Picture of Evangeline

I did not want to leave Milford. This town felt like a safe haven for me even though I have only been here for four days. I had grown attached to the town, the the Milford estate and the people there. Now, sitting here at the crowded market, I contemplated going to London in search of my brother and Ingrid, or to the next town Sara had told me about, although I had totally forgotten the name. Sighing, I fidgeted with hem of the white dress Ella had gifted me. She told me it was her beloved who had given it to her as a gift on her birthday a year ago. She had only worn it once. I was grateful to her for her kindness.

From where I sat, I had a full view of the market place. Traders were moving about doing their business, a mother was scolding her daughter for throwing tantrums, three carriages were packed together waiting for customers and six boys were playing a game of football with rubber slippers. I settled my gaze on the boys, but my mind was lost in thought as to what to do. It had already been two hours since I left Milford, it was mid afternoon now, and I needed to make a decision before night fall else I would be stranded.

My worries worsened when I spotted a familiar face in the crowd at the market. He had on a forest green long-sleeved shirt and white pantaloons. His hair was cut lower than usual but I could recognise him anywhere. He was speaking to a female in a veil and thankfully he had not spotted me yet, as he spoke in what seemed like hushed tone, to the female.

I stood, my heart racing faster than normal in my chest. Quickly, I made my way into one of the stores and pretended to be buying an item, making sure to hide my face from Sir Philip. I was in a way grateful to see him alive. All this while, I thought I had killed a man. Thankfully, he survived the hit.

"Miss, what can I help me with". The store keeper asked impatiently seeing that I was only touching the things without buying them.

"Eerrmmm... I...". I stuttered, looking to him and then at Sir Philip who was now making his way to a carriage near by, leaving the veiled female behind.

The sudden gush of wind blew the veil on the female's head, to reveal her identity. I gasped, feeling my heart sink.

WENDY!!.

I should have known. She had already told me Ira was her cousin. This served to make me more nervous. Had she seen me?. Did she tell Sir Philip where I was?. Was the duke coming for me?. The questions raced in my head causing a shiver to run up my spine. I had completely forgotten about the store keeper.

"Miss, if you are not buying anything, please leave!". The store keeper hissed at me suddenly.

"Yes. Sorry". I said, stepping out of the shop.

I tried to make a dash for a carriage near by undetected by Sir Philip or Wendy but I was unsuccessful. From the corner of my eye, I saw Sir Philip get out of his carriage. He yelled my name but I pretended I could not hear him as I prayed to god to save me. I took the route to my right, deciding against the carriage. He was going to catch me if I took the carriage.

"Evangeline, stop!. You little chit!". Sir Philip screamed.

I hastened my steps and broke into a run. Sir Philip began to chase after me. I did not know where I was going, I was just running, dropping everything I was carrying on the ground and making a dash for it.

"Evangeline, wait!". This voice was different.

Slowing my run, I turned and saw the man who had held the door open at the Milford estate for me. He sat upon a black stallion as he rod towards me. I run to meet him, raising my hands to him so that he would lift me onto the horse.

"Go, please, hurry". I screamed shivering with fear.

"Miss Evangeline what is chasing you?. You look as one who has seen a ghost".

"Perhaps". I rasped. "Now go pleas. I beg of you".

"Sir Sevêren". Sir Philip's voice panted behind us. I stiffened.

The man turned his horse around and faced Sir Philip who looked exhausted from the run.

"Sir Philip, what brings you to Milford?. Does the Earl know of your visit?". The man's voice was laced with anger, like he did not appreciate the presence of the duke's assistant in Milford.

"Unhand the lady please. And I shall be on my way. I assure you I did not come here to cause trouble, only to take what is mine". Sir Philip said arrogantly.

"Please. Do not give me to him, please". I whispered in fright. "I can not go back. You can not".

"How do you know this lady, Philip?. What is your business with her?!". The man inquired from Sir Philip.

"Tis no business of yours what I want with her but since you are curious enough to know, I shall tell you. She belongs to me. She is my mistress but she run away". He lied, grinning devilishly at me.

"He lies!. Please believe me please. I belong to no man". I begged the man again, grabbing hold of his shirt.

"I see". The man nodded.

"Yes. She is a very stubborn one, but I do enjoy her feistiness, if you know what I mean". He wiggled his brows suggestively causing both the man and I to look away. "I have been looking for her for days". He feigned exhaustion. "If you will be so kind as to return her to me, I will be most grateful".

"I am very sorry. I can not go that".

I finally allowed myself to breath, at the man's words. He was not going to hand me over to the brute of a man.

"Meaning?!". Sir Philip seethed. His demeanor changing immediately.

"This lady here refuses to go with you". The man shrugged.

"She has no right to refuse. She is a slave. She belongs to me!".

"There are no slaves in Milford Sir Philip. No woman can be forced against her will. If miss Evangeline refuses to go with you, I can not force her".

"You will unhand her this instant Sir Sevêren, or else!". He raged.

"Or else what?. If you have a problem with the way we govern the people in Milford, you can return to your Master. Leave now Philip. Franklin will not be pleased to hear you are on his land". He began to turn his horse around.

"Give me the girl!". Sir Philip tried to block our path with his body.

"She is Milford property now". The man stated snugly.

"She belongs to me, you twit!. Give it here!". Sir Philip's face had now turned red with fury. He was as red as a ripe tomato.

"The Earl asked me to return her to his estate immediately I find her, and that is exactly what I am going to do. Good day Philip". The man said to him as he kicked the side of his horse and we rode away.

The way Evangeline wrapped her arms around my waist, and placed her head on my back caused me to stiffen suddenly. We had been riding for over an hour back to the Milford estate only because I was taking my time. Her slow breathing indicated that she had fallen asleep. I liked the feel of her warm body pressed against my back. Her legs almost wrapped around mine, the study rhythm of her heart beat against my back as she snuggled closer. I was suddenly aroused.

This bewildered me. I was never one to be suddenly aroused by a woman. It took a lot of effort to get me there which usually consisted of my cock in her mouth. This goddess was doing all that with even doing anything at all. A sudden feel of guilt consumed me. I was lusting after another while I had a beloved. This was not right, especially after all my beloved had gone through for me but I could not understand my sudden attraction to this female.

When I spotted her at the market today, I felt my lungs loose their usefulness. She was indeed beautiful and the white dress compliment her. I recognized the dress immediately I saw it. I had it made specifically for my beloved on her birthday. Back then, I had thought the dress suited her well but now, I think I was mistaken. Evangeline did justice to this dress better than Ella did.

Ella. If Evangeline was wearing her attire then it meant they were friends. I felt even more guilty for lusting after the friend of my beloved. I was so lost in thought that I did not realize we had gotten to Milford Estate until the guards at the gates began to pull the large gate open. I rode my horse into the stables and gently nudged awake. She sat up, quickly releasing her hold around my waist. I suddenly felt cold.

"I am sorry sir, I did not mean to hold you in that manner". She apologized.

"That is find Miss Evangeline, and you can call me Sevêren".

"Please call me Evangeline. Please". She said sweetly to me.

"Evangeline". I repeated her name and I could tell she was smiling even though she was seated behind me on the horse.

Getting off the horse, I helped her down, intentionally holding on to her hand and refusing to let go even though she was safely on her feet

"Thank you for saving me from that brute Sir Sevêren, I am grateful". She said as she tried to pry her hand away.

"I do not mean to be rude but I need to ask". I said, letting go of her hand.

"It is not true. I am not his mistress. I belong to no one". She answered too quickly.

"Clearly something must have transpired between you the two of you, to make you so frightened of him. I admit Philip is as brutal as his master but I can not imagine a man harming such a beautiful maiden as you".

"I do not wish to speak about it". She she murmured.

I huffed. "Sorry. I shall not press you any more. Come, Master Franklin wishes to speak with you". I told her.

"Yes". She nodded and followed me into the house.

I was fast asleep when Sevêren came to wake me inorder to inform me that he had returned with Evangeline. I was grateful he found her and I asked him to make her wait in the drawing room for me.

Yawning, I got out of bed to get dressed but turned to frown at Sevêren when I found him still standing there.

"What is it friend". I asked in a bored tone.

"The duke's assistant. He is here in Milford". Sevêren announced as he shut the door and moved closer to me.

I hissed. "What does he want?!".

Sevêren sighed. "You won't like this. He wanted Evangeline".

"What?". I turned sharply towards him. "What has he got to do with her?". I nearly growled. The thought of Evangeline having anything to do with Philip made my stomach turn.

"He claims she is his misstress but the lass swears it is untrue". Sevêren run a hand through his already disheevled hair.

"Do you believe her?". I asked him.

"I do not know what to think your grace, but from how frightened she was of him, I think she indeed run away from him".

"He must have forced her against her will". I snorted, picking up a shirt to wear.

"I think there is more to this. Philip looked really furious and ready to fight me when I refused to hand Evangeline over to him".

"I am glad you did not". I told his, as I buttoned up my shirt.

"I would not have. The poor girl looked as though she had seen a ghost when I found her. She was running from him!".

"Who knows what that vile man would have done to her if you had not been there". I cringed at that thought of Philip harming Evangeline.

"I wonder what he has already done to her to make her do frightful". Sevêren shirt his eyes briefly, took in a deep breath and opened them, his eyes going completely dark with anger.

At his statement, my mind drifted to Evangeline's earlier display of fear. "Let's go". I told Sevêren. I needed to know the truth. I needed to know if she had lied to be about belonging to no one. If indeed she belonged to no one then why was my uncle's assistant claiming to own her.

*****

I found Evangeline standing by the window in the drawing room when I walked in with Sevêren. She seemed focused on something through the window but I could tell she was lost in thought.

"Miss Evangeline". I cleared my throat and she nearly jumped. "I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you". I apologized.

"Forgive me your grace, I did not hear you come in". Her voice was sad, it broke my heart.

"Tis fine". I told her as I settled in my seat. "Sevêren please fetch me Clara". I said to Sevêren.

"Yes your grace". Sevêren bowed and left.

"Miss Evangeline, about your dismissal-". I began but she cut me off.

"I tried to explain to the lady but she-".

"I understand". I said to her, hushing her words with the raise of my hand. "Do not fret. You may return to work here if you please". I told her.

"Your grace". Mrs Clarkson walked in and bowed.

"Ah yes, Clara, I was just telling Miss Evangeline she can return to her post".

Mrs Clarkson smiled. "It would be wonderful to have her back". She genuinely said.

"Thank you". Evangeline looked do relieved it pleased me.

"Clara, please find an extra uniform for Miss Evangeline. I do not want a repeat of today. If possible, please ensure that all the maids have another uniform to fall on, in case of a misfortune as what happened earlier today". He said.

"Yes your grace". She bowed and turned to Evangeline. "Come Evangeline".

"No Clara. Proceed. I need to speak with Miss Evangeline. And ensure that I am not disturbed".

"Yes your grace". She turned and left, shutting the door behind her.

Sevêren moved to leave too but I stopped him. "Stay Sevêren. I want you here".

"Yes your grace". He nodded and returned to his seat.

"Miss Evangeline, sit please". I gestured.

She timidly moved to settle in a chair opposite mine, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Once we were all seated, I began to speak but Evangeline beat me to it.

"Tis about the Lord Philip is it not?". She said, almost in a whisper.

"Yes miss Evangeline". I answered, leaning back into my seat.

"Evangeline. Please call me Evangeline, your grace". She said.

"Evangeline. I am not a man to possess that which belongs to another. Having said that, I am also not a man to look on and allow a woman to be mistreated".

"I do not understand, your grace". She looked at me for the first time since I entered the drawing room.

"I am going to ask you this once. And I wish you would not lie to me Evangeline. For your sake, not mine". I gave her stern look.

"Alright your grace". She bowed her head.

"Do you belong to Sir Philip?". I held my breath and I saw Sevêren do the same, from the corner of my eye.

"No. I belong to no man your grace". She answered in a low tone

I know I should feel relieved by her answer but I was not. Strangely, I felt rather disappointed.

"Then why does he pursue you and lay claim to you?". I demanded.

"I..". She trailed off.

"Now, Evangeline, think carefully before you answer the question. His grace is a kind man but he goes not take kindly to liars". Sevêren warned. He too seemed to notice that there was more to the story.

"I am willing to help you if you tell me the truth". I said in calmer tone, trying my best to sound nice so that she could trust me.

She nodded, before proceeding to speak again.

"I do not belong to Sir Philip. I belong to...no one. He only asked that I become his mistress but I refused and left Castor. I did not think his obsession for me was this great that he would follow me to Milford". She said in one breath.

"You are a beautiful woman, Evangeline, any man would be smitten by you". Sevêren cooed, his gaze fixed on her as his eyes turned dark with lust.

I frowned at his words. Sevêren's words caught me off guard. I looked at him but he averted his gaze from me, only looking at Evangeline. He had taken a liken to her. I frowned even more. I wanted the lass for myself. There was no way I was going to let him have her.

"Fine!". My voice was louder than I had expected. "I believe you. You may stay here in Milford and I assure you no harm shall come to you as long as you are here".

"Thank you your grace". She smile broadly, standing to her feet.

I nodded and stood too just as Sevêren did.

"Sevêren may we speak in my office?". I almost hissed as I stormed out of the room irritated.