Page 11 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

A nother day gone by, and Evan’s ankle still pained him from time to time. He didn’t need to use his walking stick consistently, but by the end of the day, he was sore and found it was helpful. He’d overdone it yesterday walking too much, so instead of attending church with his mother, he sat in the small study on the ground floor of his mother’s house with his foot propped on a stool with a pillow.

He was perusing a newspaper from London when there was a rap on the door, which stood ajar. “Come,” he called.

Pushing the door open, the butler stepped just over the threshold. “You’ve a caller.” The butler appeared slightly uncomfortable.

“Is there something amiss?” Evan asked.

The butler grimaced faintly. “It is a young lady by herself—Lady Minerva Halifax.”

“Ah, she is a friend of mine. In fact, she is a very good friend of my sister’s, and her brother is a close friend to me. We are all friends. It’s not unusual at all that she would call. Indeed, she also knows my mother.” It occurred to Evan that he was perhaps explaining too much. “Show her in, please.”

Evan rose. Despite saying otherwise, he was surprised Min would call on him. It was unusual for a young lady to call on a gentleman. “Unusual” was perhaps an understatement. It was unheard of in London, but this was Bath, and Min was going through a rough time.

She appeared in the doorway looking bright and lovely in an apricot-colored gown trimmed with ivory. Her bonnet, which was the opposite, was most fetching. The dark sable of her hair against the ivory was a stunning contrast.

“I know I shouldn’t be calling on you,” Min said. “However, I have something for you and wanted to deliver it personally.”

He realized she was carrying a package. “What is this?”

She went to a small table separate from the seating area where he’d risen and set the package atop the wood.

Evan joined her there. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out,” she said with a smile.

He rubbed his hands in anticipation. “This is most exciting.” He untied the string and pulled apart the wrapping paper. “Oh,” he breathed, recognizing the wooden box immediately. He turned his head to Min, his jaw dropping. “You didn’t?—”

She gave him a little shrug and smiled with mock innocence.

He opened the box and sucked in his breath at a gorgeous pair of riding boots from his favorite boot maker. “They’re beautiful. Exactly like the ones that were ruined by the bonesetter.”

“I thought so too,” Min said. “That is what I asked for when I wrote to Mr. Davis in Cardiff.”

“I can hardly believe you did this,” Evan said. “I’m speechless.”

He stared at the boots, eager to put them on, but he didn’t dare while his ankle was not yet entirely healed. “How I wish I could ride. Is it pathetic that I miss my horse and the exhilaration of the tricks we accomplished together?” He looked toward Min and saw a warm sympathy in her expression.

“Not at all,” she replied softly. “I know how much you want to return to your normal life.”

That was precisely it. “Alas, I am not yet ready to return to the saddle. The last thing I want is to risk having my boots cut off again.” He grimaced, then smiled at her. “This was very thoughtful of you, Min.”

“It was the least I could do after what happened at Longleat. You were only trying to entertain people, and look at how you’ve suffered for it.”

“It could have been much worse,” he said. “You could have not been at Longleat.”

She blushed faintly and looked away. “I wish we were still there.”

Was that because of Ellis’s situation, or did Min want to recapture the time they’d spent together that had culminated in the best kiss he’d ever experienced? “I’ve been wondering how you are,” Evan said. “I saw Sheff the other day. We were together as Ellis arrived at your father’s house. How did she take the news?”

“Quite poorly.” Min appeared anguished. “And that is entirely my fault. She overheard me yelling at my mother about what she’d done and how she’s behaved toward Ellis all these years. It was the worst way Ellis could have learned the truth.”

Evan moved closer to Min but stopped short of taking her hand. “That had to have been awful for her—and for you.”

“I don’t think she blames me exactly, but she didn’t want to talk to me or even see me.” Min’s eyes were dark, her brow creased with sadness. “She left shortly thereafter, which must have been when you saw her going to my father’s. She decided to leave Bath, but I don’t know where she’s gone. Only my father knows.”

“So you’re alone with your mother. How is that?” He imagined it wasn’t good at all.

Min shuddered. “We’re avoiding one another. I don’t think either of us is eating in the dining room. I’m certainly not. I’ve remained in my bedchamber for the most part, except for yesterday when I called on Pandora. That was a nice respite. Though, I can’t avoid my mother forever.”

“There’s a ball tomorrow night,” Evan noted. “Will you be going?”

“I don’t want to, at least not with her.” Min lifted her hand briefly. “I don’t see the point anyway. I’m in no mood to dance or laugh gaily or see if I will suit with anyone. The only gentleman I danced with last time who isn’t inarguably a rogue was Mr. Jarvis, and well, he doesn’t meet my requirements.”

“What are your requirements, exactly?” Evan asked, but then he held up his hand. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I know I don’t, but I will. I think you know I have no desire to wed a rogue.”

Evan nodded. “In fact, I understand that you and your friends have rules against rogues.”

“We do. However, those rules, apparently, can be broken for the right gentleman.” She gave him a wry glance. “Just ask your sister.”

“I don’t have to,” he said. “I didn’t care for Somerton showing interest in her, so I can understand your reservations about anyone who displays even a hint of roguishness.”

“That includes you,” she said pointedly

He grinned but quickly sobered. “I know, but I have begun to wonder if it isn’t time to shed that reputation. I don’t think it serves me well.”

Surprise flashed in her pale gray gaze. “Does that mean you’re ready to wed?”

“Let’s not get carried away,” he said with a laugh. “We are discussing your requirements for a husband. What else is there beyond not being a rogue?”

She bit the inside of her lip, which prompted Evan to stare at her mouth. And staring at her mouth made him remember their kiss. Recalling their kiss made him want to kiss her again. Thinking of kissing her again ignited his entire body and stirred a pointed response below his waistband. At least this time, he was not wearing a banyan and stood a better chance of her not noticing.

“I don’t think I was sure of my other requirements until recently,” she said slowly. “I have always wanted love, but I feared that wouldn’t be possible. When your parents loathe one another, it’s difficult to trust that you can have a marriage with mutual affection, let alone a deep and abiding love. But I do see that it’s possible. Persey has that with Wellesbourne. Your sister has that with Somerton. Tamsin has that with Droxford. And now Sheff, unbelievably, has that with Jo. But can lightning really strike more than four times?” she asked with a laugh.

Evan chuckled with her. “That does seem unlikely. There is nothing wrong with wanting love, Min, and there’s nothing wrong with holding out for that.”

“Thank you for saying so.” She pivoted away from him, no longer looking at him as she spoke. “I thought perhaps I could at least settle for passion, if not love. However, I wasn’t sure I was capable of passion until you kissed me at Longleat.” She darted a nervous glance at him. Her gaze met his just long enough for him to detect a sultry gleam. “Now I fear I will never feel that again. I’m not sure I can accept anything less.”

Evan swallowed. She hadn’t been sure she could feel passion until they’d kissed? He couldn’t think of a more arousing thing someone could say. His cock was now completely hard, and he had to work very hard not to pull her into his arms and make her feel that way again.

“I suppose you’ll have to kiss every suitor, then,” he said, trying to maintain some lightness, lest he fall headfirst into a dark cavern of desire.

“You know I can’t do that,” she replied with some exasperation.

“Why not?” he challenged her. “And don’t tell me that I’m trying to convert you into a rogue. That’s not at all what I’m doing, and you know it. I’m trying to help you find what you want—what you deserve.”

She looked back at him, and their eyes locked. “Or you could just kiss me again.”

Evan took a steadying breath. “Do you mean that? Because while I would like to reform my reputation, I’m afraid I will not be able to refuse if you ask. And if that makes me an irredeemable rogue, so be it.”

Her nostrils flared slightly, and she glanced at the open door. “Is your mother here?”

“No, she’s at church.” He swallowed, his body thrumming with arousal. “Do you want me to close the door, Min?”

“Yes.”

Evan was at the door in two strides, his ankle be damned.

After closing the door, he turned. She stood next to the table by the glorious boots she’d brought him. Her features were serene, but her eyes were dark and chaotic with a myriad of emotions he could not fully define, except one: desire.

He wanted to go slow, to savor the moment. He crossed the room back to her and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her against him. Their eyes connected for the barest moment before he lowered his mouth to hers. He cupped her face with his other hand as he claimed her lips in a searing kiss.

She clasped his shoulder as she leaned into him. Her other hand slipped beneath his coat and pressed against his lower back.

Evan should not allow this, not if he truly wanted to change his behavior and his reputation. But he was powerless to resist Min—a woman he shouldn’t even be tempted by. Never mind she was his friend’s sister, she was also the daughter of a duke. He had absolutely no hope of a future with her.

Why not?

The voice at the back of his mind was soft but insistent.

Her brother married someone who should have had no chance of wedding the heir to a dukedom.

The voice made a good point.

Evan quieted his mind and poured himself into kissing Min. She tasted like honey biscuits and smelled of violets. He still didn’t know what violets bloody smelled like, but he knew Min’s scent, and he reveled in it.

She felt divine in his arms, as if she were made to fit perfectly against him. He longed to strip away the clothing between them, to feel the satin of her skin against his own.

Their tongues danced with a rising heat. Evan moved his hand to her nape, holding her tightly as he explored her tantalizing mouth. Her fingers dug into his shoulder as a soft moan drifted from her throat.

Evan kissed along her jaw as her fingers trailed up his neck and she twined them in his hair at his nape. He gently pulled her head back to better expose her neck to his kisses.

She wore a spencer that reached the base of her throat. He brought his hand up to unfasten the top just as he heard the front door close.

His mother had returned.

Abruptly, he released Min and stepped back. “I believe my mother is home,” he said hoarsely.

Min’s cheeks were flushed, her lips parted as she breathed quickly. It wasn’t quite a pant, but it was close, and the sound was driving Evan to distraction. He needed to rein himself under control before facing his mother.

“I can’t see her like this.” Min’s eyes were wide as she pressed her gloved hands to her flushed cheeks.

“Take deep breaths. I’ll tell her you were on your way out and you are in a hurry.”

Min nodded. “My apologies for putting us in this position.”

“Your apology is declined,” he said before he followed his own advice and took a deep breath. “With my utmost respect,” he added with a grin.

A smile teased her mouth, but only briefly. “I must go.”

Sadly, she must. Evan didn’t want to think of what might have happened if his mother hadn’t arrived. And yet, he couldn’t banish the images from his mind. He saw Min laid out atop the table. He would push the boots aside—or onto the floor for all he cared—and lift her skirts. He would use his hands and mouth to push her to the brink of the passion she so craved. Then he would topple her over the edge until she cried out his name.

And alerted the household.

Perhaps it was best that his mother had arrived.

He moved quickly to open the door. “After you.”

She moved past him, and he once again caught her scent. He closed his eyes the barest moment and lost himself in it.

Inwardly cursing at himself to stop being distracted by the very behavior he was trying to change, he followed Min to the entrance hall where his mother was just handing her hat and gloves to Alton, the butler.

“Good afternoon, Lady Minerva,” his mother said, her gaze curious. “Alton said you were here.”

“Yes, she brought me the boots I asked her to order from my boot maker in Cardiff.” He didn’t think his mother should know that Min had bought them as a gift. “She wasn’t sure of your address here when she wrote to Mr. Davis, so she had them sent to her mother’s house.”

“That was kind of her,” Evan’s mother said, sending Min a smile. “Thank you, dear. I’m sure you now realize this is the same house I’ve had—with Gwen—the past few years.”

“Yes,” Min replied. What else could she say?

Evan moved to open the front door. “You need to excuse Lady Minerva, as she only dropped the boots off on her way to somewhere else.”

“Indeed.” Min inclined her head toward Evan’s mother. “Always lovely to see you, Mrs. Price.”

“And you, Lady Minerva.” His mother watched Min depart.

Evan closed the door behind Min, but his hopes to avoid his mother’s scrutiny were dashed. She arched a brow at him, and the butler disappeared.

“You must know it’s inappropriate for Lady Minerva to call on you,” she said.

“Yes, but you live here too. She could just as easily be calling on you .” He shrugged.

His mother pursed her lips. “You must be careful, Evan. You are already involved in a scandal in London.”

Evan gritted his teeth. “It will soon be forgotten.” He hoped. He’d written to Roger as soon as he’d arrived home after seeing Mrs. Dalton and then Sheff. He expected Roger’s reply in the next few days, as well as word from Mrs. Dalton regarding her efforts to stop her husband from ruining everyone’s lives.

“I hope so.” His mother didn’t sound convinced. She studied him intently. “Is there anything between you and Lady Minerva? You spent a great deal of time together at Longleat and now this. It is curious.”

“We’re merely friends, Mama. Rather, she is close with Gwen, and her brother is a good friend to me. It is natural that we are friends too, but in the way of brothers and sisters.” That blasted description of Min’s— sister-friend —rose in his mind.

“I suppose that makes sense. She is a lovely young woman,” his mother noted. She gave him a small smile. “I would not be opposed to you marrying her.”

“I hope you aren’t saying that because her father is a duke.”

“It doesn’t hurt,” she replied. “But as I said, she’s lovely. Honestly, I would be delighted if you showed interest in marrying anyone . I’m going upstairs to the drawing room for tea if you’d care to join me.”

“Perhaps in a while.” Evan preferred to return to the study where he could look at the boots Min had given him and recall the feel of her lips against his.

As he walked back to the study, he thought of what his mother had asked. He’d lied because there was definitely something between him and Min. But what exactly?

She’d said she would wed for passion, and they clearly had that. Would he do the same? He realized he hadn’t given extensive thought to what he wanted in a wife or marriage. He’d simply delayed thinking about it.

However, it was now at the forefront of his mind. As was what Min had said about her requirements for marriage. Beyond passion, she didn’t want to marry a rogue. Evan could work on not being one. Indeed, he’d already decided he wanted to change his reputation. However, that was going to be very difficult if Sir Abraham filed a suit against him for criminal conversation.

The last thing Min needed was to be associated with another scandal. Evan had truly put himself in a terrible position by trying to protect Roger. Even if he wanted to court Min, he could not. Not until the matter with Mrs. Dalton was settled.

But it was likely moot. Min saw him as a rogue—she’d just said so. And Min would never marry a rogue.