “Gabriel and Drusilla put a stop to his plans.” Exley’s gaze became even colder—which Godric wouldn’t have believed possible. “Your cousin’s plans were of a fatal nature.”

Godric squeezed his eyes shut as if that would block out the other man’s words. “Did—is—was anyone hurt?” he finally forced out, unable to look.

“Rowland died in the ensuing struggle, as did one of his cohorts. But Gabriel, Drusilla, the child, and Lord Byer were unharmed.”

That did make him open his eyes. “Byer was there?”

“Yes.”

No wonder the man hated him. Godric had to swallow several times to force down a lump of shame, relief, and fury—at himself. “I was not aware of his plans regarding the child. But I did instigate the matter with Mrs. Marlington, so I am not without blame.”

Exley just stared.

Godric had no idea what either of them would say next when the door opened and Eva stood in the doorway, her magnificent eyes flickering worriedly from her father to Godric as both men stood.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Godric hardly recognized this tame, spiritless version of the woman who’d kidnapped him and brandished weapons at highwaymen. He had to admit he did not care for it.

“Come in and sit, Eva,” Exley said in the same level, dead tone he said everything. He looked at Godric. “I believe we are finished here, are we not, Lord Visel? I’d like to have a private word with my daughter.” It was not a request.

Godric turned to Eva. He could hardly ask if she wished to be left alone with her own father, but he could see that she knew what he was silently asking, and she nodded slightly.

As he looked at her, it occurred to him that this might be the last time he’d see her. The marquess, he knew, would act swiftly once he’d made his decision. Although Godric had believed they were as good as married, he could not stand in Eva’s way if she chose to leave here with her father.

What he hadn’t expected was how such an admission would make him feel: hollow and cold and hopeless.

Chapter 20

Eva’s fear deserted her somewhere between her room and the parlor. For the first time in her life, she was not afraid of the disappointment she would see on her father’s face. But just because she wasn’t afraid didn’t mean that sitting without squirming beneath his icy stare was easy.

As they locked eyes with one another Eva wished, as she’d done a thousand times before, that she understood him—that he would show some part of himself, no matter how tiny, to anyone other than his beloved wife. Only with Mia did Adam de Courtney appear even remotely human. It was as if he had only enough of himself to spare for one person.

He wasn’t cruel to Eva and she knew he cared for her—as he did all his children—but the man himself was forever remote, a hazy promontory in the distance that she would never, ever reach, no matter how hard she strove for it.

Her sisters had stopped trying to know him years ago—around the time when Mia had come into their lives and provided so many of those things they’d been missing: like joy and affection. It wasn’t as if her aunt and grandmother—who’d raised them—hadn’t loved them, but both women had been as emotionally frozen as her father.

When it appeared that her father would be content to stare at her for the next eon, Eva asked the question that burned in her. “Has Mia entered her confinement? Has she—”

“Not yet.”

Although he would never say as much, she knew he was worried about Mia and anxious for her. Her stepmamma was not a young woman, and childbirth was not easy even for women half her age. Shame washed over Eva as she realized she’d taken away the person Mia loved most, her husband, in her time of need.

“Are Gabe and Dru—”

“They are well.”

Eva wanted to ask about Gabe’s son, Samir, but she didn’t know whether her brother had told their parents about the little boy yet, or not.

“Gabriel’s son, Samir, is also fine.”

Eva sagged with relief.

“I would like to talk about you, Eva.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Has Visel treated you well?”