Page 10 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

E van sat in the small sitting room off the entrance hall at his mother’s house and reread the note that had just been delivered for him. It was from Mrs. Dalton, whom he’d glimpsed at the ball last night and had thankfully avoided actually encountering. However, he might not be able to continue to do so as she was asking him to meet her around the corner. Now.

Seeing his mother walk into the entrance hall, Evan tucked the letter under his thigh. He hadn’t told her that he’d glimpsed Mrs. Dalton last night. It was possible his mother had seen the woman and chosen not to say anything. In any case, Evan wasn’t going to bring her up.

Pulling on her gloves, his mother stepped into the sitting room. “Is everything all right?” she asked.

“Quite,” Evan assured her.

Her dark brows drew together. “You seem pensive. I’m sure you’re tired of not being able to move around well. I know you would much rather be riding your horse or walking about Sydney Gardens.”

“That is certainly true. Where are you off to?”

“To call on a friend over in Queen Square. Mrs. Beckwith, if you recall her.” She smiled at him. “It is very nice having you here. You probably wish you were in London, but I’m enjoying our time together.”

Actually, he was surprisingly content to be in Bath at the moment, and he credited that to Min’s presence, as well as his mother. “I am as well, Mama. Have a nice visit with Mrs. Beckwith.”

Once she’d left the house, Evan pulled the note from beneath his thigh. Dammit, he wanted this entire debacle to go away. But now Mrs. Dalton was here in Bath demanding he meet her around the corner as soon as possible.

Evan hoped his mother hadn’t seen Mrs. Dalton on her way out. Though he didn’t want to meet with the woman, he needed to ensure she stayed away from him or even demand she leave Bath. This was not the way to let a scandal die.

Scowling, Evan rose from the chair with the aid of his walking stick and fetched his hat and gloves from the entrance hall. Outside, he glanced around furtively, as if somebody would be waiting to catch him with the woman with whom he’d supposedly had an affair. He moved as quickly as he could, probably too quickly, for his ankle began to pain him before he even reached Mrs. Dalton.

She stood waiting at the corner of Church Street, her hands clasped. At least, he hoped it was her. He’d only met her one time, and all he remembered was that she was blonde. When relief flashed across the woman’s features as he approached, Evan knew it was her.

He took a moment to survey her in the hope that he might recall her better, though he hoped they would never have occasion to meet again. In her midthirties, Mrs. Dalton was very attractive, with dark blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She possessed a curvaceous figure that was quite tempting, but Evan had engaged in precisely one affair with a married woman several years ago and had never wanted to repeat the experience. It was perhaps odd that his reputation was far worse than his actual behavior, but he didn’t mind, for it kept him from being a primary mark on the Marriage Mart.

“Thank you for meeting me,” Mrs. Dalton said anxiously. “I wasn’t sure you would.”

“I should not.” Evan didn’t temper his irritation. “I was shocked to see you at the Upper Rooms last night. Why on earth have you come to Bath?”

She blinked, her long lashes sweeping prettily as if it were a practiced effect. “I came to see you. I heard this is where you were spending the autumn with your mother.”

“And you thought it would be a good idea for you to intrude on that?” Evan asked with a frown. “The whole point of my leaving London was to allow the fervor around our ‘affair’ to die down. Honestly, I can’t imagine why you would seek me out at all. We have no history together—and no future.”

She wrung her hands, and her face paled. “There has been a development, and it is quite terrible. I didn’t know who else to turn to. You were so helpful before, going out of your way to save Roger. My husband is still furious about the affair and is considering a divorce.”

Evan was glad to have a walking stick to lean on, because he felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. A divorce would require her husband, Sir Abraham, to prove in court that she had been unfaithful. He would bring a suit against Evan, and there would be a trial for criminal conversation. It would completely ruin her—and Evan.

“You can’t let that happen,” Evan ground out as anger spiked through him. “I can’t be dragged through something like that. I didn’t even do anything.” That wasn’t precisely true. He’d taken the blame for something he hadn’t done, and he was paying horribly for it.

She continued to worry her hands, her features creased with agitation. “I know. I’m so sorry things have come to this. Perhaps you should have let Roger suffer the consequences.”

Evan saw no point in railing at her, or even at Roger. In this moment, he wanted to berate himself for stepping in and taking the blame for Roger’s transgression.

But Evan had felt beholden to his friend. One night at Cambridge, Evan had drunk too much and fallen into the river. If he had not been with Roger, he likely would have drowned. However, Roger, who had been quite inebriated himself, had pulled Evan from the river and saved his life.

When presented with the opportunity to return Roger’s favor, Evan had grasped it without thinking of the consequences to himself. It hadn’t occurred to him that Sir Abraham would go to Evan’s father and tell him everything. Evan had hoped the matter would die a quick and painless death.

The opposite had happened. Enduring his father’s fury had been bad enough, but now things could become so much worse. Evan could not allow his parents to endure the shame of a criminal conversation trial.

Evan fixed his frustration on Mrs. Dalton. “You must persuade your husband not to do this. Do whatever it takes.”

“I have tried,” she said in a near whine. “He doesn’t seem to care that this will harm me, and I think that’s because he wants to. But it will also harm our children. Thankfully, they are not aware of anything at this juncture.”

Evan turned his head and looked away from her, his mind churning. “You must simply try again.” He returned his gaze to her. “Go back to London, or commit yourself to a convent or something.”

She gaped at him. “You can’t be serious.”

“No, not really.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I don’t know what to do. You must not ask to speak with me again, however. We cannot be seen together, and I would very much appreciate if you would leave Bath entirely. I am here to remove myself from the scandal that I’m not even a part of. Your being here only makes things worse. Please say you’ll return to London immediately.”

She nodded. “I will. But what if Abraham won’t listen to me? What if he brings the suit?”

Evan would pray he would not. If he thought it would help, he’d write to the man himself, but he didn’t dare. Evan’s father had said the man was beyond livid. He’d wanted to challenge Evan to a duel, but Evan’s father had convinced him not to, given their difference in age. Never mind that Evan’s skill with a blade and a pistol were nearly unmatched.

He met Mrs. Dalton’s deep blue gaze. “You must tell me if he’s going to file suit. Do you promise?”

She nodded.

Evan was going to have to write to Roger and tell him what was happening. He didn’t want to expose his friend to a criminal conversation trial, but there was a limit to what Evan would do for him. He felt badly thinking that after Roger had risked his life to save Evan’s. They could very well have both drowned. Furthermore, it had been winter, and the water was frigid. That they’d found their way back to their dormitory without freezing to death or suffering grave illness was a minor miracle.

Evan would hope that Mrs. Dalton could sort things out with her husband. She simply had to. “Please send word with the progress that you’ve made,” Evan said.

“I didn’t want to put anything in writing,” she replied with a worried look. “That’s why I came here in person. I shouldn’t be writing to you at all.”

“Please don’t become overly conscientious now.” Evan pressed his lips together. “Just be cryptic, and I’ll know what you’re talking about, all right?”

She nodded once more. “Thank you for seeing me.”

“But never again.” Evan turned and stalked back toward Catharine Place. Unfortunately, he ran directly into Sheff after entering the narrow square.

“Afternoon, Evan. With whom were you just speaking?” Sheff asked, his dark blue gaze shifting to look down the street past Evan.

Evan turned his head and was glad to see that Mrs. Dalton was now gone. “Someone I met at the Upper Rooms last night,” Evan lied.

“Were you just leaving an assignation?” Sheff asked with a waggle of his brows.

Bloody hell, the last thing he needed was Sheff thinking he’d been meeting Mrs. Dalton for a tryst. He realized Sheff didn’t appear to know the woman, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t recall her at some point. Evan realized he was worried about a coming disaster—and with good reason.

“Absolutely not,” Evan said with perhaps a tad too much vehemence. “I was taking a walk and ran into her. We only exchanged a few words.”

Sheff glanced down at Evan’s foot. “How’s the ankle?”

“Taking forever to entirely heal,” Evan replied as he tried to tamp down his agitation. If Sheff detected it, he would hopefully attribute Evan’s mood to his injury. Evan sought to divert the conversation from himself. “I’m glad to run into you. I haven’t wanted to intrude on you and Jo.”

Sheff nodded vaguely, his mouth turning in a slight frown. His brow was creased as if he were worried. Evan could suspect why, after what Min had revealed to him last night, but he didn’t say anything, of course. Instead, he asked, “How is Jo?”

“She’s quite well.” Sheff’s features relaxed as he smiled, his eyes taking on an almost lovesick quality.

Evan couldn’t help chuckling. “I see marriage still very much agrees with you.”

“It does indeed,” Sheff replied. “It’s the most astonishing thing. No one would ever have predicted I would be married, let alone so blissfully, and with impending fatherhood to boot.”

“Yes, though I confess that latter part terrifies me somewhat.”

“I’m sure Jo will know what she’s doing. She always does.” Sheff fixed him with an intent stare. “Do yourself a favor, man, and marry the smartest woman you can find, especially if she makes you feel things you never thought possible.”

Evan couldn’t help thinking of Min. He missed seeing her on a daily basis. It was shocking how quickly she’d become a regular part of his life, and how much he’d come to depend on her, not for the things she did to help him, but because of her humor and her charm and, yes, her intelligence.

“How is your sister?” Evan asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant.

“She’s well enough.” The worry had returned to Sheff’s features. He was likely concerned about Min and Ellis, which Evan understood and shared. “I heard you and Min spent quite a bit of time together at Longleat, after you injured your ankle.”

“Yes, I was fortunate to have her assistance. Though I daresay it was mostly so she could avoid Lady Bath’s matchmaking with the other rogues at the party,” Evan added with a laugh.

“The ‘other’ rogues.” Sheff arched a brow. “That means you describe yourself as a rogue too.”

“Shouldn’t I?” Evan asked. “I realize I can’t hold a candle to your roguery before you were wed, but I believe my reputation is that of a flirtatious gentleman.”

“From what I hear, you’ve gone a bit beyond that,” Sheff noted with a hint of curiosity.

Evan kept himself from flinching. Did Sheff know about Evan’s purported affair with Mrs. Dalton? “What have you heard?”

Sheff lifted a shoulder. “Just a rumor about you and some married woman.”

“Well, don’t believe everything you hear,” Evan said as his earlier frustration roiled once more.

Sheff nodded. “I know how rumors can escalate. Is that why you aren’t in London? I confess I did wonder why you’ve been away so long, but I suppose that’s also due to your injury.”

“Indeed.” That was all Evan cared to reply.

Thankfully, Sheff didn’t press. “I do appreciate you letting Min take care of you in order to escape the marchioness’s matchmaking. I’m sure Min was grateful. You may have roguish tendencies, but I trust you with my sister.”

“Why is that?” Evan asked, trying not to think about how he’d kissed Sheff’s sister and that Sheff should not remotely trust him because of it.

“I’ve known you awhile now, and I don’t think that’s a line you would cross. Besides, my sister doesn’t tolerate that kind of behavior. If she felt safe enough with you to spend time at Longleat caring for you, then who am I to think otherwise? It’s good that you’re her friend. She needs friends, as life is going to change for her very quickly.” Sheff shook his head. “Forgive me for being cryptic. I cannot elaborate.”

“It’s all right,” Evan said, because he knew exactly what Sheff was talking about.

Sheff’s gaze moved toward his father’s house, which was situated just a few down from Evan’s mother’s. “You’ll have to excuse me,” Sheff said quickly before taking himself off.

Evan looked after him and saw a young woman arriving at the duke’s residence. It was Ellis, and she was alone.

What was going on? Were they about to tell Ellis about her parentage? If so, where was Min? Evan couldn’t help but worry about her—about all of them—and hoped all would be well.

E llis was gone.

Not long after she’d retreated to her room yesterday, she’d gone to Min’s father’s house. Sometime after that, her father’s footman had come to deliver a note from Ellis to Min and to collect some of Ellis’s things. The note had only said that Ellis was leaving Bath and did not want any company. She apologized for not wanting to see or talk to Min, and hoped she would understand. She’d written that she needed to be alone.

Min had packed up many of Ellis’s things and sent them with the footman, along with a note of her own. She’d written that Ellis must take as much time as she needed, and that Min would be there whenever Ellis was ready.

Hopefully, that day wouldn’t be too far off, but Min was afraid it might be. There was so much for Ellis to comprehend. Her entire life was not what she thought it was. Min felt much the same, but it was so much worse for Ellis.

And now Min was alone here with her mother. Along with the household retainers, whom she barely knew. Min didn’t want to see the duchess, so she hadn’t gone downstairs to dinner last night or for breakfast today.

She was tired of being trapped, however, so she put on a walking dress, grabbed her gloves and bonnet, and went downstairs. As she walked into the entrance hall, the butler, Warner, informed her that a delivery had just arrived.

“It’s a package from Cardiff,” Warner said, gesturing toward the wrapped box on the table.

Min knew precisely what they were and would deliver them as soon as she could—tomorrow, perhaps. Now, she was on her way to the Crescent to call on Pandora. “Would you take those to my sitting room, please?” she asked the butler with a smile.

Warner, a mild-mannered man in his forties, nodded. “Of course, Lady Minerva. And may I say how good it is to see you downstairs? We feared you may be ill.”

“‘We’?” Min had to assume he meant himself and other members of the household. “I am fine, thank you. I do appreciate your concern. Is my mother here?” She didn’t really care, but she thought it best to at least know where she was.

“Yes. She’s been keeping to her chamber as well.”

Min hoped she stayed there for a good, long while. “I’m taking a walk to the Crescent to call on a friend.”

Warner inclined his head. “We’ll see you soon, my lady.”

Min stepped out into the gray October day. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either. She set a brisk pace on her way to the Crescent, and the walk took less than ten minutes.

At Pandora’s aunt’s house, Min knocked on the door. The butler answered.

“Good afternoon, Lady Minerva,” he said with a smile. “How pleasant to see you.”

“Good afternoon, Harding. It’s nice to see you too. Is Pandora at home?”

“Yes, do come in.” The butler welcomed her inside and closed the door. He took her hat and gloves, then showed her upstairs to the drawing room.

Pandora was seated with her Aunt Lucinda at a table near the windows. As Min entered, Pandora’s eyes lit, and she stood, smiling. “Min, I’m so pleased to see you.” She strode to meet Min, and they embraced.

“I’m sorry I haven’t visited before now,” Min said when they separated. “My mother has kept me busy preparing for the Season.”

“Your one last chance on the Marriage Mart,” Pandora said with a sardonic glint in her eye. It was a shame that she had never had the opportunity to join the husband hunt. With her shining blonde hair and stunning blue-green eyes, she was a true diamond of the first water.

Lucinda rose from the table. Though she was forty, she appeared younger to Min. Her light brown hair didn’t show even a hint of gray. “It’s lovely to see you, Minerva. I hope you are well.”

“Well enough, thank you.”

“I will leave you two to catch up.” Lucinda looked to Min. “Please give my best to your mother.”

Min wanted to say she would not, but she didn’t want to explain why—not to Lucinda. She had every intention of telling Pandora everything. It was only right that the other members of the Rogue Rules Club should know. Except, what if Ellis didn’t want them to?

Min worried for a moment that she shouldn’t say anything, and yet, how else would she explain why Ellis had left?

After Lucinda departed, Pandora moved to a settee and patted the space next to her. “Come, tell me how the first ball went.”

Min sat down beside her. “It was fine,” she replied somewhat absentmindedly, as her thoughts kept drifting to Ellis.

“That doesn’t sound encouraging.” Pandora frowned. “Is it that you don’t really want to be on the Marriage Mart?”

“I don’t know what I want anymore,” Min blurted. “Everything is a complete disaster.” She was glad there were no tears stinging her eyes. She’d cried so much yesterday. It was no wonder she didn’t have any left.

Even so, Pandora could see how upset she was. She took Min’s hand. “What’s wrong?”

Min told her all about their spectacular family secret and finished with how Ellis had left Bath.

Pandora listened with incredulity. “And you don’t know where Ellis is now?”

Min shook her head. “Only my father does, and he won’t say because Ellis forbade him. She doesn’t want to see or talk to any of us, including her true father.”

“Jo’s father, you mean?” Pandora asked.

“Yes, but he doesn’t know the truth, and we’ve decided not to tell him until Ellis determines what she wants to do.”

Pandora looked at her with sympathy. “What an absolute mess. I’m so sorry for Ellis. I wish I could write to her.”

“You can. Give me the letter, and I’ll take it to my father to post to her. Or you can have it delivered directly to his house in Catharine Place.”

“Do you think she will mind that I know the secret?” Pandora asked.

“I considered that earlier, but I felt I needed to tell you. How else was I to explain why Ellis was gone and why I’m so upset? Even if I’d wanted to hide that from you today, I don’t think I would have been able.” Min lifted a shoulder. “I suppose I didn’t need to call on you, but I wanted to—even if this weren’t happening.”

“Of course you would. I’m not surprised you aren’t interested in the Marriage Mart,” Pandora said. “I can’t imagine you’re in the mood for courtship.”

No, she was not. Still, Min couldn’t help thinking of Evan and the kiss they’d shared. While that wasn’t courtship, Min had to admit she wouldn’t mind kissing him again. Instead, she was worried she’d never kiss anyone again. Ever. “I feel alone,” she whispered.

“You are not alone.” Pandora drew her into her arms, and they embraced for a long moment. “But I know precisely how you feel.”

Of course she did. Pandora had felt isolated after she and Bane had been caught together. She hadn’t been alone either, but now Min understood.

“Thank you. You are such a dear friend.” Min sniffed as they parted. “I don’t really want to stay at my mother’s house any longer, but neither can I go to my father’s. His mistress is with him.”

“Yes, Aunt Lucinda had heard that. You could stay here,” Pandora invited. “You are always welcome. Although I’m not sure if it would benefit you to take up residence with a pariah like me, particularly if you are trying to find a husband.”

“You aren’t a pariah,” Min said firmly. “Your aunt is well-liked and respected here in Bath, and that has helped you over the past couple of years. Hasn’t it?”

Min hated to think that Pandora might still be suffering from people treating her poorly. Some had given her the cut direct after Bane had abandoned her, and Pandora had become somewhat of a recluse. She still was. She certainly didn’t have a subscription to the Upper Rooms.

“Isn’t your brother in town?” Pandora asked. “Could you stay with him and Jo?”

Min had thought of that too. “I’m not sure I want to intrude on them, since they are recently wed. However, that may be my best option, or perhaps I should just go to Beacon Park. I’m not sure there’s any point in my staying in Bath.”

“Well, besides spending time with me,” Pandora said, with a bright smile that made Min laugh softly. “I suppose your mother bought a subscription to the Upper Rooms, not that you need to use it.”

“She did. You are correct in that I am not in the mood for courtship, but that won’t matter to her. She is determined to see me wed this autumn. Indeed, she’s become almost desperate. She wants me to consider Spilsby.” She explained Eberforce’s new name, and since Pandora knew about Gwen’s encounter with him at Almack’s, she found it as amusing as Min did.

“You’ve successfully avoided your mother’s machinations in the past,” Pandora said. “You will again.”

Min slid her a cautious look. “She suggested someone even more outrageous than Spilsby.”

“Who is more outrageous than him?” Pandora asked with a chuckle.

Min grimaced. “Bane. My mother thinks he’ll be looking for a new wife soon.”

Pandora made a sound of disgust in her throat. “I can only imagine how offended you were.”

“Quite,” Min replied. “And I told her so.”

“I do hope Bane would never have the audacity to come to Bath,” Pandora said with disdain, “He knows I live here.”

Min was surprised to hear that. “How does he know where you live?” Bane had spent the last couple of years in northern England.

“Because he sent me a letter a few weeks ago. I don’t know how he knew where I live, but I suspect one of his friends told him, perhaps your brother.”

Min gasped. “That is possible. Sheff did visit him several months ago. What did the letter say?”

Pandora shrugged. “I have no idea, because I burned it. Why would I want to read anything he has to say? I don’t wish him ill, especially after what he’s been through, losing his wife and child, but I’ve moved on. I don’t need to accept his intrusion into my life.”

“No, you don’t,” Min agreed. “You have moved on.” She hesitated before asking, “Are you ever afraid of being alone?”

“I was at first, but not anymore.” Pandora spoke confidently, and Min didn’t doubt her. “It helps that I have lived with my aunt these past two years. As a relatively young widow, she has demonstrated how pleasant it is to be independent.”

Min could see how that would be appealing. Though, Lucinda’s status as a widow was not the same as Pandora’s position as a ruined spinster.

“You know I’ve been writing,” Pandora said almost shyly. Min nodded, and Pandora continued. “I’ve sent a manuscript to a publisher in London, but you mustn’t tell anyone. It’s a secret. Not even my aunt knows.”

Min grimaced. “I’m surprised you would trust me to keep a secret after I told you all about Ellis.”

Pandora waved her hand. “There are no secrets among us and our friends. I meant, don’t tell anybody outside our group.”

“The Rogue Rules Club, you mean?”

“You named us?” Pandora asked, surprised.

“Not me,” Min replied. “We have a new member, Miss Iona Shaughnessy. She named the club after Ellis and I told her about it. We met her at Longleat last month before we came to Bath. I invited her to come to Weston with us next August.”

“Will we still be going to Weston?” Pandora mused. “What if you’re married by then?”

“I’ve been wondering that for the last several years,” Min said wryly. “Yet I remain unwed. Perhaps what we really need is a Spinster Club with you, me, and Ellis. That is, if Ellis stays a spinster. My father has offered to provide her with a dowry if she would like to wed.”

“That’s very generous of him,” Pandora said. “I don’t know your father beyond what you have said about him, but I am surprised to hear how supportive he’s being with Ellis and this entire situation.”

“Well, he did bring her into our household after her adoptive parents died. I think he feels a responsibility to care for her because my mother did not. Does not,” Min amended with a touch of scorn.

“Precisely.” Pandora smiled softly. “I have only ever known of the duke behaving like the worst sort of rogue. But his behavior with Ellis seems different.”

“It is somewhat,” Min replied with a nod. “He’s quite changed in the past few months. He seems to have found love with his new mistress. I hope it lasts.”

“So, your own father may have redeemed himself,” Pandora noted with a laugh. “And our rules say we can never trust a rogue to change.”

Min made a sardonic face. “Given the success of our friends marrying rogues and finding unparalleled happiness, I have begun to wonder if our rules were made to be broken.”

Pandora’s brow darkened. “Only by the right gentleman. I don’t think there are that many of them.”

“Unfortunately, I think you’re right. That is why I have remained unwed.” Min couldn’t help thinking of Evan. He was not as bad a rogue as others. Indeed, he seemed redeemable.

“In spite of your mother’s desperate efforts,” Pandora noted. “How was the party at Longleat?”

“Every single bachelor in attendance was a rogue or nearly one,” Min scoffed. “I suppose Mr. Jarvis was the least roguish of the lot. Evan Price was there. He performed one of his tricks on horseback—well, several of them, actually—and fell off the horse.”

Pandora’s eyes widened. “Is he all right?”

“He sustained a concussion and a badly sprained ankle, but he’s here in Bath, hobbling about with a walking stick that makes him look far more dashing than he has a right to be.”

“That sounds about right,” Pandora said with a chuckle. “I don’t know Evan terribly well—just from social interactions in Weston—but he strikes me as someone who doesn’t need any help being attractive or popular. Persey has mentioned him a few times in her letters. He seems to be well-liked in London.”

Persey was Pandora’s older sister Persephone, the Duchess of Wellesbourne, and one of Min’s dearest friends. They’d met years ago in Weston, and the Rogue Rules Club only existed because they’d become friends.

Min briefly considered whether she should tell Pandora about kissing Evan but, in the end, decided that she really ought to try to put it behind her. Continuing to think and talk about it would not allow Min to do so.

“Do you know why Evan is here in Bath?” Pandora asked.

“I believe he’s just visiting with his mother. She takes a house here in the autumn.”

Pandora’s brow pleated. “I thought that was to help Gwen find a husband.” Gwen was not the most polished of young ladies, and her mother had thought it best for her to attend the Marriage Mart in Bath instead of London. However, after a second autumn in Bath without any marital success, Gwen had convinced her to try a London Season last spring. “And now Gwen is married.”

“I think she may be trying to marry Evan off,” Min said. “Though, he’s said he’s not ready for marriage.”

“You’ve discussed that with him?”

Min lifted a shoulder. “I spent a good deal of time with him at Longleat after he was injured. He needed someone to entertain him, and I preferred to stay clear of the rogues as well as Lady Bath’s attempts at matchmaking.”

Pandora’s eyes glinted with humor. “Brilliant. Too bad he doesn’t need your assistance now so you could use that as an excuse to avoid your mother’s matchmaking.”

How wonderful that sounded, and not just as an excuse. Min would much rather be back at Longleat with Evan than here with everything that was happening. “What I really want is to find Ellis and make sure she’s all right. But I know she needs time to adjust. We all do, but her most of all. I just wish we could have done it together.”

Pandora looked at her with sympathy. “You asked me if I was afraid of being alone. Are you?”

“I think I wasn’t before, but I’ve always had Ellis. And now she’s gone…” Min acknowledged the hollow ache that had lodged in her chest since the day before. “Yes, I think I am.” Without her, Min felt adrift. Her mother’s house was no longer “home.”

Pandora took Min’s hand again and gave her a squeeze.

Min summoned a smile and pushed her doldrums away. “Will you tell me about this manuscript you wrote?”

“I would be delighted,” Pandora replied with a grin.

Min was grateful for the distraction. Because as soon as she went back to her mother’s, she would truly be alone.