Chapter 21
Chapter
Twenty-One
T he following morning Ezra arrived at the ducal residence and went over the marriage contracts with Ravensmere. The terms were straightforward, and he was surprised that Evangeline came with more of a dowry than he had believed.
"There is just one other thing that you need to be aware of before I have the contracts written up to be signed."
"And what is that?" Ezra asked. Not entirely put at ease by the duke's somber tone.
"The Ravensmere daughters have three illegitimate sisters living in London. The late duke had them with his long-term mistress, and well, I think you ought to know of them before we proceed, even though the marriage between you and Lady Evangeline must go ahead after what happened after the picnic…" The duke cleared his throat.
Ezra raised his brows, having not heard of the extended family attached to the Ravensmere name, but then he’d been a long time away from society. "Lady Evangeline has never mentioned them. Does she know they exist?"
"No, she does not. And we have an agreement since the duchess’s Season last year that they would not cause any trouble for the duke’s legitimate daughters. Not that I think that they would, in any case. They seem well-rounded and kind women, even if they’re born on the wrong side of the cloth."
"I shall not mention it to Lady Evangeline, but I do believe she ought to be told. I’m assuming the duchess knows of them?"
"She does, and she wishes to meet them, but I do not think that would be such a good idea. The Ravensmere women have giving hearts, and it would be only a matter of time should the duchess meet with her half sisters before she would move them all in here and demand that I too host them a Season each as well."
Ezra chuckled, and yet, he could understand that the duchess wished to meet her siblings. They shared a father, and obviously the duchess did not blame the girls for being birthed by the duke’s lover. But kind or not, scandal traveled fast in London. And if someone was already watching him and now Evangeline, this knowledge—if leaked—could become a weapon.
The sound of Evangeline’s voice floated into the library and everything within Ezra stilled. A hunger, that had not doused itself—not even after a good night’s sleep—stirred, and he knew he had to see her before he made his way home.
"There is something that you are also in need of knowing, Your Grace." Ezra sat back in his chair and hoped what he was about to divulge did not upset Evangeline. He had not asked her permission to share, but in this case the duke needed to know, especially since it involved their family. Although he’d hoped he’d never have his past bleed into his new life, that promise meant little when the past came knocking with threats and shadows.
"Last evening, Lady Evangeline was warned by an unknown guest at the masque. The man told her to keep away from me or she or her sisters could be harmed. I have a notion that this is somehow connected to my time abroad working for the Foreign Office, and that they have found me here in London. It was one of the reasons why I did not wish to marry, for I did not want to put anyone in danger. But with my hands tied in that regard?—"
Not that he was regretting being betrothed to Evangeline. Not after last night. There was much to look forward to. "But with the threat toward Lady Evangeline’s sisters, who include the duchess, I thought you ought to know."
"The blaggard," the duke bellowed. "Who was it? Do we have any idea?"
"None. He wore a masque and pretended to be enamoured of Lady Evangeline for a time. I was hoping that I may speak to her before I leave and possibly get more information from her?"
"Of course. And I shall ensure my burliest footmen accompany the ladies wherever they go and increase security at the ducal estate here in Mayfair and in the country."
"I think that would be wise." Ezra paused. "I’m sorry that my past employment has caused these troubles for you and your family. I did not intend this to be an issue, and I thought I had time to ensure my cover was not blown, but it seems that whoever it is that’s threatening Lady Evangeline knows who I am and is out to get to me through her."
"You should not be in this position and I’m sorry this is happening. Are you going to inform the government of this threat?"
"I already have, and they have men on the case, but still, I’m wary, which is to be expected." A racing carriage through Grosvenor Square had him glancing up briefly to the window, his heart stalling, until it passed. He was too on edge. Too much at stake.
Footsteps sounded and a light knock followed on the library door before the duchess poked her head into the room. "I’m off for the luncheon at Lady Kenworthy’s home. Evangeline is upstairs in the drawing room. She did not feel like attending after all." The duchess spied him and smiled. "Good morning, Lord St. George. How lovely to see you again."
"Good morning, Your Grace," he said.
"I shall accompany you," the duke said, standing. "I trust you can find the drawing room, St. George, and behave yourself while you discuss the matters at hand with Lady Evangeline."
"Of course," he said, even though a part of him fought to control the unhelpful, lustful thoughts that accompanied his mind whenever he thought of Evangeline.
After last night, touching her and bringing her to release, well, he ached to do that again.
And more.
Ezra followed the duke and duchess into the foyer and then proceeded upstairs. He walked along the corridor, trying to remember the way to the private parlor that he’d not been in for many years. Not since before he had left for the Continent.
He found the parlor and for a moment watched Lady Evangeline, who sat near a window, looking out over the square, her face serene, a small, wistful smile on her lips.
She was so beautiful and reminded him of the last time he’d seen Luisa admiring her family’s garden before he’d escorted her out for a carriage ride that ended her life. Panic assailed him. He would not allow the past to repeat itself.
Not again.
He knocked and she jumped at his intrusion. "May I come in?" he asked, pushing the door wide so she could see who was there.
Her face lit up and she gestured for him to enter. "Of course." She stood. "I did not think I would see you again so soon."
"Was that who you were looking out for on the street?" he teased, closing the door behind him and already regretting his promise to the duke to behave.
Her cheeks turned a pretty pink and he went to her, needing to have her close. The emotions that tumbled about inside him were as unexpected as they were unwelcome. He had not expected to feel as attached to anyone—nevertheless a woman whom he was now betrothed. It left him feeling nervous, and even more so since there was a threat that he knew of but could not dispense with.
Not yet at least.
"No, of course not." She chuckled and sat again on the window ledge. "I suppose I’m a little paranoid. With the gentleman last night knowing who I was, I thought to watch the house today and see if I spied anyone suspicious lurking about in the bushes or behind the trees in the park, but so far I’ve only seen a nanny be chased by her charge and a bird mess on a gentleman’s shoulder, much to his displeasure. Although I cannot shake the feeling that I am being watched." She shrugged. “You probably think I’m being foolish, do you not?”
“Not at all,” he disagreed, hoping her intuition wasn’t right. "It is not a bad idea to keep watch, but the duke is increasing security here, and you ought to let others keep guard. Go on about your day and your Season and forget this madness. You do not need to have the concern on your shoulders."
She turned to look at him and an overwhelming urge to hold her came over him. He would not let anything happen to her. He would not lose another woman to anyone seeking revenge upon him merely because of what his job entailed.
"I do not want my sisters to be injured, and while I know we must marry, I feel as though I’m taunting the gentleman now to do something—to act out—because I have not heeded his words." She paused, her voice softer. "And what if something happens? What if marrying you puts them all at risk? How would I live with that?"
"He would not dare touch one hair on your head, nor your siblings. The duke and I will keep you all safe. I promise." He inwardly swore that this time it would be different. This time he would keep his promise and not cause any more heartache for anyone.
Without thought, he reached out and slipped a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. It was a pretty golden, sun-kissed color that he couldn’t wait to see down about her shoulders.
She watched him, a small knowing grin lifting her lips. "Why are you here alone with me again? Does the duke know you’re up here with me?"
"He does, and he gave me permission to come talk to you about last evening with the stranger, but I no longer want to discuss the fiend. We should not let him ruin the small amount of time that we have together."
"The duchess is out for lunch, but the duke is downstairs. I do not think we ought to do anything but talk."
"The duke went to lunch also."
"Oh…" Her attention dipped to his lips and hunger knotted in his stomach.
Damn, where was his control? His honor to his friend that he would keep his hands to himself?
He did not want to be restrained by either right at this moment—and something told him that Evangeline knew that very fact as well.