Page 4 of The Viscount and the Minx (The Unlikely Betrothal: Prequel)

Chapter 4

Evan

E van had no idea what could be so urgent that Browning, his estate manager, needed to speak with him at this hour. If it wasn’t truly pressing, Browning would receive a firm reminder of proper business hours—so Evan could return to Marina.

Striding into his study, he found Browning standing rigid before the desk, twisting his hands together. Unease prickled along Evan’s spine. He’d never seen the man rattled.

“Browning,” Evan said, closing the door behind him.

“My lord.” Browning exhaled, the tension easing only slightly at Evan’s presence. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Evan motioned to the chair. “Sit.” They could dispense with the pleasantries until he knew what the man was about.

Browning obeyed, but his posture remained stiff. “I was riding the estate today,” he began. “And I encountered something—someone—I did not expect.”

Evan’s gut tightened. “Go on.”

“A man. Gave me a note for you. Insisted I deliver it straightaway.” Browning hesitated. “There was something about him, my lord. Something… not good.”

Evan’s pulse quickened. “Where?” What could the man possibly want? And why not just deliver the missive directly to the house?

“The north meadow. He came out of nowhere. I’ve never seen him before.”

Browning extended the note. Evan took it, unfolding the parchment with deliberate calm. He scanned the page.

You and your pretty little wife will pay for the trouble you’ve caused.

The words struck like a blow. His blood turned molten.

He dropped the missive, raking both hands through his hair before snatching it up again as if rereading it would change the words. Fuck. Holy fucking hell.

“My lord?” Browning called out to him as Evan fought to gain control over himself.

His heart raced, threatening to burst outside of his chest as his breathing quickened. Who had dared to threaten Marina? It would be the last thing they ever did.

Only one man had a reason. An arse not good enough to lick the mud from a horse’s hoof. But that bastard was locked away, beyond reach. Had someone else taken up his vendetta?

“And you spoke to this man?” Evan asked, barely maintaining his temper.

Browning nodded. “He was evasive. Left me with only the note and vanished as quickly as he came.”

Evan forced his voice to steady. The weight of the message settled within him like a stone in water. “Describe him.”

“Rough-looking. The sort you’d find in the city, not on our land. Alone, as far as I could tell, but I can’t be certain.”

“Keep watch for him,” Evan instructed, the authority in his tone thinly veiling his anxiety. “If he appears again, I must know at once. Take no risks. There is nothing more important than ensuring my wife and son remain safe.”

Browning inclined his head, his usual steadiness returning. “Consider it done, my lord.”

Evan exhaled slowly. It wasn’t enough.

“And the men—tell them to be vigilant, but keep this quiet. I don’t want word of this getting out until we better understand what we are dealing with.”

“I’ll see to it personally.” Browning rose, pausing at the door. “We’ll sort this out, my lord. I’m certain of it.”

Evan wished he shared the man’s certainty. But Browning hadn’t read the note. Browning didn’t have a wife and child to protect.

The door shut behind him, leaving Evan alone with the rush of blood in his ears and the pounding in his chest. His fists ached to find the bastard responsible—to end this threat before it could take root.

Before he could stop himself, Evan read the note again. He vowed, with the same fierce determination he had shown during their last ordeal, that this time he would not be taken by surprise. This time, he would protect them all. No matter the cost.

He reached for the bell with the decisiveness of a man drowning, needing to ensure his family’s safety.

A moment later, there was a knock. Baxter entered, his tone carefully measured. “You rang, my lord?”

“Yes.” Evan turned, his expression grim. “I want footmen at every entrance. Night and day. And men patrolling the grounds at all hours. Effective immediately.”

Baxter’s sharp gaze narrowed. “Is there cause for concern?”

Evan hesitated. He trusted Baxter, but the fewer who knew, the better.

“A precaution,” he said, his voice clipped. “And her ladyship shall know nothing about this.”

Baxter nodded. “Understood, my lord. Anything else?”

A name. The name of the man who dared threaten his wife. Evan would trade his entire fortune for that single piece of information.

“Inform me immediately if you notice the slightest thing out of place.”

“Is there anything specific I should look for?”

If only he knew. But any shift—any little change—could be the clue that led him to the bastard responsible. Damn whoever was doing this. “Anything out of the ordinary. Anyone who doesn’t belong.”

A vision of Marina being dragged from his arms struck like a physical blow. His grip tightened against the ache in his skull, a growl of frustration escaping before he could stop it. The study walls closed in around him, too small to contain the hellstorm brewing inside.

“I also want a footman stationed near the nursery at all times. And one shadowing my wife when she’s not with me. Armed, but discreet.” He met the butler’s gaze, his meaning clear. “No risks.”

“My lord, might you tell me what is going on?” Baxter hesitated. “I trust your judgment, my lord, but feel I may be better equipped to help if I understand what is happening.”

Evan exhaled sharply, staring back at the man who’d served his family since he was a boy. “Someone is threatening my wife. It is the responsibility of this household to keep her safe. And unaware.” His voice hardened. “I won’t have her frightened.”

It would break his heart for her nightmares to return. For her to thrash and cry in her sleep.

Baxter’s expression darkened. “Are you certain it’s wise to keep this from her?”

“You must trust me on this. She’s suffered enough. I won’t let this haunt her as well.”

A long pause. Then Baxter nodded. “Very well, my lord. I’ll need to hire additional men, but in the meantime, we can pull from the stables.”

“Do whatever is necessary.” Hell, he’d line up every man in Norfolk to link arms and form a circle around the house if it meant keeping Marina safe.

Baxter inclined his head. “I’ll inform you once all is in place.” He turned toward the door but paused, studying Evan. “We’ll handle this, my lord.”

Evan merely nodded, barely seeing him go. The worst scenarios played in an endless loop in his mind. If he closed his eyes, he’d be driven mad from the torture of it all.

He moved to the window, staring out over the estate bathed in the deceptive serenity of the pink-and-purple sunset. Someone was out there. Maybe watching. Maybe waiting. And there wasn’t a damned thing he could do—yet.

His fingers dug into the window frame as he fought the rage within him at how helpless he was without more to go on.

“Darling?”

He hadn’t even heard her enter.

Turning, he found Marina standing in the doorway.

“Come here, love.” He opened his arms, exhaling as she melted against him. Her warmth, her vanilla scent—somehow, it steadied him.

She nuzzled against his neck. “Are you all right? Was something wrong with Browning?”

His mouth went dry. He hated lying to her. But her safety mattered more than the truth. Once the danger had passed, he’d beg for her forgiveness.

“Of course I’m well. You’re here.” He brushed a kiss against her hair. “And Browning is fine. We just need to hire a few more men to help with a few things.”

“It won’t prevent us from hosting the house party, will it?” She pulled back, searching his face. “I really want to do this, Evan. Please.”

Dammit. The fucking house party. That was the last thing they needed. But if he refused her now, she’d demand answers. And Marina was too clever to be put off by anything short of catastrophe.

He would consider their situation flirting with the very thing, but unless he wished to tell her so. They were having a house party.

Unless… perhaps it was a blessing. If she kept herself occupied with planning the bloody event, she might not notice how frayed his nerves would be until the blackguard was identified.

He forced a smile. “Of course not, love. I’m sure you have the entire thing planned already.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering there. Then, to his surprise, she let it go.

She pressed onto her toes, giving him a quick kiss. “It’s going to be perfect.”

“You shall be the hostess of the year,” he murmured, watching her closely. She wasn’t questioning him. That alone sparked suspicion.

Evan started to ask—but stopped himself. He was on edge. Seeing threats in every shadow.

“Supper should be ready soon,” Marina said lightly, shifting the conversation.

“Then allow me to escort you,” Evan replied, finally finding the grin he reserved for her. The one that always tempted his wife in ways that worked in his favor. “So we might see about that punishment of mine afterward.”

He deserved far worse than whatever the playful punishment his wife had planned—for keeping this from her. But if it spared her even one nightmare, it was worth it.