Chapter One
Evan
Mayfair, London
Evan released a long breath as he looked at his pocket watch and slumped back in his chair.
Viscount Snowdon and his new wife had extended an invitation to him for a dinner party that evening, which would provide a much-needed break from combing through account ledgers.
Mourning his father for what felt like an eternity had left him cooped up, desperate to understand what didn’t make sense.
He spent his mourning period hidden away in the country, avoiding any chance of seeing Marina.
He knew it was only a matter of time before their paths would cross, but he would prolong it as long as possible.
Although a public setting would be preferred given their last encounter.
It was unlikely she was any less likely to aim her pistol at him.
The fire in her eyes months ago in the field still gnawed at his insides. He hadn’t intended to hurt her, but it was what was best for them both. At least, that was what he told himself on the long nights when he questioned his resolve.
She believed him to be cruel, but the real cruelty was how much he didn’t wish to reject her at all that day.
She would never know how he truly did long to marry her before he learned of his family’s woes, not that he felt the same for her now.
Her cold words and hatred of him nagged at his pride.
And his pride was all he had left after his father left him and his mother in such a dire situation.
He checked the papers daily and secretly sighed in relief when her name wasn’t there.
Of course she would have to marry at some point, but he’d rather not know about it.
With any luck, she would marry someone he wasn’t familiar with and she’d spend her time far away from him.
But given that they shared some of the same friend groups, he at least hoped she wouldn’t have the mind to take a liking to one of his friends. That he could not bear.
Glancing back at the ledgers, he still couldn’t explain where the funds had gone. His father had to have made withdrawals, but there was something off about some of the notes in the margins. They weren’t even words, really.
And then there was the mystery around how his father had died. More accurately, he appeared to have been murdered, but none of it made any sense.
In order to raise enough funds to keep the estates running, he had to sell an estate his grandmother had left him.
He closed his eyes, imagining what his life might have been like if he could have married Marina and settled into that estate together.
If he hadn’t been left practically destitute and forced to economize to ensure that his mother and himself could survive.
If his father had not drained their account and then been killed, none of this would have happened and he would have Marina.
But was beyond foolish to torture himself with such a notion. And he was no fool, regardless of what Marina believed. He shook off the thought, and glanced back at his ledgers.
He couldn’t even remember the last time he smiled. Probably not since the last day he’d had Marina in his arms. But the memory of her certainly didn’t bring him any smiles. She was so hateful toward him during their last encounter that it was quite possible he dodged a bullet. A literal bullet.
In these last several months, there had been little to smile about.
His mother seemed to avoid his presence because of his foul mood from staying up too late each evening, going over the ledgers and estate reports.
He searched for any opportunity he could find to generate income.
It was enough to make his eyesight turn blurry.
He’d get a few hours of sleep and get up to do it all again, pitching in everywhere he could by day and then spending all evening in his study.
He took almost every meal on a tray by himself.
He would succeed where his father had failed, and he would ensure their holdings were as grand as they once were.
So far, he secured his funds for a couple of years, and he could ensure that he and his mother had new wardrobes for the season.
Fortunately, he had managed to keep them from needing to rent out their townhouse in Town so they could keep the ton from knowing the state of their troubles.
Since he and his mother were both well-dressed and mingling in society, they would dissuade any talk of their circumstances.
They still had to minimize their spending and there was much work to be done, but in all appearances, they looked the part of the wealthy aristocratic family they had always been.
Glancing at his pocket watch again, he departed his study for his chamber.
Parker had his dinner finery pressed and ready, and a hot bath waited for him.
Once he disrobed and sank into the water, he sighed.
The heat of the bath helped him release his unending tension.
It was becoming far too normal for him. The weight of the world still sat atop his shoulders, as was the burden of many firstborns, or in his case, only born sons.
He would tense right back into his usual place of worry and constant thoughts of his estates as soon as he emerged from the water.
After his bath, Parker took care to ensure Evan looked presentable for the dinner party. He looked quite well, if he thought so himself. It had been so long since he had donned a full kit. He forgot the confidence a finely cut coat could give a man.
Before long, he emerged from his carriage at Viscount Snowdon’s townhouse. Their butler escorted him to the drawing room and announced him to the rest of the party. “Good of you to join us, Evan,” Snowdon said.
“Yes, we are so glad you could come.” His wife, Lady Lydia Snowdon, grinned at him.
He bowed over his hostess’s hand. “It’s so good to see you again, and I am grateful for the invitation. This is my first event out of mourning, so I hope my manners are passable, my lady.”
“We were so sorry to hear about your father,” she said. “This is a casual gathering among friends, so you needn’t be so formal. I hope you will enjoy yourself.”
Evan greeted the other gentlemen present, Sandon, Gordon, Wilton, and Onslow. He knew all of them from their days at Eton and Cambridge.
“My apologies for missing your wedding, Gordon,” Evan said.
Edward, Viscount Gordon, wed his lovely wife Lady Juliana last year. He was certain Marina would have been in attendance at the wedding since the ladies were close friends.
“No apologies needed,” Gordon replied. “You were expected to be in mourning. Very sorry to hear about your father.”
“Thank you.” Glancing at where the ladies in attendance had gathered, the first person he saw was Marina, which caused his breath to catch.
He should have suspected she would be in attendance since she was close friends with Snowdon’s sister, Lady Diana.
Fighting the frown that attempted to mar his face, he forced a smile.
Evan would have to face her sooner or later, and a small audience would be more palatable for her rage.
“Good evening, ladies,” he said, offering them his most charming grin.
He bowed to them and tried to catch Marina’s eye.
She kept her gaze focused on the floor and refused to even glance at him.
Observing the rise and fall of her chest, he deduced that his presence affected her, leaving him uncertain whether the revelation scared or delighted him.
He pushed aside the other thoughts he had from taking notice of her chest.
“Dinner is served,” the Snowdon butler said.
The men sprang to action, claiming a woman’s arm to escort them to the dining room.
Evan extended his arm toward Marina, hoping they might have a quick word, or even rattle her if nothing else.
She glanced at it but slipped her arm through Wilton’s instead.
She smiled at him through her lashes and said, “Matt, I would be delighted if you would escort me this evening.”
Evan tamped down his jealousy from the way she smiled at the man, and on such familiar terms. Matt, the Earl of Wilton, was the most amiable fellow.
Was he courting her? Not that he cared. It wasn’t even jealousy.
His body reacted to her, that was all. It was a reasonable response, given she was the last woman he’d had any kind of intimacy with.
And the woman he had intended to wed and love for the rest of his days… But he certainly wasn’t jealous.
Couldn’t she take up with anyone but their mutual friends? Surely that wasn’t too much to ask.
With no other choice, he looked at Lady Diana and offered her his arm. “Lady Diana?”
She placed her hand on his arm, and he offered her a polite smile. “Are you ready for the season to begin, my lady?”
“Quite,” she replied. “I expect this will be an entertaining season.”
“With beautiful ladies such as you and your friends gracing the ballrooms, it shall be quite entertaining indeed,” he said as he watched Wilton seat Marina and looked for any indication that she had feelings for him.
Not that he cared. Curiosity was all it was. The man took a seat a few chairs down from her and he exhaled. He refused to question his reaction. Everything about the woman vexed him to no end.
Once he seated Lady Diana and sat beside her, he realized Marina was on his other side. He fought the low growl caught in his throat. How would they survive a dinner in such close proximity, and with knives on the table?
“I hope you enjoy the menu tonight, Lord Ockham,” Lydia said. “Cook is quite renowned among our friends.”
“I’m quite looking forward to it, my lady,” he said earnestly.
“I feel honored to be included in this intimate gathering. Since we are all among friends, I hope you will all do me the favor of calling me Evan.” Everyone at the table nodded their approval, other than Marina.
She kept her eyes trained on her glass of wine.
If he didn’t have the eyes of the table on him, he might make a jab about how the two of them were already on a first name basis.
Matt caught the table’s attention with talk of the new Earl of Powis.
The previous earl had died under scandalous circumstances and a distant relative inherited the title.
Once everyone had focused on the conversation, Evan took his opportunity to address Marina.
“I didn’t expect to see you this evening, my lady. ”
“Didn’t expect to or hoped not, my lord?” She took a sip of her wine and continued to avoid his eyes.
He chuckled under his breath. “Can I assume I reside on your list of the most detestable men, then?”
This time, she looked him directly in the eye with a tight smile etched on her face. “Indeed.”
“Can’t say you are high on my list of dinner companions.” He mirrored her tight smile.
Evan focused his attention on Diana instead. “Did you enjoy your time in the country, my lady?”
“Yes, quite,” she replied. “I prefer the country, but I enjoy the company of all my friends at the social events of the season.”
He merely smiled and nodded, unsure what else to say to the lady.
She was beautiful and would make an amazing wife to the man lucky enough to win her.
Her brother would ensure she made a good match.
But given that he had no interest in marriage, particularly to any friend of Marina’s, it left him at a loss for any topic to speak with her about.
Once dinner had finally concluded, freeing him from stilted conversation, he looped his arm with Marina’s as soon as they came to stand. She would appear churlish if she refused him, but she paid him back by gripping his arm much harder than was necessary.
“Are you going to accost me all season, my lord?” she asked. “Surely you are aware I don’t welcome you in my presence.”
“I would hardly consider this accosting you, and to be fair, I didn’t know you would be in attendance tonight.”
She rolled her eyes. “These are my friends.”
“The women, certainly,” he countered, “but I am friends with the gentlemen. Although I suppose you seemed friendly with Matt.” His jaw hurt from how hard he clenched it.
She gripped his arm even tighter. “Who I am friendly with is none of your concern. Matt is quite handsome, though. And kind and honorable. Not that you would know of such things. I could see why you would feel threatened.”
“This conversation isn’t over,” he growled. “None of the gentlemen in my set are for you.”
“Oh, I think it is.” She released his arm and moved toward the ladies.
Evan watched her smile at Matt and clenched his fists at his side.
Not that he took any issue with Matt. He was indeed kind and honorable, as Marina said.
But he wouldn’t stand by and watch his friend warm to her.
Not that the man had any idea of what had occurred between them. None of them did and they never would.
Jude, Marquess of Sandon, caught her attention and whispered something to her.
A pang of jealousy, although he wasn’t sure he wished to call it that, coursed through Evan’s body as he witnessed the proximity of the man’s lips to Marina’s ear.
Whatever it was, she laughed without a care in the world and touched her hand to his arm.
Jude was his friend, but also the most notorious rake of the ton and Marina was acting all too familiar.
Jude glanced in Evan’s direction, and nodded to him. He resumed his conversation with Marina and Evan brooded over the way the man held her attention. He willed her to look at him so he could get her attention, if only to separate her from Jude.
He would not allow her to be taken in by Jude. Or even Matt.
Evan would crack a tooth if he clenched his jaw any tighter. Their conversation certainly was not over. He would see to it.