Do you care about her… Elias
CHAPTER 18
“Do not think I do not know what you are about.”
The sound of her mother’s frigid tones washed over her like icicles, and her night of adventure was washed away as surely as the cold rain after a warm summer’s day.
“I haven’t the slightest idea what you are talking about,” Eden squared her shoulders for battle, turning to face her mother head-on.
The duchess had been sitting in wait for her. Her diminutive forms deceptive, for there were brigadier generals that would run if faced with her wrath.
The duchess’ laugh was mocking, “Do not play with me, Eden. You are in over your head this time. I forbid you from seeing Phillip Randall. He is a rake and a whoremonger. You are not to have any contact with him.”
Eden felt as if she had been physically wounded, “Mother! You cannot do that: Phillip is my friend.”
“Lord Randall is friend to only himself,” the duchess stood and walked over to her daughter. “You think that I am unkind, that I do not care for you. Eden, you are young, impetuous, and far too innocent to know what kind of a man he is. I can tell that you have a tendre for him. It is in your eyes when you look at him, your voice when you speak to him. But I will not have you dishonor yourself or this family. Do not cross me on this.”
“Or what,” Eden whispered bravely. It was the first time she had ever crossed her mother, or even stood up to her.
The duchess slapped her, the sound reverberating in the long corridor.
Eden stood in shock clutching her smarting cheek, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
“Are we clear?” The duchess asked again.
Eden nodded slowly and then waited to be dismissed like the naughty child that she was.
*****
Phillip knew that something was wrong. He hadn’t heard from or seen Eden in more than three days. What was even more alarming, his sisters and mother had been told that the duchess and Eden were not receiving visitors when they had called upon the ducal home. It was this reason and more that he had found himself pounding on the front door of his old friend, the Baron of Mangrove.
“You do realize that it is half past eight, so what was the emergency?” Elias said, tucking his fine white lawn shirt into his breeches, and not even bothering with a cravat.
“Friends do not mention trivialities such as time in emergencies,” Phillip quipped before glancing down at Elias’ feet. “Did you know you are barefoot?”
“Friends that mean to go back to swiving their wives as soon as possible don’t bother with boots,” Elias reasoned.
Phillip raised a brow before nodding, “Fair enough. Something has happened with Eden, all of the sudden she is missing from every party, event, ball, everything.”
Elias frowned, “Are we speaking of Eden Norfolk, Sophie’s friend?”
Phillip waved his hand frantically, “Don’t act like you do not know: you wrote that letter to mother, bringing her here, which I am still mad as hell about.”
Elias burst out laughing, “Your mother is in town? That is delightful - I shall have to go and pay my regards. I love that woman.”
“Stop pretending you do not know - you brought her here!”
“I really didn’t, but I damn well wish that I had thought of it. Especially after you had brought my mother here, that is bloody brilliant!” Elias continued to laugh.
Phillip was so confused, “But who could have… I do not understand. It was signed by you. Oh, hell. It was your damn wife.”
The light appeared in Elias’ eyes, mirth that could not be contained, “She truly is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I shall have to think of something particularly special as a reward for this one. Tell me, have you been miserable?”
Phillip cursed, “It was hell at first.”
“Lord above, I do love that woman,” Elias sighed.
Phillip’s lips twitched, “You really do disgust me, both of you.”
“We try,” Elias grinned.
“But honestly, it’s been kind of nice to be around mother and my sisters. More like old times, back before, you know…”
Elias sobered up a bit, “Yeah, mate, I know.”
“I just... I am worried about her. Can you ask Sophie if she knows what is going on with Eden?”
Elias looked at him, “Randall, this isn’t like you. Are you thinking of getting married?”
Phillip frowned, “You know that I would never do that.”
Elias stared at his friend, “Then what are you doing with Eden Norfolk?”
Phillip stood there. He had nothing to say, nothing to defend himself. “Will you ask Sophie? I just want to make sure that she has not come to any harm.”
Elias blew out a sigh, “Randall, we have been friends for a long time. I would do just about anything for you. I will tell you this. Eden was here yesterday. She was sad about something, but she was okay. But hear me out, Randall. If you are not looking to marry the girl, stay away from her. You will only hurt her. If you care about her at all, give her a chance to find someone who will marry her.”
Phillip swallowed, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you care about her?”
Phillip nodded.
“Then there is your answer,” Elias said, clapping him on the shoulder, “I am sorry, mate, but you need to let her go.”