Chapter Eleven
Evan
Evan whistled as he dressed for the day, having already had his bath and broken his fast. Once he finally convinced his body to sleep after the excitement of the previous evening, he allowed himself the luxury to sleep in.
Evan would make Marina his that day. He knew Marina’s resolve to hate him was fading.
She’d agreed to meet with him, which was half the challenge.
He would apologize, grovel at her feet if he must, and convince her she should marry him.
He would spend every day of their marriage proving she could trust him and that he would never cause her harm.
Surely she could understand the stress he had been under.
She had been angry with him, but her passion was the thing he loved most about her.
Parker shaved him and ensured he looked every bit the aristocratic viscount.
Appearing to her well turned out couldn’t hurt in his efforts.
He cut a fine form in his freshly tailored ensemble if he said so himself.
Hopefully Marina would agree. He only had an hour before he was to join her for tea, and likely with her mother in attendance as well.
“Parker, I need two bouquets of flowers prepared for me before I depart. Have the florist use a lot of pinks and reds, if you will.” He could use all the help he could get, so it would be in his favor to win Lady Sidmouth over to his suit.
“Of course, my lord,” Parker replied. “Anything else?”
“That should be all for now. I shall be in my study.”
Once settled at his desk, Evan opened his safe, which held the box that he’d found in the nursery, along with another that included pieces of jewelry that belonged to the family.
Even at their lowest, he couldn’t bring himself to part with the unentailed pieces that had been in his family for years.
He pulled out the jewels and looked through it until a ring caught his eye.
The large stone in the center was a diamond.
Several perfect rubies surrounded the gem, held together by a delicate gold band.
He eyed the piece, smiling at the find. This was the ring he would give to Marina when she accepted him.
A female voice came from the doorway. “What are you doing with that ring?”
He smiled, a sight his mother certainly hadn’t been used to seeing from him for many months. “What does any man do with a woman’s ring, Mother?” he teased, grinning at her. “I’m hoping to slip this on my future wife’s finger.”
She clasped her hands at her chest. “So, you’ve already asked a lady? And she said yes? Oh, this is wonderful, son. Who is she? I wasn’t even aware you were courting anyone.”
“Slow down, Mother. I intend to ask her today,” he said, chuckling.
“Well, who is she?” she pressed.
“Lady Marina Osborne.”
His mother’s visage turned to a frown. “Sidmouth’s daughter?”
He narrowed his eyes. “The very one,” he replied. “What’s wrong, Mother? I am certain you will adore her. She will be the perfect viscountess.”
“It just seems so sudden. Are you sure there isn’t another lady who will catch your eye? We’re not even a month into the season.”
What was his mother about?
“Just a second ago, you were delighted at the notion I might already be engaged,” he said. “Don’t mothers typically beg their sons to take a wife and get to having children? What issue do you have with Lady Marina?”
She shuffled on her feet. “I don’t have any issue with her. I don’t even know the lady. When do you intend to ask her?”
Before he could answer, Parker rushed into the room. “My lord, an urgent missive arrived. It’s from the magistrate.”
Evan took the missive and read it to himself. “Have the carriage readied, Parker.”
Parker nodded and set off to complete the directives.
“I apologize, Mother, but this must wait. I will keep you posted on the plans for my betrothal when I return.”
“Is there news related to your father?” she asked.
“It appears so,” he replied. “But the man has requested that I meet him just outside of Town. Immediately.”
His mother moved closer to the door. “I’d offer to come with you, but I am sure I already know your answer.”
“Thank you, Mother. I appreciate the offer. Let me ascertain the matter, and I will inform you as soon as I learn more. No reason for you to worry yourself.”
She bussed his cheek, then turned on her heel and departed.
Evan glanced at the ring sitting on his desk, releasing an audible sigh.
How would he explain this to Marina? He reached for two pieces of foolscap and penned two notes, one for Marina and one for her mother.
He only hoped she would allow him to see her tomorrow instead.
She would still have another day before her father would promise her to Minto.
He would tell her everything that had occurred, as he was done keeping secrets from her.
Several minutes later, Parker returned to the study. “The carriage is ready, my lord.”
“Please ensure these notes are delivered to Lady Sidmouth and Lady Marina along with the flower bouquets. Have a footman deliver them right away, and we shall be off.”
Parker left with the notes to do as requested, while Evan grabbed his estate ledgers. He picked up the betrothal ring he’d selected for Marina and put it in his pocket. Upon his return, he would explain everything in person and proceed with his plan to win her as his bride.
*
The ride passed without incident other than Evan’s mind constantly wandering to Marina, hoping she wouldn’t refuse to speak to him ever again for not joining her at tea. He did his best to distract himself from knowing Weatherby would call on her, too.
Evan only hoped the man would keep his lips and hands away from Marina. She was his, even if she didn’t realize it yet.
He arrived at the location the man specified. It was an inn several miles out of London.
Once Evan exited the carriage, he entered the inn and noted the man waiting for him at a table near the bar. The magistrate stood to greet him. “My lord. Thank you for making the journey. It is best if no one knows when I speak with you from here on out.”
“I understand you have information about my father, yes?” Evan motioned for the man to sit and took his own seat at the table across from him. “Your message indicated that it was a matter of great urgency.”
“Indeed, I do. It took a while, and we believe we know who may have been involved in your father’s death. It took us a long time, but we finally found someone willing to talk. And there was a man who had bought up all his markers before he was killed.”
“Who? Who bought them?”
The magistrate looked around and then leaned closer, lowering his voice. “The Earl of Minto, my lord. We aren’t certain, but we have found evidence that would suggest it was him.”
Evan opened his mouth to speak and shut it again. He inhaled and found his voice. “Do you have any information on why the man would have wanted my father dead? Besides the markers?”
“My men haven’t been able to determine that yet.
We have to approach the matter with care given the implication of naming the earl as a suspect.
There aren’t many that would speak out against the man given his reputation.
I hoped this information might help you recall something that could help us in the investigation.
Anything at all that you might have seen or heard in the days leading up to late viscount’s death? ”
“Nothing comes to mind. I don’t care for Minto, but few do,” Evan said, massaging his temples. He wasn’t going to tell anyone about his father’s letter or how he’d hidden the funds.
“If you think of anything, please summon me. We mustn’t risk correspondence finding its way into the wrong hands.”
Evan motioned for the woman behind the bar to bring them each an ale. Even though in truth he might prefer something stronger.
It was even more important that he protected Marina from Minto. And he’d break into her house if that was what it took to ensure that she allowed him to speak with her.