Awakening Love Reborn to Be His Duchess (Elowen Hale) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85 New Encounters

Now, Duskmoor Manor offered silks and delicacies, but she wanted none of it.

“Hey, you over there!”

A man’s voice, clear and righteous, startled her.

33

Fire her

She looked up to see a handsome young man staring warily at the two guards beside her. “Are these men bothering you?”

Sylvia blinked, hastily wiping her tears with her sleeve. “No… they’re protecting me…”

The young man looked skeptical. “Truly?”

Sylvia explained, “I’m from Duskmoor Manor. I’m Sylvia Ashcroft. They… were left here by the Duke of Duskmoor.”

The man, Piers, seemed to believe her, but the mention of “Duke of Duskmoor” made him frown.

He was the son of the Duke of Falconcrest and had been raised to be bold and unrestrained.

Only once had he suffered a severe setback, and it had been at the hands of the Duke of Duskmoor. He’d held a grudge ever since.

Sylvia managed a small smile. “Thank you, sir. May I know your name? My father taught me always to repay kindness.”

Piers didn’t want Cassian to know of his presence here. He fabricated quickly, “I’m Peres. My family is in trade. Modest means, not notable in Vanelle.”

He turned to leave.

“Wait, sir!” Sylvia called after him.

He glanced back. “Yes?”

She pointed to the hem of his tunic. “Your garment is torn.”

Piers looked down. Indeed, a small rip marred the fine fabric, probably snagged on a branch during his walk. “It’s nothing. I’ll change when I return.”

“But this is fine material,” Sylvia said softly. “A patch will fix it. No need to swap the whole thing.”

She met his gaze. “Would you allow me… to mend it for you?”

1/4

10:49 Fri, May 8

Chapter 85 New Encounters

:

F

• )

33

“You?”

Piers looked at her properly. Her eyes, still slightly red–rimmed from crying, seemed to hold a galaxy of stars.

A strange pull tugged at him. He found himself nodding. “Alright…”

Back in the ground–floor room, Cassian and Elowen resumed their meal.

When a fish dish was served, Cassian carefully placed a piece of the tender, white flesh on her plate.

He studied her face, his brow furrowing slightly. “You look pale. Is the food not to your liking?”

The manager, standing nearby, broke into a cold sweat, terrified she would say “yes” and the Duke would have his tavern razed.

Elowen shook her head.

“Is the wine not good?” Cassian tried again.

The manager trembled, fearing the same catastrophic “yes.”

Fortunately, Elowen shook her head once more. “It’s just a little hot in here.”

Cassian made a soft sound of acknowledgment, then looked at the manager.

Before he could speak, the manager dropped to his knees with a thud. “I beg your pardon, Your Grace! Please don’t raze my establishment!”

“Who said anything about razing it?” he asked, bemused.

The manager blinked. “Oh…”

“Fetch some ice,” Cassian ordered.

The manager scrambled up, relieved, and hurried to comply.

Elowen’s preoccupation wasn’t due to the heat, but to the future.

What would happen when Cassian’s true love appeared, or when he grew tired of her?

She decided worrying was futile.

As long as she kept her head and guarded her heart, she wouldn’t be hurt.

2/4

10:49 Fri, May 8

Chapter 85 New Encounters

She would prepare a path for herself, so even if they parted, she wouldn’t fare poorly.

Soon, two large basins of ice were brought in, cooling the room instantly.

“Better?” Cassian asked.

Elowen curved her eyes into a smile and nodded. “Much better. Thank you, my lord.”

Cassian felt her smile lacked its usual warmth. He studied her for a moment longer, but before he could inquire further, Bran entered.

“Your Grace, the Garrett girl has fainted.”

Cassian’s tone was indifferent. “Did you try water?”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify