Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 258

Elowen only tilted her head slightly and said nothing.

Elspeth let out a long sigh, still caught up in the shock of it. "After today, Sylvia's match with Piers is as good as settled."

Her expression turned complicated. "You didn't see it. Clarisse climbed into a carriage with two men. In broad daylight. Right there on church grounds. It's just..."

She trailed off.

Elowen listened quietly, a mild smile resting on her lips, offering no reply.

Elspeth looked at her calm, obedient face and felt her heart soften. "You probably didn't even understand what you saw. You've never had a scheming bone in your body. Always thinking about other people instead. Just look at today. Yvonne clearly didn't want Sylvia as a daughter-in-law, and you were already thinking of stepping in to help call the whole thing off. You're far too kind for your own good. What are you going to do later in life?"

Elowen smiled. "I'll have you watching out for me."

That single line melted Elspeth at once. She squeezed Elowen's hand. "That's right. I'll look after you. Otherwise people who know how to play their little games will swallow you whole."

They started back the way they had come.

Just before leaving, Elowen paused and glanced back.

Only the last rim of sun still hung above the mountain ridge. The clouds burned deep red, the color spreading across the sky like spilled dye.

For a brief moment, something stirred quietly in her chest.

She thought that if Cassian could see a sunset like this, he might like it.

But the thought vanished almost as quickly as it came, replaced by something far more practical.

No. Better not.

If Cassian were here, she'd be the one paying the price.

Elowen and Elspeth soon caught up with Yvonne, and the three of them headed out together.

In the front courtyard, Anwen was already waiting.

She was past forty, but she carried herself well. There was an ease about her that came from a life where comfort had never needed to be fought for. Her hair was arranged in an elegant formal style. Her complexion looked smooth and carefully maintained.

She had clearly heard that Elowen's party had arrived and had come specifically to greet them.

A warm, practiced smile spread across her face as she greeted each of them in turn. "It's my first time seeing the duchess up close. You're truly lovely. No wonder His Grace dotes on you so much."

Then she turned to Elspeth. "And you look every bit as formidable as ever."

Sleeping soundly? Hardly. She's just exhausted herself in that carriage.

She looked as though she wanted to say more, but Yvonne had no interest in continuing the conversation. She lifted her eyes toward the sky. "It's getting late. The mountain road is harder to travel once it's dark, and we still have to make our way back to the springs. We'll be on our way."

Anwen had no choice but to swallow whatever else she'd meant to say.

They left beneath the deepening evening sky, and before night fully fell, they arrived back at the hot-spring estate on Sunspire Hill.

Each private courtyard had its own channel bringing in spring water and a separate bathing pool.

Elowen's main courtyard held the largest—and most luxurious—pool on the entire estate.

Everything had already been prepared.

Elowen dismissed the attendants, removed her clothes, and slowly slipped into the water.

The warmth wrapped around her at once, drawing a quiet sigh of relief from her lips.

The courtyard was silent except for the gentle ripple of water.

Before long, lulled by the heat, Elowen leaned back against the stone edge of the pool. Comfort settled over her, and her thoughts began to wander.