Chapter Sixteen
Evan
Evan’s body tensed. Normally, he should have no reason to feel nervous in the presence of a young man just out of school, who hadn’t even attended university yet.
But in his case, this young man stood between him and his future with the love of his life.
He stepped back from Marina as a show of respect for her brother.
“I would like to speak with you, my lord.”
“Would you like to speak with me in my father’s study?” Arthur looked at his sister. “Of course you may join us. I know better than to exclude you.”
“I think Evan can handle things on his own.” She winked at her betrothed.
Evan’s eyes widened. “Does having my ring on your finger afford me the luxury of compliments? If so, I should have started there.”
She smirked at him. “I believe you only have yourself to blame for that, my lord.”
“I am wounded. I should learn to dodge your barbs.”
Marina shrugged but smiled over her shoulder before she shifted her attention to Arthur. “I shall check on Mama.” She patted her brother’s arm before departing.
Arthur motioned for Evan to follow him. Once they were in the study, they each took their seats. Arthur looked around the desk and noticed the decanter. “I think we’ve earned a drink after the events of the day. What say you?”
Evan nodded. “I quite agree. We haven’t been introduced to each other, my lord. I’m Viscount Ockham. Evan.”
He thought he saw a questioning look in the man’s eyes, but it quickly disappeared. Her brother extended his hand. “Arthur, the new Earl of Sidmouth.”
“I’m really sorry for the loss of your father,” Evan said. He sat back in the leather chair while Arthur poured them each a glass of brandy. He handed Evan one of the glasses.
“Thank you. He used to be a much more reasonable man before he got caught up with Minto,” Arthur said, a frown forming on his face as he stared at the painting above the fireplace.
“Are you all right?” Evan asked.
Releasing a deep exhale, he shifted his focus to Evan. “I never expected to be the earl so soon. This still feels like my father’s study to me.”
“It has been a shocking day.” Evan could relate more than the young man knew.
“Indeed.” Arthur took a swig of his drink. “But you wished to speak with me about something. I assume this is regarding my sister.”
Evan couldn’t stop his grin. “Your assumption is correct, my lord. I wish to marry her.” Evan paused and took a fortifying breath. “I know this isn’t the best timing and the family will be in mourning, but I must marry Marina right away.”
Evan released his breath. Surely, the man wouldn’t stop his sister from marrying.
To Arthur’s credit, he did not try to intimidate him. “If my sister accepted your offer, I would as well. I think it is wise for you to marry as soon as you can.”
“We felt the same,” Evan said. “I will take her to the country, or perhaps to the continent, for an extended honeymoon. It will be best if we stay out of society for a while.”
“I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I’m not sure what I need to do.” Arthur frowned and took another gulp of his drink, draining the contents.
The man was more mature and levelheaded than Evan was when he inherited, and he was far younger. He wasn’t afraid to admit where he needed help or accept it from others.
“Well,” Evan said, “seeing as how we’re about to be brothers and I want nothing more than to marry your sister, I would be happy to help. I had no siblings, so it’ll be nice to have a brother.”
Arthur held out his hand to Evan. “Welcome to the family then, brother.”
Finally, Evan believed things would fall into place.
“You will need to contact your solicitor as soon as possible to have the marriage settlements drawn up,” he said.
“I will also make mine aware so we can expedite the matter. Ensure your sister retains control of her dowry. I needn’t be paid to marry her.
I will ensure she is well provided for.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“I will procure the special license tomorrow, which will enable us to marry where and when we choose. Perhaps the day after tomorrow?”
Arthur laughed. “You weren’t kidding about hastening the wedding to wed my sister.”
“Not in the slightest.” A smirk played on his lips until Evan noted the other man’s expression changed. “Is something wrong?”
“We should discuss another matter involving our parents,” Arthur said solemnly.
Evan tilted his head to the side. “I’m confused. What are you referring to?”
“I’m not sure how to say this,” Arthur began, shifting in his seat. “My father was mumbling something about an affair with Lady Ockham before he left the house today. I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but then he rushed out. And, well, you know the rest.”
Shock rippled through Evan. His mother had an affair with the previous Earl of Sidmouth? “Are you sure you didn’t mishear him?”
“I am certain it is what he said. I’m not sure it matters now, but I didn’t want to keep it from you.”
Evan shook his head in disbelief. He knew his parents didn’t have the most loving marriage, but he did not know his mother had taken up with another man, let alone the father of the woman he loved. As if any of them needed another potential scandal to deal with.
“I appreciate the information,” Evan said and downed the rest of his drink. “I should take my leave, though. I will begin the arrangements. Thank you for everything, my lord.”
“Arthur, please. Marina and Mother will never use such formalities with me, so there is no need for you to do so.”
“Agreed, Arthur. Then you must call me Evan. No doubt the women in our lives are going to keep us on our toes.”
Arthur laughed. “That is an understatement.”
“I shall speak to my mother and ensure there will be no issues as our families come together. Nothing is more important to me than Marina’s happiness.”
“I wish you luck in that endeavor.” Arthur smirked.
Both men stood, and Evan patted him on the back. “I’ll call on Marina tomorrow after I have procured the special license.”
Evan left and once he was in the street, he pushed aside the frustration he held for his mother. Soon he would be married to Marina, and there would be nothing that could tear them apart.
As a carriage trundled past him, he noticed the Minto family crest emblazoned on its side.
Turning his gaze, he observed the carriage coming to a halt in front of Marina’s home.
The sight filled him with an overwhelming desire to confront the man within, but he resisted.
He knew engaging him would only fan the flames of his resolve to marry Marina or do her harm now that Evan was aware the man may be capable of murder.
He kept watching the house from a distance to ensure that Minto wasn’t admitted, as Arthur had directed. If he didn’t leave in a few moments, Evan knew he would have no choice but to return and ensure Marina’s safety.
“You will tell the boy I will see him now.”
Evan heard Minto’s booming voice from his spot several townhouses down.
“This is unacceptable. Tell him I will be here in the morning and that he better see me,” Minto boomed again.
Thankfully, the man climbed back into his carriage and pulled away. Evan smiled to himself. Minto could do nothing about him marrying Marina. He turned and continued toward his own townhouse, whistling the whole way.
Once he arrived, he found his mother sitting in the drawing room. He watched her for a few moments as she worked on a section of needlepoint. How could it be true she had been sneaking off with Marina’s father?
He cleared his throat and remained near the doorway. “Afternoon, Mother.”
“Evan, where have you been? I returned from shopping, and you were gone. The servants spoke of some carriage accident nearby.”
“Did you hear who was involved in the accident?” he asked.
“No, not yet. I’m sure we’ll hear soon.”
So, his mother wasn’t aware her presumed lover was in the accident.
“It was the Earl of Sidmouth.” Evan paused and watched the color drain from his mother’s face. “And Viscount Gordon.”
His mother raised her hand to cover her mouth. “Are you certain?”
“Quite. I was at the family’s townhouse when the magistrate informed them.”
Tears streamed down his mother’s cheeks, and he gave her a few moments of privacy while he poured himself a drink from the sideboard. It was seeming even more likely that the information Arthur shared with him was true.
She dried her eyes. “Why were you there?”
Evan groaned. “Didn’t I tell you before you left that I intend to marry Lady Marina? Surely you haven’t forgotten?”
She narrowed her eyes on her son. “Of course not. But it’s all over town that she is engaged to Lord Minto.”
“Well, I believe everyone in town is mistaken, since my ring sits on Marina’s finger.”
Evan smiled, satisfied with himself in dealing that bit of news. He studied his mother, awaiting her reaction.
The silence hung between them. His mother’s eyes glassed over, and she wiped her cheeks, staring at her lap.
“Are you overcome with joy over my betrothal, or are you bereft at the loss of your lover, Mother?”
He knew he shouldn’t have been so harsh with her and regretted his tone the moment the words left his lips.
She stilled and jerked her head toward him. “What? Why would you suggest such a thing?”
“Are you going to deny it?” he asked.
“I am a grown woman and your mother. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
Evan leaned forward in his chair. “You didn’t think you should mention it to me once you learned I planned to wed the man’s daughter?”
“There is no chance he is your father.” She wrung her hands in her lap.
“I wasn’t worried about that. I am a spitting image of Father.”
He watched his mother, and a thought came to him. “Mother, did you tell your lover that I planned to propose to Marina?”
“Why does that matter?” she asked.
He ran his hand down his face. “Just answer the question, Mother.”
“Fine. I told him. I thought he would want to know.”