The Knight Who Dared To Love
Chapter 02
❝︎ Chapter 02: An Wanted Arrangement ❞︎
Eva barely had time to shake off her irritation from her encounter with Sir Dominic Lancaster before her mother appeared at her side, smiling far too brightly.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
There you are, darling.
Genevieve Devereux cooed, slipping her arm through Eva’s.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
I’ve been looking for you.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
I was just getting a drink.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Yes, well, there’s someone you simply must meet.
The one that left no room for argument. Eva knew better than to fight it.
So, with a carefully placed smile, she let her mother lead her across the ballroom.
The moment she saw who was waiting, her stomach twisted.
Tall, handsome, and every bit the perfect nobleman.
He had snow white hair neatly styled, piercing striking purple eyes, and an air of effortless charm.
He looked like the kind of man poets wrote about —
Wealthy, intelligent, and above all, untouchable.
Her father, Lord Sebastian Devereux, stood beside him, looking far too pleased
Sebastian James Devereux
Ah, Eva, there you are.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Papa.
Then, with practiced grace, she turned to the Duke.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Your grace.
The Duke gave a charming smile, bowing his head slightly.
Tristan Alexander Sinclair
Lady Evangeline, it is an honor.
Eva returned the smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
The Duke and I were just speaking of you, dearest.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Oh?
Sebastian James Devereux
Yes.
Lord Devereux interjected, his expression one of satisfaction.
Sebastian James Devereux
We were discussing your future.
Something in Eva’s chest tightened.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
My... future?
The Duke met her gaze, his expression unreadable.
Tristan Alexander Sinclair
Your father has generously offered your hand in marriage, Lady Evangeline.
Her heartbeat drummed in her ears, but she kept her face composed.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
My hand?
She repeated, voice low and careful.
Her mother gave her wrist a small squeeze, a silent warning to behave.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
It is a perfect match. A Devereux and a Duke.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Society will talk of nothing else this season.
Eva felt as though the air had been knocked from her lungs.
She had known marriage was expected.
She had even accepted that she would have to entertain suitors.
But she had foolishly believed she would have a choice.
Apparently, she had been wrong.
Of course, they’d already picked a match for her.
The next day, Eva sat stiffly in the drawing room, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes as Lady Genevieve paced in front of her, speaking as if Eva weren’t even there.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
The Duke of Ashbourne is a highly respected man.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
He is wealthy, well-bred, and well-mannered.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
A true gentleman.
Eva exhaled slowly, keeping her expression neutral.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Mama, I do not care how perfect society says he is.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
I do not wish to marry a man I barely know.
Genevieve’s sharp eyes landed on her daughter.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Do you think your father and I knew each other well before our wedding?
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Love grows in time, Eva.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Or it doesn’t?
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
What if he turns out to be a bore?
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Or worse, a man with secrets?
Genevieve sighed in exasperation, rubbing her temples.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Evangeline, you must stop this childish behavior.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
A Devereux and a Duke, it is the match of the season.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Why must I marry for the sake of society?
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Why can I not choose for myself?
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Because that is not how things work for young women of status.
Eva clenched her jaw, biting back a sharp response. Instead, she focused on the patterns drawn on the cushions, trying to steady her frustration.
Lady Genevieve took a seat beside her and softened her tone.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
I only wish the best for you, darling.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
A future of security, a husband who can provide for you—
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
I can provide for myself.
Genevieve sighed once more, but before she could argue, the door swung open.
Alistair walked in, dressed in his riding attire.
He was the image of a man who did not wait for permission.
Alistair Charles Devereux
Mama, forgive me, but I need to borrow Eva.
Eva turned to him, her brows furrowing.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
What? Why?
Alistair Charles Devereux
You’ll see.
Eva had no time to protest before he took her by the arm, pulling her up.
Genevieve Margot Devereux
Alistair, she and I are in the middle of a very important discussion.
Alistair Charles Devereux
It can wait.
Alistair Charles Devereux
Come, Eva, you’ll enjoy this.
Dominic tightened the straps of his leather gloves, ignoring the chatter of the other knights stationed on the estate grounds.
He had spent the morning training with a blade, the only thing that kept him from going mad in this place.
Serving in a noble household was the last thing he wanted.
He belonged on the battlefield, not here, guarding spoiled grown women and men who spent their days worrying about ballroom dances and marriages.
William Hawthorne
You look like you’re about to kill someone.
William Hawthorne
Once again.
Dominic glanced to his side, finding William, his friend and fellow knight, leaning against the wooden fence.
William had trained with him since their early years in the British army, though he was more easygoing than Dominic had ever been.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
I feel like I might.
William Hawthorne
Aw, still pouting over your new post?
Dominic Callum Lancaster
This is a waste of my skills.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
I should be on the battlefield, not standing guard at a ball, watching people dance.
William Hawthorne
You didn’t seem to mind the ball last night.
William Hawthorne
You looked quite… entertained when that young lady poured her drink on you.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
That was a mistake.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
A very clumsy, annoying mistake.
William Hawthorne
A mistake you deserved.
William Hawthorne
You were being your usual charming self, weren’t you?
Dominic Callum Lancaster
I was being honest.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
Which seems to be a crime among nobles.
Before William could reply, voices approached from the pathway.
Dominic turned to see Lord Alistair Devereux walking toward the training grounds, dragging someone behind him.
Dominic immediately recognized her, and his expression hardened.
You have got to be kidding.
The same sharp tongued woman who had drenched him in champagne last night.
She looked equally shocked, her blue eyes narrowing the moment she saw him.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
You!?
Dominic Callum Lancaster
You!?
They both blurted in sync.
William coughed to hide his laugh.
Dominic crossed his arms, glancing over at Alistair.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
What is she doing here?
Eva turned to her brother, bewildered.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Yes, Alistair, what am I doing here?
Alistair sighed, clearly amused by their reaction.
Alistair Charles Devereux
Eva, meet your new personal bodyguard.
Eva blinked. Then she laughed —
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
You’re joking.
Alistair Charles Devereux
Not at all.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
I am not a personal bodyguard.
Alistair Charles Devereux
You are now.
Alistair Charles Devereux
Father insisted on assigning Eva the best protection available.
Eva turned back to Dominic, horror crossing her face.
Evangeline Vivienne Devereux
Surely, there must be someone else.
Dominic Callum Lancaster
I agree.
Alistair rolled his eyes.
Alistair Charles Devereux
Like it or not, father gave the order.
Eva groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Dominic exhaled through his nose, already regretting every choice that led him to this moment.
This was going to be a disaster.
Comments
Pookie writes 🎀
yes...give him to me.. I will keep him in my collection of Daddies 😔
2025-03-02
1
Pookie writes 🎀
actually the truth is..he had secretly sent me a love letter.. asking me to meet him at battlefield...he can't say it out loud since the world can't know about his secret lover ( yes that's me😔)
2025-03-02
1
ɴᴀᴜ 🪐
BYE I THOUGHT HIM GROWLING WHILE SAYING THIS
2025-03-02
3