Chapter 51
For a fleeting moment, Windsor tracked every shifting emotion that played across her features. He couldn’t quite identify them all, but they were far from pleasant. It was telling; she, who usually met his presence with an instinctive smile, had now unconsciously turned her face away.
With a single, frigid look, Windsor brushed past her without a word of greeting.
Jacqueline’s eyes widened. She spun her head around, her gaze anchored to his retreating back. Her pupils shivered, and a slight tremor ran through her slender shoulders. Her lips, which had been quivering just seconds before, were now pressed into a thin, hard line.
Roman looked between the two of them, his expression unreadable. Windsor was radiating a chilling indifference, and as for Jacqueline… well. Unfortunately, Roman’s years in the military had left him ill-equipped to decipher the nuances of a woman’s heart.
“Mr. Knox is waiting in the drawing room,” Roman informed her.
With that, he followed after Windsor. Jacqueline took a quiet, steadying breath and stepped forward, unaware that her hands were clenched into tight fists.
The moment she opened the drawing room door, Evan rose from his seat as if he had been counting the seconds. He remained the consummate gentleman, his courtesy never wavering regardless of the time or setting.
“It has been quite some time, Miss Somerset.”
“It has indeed, Mr. Knox.”
“You are as radiant as ever,” he said warmly. “So bright, in fact, that the summer sun seems dim by comparison.”
There was a brief pause.
The gloom that had clouded Jacqueline’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a mask of polished elegance. She offered a refined nod and took her seat with practiced grace.
“You are too kind, Mr. Knox.”
“Not at all. It appears we have nineteen minutes remaining.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Jacqueline’s eyes rounded in confusion. Evan let out a soft, amused chuckle.
“The rumors must be true—Lord Preston is remarkably dedicated to Master Benjamin’s studies. Twenty-two minutes… no, eighteen now. In any case, he requested that we conclude our business before Benjamin’s afternoon lessons commence.”
A flustered sound escaped Jacqueline’s throat. She shot a quick look at the pendulum clock ticking on the wall. It wasn’t eighteen minutes; there was actually an hour and eighteen minutes until the next lesson. She checked again, certain she hadn’t misread the dial.
There was only one explanation: Windsor had miscalculated the time.
It was an extraordinary slip for a man who prided himself on absolute precision. Yet, Jacqueline was far too discreet to point out her employer’s error to a guest, even if she was still stinging from his cold dismissal in the hallway.
She forced a gentle smile and focused on Evan.
“What was it you wished to discuss, Mr. Knox? I heard you’ve been named as Lord Preston’s counsel for the upcoming case. I must admit, I was surprised to hear you’d taken the matter on…”
Evan began pulling documents from his satchel, his tone casual. “I am deeply indebted to the Dowager Lady Chamberlain. When I was first establishing my publishing house, she opened many doors for me. I’m simply glad for the chance to repay her kindness.”
“But the Royal Legal Corps is your father’s…”
Jacqueline’s voice trailed off, her expression turning somber. Reading the unspoken concern in her eyes, Evan gave her a thoughtful look.
“If I lived in fear of my father’s temper, I never would have started the publishing house to begin with. Miss Somerset, have I ever mentioned my true ambition?” He paused. “Since I was a boy, I’ve dreamed of being a novelist.”
“A novelist?”
The revelation caught her completely off guard. As she stared at him in genuine shock, Evan’s eyes—clear as a summer sky—softened. A sudden, gentle warmth seemed to fill the room. He had always been this way: kind, patient, and considerate. Being near him felt like the comforting glow of a mid-spring afternoon.
“Naturally, I’ve never told my father. To be honest, I’ve never told anyone.”
“I can certainly understand why.”
Thinking of the volatile Earl of Knox, Jacqueline nodded in sympathy. Evan burst into a hearty laugh.
“Ha ha!”
Realizing her bluntness, Jacqueline waved her hand in a flustered apology. “Oh, I didn’t mean any disrespect toward the Earl! It’s just… noble families are often like that, aren’t they? Duty and the family line always take precedence over personal happiness.”
She stopped, a soft “Ah” escaping her lips. Benjamin would be no different. His path was already paved, his fate decided. He would be the next Marquess of Preston.
Benjamin wouldn’t even have the freedom to dream. It was a common burden for children of his station, yet the thought felt particularly heavy because it was Benjamin. It pained her to think of that sweet child trapped on such a rigid, predetermined track.
“My father’s reputation is well-known, so please, speak freely. When I moved out to pursue writing, he disowned me on the spot. He told me he never wanted to see my face again—that the very sight of me was an insult. So, facing him in court won’t change much. What could be more severe than being cast out?”
“I see… that must have been very painful for you.”
After a moment of hesitation, Jacqueline offered a polite, standard word of comfort and bit her lip. Evan checked his pocket watch and slid the papers across the table.
“Fourteen minutes left.”
“What are these?”
Jacqueline looked at the papers, bewildered.
“A contract,” Evan replied simply.
“A contract?”
“Yes—for the book you are going to write. We’ll start with a guide on social etiquette. If the public responds well, we can negotiate sequels later.”
Jacqueline skimmed the pages and reached for a pen. “I just sign here?”
Evan’s brow knit together in concern. He looked at her earnestly, his voice full of protective advice. “Miss Somerset, you really should examine a contract thoroughly before putting pen to paper. Please, ask me anything if you have concerns.”
“But I trust you, Mr. Knox.”
Evan started to speak, then stopped abruptly. He stared at her, seemingly stunned by her simple admission. Realizing how her words might have sounded, Jacqueline hurried to explain.
“I didn’t mean it quite like that! I only meant… since you’re a lawyer, I know you’d draft it properly. And we’re friends—you wouldn’t cheat me. Besides, I don’t have enough money to make swindling me worth your while! And the profit-sharing seems more than fair.”
“Miss Somerset, let me offer a piece of advice—never trust someone blindly just because you know them. Betrayals happen far more often between acquaintances than strangers. However—” He paused, a genuine laugh breaking through. “I understand. I promise I will never betray your trust, Miss Somerset. Not today, and not for the rest of my life.”
Evan held her gaze steadily. There was a flickering heat in his blue eyes that made his meaning clear, giving a heavy, significant weight to the word “lifetime.”
Jacqueline looked away, pretending not to notice the intensity of his stare, and quietly signed the document. Only then did he finally withdraw his gaze.
As he organized the copies, Evan checked his watch one last time.
“Six minutes to go. I should depart now; I wouldn’t want to disrupt your schedule. I look forward to your first draft.”
“Yes, of course.”
Jacqueline rose to walk him out, but her eyes caught on something on the table. There sat a familiar pair of spectacles—the kind worn purely for fashion by a man with perfect vision. She reached out and picked them up, staring at them blankly. To a man like Windsor, glasses were a mere trifle—an unnecessary accessory that could be lost without a second thought.
In that moment, she felt like those glasses. To him, she was just as interchangeable, just as dispensable. Her presence or absence meant nothing to him. That had to be the reason for his sudden coldness.
She bit her lip hard.
“Miss Somerset?”
“Hm…? Oh.”
Realizing Evan was watching her, she shook her head quickly. “It’s nothing.”
They walked together toward the foyer. Just before they reached the door, Evan turned to her.
“Would you be free for a meal sometime soon? I’d love the chance to talk properly, without a ticking clock.”
The sudden invitation caught her off guard. It was the directness of it that made her freeze. She looked away, offering a strained smile, fearing that if she looked into his kind eyes, she might find it impossible to say no.
“I’m not sure. I suspect I’ll be quite occupied for the foreseeable future.”
A flash of hurt crossed Evan’s face, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Like a toy that pops back up no matter how hard it’s pushed, his smile returned.
“That’s understandable. Between the manuscript and your teaching, you’ll have your hands full. I suppose I shall simply have to find more reasons to visit Preston Manor.”
“Mr. Knox…”
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Cutting her off before she could refuse him again, Evan moved to depart. Even his resilience had its limits, and he knew another rejection might take him much longer to recover from. He stopped at the door as if a thought had just struck him.
“One more thing—would you consider being a witness for Lord Preston in the trial? Your testimony as the resident governess would carry immense weight with the judge.”
Jacqueline’s breath hitched. She stared at him, unable to find her voice. Suddenly, her mother’s face rose in her mind. If she stood up for Windsor in court, her mother would view it as the ultimate betrayal—a blow that might spiral her into a depression no medicine could fix.
“I only have you, Jackie. You wouldn’t really turn your back on me, would you?”
Her mother’s sharp, accusing voice echoed in her ears. Her head began to throb, and she turned pale, biting her lip until it hurt. When the silence stretched on, Evan gave a small, understanding nod.
“I see. It is a lot to ask. Please, don’t feel pressured—I will wait for your decision.”
He turned to go.
“Mr. Knox,” Jacqueline said firmly.
Evan turned back, looking curious. Jacqueline clenched her trembling hands. She didn’t notice the strain in her neck as she fought back a wave of rising emotion, forcing the words out.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Knox… but I cannot testify for Lord Preston.”
“…I see.”
Evan looked puzzled. He studied her for a long moment, as if trying to discern if some hidden conflict existed between her and Windsor. But then, he offered a soft, supportive smile—a silent promise that no matter what, he remained on her side.
