Chapter 25 #2
Xenia aimed her gaze heavenward. “As I was saying, Rose’s memories uncovered not just her secrets but also my own.
Her experiences helped me to overcome my insecurities where Ethan was concerned.
She led me to a hiding place when I was being pursued by my enemy.
The travails she endured showed me how to survive my own. ”
“I concur.” Gigi’s raven ringlets bounced with her vigorous nod. “If it weren’t for my dreams of Rose, I might not have trusted my heart. I might not have married Conrad—”
“You would have, duchess,” Godwin said with lazy certainty.
“I might not have married you as quickly as I did. And, if you’ll recall, it was through Rose’s memories that we discovered the caldarium, which in turn aided the revival of Miss Letty’s spa and the village.”
“As a matter of fact, I recall the discovery of the caldarium with great fondness.”
When his sister turned red as an apple, James narrowed his gaze at his brother-in-law. The cove had grown on him. It would be a shame if he had to beat the other to a pulp for debauching his sister before marriage.
“I, too, owe a great debt to the tragic Rosalinda,” Godwin went on. “For through her, I found my own everlasting love.”
Godwin kissed Gigi’s hand with tender devotion.
The females in the room sighed; the males snorted.
“To return to Xenia’s point,” Ethan said. “You believe Evie’s dreams might be useful in some way?”
“I do,” Xenia replied. “They might contain a clue about how to deal with the blackmailer when the time comes. Or they might help with, um, concerns of a personal nature.”
James had to give her credit for her delicate reference to his marital problems. Not long ago, the idea that his family sensed the troubles between him and Evie had felt, well, humiliating.
Now he realized that his pride had gotten in the way.
Evie’s courageous disclosures had inspired him…
and made him realize that it was strength, not weakness, that led one to ask for help when needed.
“On a personal level, Evie’s dreams have already helped,” he said. “I admire her strength more than I can say. There is no one with whom I would rather follow the family tradition.”
Seeing his wife’s stunned pleasure, he did not fight the urge to kiss her.
Her sweetness infused his senses, and for a mad instant, he was tempted to take more.
To try to appease the insatiable appetite she roused in him.
Thankfully, his restraint returned and he ended the kiss a moment later, seeing with satisfaction her flushed cheeks and dreamy-eyed gaze.
“As you were saying?” he inquired of his sister-in-law.
Xenia was doing a rather poor job of hiding her grin. “I wasn’t saying anything.”
“While it’s all well and good that the pair of you are lovey-dovey again, the threat remains,” Ethan said. “We must consider any clues in Evie’s visions that could help us foil her enemy.”
“One of the last visions I had was of Rose hiding her marriage license in the yew tree by the stream.” Gigi sounded meditative.
“After the villain killed Thomas, she knew he would come after her, so she hid the proof of her union. I remember distinctly how she waited there—how she didn’t run when the bounder came for her.
As if she was no longer afraid and wanted him to come. ”
“I know how she felt,” Evie murmured. “This time, I am not running either.”
“Even so, the blackguard must have been tracking her.” Gigi shivered.
“In that same vein, the blackmailer must be monitoring your movements. You received the first demand at Grove Hall, the second one here. He has been following you, Evie, and might have been closer than you realize. You must have a care.”
James wrestled back his fear. It did no good. The only solution was to mitigate the threat: once the villain was captured, Evie would be safe once and for all.
“I will not let anything happen to my wife,” he said firmly.
“The blackmailer has no reason to harm me.” Evie sounded far calmer than he felt. “There is no purpose in damaging the goose that lays the golden eggs. He will want to squeeze as much out of me as he can. His greed will be his downfall, and I think we ought to capitalize upon it.”
“How so?” James asked.
“If he is indeed watching me, then I should dangle a prize that he cannot resist. Something sparkly and lavish.”
He caught on. “The diamond necklace?”
“Yes, but you needn’t worry,” she said quickly. “We will have a copy made so that when the time comes to deliver the payment—”
“I don’t give a damn about the necklace.” He cut her off. “I care about you. About the fact that you are deliberately baiting the bastard.”
“One cannot set a trap without bait.” On that cheery philosophical note, she patted his hand. “Don’t worry, darling, I know you will keep me safe.”
He would bloody well make sure of it.
“Moreover, I am fortunate to have an advantage that Rosalinda did not.”
“What advantage, sunflower?” he asked.
She smiled, dazzling him with that inner brightness that no adversity could dim.
“I am not alone,” she said.