Chapter Thirteen
Evan
Evan stopped by White’s to break his fast before he would visit Marina.
With his funds restored and knowing just what a threat Minto would be to her, it would be best if they wed and he took her away for a while.
He touched his pocket, feeling the betrothal ring through the layers of clothing.
Hopefully, he would no longer carry it around after that day because it would sit on Marina’s finger with a promise to be his wife.
They needed to announce their betrothal as soon as possible, if only to make it clear to Minto that she would never marry the ogre.
He noticed a group of gentlemen whispering about something at a nearby table but glanced back at his paper.
The words were a blur on the page, distracted by what he would say to Marina.
Surely, she was ready to forgive him. He hoped she might love him, or at least grow to love him, but if nothing else, he would keep her away from Minto.
“Might I join you?”
Evan looked up and waved Jude to the chair across from him.
Jude looked at his teacup and then back at him. “I thought you might need a stronger drink this morning.”
Evan sipped his tea and laughed. “Whatever do you mean? It’s not even noon.”
“You must not have heard the latest,” Jude said and rubbed a hand over his face.
Evan set his cup down on the table. “Heard what? What has happened?”
Jude took a deep breath and released a puff of air before he spoke. “Marina is betrothed to Minto. It’s all over town this morning.”
Evan struggled to catch his breath and his face paled. “You are not serious.”
“I wish I weren’t,” Jude replied, shaking his head. “Even I might have considered marrying her to save her from that fate, and you know how I feel about marriage.” He signaled to the attendant to bring them drinks.
“She can’t,” he said. “Why would her father allow such a thing? She wouldn’t have said yes.”
Jude shook his head. “I’m not sure what can be done about it now.”
Their drinks arrived, and they both drained the brandy from the glasses. They sat in silence for a few moments. Evan’s thoughts raced, trying to come up with some sort of plan to get Marina out of this. He’d agree to see her married to anyone else other than Minto, if only for her safety.
“I knew there was something between the two of you,” Jude said, nudging Evan’s shoulder. “I flirted with her a couple of times to see if you would notice and confirm my suspicions.”
“I noticed,” he huffed. “But that doesn’t matter. We have to figure a way out of this for her. I shall call on her immediately.”
Once he arrived at the Sidmouth townhouse, he hurled himself from the carriage and charged up to the door. Their butler met him after he knocked, took his card, and left him in the foyer.
The man returned a few moments later. “I am sorry, my lord, but you may not see Lady Marina.”
“What do you mean, I am unable to see her?” he demanded. “She and I are acquainted, and I know she will agree to see me.”
“His lordship has stated that you are not to be allowed admittance.”
Evan clenched his fists. “He can’t do that.”
The butler’s gaze turned haughty. “I believe he can.”
“Marina! Marina!” Evan shouted toward the stairs, hoping she might hear him and know he had arrived.
Two footmen arrived and assisted the butler in shoving him outside, with Evan fighting against them and continuing to call for Marina. They got him outside and closed the door behind them.
He looked up at the windows. If he knew which window was hers, he would climb up to her now, uncaring if anyone saw him do so. What’s the worst that could happen? They’d be forced to wed. Good.
The scandal would be a far better fate than seeing her shackled to Minto. He contemplated climbing to the second-story rooms anyway, hoping luck might be on his side, and find his way to see her.
The front door opened again, and an older version of Marina stepped out. Her mother was still quite beautiful, even for her age. He took a couple of cautious steps back, unsure why she had approached.
“Please, my lord,” she pleaded. “I only have a few moments and I must speak with you.”
“Of course, my lady. I tried to call on your daughter but was told I wasn’t allowed admittance.”
She rolled her eyes. It reminded him so much of Marina, it caused his heart to ache. “My husband.”
Evan nodded. “I wished to speak with Marina, er…Lady Marina.”
She narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on his. “Do you love my daughter?”
He closed his eyes and prepared to answer.
“I do, my lady.” He sighed. “I intended to ask her to marry me today, and speak with your husband about the matter, but I learned of this business with Minto.” His face shifted to a sneer as the man’s name escaped his lips.
“I would do anything to save her from that fate, even if it means that she is lost to me.”
Lady Sidmouth reached for his hand and squeezed it.
“I quite agree. Hers is the last window on the back left side, second story. I will ensure it is unlocked, and you may come tonight. I must go.” She turned and reentered the house before he could thank her.
It was clear where Marina got her formidable nature.
He could tell that Lady Sidmouth was a force in her own right.
Evan returned to his carriage. This would be the single longest day of his life, waiting until he could see Marina.
*
After pacing his study for hours, night finally came. Evan had been too anxious to eat. Scaling a London townhouse worked better on an empty stomach anyway.
He waited until almost midnight to have his carriage readied. With no balls that evening, the streets should be quiet.
Evan left his carriage around the corner from the Sidmouth townhouse and crept through the mews.
A noise caught his attention. A shadow appeared and he ducked into the nearest bush, ignoring the branches biting into his back.
Footsteps broke the silence. A groom emerged, looked around, then stared toward Evan’s hiding spot. Evan held his breath.
The groom returned to the stables. After several minutes, Evan slipped out and moved along the brick wall, avoiding the moonlight.
Once in the garden, he exhaled. He crossed to the terrace and looked up at Marina’s window. Candlelight glowed inside. Good. At least he wouldn’t wake her.
The lattice on the wall would serve. Evan patted the ring in his pocket, then he grabbed hold, and climbed without looking back. Each step tested his weight until he reached the window.
When he reached her window and peeked inside, he saw Marina pacing the room. She had a single candle lit on the table and a fire glowing in her fireplace. With as little noise as possible, he shifted the window open.
“Marina,” he whispered as he climbed into the room.
She shifted a hand to her heart, but her expression remained even. “Finally.”
He dusted off his pants and met her gaze. “So, you knew I was coming then?”
“Mama told me.”
“Did she tell you anything else?” he asked.
Marina shook her head. “Just that you tried to call earlier, and Papa wouldn’t allow it. Not that I give a damn what Papa wants.”
“You can’t marry Minto.”
Even in the low lighting, he could see the disdain in her expression. “Don’t you think I know that? If you hadn’t been an arse last year, perhaps it wouldn’t have gotten this far.”
“Marina, I deserve every ounce of blame for all of this. And you can hate me forever if you wish, but this business with Minto is serious.”
“I don’t need you to explain the situation to me,” she snapped. Then she drew a long breath and continued, “I have no other choice, Evan. I’m going to run away.”
Taking her hand in his, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “We will figure something out. I won’t let you miss out on your future because of that blackguard.”
Marina refused to meet his eye. “How am I supposed to trust you? You spoke so horribly to me in the field that day, and even yesterday, you didn’t call when you said you would. I can only count on myself,” she quavered. “I can’t allow you to hurt me again.”
She wiped a tear from her eye and ten punches to the gut would have hurt him far less.
For the first time, he realized just how much pain he had caused her that day.
She always came off so strong and capable, and he failed to recognize the vulnerability that lived deep within her.
He shattered her trust those many months ago, and he may never earn it again.
He had believed that pushing her away was for the best, that it would give her a better life.
And now he can’t imagine a life without her.
He pulled her to him and nudged her chin upward until she met his eyes.
“I have never been sorrier,” he said, “or regretted my actions more than that day. I should have married you, and none of this would have ever happened. I should have told you that day the truth of how I felt. How in love with you I was and how I thought that I was giving you the chance at a better life. Please forgive me.”
She said nothing and contemplated what he had said. She attempted to pull back, but he held her tighter.
“Marina,” he pleaded. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. You have me, love. You always have.”
He pulled the ring from his pocket and knelt before her.
“Marina Osborne, will you please marry me? And if you don’t wish to marry me, I will help you run away. I will go with you and ensure you are safe if that is what you need. The choice is yours. Whatever it takes to protect you from a life with Minto.”
He remained kneeling before her, awaiting her reply, hoping she would choose to marry him. He loathed the thought of her running and hiding, but if that was what she wanted, he meant what he said.
Marina’s eyes were wide as she said, “I’m not sure how I can promise to marry you when I’m betrothed to Minto, even if I wished to. My father won’t allow it, and Minto won’t delay until I reach my majority.”