Page 16 of Treasure of the Ton (Heiress #2)

Chapter

Sixteen

T hey arrived back at the Ravensmere London home just as dusk began to settle over the city. Ezra led Lady Evangeline up the stairs and escorted her inside to ensure her safe return. Upon entering the foyer, he handed his greatcoat and hat to a waiting footman, ignoring the fact that Lady Evangeline was also slipping out of her cloak and gloves, the scent of jasmine teasing his senses and making him wish they were still ensconced in the carriage.

Alone.

Voices came from the library, and Lady Evangeline started toward the room, knocking before the duke bade her enter. Ezra followed, wanting to find out what had happened to Mr. Fournier and to assure the duke and duchess that Lady Evangeline was home safely and unharmed.

Not un-kissed, but that was another matter altogether the duke did not need to know about.

Ever.

"Evangeline, you're home. I'm so sorry, my dear. In all the chaos that happened this afternoon, I left you behind." The duchess came up to her sister and embraced her before leading her over to the hearth and seating them together.

Ezra took a single chair, hoping that he'd schooled his features enough that the duke did not see the guilt clawing at his back over his actions in the carriage.

Kiss the chit indeed. Not only that, but he'd rubbed up against her, so much so that he was certain she'd climaxed. Not that she'd admitted to such a thing, but her moans and sighs of delight were proof enough. His kisses may be enjoyable, but they were not that gratifying.

"Mr. Fournier—how is he? We've been worried about him all afternoon."

"He is well and has returned home. A doctor was called and has just left after updating the duke. Mr. Fournier had several stitches, and the doctor informed him he was fortunate the injury was not worse. He could have been killed, he said. Mr. Fournier, I believe, feels very foolish and has been ordered to remain home for the next week or so."

"Well, that is good news," Lady Evangeline said, smiling at her sister before her gaze drifted to him.

Just as it was wont to do these days. Heat licked up his spine and he cursed himself for the weak man he'd become when it came to Lady Evangeline. But he could not help it. She was so alike to Luisa that his heart gave a thump whenever he saw her. But it was not only that. The passion that flared between them in the carriage was most usual.

As much as he had adored Luisa, the visceral need, the fire that lit within him whenever he was within touching distance of Lady Evangeline was not what had occurred before.

His past affection had been muted compared to how he was feeling now. Did that mean anything? Did it mean Luisa was not his soul mate as he'd believed? Did it mean that Lady Evangeline was? He did not know what the hell any of it meant, nor did he have the answer, and the guilt that plagued him for thinking in such a way broke him in two.

How could he be so unfaithful to Luisa’s memory when she had died because of him? What a bastard he was and deserved nothing good in his life.

"I hope you do not mind, Your Grace, but we did ride about Richmond for a time before traveling back to London. I will admit that we were caught in a storm, which has followed us back to town, and we were forced to travel together in the carriage."

The duchess glanced at her husband before meeting Ezra’s eyes. "We trust you, Lord St. George, to act the gentleman. And that Evangeline has arrived safely and seemingly unscathed from your troublesome delays with the weather, I see no reason to chastise you or my sister or be concerned. What say you, Duke?"

The duke nodded. "Yes, I agree. I'm glad that everyone is home and that, after the day we've had, Mr. Fournier will be well again, and everything can go back to normal. The Season is chaotic enough without these kinds of things happening in one's life."

"Well, I'm tired and I wish to bathe before dinner, so I shall excuse myself." Lady Evangeline stood. "Thank you for escorting me back to London, Lord St. George. I believe we'll see you at the Wilcox masque tomorrow evening?"

He nodded, his mind a flurry of thoughts on what Lady Evangeline would look like naked in a bath. Her hands running over her soft skin, soaping up her womanly curves, washing her most private of places.

His body hardened and he crossed his legs, knowing he could not leave for several minutes unless he wanted to out his attraction to Evangeline.

An attraction he must fight for his own sanity—and to keep her safe.

"I will also excuse myself. I shall see you at dinner, my dear," the duchess said, leaning down to kiss the duke.

For a moment Ezra stared in shocked silence at the casualness of their public display of affection before they were left alone. The duke threw him a smirk and stood before pouring them both a glass of brandy.

He handed Ezra a crystal tumbler and he drank down the portion in one gulp.

"Easy, St. George, or I'll have to send the doctor to escort you home as well."

He laughed and placed down his glass before leaning back in his chair. "What a day. And I cannot lie and say I shall not be pleased to see the end to it."

"True," the duke agreed. "Mr. Fournier —what a fool the man is. One should never think they can pet a wild buck. I've never seen anything so stupid in my entire life."

Ezra chuckled at the memory, not that it was amusing. Not really. It could have ended quite badly. "He's an idiot. You're not really considering him as a prospect for Lady Evangeline, are you?"

"No, and nor do I think she's truly interested in the gentleman either. But he's kind enough and keen. He will be heartbroken, of course, when she chooses another, but what can one do? The choice is hers, after all."

Ezra was glad to hear it. Not that he particularly liked the idea of her choosing anyone. A contradictory thought to what he constantly told himself when it came to her.

That she's not for him. That she would be better off—and much safer—to be as far away from him as possible. Certainly, marriage to him would not end well if those who sought to injure him further discovered his identity and traced him to London.

He felt the duke’s attention on him before he said, "Why are you interested in who's courting Lady Evangeline? Are you considering putting your hat into the ring? I know you to be a sensible, honorable man. I would not disapprove."

"No. I'm not willing to court anyone at present." He frowned and knew he needed to give his friend a reason behind his aversion. Certainly, it was not because he did not like or lust—he did—after the chit, but that he could not see another woman's life taken while in his care. He could not suffer through losing another whom he loved.

"There is something that you must know about me, Ravensmere. A secret that must stay between us. You cannot mention it to the duchess, and if I have your word on that, I shall tell you the reason why I will not be courting Lady Evangeline—or anyone else—in London this Season. Or mayhap the next."

The duke leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "I'm listening, St. George."

Ezra ran a hand through his hair and thought where to start. "I suppose the only way is to be blunt and straightforward. While I was abroad, it was not to sow my oats or enjoy the warm waters of the Mediterranean while working for the Foreign Office, but because I was a King’s Man. I was based in Italy, and while I cannot go into detail as to what my role was in the country, needless to say, I found myself in a position of weakness that took the life of a woman I was going to marry."

He swallowed the bile that rose in his throat at the memory, guilt prickling along his spine that he was still alive while she was not. Her family devastated and ripped apart—all because he dared to love her.

"I placed her in danger, knowing that being with me was not safe. Of course, I looked a little different to how I do now—I had a beard and long hair abroad—and as far as I'm aware, my identity was never breached. But that may not always be the case. If anyone from that time knows who I am, it places those around me now in danger. My future wife, whomever that may be, included."

"You were a spy?" The duke looked confounded before he shook himself from his shock. "Good God, man. I'm both proud to know you and concerned at the same time."

"Intelligence states that my identity is safe, and I do not look the same, so it would be hard for those who knew me in that position to recognize me now. But still, it's a concern that I must heed."

"But if it is safe now, why hold back from possibly marrying? I can speak from experience that it's a wonderful constitution, and one that I wish I had entered sooner. With the duchess, of course."

"Of course." Ezra chuckled, knowing the duke was well pleased and happy with his lot in life. "I cannot put another at risk. Certainly not a lady I may love."

"Well," the duke said, sighing and rubbing his jaw. "That will leave Lady Evangeline most unhappy."

The duke's words made him start. "Whatever for? I do not understand."

"Well, it is clear that Lady Evangeline likes you very much, and I think she silently hopes that you'll commence a courtship. One that, even knowing all that I do, I think you should begin. You cannot worry about a situation that may never occur. And I'm certain that if you were in danger, the Foreign Office would have notified you by now."

That was true, of course, but still, the idea of suffering the pain he endured with Luisa… No. He could not live through such heartache again.

And to see the beautiful, lively, passionate Lady Evangeline maimed—or worse, a condition he dared not imagine—sent a cold shiver down his spine and dread to settle in his stomach.

"I wish to give it a year or so before I move forward with my life. I will know by then if I am safe to court a woman of my choice."

"And if Lady Evangeline marries no one this year and waits for you…"

"I do not wish for her to do that. She may find a gentleman who loves her as he ought. She should not waste her time waiting on me. It may come to pass that I never marry."

"Would you like for me to convey your aversion to marriage so she continues to look elsewhere?"

"Yes, thank you. I think that would be best. But please, keep the reasons behind my decision between us."

"Of course. I shall not mention a word on that." The duke stood and picked up his glass. "Another brandy, perhaps? I think we deserve one, do you not agree?"

"Of course," Ezra replied, only too happy to imbibe. "And then I must be off. I'm in need of a bath and change of clothes myself after being caught in the rain this afternoon."

The duke handed him his drink. "So long as you did behave yourself in the carriage, St. George. Danger or notwithstanding, should anything have happened, all of what you said would be a moot point."

The duke threw him a pointed glance and Ezra schooled his features. "Nothing untoward occurred," he lied, hoping his friend believed the falsehood.

For he certainly did not.