Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
L ater that afternoon Evangeline bathed and prepared for the evening’s ball to be held at Lord and Lady Abernathy’s home, just across the square from where they lived.
Her body was still thrumming from her afternoon with Ezra. She sat at her dressing table and picked up her brush, running it through her hair while she waited for her maid. Her mind was lost to the memory of what they’d done. The fiery passion. The undeniable need that came over her and would not be sated until he gave her what she craved.
Him.
The idea of being married to such a passionate man was one she had hoped for but had not pinned all her hopes upon. But to feel as she did when around her future husband…there was hope that their union may turn into love.
A shame that beneath that hope, a chill lingered—a reminder of the masked stranger’s threat. A warning she could not simply forget, no matter how Ezra made her feel.
A knock sounded on her door and her maid entered, carrying her dark-pink silk and tulle gown for the evening, along with her sister, who strode in after her.
"Ah good, you’ve bathed. I had hoped to speak with you before we head down for dinner."
"Of course." Evangeline turned to face her sister, who went and sat before the unlit hearth.
"May you leave us, please, Clare? Evangeline will ring when you’re needed again."
"Of course, Your Grace." Her maid dipped into a curtsy and left the room.
"What is wrong?" Evangeline asked, her heart skipping at the seriousness of Rosalind’s tone. She hoped that the duke and duchess had not heard of her interlude with the earl that afternoon. She had not thought any of the staff were loitering about, but one never knew in these grand houses.
"It has come to our attention that the stranger who accosted you at the Wilcox masque ball could possibly be as dangerous as he threatened. Therefore, on any excursions—shopping, walks, or rides in the park—you will be accompanied by Henry and Charles, two of our burliest footmen who have agreed to protect us should we need it. Also, the duke has sent word to the estate to increase staff and security until we return at the end of the Season."
"I think that is wise." She frowned at the idea of being harmed due to a situation that had nothing to do with any of them. "Do you truly think the man seeks revenge so desperately that he would injure innocent people? We have not done anything to him." Her voice faltered, remembering the glint in the stranger’s eyes. The certainty in his threat. This was more than idle vengeance. There was purpose behind his cruelty. A message meant for Ezra.
But what had Ezra done to deserve such treatment? She could not fathom such hate.
"I think when people are hurt and unable to forgive, then yes, they’re capable of anything. We must be on our guard."
Evangeline nodded. "I shall ensure I do not place myself at any risk, but I’m sure Lord St. George shall look after me."
Her sister grinned. "I’m certain he shall." She paused. "How did your visit with him go this afternoon? My lady’s maid mentioned he stayed for quite some time…"
Heat kissed Evangeline’s cheeks, and she stood, moving over to her bedside table and readjusting the books that were stacked there. "We spoke of many things," she said, remembering her face buried in the cushions as he took her with a savagery that made her ache deliciously. "We discussed the wedding and important things like that."
"You’re lying to me. I can tell."
Evangeline heard her sister’s footsteps but could not turn to face her. If she did, Rosalind would know the truth, and she did not need to be scolded for being so reckless.
Not when she had so little control where Ezra was concerned. Not when the world outside their embrace seemed far more frightening than the consequences of giving in.
"Evangeline, look at me," Rosalind demanded, and without waiting for her to reply, clasped her shoulders and turned her about. Her sister took in her features, before her lips thinned into a displeased line. "You did more than kiss the earl. I can see it written all over your guilty face."
"I did not mean for anything to happen. It just kind of did." Evangeline promised she would stop lying to her family. She had instigated everything that had happened in the parlor, teased Ezra until he dared not refuse her. She was a wanton and ought to be scolded.
"Did you sleep with him? He promised the duke he would not touch you."
"Please do not say anything." Evangeline reached for Rosalind. "It may ruin their friendship, and we’re to be married anyway. It does not matter now. All will be well."
Even as the words left her lips, she wondered if that were true. What if the threat lurking in the shadows succeeded in driving a wedge between her and Ezra—or worse?
"And what happens if something awful happens to St. George and you’re unable to marry, but you find out you’re expecting? You’ll be ruined, along with our sisters at home."
The idea stole her breath. Not just her reputation, but the reputations of her sisters. They’d be condemned alongside her—all because of her heart. "Do not scold me, Rosalind. I know you were no saint in London with the duke before you married him,” she said in an attempt to make herself feel better. “I said I’m sorry, and I am, but I cannot change how I feel about my betrothed. I think… I think that I’m falling in love with him, and so to deny myself anything when it comes to him feels wrong and I simply cannot do it. I’m not strong enough."
Rosalind sighed and slumped onto the bed. "That I unfortunately do understand. But do be careful. Until you say those vows, you are putting yourself at risk and I do not want to see you hurt—or our sisters."
"I do not know if I can deny myself anything when it comes to St. George. I’m not myself when I’m around him. He makes me feel things I did not know were possible. I think I’m a little fanatical, Rosalind."
Her sister laughed, shaking her head. "Do not give him so much power over you, Evangeline, even if you continue to feel all of those things. He does not need to know how much he consumes your thoughts."
Her sister was right. She would try to keep her obsession with her future husband more to herself than anyone else. "I will. I promise." She paused. "And I shall take care when at balls and parties, make sure I’m never alone and at risk of the man who dislikes St. George so much."
"I do wonder what happened in Lord St. George’s life that makes him have such an enemy. I’ve tried to get the information from the duke, but he will not say a word. I know he knows—well, I’m certain he does—but he continues to say that some loss occurred that the earl blames himself for, but nothing else. Maybe he does not know either."
"That is all Ezra has told me also. And maybe we shall never know." But a growing part of her wanted to. Needed to. If she was going to marry Ezra, she had to understand the danger they were walking into. Because it wasn’t just his life on the line anymore.
"Hmm." Rosalind stood. "Well, we best get ready for dinner and the ball this evening. I shall see you in an hour downstairs."
"I shall see you then." After ringing for her maid, Evangeline returned to her dressing table, glad she’d spoken to her sister and that she now knew of what she’d done with the earl. She did not like keeping secrets, especially from her siblings.
Her maid entered and closed the door behind her. "How would you like your hair this evening, my lady?" she asked, coming to stand behind her.
"Up this evening. And maybe in the Grecian style we saw in the Lady’s Magazine . I wish to feel like a new woman this evening."
Her maid raised her brows but didn’t say a word, merely went to work setting her hair as she wished. Evangeline watched and marveled at her maid’s skill. Expectation and butterflies bumbled about in her stomach at the thought of seeing Ezra again. He’d looked so disheveled that afternoon, his lips reddened from their kisses, his eyes dark and wild with need, hair askew after she’d run her fingers through it.
She shivered at the thought and hoped she could keep her promise that she’d made to her sister. She truly needed to behave, and yet, there was something about her betrothed that made her want to be naughty.
How deliciously fun it was to be bad.
She’d always been such a good daughter and sister. But then all of them had been. They had tried so desperately to win the love of their father, a futile hope that had never come to fruition.
But with Ezra, already she felt he cared for her and that initial affection would lead to love. She had to believe it would. She had spent so much of her life feeling despised—besides her beautiful sisters—she could not endure a lifetime of a husband who tolerated her, but nothing else.
Ezra would not do that to her.
Unless this stranger did something to take that future from her. Unless the past Ezra refused to speak of returned to haunt them both.
"Should I use your pink sapphire jewels this evening the duchess gifted you? The necklace and earbobs will go perfectly with the gown, Lady Evangeline."
She nodded, knowing tonight was the perfect event for such accessories. "I think so, yes. They would be perfect."
Her maid finished her hair, and she dressed for dinner, knowing she would change yet again before they went out to the ball.
Soon—very soon—she would see Ezra again. And by tonight, the ton would be aware of their betrothal. They could dance twice without raising any eyebrows. They could speak and stay together all evening.
Unless something—or someone—tried to stop them.
She shook the troubling thought aside. No, that would not happen. Ezra and the duke would keep them safe, she had to believe that. She could not be so close to happiness to have it ripped from her before they had even begun.