Chapter 42
However, Carius agreed without a word of complaint.
“I’ll have it done. Is that all?”
Hannah smirked and gestured at Evelyn with her chin.
“The town is quite lonely, so send the young lady over sometimes. They say your autumn hunts last quite long. There’s a rumor that looting the Herzen estate during that season is quite profitable. She’ll be bored alone, so send her to me then.”
“With all due respect, I plan to quit hunting. I will grant only your first request.”
Hannah frowned at Carius’s quick response.
“Don’t lock her up in the estate just because she’s a woman. Men are the ones who blame their wives for narrow views after keeping them confined and away from everything.”
Hannah’s attitude was excessively informal.
Only innocent Evelyn was frightened, watching the two nervously. She thought this might not end well, but Carius, surprisingly, nodded.
“I will keep that in mind. But for now, I don’t want her far from my sight. If you want to see her, you are welcome to visit. I can send a carriage anytime.”
Hannah clicked her tongue.
“Duke Herzen, do you think I, Hannaeve Ivy Celsius, need your carriage to visit?”
Carius chuckled.
“I mentioned it just in case. Thank you, Lady.”
Hannah, still seated, beckoned him closer with a finger. Watching this scene, Evelyn’s eyes grew wider, but Carius approached without a word and bowed his head to the elderly woman.
Hannah whispered something in his ear, causing him to chuckle again.
“Of course.”
With the conversation over, Carius kissed Hannah’s hand respectfully.
Evelyn, whose heart was pounding, stepped forward to say goodbye, but Hannah stood up and hugged her tightly, whispering softly.
“If he ever troubles you or makes you cry, come back here. And absolutely no hitting. If he prevents you, write to me. I swear on the honor of Celsius, I will save you.”
Carius, already by the door, gestured impatiently. Evelyn kissed both of Hannah’s cheeks gently.
“Thank you, Hannah. I wished my mother had been like you. Please take care of yourself.”
Hannah smiled and handed her a book.
‘The Art of Hunting.’
It was the book Hannah had told Evelyn to take.
“Show a bit of interest. Maybe show him a tiger.”
Evelyn took the book without a word, her eyes welling up with tears.
She worried a bit about who would read the tiny print in the newspapers to Hannah, but she trusted that Hannah would manage just fine, as she always had.
With a heavy heart, she stepped out of the bookstore. Kevin, the stablehand, who was waiting bowed respectfully.
“Shall we go then?”
7. Again, Herzen
“What did you ride here on?”
The carriage, escorted by cavalrymen at the front and rear, started moving. Evelyn felt uneasy, but Carius, sitting beside her, calmly asked the question.
Evelyn replied with a small smile.
“I rode on a wagon filled with timber. If it hadn’t been for the kind driver, I would have had to walk for days.”
Carius frowned.
She had mentioned walking through the reed forest on her first arrival at Herzen. From Luke to Herzen, it was such a long distance…
Seeing his expression, Evelyn quickly added.
“I suffered from engorged b*****s. I must have been punished…for leaving behind the one who promised to relieve them…”
Carius chuckled.
“I’m trying to restrain myself, so don’t provoke me. I don’t want the stablehand to hear you moaning.”
Evelyn’s cheeks flared red. Carius couldn’t help but plant kisses on each of her cheeks in turn.
Then he whispered softly.
“We have to travel almost the whole day… It’ll be hard if you don’t relieve your b*****s, won’t it?”
Though the milk had nearly dried up, Evelyn closed her eyes tightly and nodded.
She didn’t want to refuse anything if it meant she could feel his touch. Just sitting beside him made her abdomen tingle, and his constant cheek brushes and warm breath made it difficult to endure this moment.
“If it gets hard, let me know.”
Feeling a pang of guilt for deceiving such a caring man, Evelyn pressed her eyes shut even tighter.
“You look tired. You should get some rest.”
No answer came.
Ignoring the rattling of the carriage, he really looked like he was getting some sleep. He rested his cheek awkwardly on her not-so-comfortable shoulder, his dark eyelashes closing deeply.
As she gazed at his closed eyes, he grumbled discontentedly.
“I couldn’t sleep a wink, worried someone might run away again… Stop staring and let me sleep.”
Startled, Evelyn quickly averted her gaze and swallowed dryly.
Carius reached out and grasped her wrist. His tightly shut lips softened into a gentle expression.
Soon, soft, steady breathing filled the carriage. Feeling unexpectedly at ease, Evelyn closed her eyes as well.
The sounds of wheels turning and horses’ hooves clattering accompanied them, while bright sunlight streamed through the small window.
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