Page 131 of Arcane Entanglement

Evander frowned.

Whoever I is, no one in this city will be safe until we get to the bottom of what he’s after.

Viggo’s troubled voice pulled Evander from his dark thoughts.

“Do you think he can do it? Complete his father’s work and make the countermeasure to theBlood Siphon?”

The box they had uncovered in the woods outside Harpenden had miraculously survived the train explosion in Charing Cross, thanks in no small part to the protective charms Alastair Millbrook had built into it.

Evander hesitated. “All we can do is trust in him. I know the head of the Charm Weavers Guild. He’ll keep an eye on William and offer him his support.”

Viggo met his gaze steadily. “You believe we’ll need it, don’t you?”

Evander’s jaw tightened. “I hope not. But after everything we’ve seen, everything we’ve learned—we need to be prepared for the worst.”

The carriage turned onto Eaton Square and soon delivered them to Ginny’s townhouse. Viggo eyed the white stucco residence warily as they climbed the steps to the front doors. Though the Brute had gotten used to spending his nights in Evander’s home, the mage could tell he was still uncomfortable when it came to visiting other nobles’ houses.

Viggo tugged his cravat uncomfortably.

“How can you wear this day in, day out?” he grumbled. “I feel like I’m being perpetually throttled.”

Evander perused the Brute critically from his head to his toes, taking in his crisp shirt, royal blue waistcoat, the elegant, brown double-breasted frock coat highlighting his powerful frame, and his polished dress shoes.

He’d taken Viggo to his tailor in Savile Row a few days ago. Viggo had insisted on paying for the outfits Evander had ordered for him, this despite the mage’s protests that he wanted to gift them to the Brute. Evander had surrendered in the end.

Viggo was a proud man after all andNightshadedidn’t exactly lack the funds.

I definitely should avoid taking him to balls. All the ladies will swoon the minute he walks through the doors.

He wrinkled his nose at the thought of the men who might also entertain the idea of taking the Brute for an intimate ride.

“What’s wrong?” Viggo said anxiously. He stared down at himself. “Do I look that bad?”

Evander kicked himself and brushed his hand against the Brute’s knuckles. “Not at all,” he soothed. “I’m just thinking I might have a pest problem if I take you out like this all the time.”

Viggo stared, nonplussed. “What?”

Ginny’s butler answered the door before Evander could elaborate. Viggo tensed.

“Don’t worry,” Evander murmured as they entered the townhouse. “Ginny doesn’t bite.”

“I’ve heard evidence to the contrary,” Viggo grunted. “I’m pretty certain there’s a gentleman in the city missing a chunk of his left ear because of Lady Hartley.”

The butler didn’t bat an eyelid as he ushered them across a grand foyer.

Evander knew the man had seen far worse. Some of Ginny’s visitors struggled to maintain decorum in the face of her charms.

They were escorted into a sumptuous drawing room overlooking a garden.

Sunlight streamed through the large windows, the golden rays highlighting plush, velvet-upholstered furniture in various jewel tones and glinting off the silk threads in the rich, forest green, damask wallpaper.

Ginny rose from the sofa, her eyes sparkling above her cream-coloured day dress.

Ophelia Miller shot to her feet beside her, her expression stilted. The brunette was impeccably dressed, her outfit and accessories matching her blue eyes and highlighting her fair skin.

Ginny touched her hand reassuringly before crossing the room to greet Evander and Viggo.

“Evander.” She smiled and kissed Evander’s cheek warmly before bobbing her head at Viggo with a guarded stare. “Mr. Stonewall, it’s a pleasure to have you in my home.”