Chapter 478: A Quiet Admission Between Two Men

Chapter 477: A Quiet Admission Between Two Men

Evander regarded Alistair for a long moment before he spoke.

"I had not the least notion that we stood in opposition for the winning of Her Highness’s heart."

Alistair stared at him.

Then, despite himself, a laugh escaped him. "You cannot possibly utter such a thing with a straight countenance. I make light of a great many matters, Evander, yet I must confess I am in earnest now. Besides, I am the amusing one between us. You ought not to usurp that distinction from me."

Evander gave a quiet chuckle.

"You merely claim the title of the amusing one. I cannot recall a single instance in which you have proved truly diverting."

Alistair sighed more heavily this time and affected an air of thorough injury.

"You know full well that I put a question to you—a rather direct one, if I may be permitted to say so. Rather than evade it, as is your custom with a great many things, you might simply answer me."

Evander raised his arms above his head in an unhurried stretch, as though the inquiry required far less consideration than Alistair seemed determined to bestow upon it.

"If I am to speak with perfect honesty," he said, lowering his arms once more, "I do not believe Her Highness is even aware that five gentlemen who profess themselves friends are all drawn to her."

"But setting that aside," Evander continued, "why are you so unsettled? Do you not consider that you possess a fair chance?"

Alistair did not reply at once. He turned his gaze aside, and there was something in his expression that suggested the question had struck more deeply than he cared to admit.

"And what of yourself?" he asked at last.

Evander gave a soft tut of disapproval.

"That will not serve. I asked the question first. You have no right to turn it upon me."

Alistair sighed again, and this time the sound carried a genuine weariness rather than theatrical exasperation.

"I cannot say," he admitted. "It is only that there are moments when I feel Her Highness is closer to another."

"Lucian?" Evander inquired, tilting his head slightly.

Alistair inclined his head in confirmation.

"When Her Highness saved the little girl, I was the first to reach her. I moved with haste and lifted the child from her arms. Yet I failed to observe that Her Highness herself had sustained injury. Lucian did not." He paused, then added more quietly, "And is there not a certain familiarity between Lucian and Her Highness?"

Evander chuckled lightly.

"I always suspected you were a man of soft heart beneath all your jests—which, I must observe once more, are not in the least amusing."

Alistair opened his mouth to protest, but Evander continued before the words could form.

"Nevertheless, I understand your meaning. Yet is it not possible that you simply fail to perceive what lies before you?"

Alistair frowned.

"What do you mean by that?"

"From all I have observed," Evander said, "Her Highness appears quite at ease in your company, does she not? Before we all went to the capital that night, you took her there yourself, to an inn, where you danced with her among others. You sang with her and even laughed freely with her. Or have you already forgotten that night?"

Alistair regarded him in silence for a considerable time.

At length he said, "That is not information I ever imagined another would possess."

Evander merely watched him with quiet attention.

"Once again," Alistair continued, "I am reminded of how frightening you can be."

"I am not so very frightening."

Alistair’s expression twisted into one of decided distaste.

"Tell that to the grass and to those who do not know you. I have encountered frightening men in my time, and I can state plainly that the most alarming of them, I have met only recently in the course of this competition. One is Lucian. Another is Benedict. And the third—" he pointed directly at Evander—"the third is yourself."

Evander’s lips curved ever so slightly.

"You are rather frightening yourself, you know."

Alistair’s face contorted in even greater disgust.

"I possess no power whatsoever. How could I possibly be considered frightening?"

"The Duke of Highmoor has no power?" Evander asked curiously. "Is that the claim you would have me accept, or is there more to the matter?"

Alistair only chuckled and shook his head, declining to answer.

"You know," he said at last, his gaze fixed upon Evander, "you are still avoiding the question. You have not answered it directly."

"I have already given you an answer," Evander replied.

"You offered a great many words that amounted to no answer at all. I daresay it was more observation than reply."

Evander merely smiled, then stopped walking.

"I must say one thing more before we commence our return to the inn—which, I must add, ought to begin at once, for suspicions will only arise if we linger here for longer."

Alistair raised a brow as he too halted.

"And what is that?"

"Do not abandon hope," Evander told him firmly. "You still possess a chance. You need only remain genuine. And concerning those with whom Her Highness is free, or comfortable, or whatever term you prefer—have you forgotten Benedict? Or Julian?"

Alistair groaned.

"How am I to contend with men so formidable as the rest of you?"

"It is healthy competition," Evander said, his expression remaining perfectly composed. "Competition that shall begin in earnest once Her Highness comes to understand the nature of affection, or at least the intentions of the gentlemen who surround her."

He paused, then added, "I know I am in no position to offer such counsel, yet I wish you good fortune."

Alistair looked at him.

"And what of yourself?"

Evander tilted his head.

"What of me?"

"Would you not feel the least resentment should she not choose you? And would you not experience even the smallest measure of irritation that Her Highness is not so near to you as she appears to the others?"

Evander looked down at his hands and murmured softly,

"I do not even know whether I shall be capable of feeling anything then."

Alistair frowned at the words, but before he could inquire further, Evander had already turned and begun walking back toward the direction of the inn.

"We should return," he said over his shoulder.

Alistair remained standing a moment longer, watching him depart, then sighed and followed. He had further questions he might have put to Evander, yet he knew full well that the man would not furnish the answers he sought, and so he kept his silence.