Page 12 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

A fter delivering Evan’s boots yesterday, Min had returned to her mother’s and decided she could no longer stay in her household. She and her maid had packed a portion of her wardrobe and all her personal items and gone to Sheff and Jo’s house. Min had left a note for her mother.

While Min felt slightly better being at her brother’s house, she was still unsettled, mostly because of Ellis, wherever she was. Kissing Evan again hadn’t helped matters.

Now that she realized passion could be hers, she wanted more of it. But yesterday had been a near thing with his mother coming home. Min had been mortified.

She shouldn’t have called on him in the first place and wondered if his mother had said anything to him. Mrs. Price hadn’t seemed to be judging Min, but it was hard to know for certain. Still, Min had known better and had chosen to ignore propriety. The excuse that they were “friends” would not matter.

Min shook herself from thoughts of Evan and whether she’d provoked his mother to think poorly of her. Sheff and Jo would be waiting for her as they were due to leave for the ball at the Upper Rooms. She descended the staircase and met them in the entrance hall.

“You look splendid, Jo,” Min said, assessing Jo’s vibrant blue gown.

“Thank you. It is the only evening gown I have that fits without making my current state terribly obvious.” Jo passed her hand over her rounded belly.

“We could visit the modiste I saw last week,” Min offered. She’d accompanied Jo to a dressmaker before—when Jo and Sheff had been engaged in a fake betrothal last spring.

“Brilliant idea, Min.” Sheff gave his wife a pointed look. “Please don’t argue. I know you don’t like to spend an exorbitant amount of money on your wardrobe; however, even you must agree that it’s necessary at this point. And for the next few months.”

Jo blew out a breath. “You’re right.” She sent Min a smile. “I would be delighted if you would accompany me to the modiste. It is not my favorite thing to do, and you are much better at selecting items.”

“Shall we go?” Sheff nodded at the butler, who opened the door for them to depart.

When they were situated in the coach, Sheff addressed them both. “What is our plan for dealing with the Viper this evening? We will surely run into her.”

Min arched a brow. “You’re still calling her that?”

Sheff had decided to assign that nickname to their mother the day before. He lifted a shoulder. “Why not? It fits.”

“Can’t we just give her the cut direct?” Min asked.

“I suppose we could, though, can you do that to your own mother?” Sheff smirked. “There’s only one way to know for sure.”

Jo pursed her lips. “You can’t do that. She’s your mother, and there is likely already gossip about Min leaving her household. You must be cordial, at least.”

“Perhaps she won’t be there,” Min mused, though she doubted that would be the case. Her mother was a master at acting as if nothing were wrong, and would certainly continue to do so, even if the building around her was on fire.

“We will simply try to avoid her,” Sheff said.

As the coach neared the Upper Rooms, he frowned as he looked out the window. “There appears to be a bit of a jam. We were running late anyway, but I think you can count on missing the first set and perhaps even the second. Or the start of it anyway.” He sent Min an apologetic look. “Sorry, Min.”

“No need to apologize,” Min replied. “I don’t care if I miss all the sets.”

Sheff cocked his head. “If you don’t wish to dance, and we don’t want to see our mother, why are we going?”

“Because we should,” Jo responded with exasperation. “Why is it I know more about what’s expected than you two? These are your people, not mine.”

“They’re your people now,” Sheff said with a laugh.

“Well, we are dressed and ready and nearly there, so we may as well go,” Min said. “But I do think perhaps this will be my last ball for the Season. I see no point in attending them, even though the duchess has bought a subscription for me. I shall spend my time in Bath enjoying your company and visiting with Pandora.”

“Oh, I would like to see her,” Jo said eagerly.

Min smiled. “You must, for she has your embroidered rogue rules. Perhaps we can call on her tomorrow.”

As expected, they arrived in the ballroom in the middle of the first set. Min surveyed the large rectangular room lit with several gorgeous crystal chandeliers.

“She’s over there,” Sheff said, inclining his head toward the other side of the ballroom.

There was no need for either of them to clarify who “she” was.

Min glanced in that direction and saw the duchess, but quickly looked away before they could make eye contact. Instead, she settled her gaze on a group of young women gathered together. “I wonder what’s going on over there.”

They gravitated in that direction.

“It’s Evan,” Sheff said with a chuckle.

Jo arched a brow. “I didn’t realize he wanted to inherit your rogue crown.”

“I’m not sure he does.” Sheff shrugged. “However, his ankle sprain has garnered a great deal of sympathy and interest. I suppose it’s rather dashing to have sustained an injury while performing a dangerous feat.”

Min snorted. “It wasn’t as if he saved an animal or did something heroic.” She realized she sounded almost caustic. And why?

Because she didn’t like looking at him surrounded by a gaggle of young ladies.

The set ended, and the women around Evan began to disperse. Spilsby approached Min with a smile, though his face appeared pinched. Min hadn’t been enthused to dance with him the other night, and she had no intention of dancing with him again, especially since her mother was trying to coordinate a match between them.

“Good evening, Lady Minerva,” Spilsby said. He wore a perfectly ghastly waistcoat—a bright pea green with overwrought gold embroidery. “I had not expected to see you this evening.” He inclined his head toward Sheff. “Shefford.”

“Spilsby, is it?” Sheff asked with a quirk of his brow. “I suppose I must congratulate you on your inheritance, but I shan’t.”

Min bit back a smile and slid a look at Jo, who was doing the same.

Spilsby blinked, then his eyes darkened with outrage. He turned his attention to Jo. “Good evening, Lady Shefford. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Good evening, Lord Spilsby.” Jo glanced toward Sheff, who appeared as though he were trying not to scowl at the new viscount.

Spilsby shifted his small-eyed gaze to Min. “You must save me a dance later, Lady Minerva.”

“Unfortunately, I shan’t be dancing this evening,” Min replied, wishing she could “accidentally” spill punch on his hideous waistcoat. “But I do thank you.”

“Ah, I assumed you were feeling better since you are here, but perhaps not.” Spilsby had mentioned his surprise at seeing Min here and now this. What the devil was he talking about?

“I’m feeling fine, thank you,” Min said with a hint of annoyance. “Why did you think otherwise?”

Spilsby blinked at her. “I had heard you were ill. The duchess said that was why you were not attending this evening, but here you are.”

“What did the duchess tell you?” Sheff asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“She said Lady Minerva was ill, and that she had removed herself to your house to keep the duchess from coming down with it.” Spilsby smiled at Min once more. “However, I can see you are quite well.” He swept his gaze over her as if to punctuate his assessment.

Min did not care for his perusal. “I am. Though not well enough to dance.” She would seize on her mother’s explanation.

“Next time, then,” Spilsby said with a confidence he ought not to have. “You must excuse me as I have a partner for this set.” He sauntered off.

“I can’t believe our mother wants you to consider him,” Sheff muttered, wrinkling his nose.

“I’ve clearly told her I will not,” Min said.

Evan approached them. “Good evening, Sheff, Lady Shefford, Lady Minerva.”

“Must you call me Lady Shefford?” Jo asked.

“Here in the Upper Rooms, it’s expected,” Evan said with a flourish of his gloved hand.

Min tried not to think of it cupping her head as he kissed her. And failed.

“So pompous,” Jo murmured as she fanned herself vigorously. “It’s very warm in here.”

“It was surprisingly warm today,” Evan remarked. “I even went for a walk in Sydney Gardens this afternoon. I confess I was hoping I might run into you there.” He didn’t address anyone in particular, but his gaze met Min’s, and she felt certain he was speaking to her.

She, however, could not shake the feeling of irritation that she’d had upon seeing him surrounded by all the young ladies. What was wrong with her? Was it jealousy? She’d never been jealous of anyone, certainly not of a gentleman’s attention.

Jo looked to Sheff. “Would you mind taking me outside for a few minutes? I am too overheated.”

“Of course not.” Sheff’s brows drew together with concern. “Min, do you want to come with us?”

“She can stay here with me,” Evan offered.

Min sent him a dubious look. What did he have planned? Was he going to steal her away into a shadowed corner again? It wouldn’t be private enough for them to kiss. Why was she even thinking about that? Because that was all she could think about since yesterday, when she wasn’t worried about Ellis or how to deal with her mother.

“Is that acceptable to you?” Sheff asked.

Min ought to go with Sheff and Jo but couldn’t seem to decline an opportunity to spend time with Evan. She shook off her earlier irritation. “Yes.”

“We won’t be gone long,” Jo said, madly waving her fan. “I just need a cooling respite for a few minutes.”

Sheff escorted her from the ballroom.

Evan turned toward Min. “Do you want to stay here? Or shall we take a promenade through the other rooms?” He offered her his arm.

“Since my mother is in here, I will choose the latter.” She took his arm.

They left the ballroom and walked into the octagon.

“Why were all those young ladies swarming you?” Min asked. “Were you regaling them with your brush with death at Longleat?”

Evan laughed. “One of them did, in fact, ask me about that, but I don’t think anyone believes I was near death. Do you?”

“Of course not. I was being facetious.” She looked over at him as they walked along the corridor toward the entrance hall. “Why are you even here again tonight? You can’t dance.”

“I’m making my mother happy. She bought a subscription, and I think she misses coming to the balls with Gwen. You’re not dancing either. Why are you here?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Sheff and Jo had planned to attend, and we thought it might calm the gossip surrounding our family if we came.”

“That’s probably not the worst idea. I am sorry about all that,” Evan said. “Just ignore them.”

“What have you heard?” she asked.

“Just that you are apparently no longer residing at your mother’s. And that you may be ill.” He shot her a glance as they reached the entrance hall. “I knew that wasn’t true, of course.”

“But you didn’t say so, did you?”

They pivoted to return the way they’d come. “Of course not. Then I’d have to say why I knew, and I’m not going to tell anybody that you called on me yesterday.”

Min grimaced. “I’ve been worried that your mother thinks poorly of me for doing so.”

“She does not,” Evan said firmly.

A young woman approached them from the octagon. She looked to be a year or two younger than Min and had pale blonde hair and round brown eyes that fixed on Evan. She was petite, but stood with her shoulders thrust back. “Mr. Price.”

Evan glanced at Min, then directed his attention to the young woman. He appeared confounded.

“Good evening,” Min said to break the awkward silence.

“Yes, good evening,” Evan added.

“Do you not remember me?” the young lady asked Evan with considerable disdain.

Evan frowned slightly. “Should I?”

The pretty blonde sucked in a breath, her dark eyes flashing. “You are a horrible scoundrel! I realize we met last spring, but I would think you would remember our encounter.”

A grimace passed over Evan’s features. “I’m afraid I don’t,” he said apologetically. “I am terrible with recalling people’s names and faces, so please forgive me if I don’t remember who you are.”

“Or that you kissed me,” she hissed.

Min took her hand from Evan’s sleeve. The jealousy she’d felt earlier spiked within her, and her heart began to pound.

“This is not an appropriate conversation,” Min said to the young woman before narrowing her eyes at Evan.

Evan met Min’s gaze with one of mild panic. “Forgive me,” he murmured. He turned his attention back to the young lady. “Are you sure it was me?”

He flushed, and Min almost felt sorry for him. She truly believed he did not remember this poor young woman.

The young woman’s eyes spat fire. “Of course, I’m certain. I do not have any trouble remembering names or faces or the manner in which you spoke to me, coaxing me into the garden, where you kissed my cheek.”

“I do remember now,” Evan said grimly. “My apologies, miss.”

“Miss Forsythe,” the young woman said crisply. “But you needn’t remember my name any longer because we shall never speak again. You are a rogue, sir.” She looked at Minerva. “If he is courting you, you should run away.”

“He is not. And I’m well aware that Mr. Price is a rogue.” She slitted her eyes at him.

“I’m not really,” Evan protested. “Anymore.”

“Don’t believe him,” Miss Forsythe said, her lip curling. “Rogues never change.” She turned and stalked off.

She’d quoted a rogue rule without realizing it. Min gave Evan a sour look. “How many young ladies have you kissed?”

“Not terribly many,” he said quickly. “But also not zero.”

“How could you not know who she was?” Min wanted to stamp on his injured ankle. Not really, but she was exceedingly perturbed.

“I explained that—I’m terrible with remembering names and faces. I meet someone, and I often don’t remember them. I might hear their name, but I won’t be able to see their face, nor would I recognize them if I met them again. Or sometimes I see someone and think they look vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t recall their name if my life depended on it.”

Min arched a brow at him. “You never seem to have a problem with remembering me or my name.”

“ You are different.” His voice was deep and husky and elicited a response Min did not want to have right now.

“And yet I am just another young woman you have kissed,” Min said derisively. “If you truly want to change and not be known as a rogue, perhaps you should stop kissing women you don’t intend to wed.”

She turned on her heel and stalked away down the corridor. She didn’t know why she was so angry. Why did she care whom he kissed or that he didn’t remember them? None of that had anything to do with her.

But just as he’d called her different, she knew he was too. He was the only bachelor she called friend and the only man who’d ever stirred her desire. Whatever was between them was singular—at least for her.

As she reached the entrance hall, she stopped short. Her mother stood there.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Minerva,” she said coolly.

Min didn’t bother reining in her temper, which Evan had already pricked. “I gathered that, since you’ve been telling people I am ill.”

The duchess narrowed her eyes. “What else was I supposed to say? That you threw a tantrum and moved to your brother’s house?”

“A tantrum ? That’s what you think this is?” Min’s ire was already boiling, but now she felt as though she might explode. “You must excuse me, Mama. I wish to leave before I say something I will regret.”

“Yes, please do. We can’t have a scene. Things are bad enough as it is. I do expect you to return home tomorrow.”

“Why?” Min asked, flabbergasted. “I don’t want to spend time with you, and I’m certainly not going along with your marriage demands.”

“You must,” her mother insisted. “I’ve sent a note to your father this afternoon, telling him that your opportunity to find a husband is nearly gone. He responded promptly that he agreed.”

Min clenched her jaw. What did that mean? Was her father going to insist she wed too?

“Neither of you can force me to marry,” Min said, gritting her teeth.

“Perhaps not, but if you don’t, you will be our responsibility.” She looked down her nose at Min, which took skill since she was probably an inch shorter. “I don’t think any of us wants that. You’ve made it clear you don’t wish to live with me anymore, and I can’t imagine you’d want to reside with your father and his strumpet.

“While it might be fine with you to stay with Sheff and his wife for a short time, they will soon be parents, and they won’t want you around either,” she said haughtily. “The time has come for you to forge your own path, and the only way you can do that is with a husband. I have allowed you too much independence for far too long. You will return home tomorrow, and you will attend the ball on Thursday, where you will dance every set, and we will make it known that you are eagerly awaiting a proposal.”

The entire time she’d spoken, Min’s body had tensed until she felt as though she were made of knots. “You may as well slap a sign on me Thursday evening inviting suitors to offer their bids.”

“If it would not be terribly gauche, I would.” With a final, supercilious glower, she walked past Min on her way back to the ballroom.

Min had to work to keep her jaw from dropping. It was as if her mother had dropped all artifice now that her secret about Ellis was out in the open. Looking back, however, Min now realized that her mother’s expectations had long been antagonizing. Min had simply accepted it, thinking it was her duty to marry well and suffer her mother’s demands toward doing so. The truth was that the duchess was driven by her own wants and needs. She did not care for anyone else, and that included both of her daughters.

Fuming, Min started toward the door. If Jo and Sheff were not outside, she would simply walk to their house. However, they appeared in the doorway just as she reached it.

“I need to go home,” Min blurted.

“Oh, good,” Sheff replied. “Jo still isn’t feeling well, and I need to take her home. You’re certain you don’t mind leaving?”

“Not at all,” Min assured him. “I’ve just run into the Viper. That should tell you how ready I am to go.”

“I see.” Sheff frowned. “You can tell me all about it in the coach.”

Except Min didn’t. She didn’t want to tell him everything their mother had said, or how horrible she’d made Min feel, because she was right. Min didn’t have a place anymore. There was nowhere for her to go except the altar.

E van had spent the day following the ball in poor spirits. He’d tried to see Min, calling on her at Sheff’s house, but he’d informed Evan that she’d returned to their mother’s house. Then he’d asked why Evan was calling, to which Evan had blithely said, “No reason.” Sheff had not seemed entirely satisfied with that answer, but Evan had beat a hasty retreat.

Then, in the evening, Barswell had invited him to a public house along with several other gentlemen. Evan had heartily accepted—and proceeded to drink far too much. Thankfully, Barswell had helped Evan home, because walking on a healing sprained ankle while inebriated turned out to be nearly impossible, even with the aid of a stick.

Today, he was still in poor humor because of what had happened with Miss Forsythe—her name would be emblazoned on his brain now—and Min. He wanted to apologize to Min again, but he didn’t want to bother her at her mother’s house.

Or perhaps Evan was just a coward. He feared their friendship was damaged.

He could only hope it wasn’t irreparably so.

Evan was also frustrated that he hadn’t yet received a letter from Mrs. Dalton. He wasn’t sure if that was good news or bad. As he sat at the desk in the study, he contemplated writing to her to inquire about the situation with her husband.

His mother came into the study and interrupted his thoughts, which was most welcome. “I missed you at breakfast this morning,” she said. “I heard you arrived rather late last night. Is all well?”

“Oh, yes. Just an evening out with some friends. Are you going out?” He noted she was wearing a bonnet.

“Yes.” She smiled placidly. “I’m glad to hear you are fine. You seemed out of sorts yesterday, and I wondered if something was amiss.”

“I’m weary of being injured,” he said with a frown.

“I know.” She looked at him with a mother’s sympathy. “Perhaps you should consult with a physician again.”

“I’d planned to call on him later this week,” Evan said. “I hope he will say I can return to my regular pursuits, particularly riding.”

“Well, I hope that if you do, you will not be attempting any more daring acts.” Now she looked at him with a mother’s consternation.

“I won’t promise that,” he said with a smile. Indeed, he could hardly wait to return to, as Min had called it, his normal life. And that included his “daring acts.”

“Delay them for a while, then. At least until you are well and truly healed.” She pursed her lips at him. “Can you promise your poor mother that?”

“There’s nothing poor about you, Mama. But yes, I will make you happy.”

She exhaled and smoothed her hands against her skirt. “I’m going to the gardens. Would you like to come along? I’m going with Mrs. Bainton from next door. In fact, I should hurry. I think she’s waiting for me.”

“I’ll come.” Evan followed her into the entrance hall and saw that the post had been delivered. Perhaps Mrs. Dalton had written.

“Actually, I’ll catch up with you,” Evan said. “I want to read the post first.”

“All right, dear,” she replied as she drew on her gloves.

After she departed, Evan looked through the missives. Nothing from Mrs. Dalton, but there was a letter from Roger.

Evan opened the letter and scanned the contents. Roger was incredibly distressed at the prospect of a criminal conversation case. As he should be, for it would ruin his career. Roger wrote that he deeply regretted his actions with Mrs. Dalton and lamented the fact that it had been an incredibly short affair. They had met on only two occasions. It hardly seemed fair.

Evan glowered at the letter. It was even less fair to him. He hadn’t met Mrs. Dalton for a tryst at all . If she wasn’t able to persuade her husband not to file suit, Evan needed a plan. He would likely need to consult his father for advice. He would not be happy that Evan had lied and taken the blame for something he didn’t do, but Evan suspected he would also understand. His father was a man of high principle and integrity, and Evan had tried very much to be like him.

Then why are you kissing young ladies in gardens without remembering who they are, and drinking too much in public houses with known rogues, when what you really want is to sort out how you feel about Min?

The voice in his head was becoming a major distraction, particularly since the ball the other night.

As if conjured from his thoughts, he saw Min through the window. She appeared to be on her way to her father’s house. Without thinking, Evan plucked up his hat and dashed outside. As he raced to intercept her, he stepped on his foot wrong, and pain shot through his ankle.

Muttering a curse, he worked to ignore it as he caught up to her. “Good afternoon, Min.”

She turned as he limped a final step and glanced down at his ankle. “Have you hurt yourself again?”

“I’m fine.” He didn’t want to talk about his injury or how he’d stupidly caused himself more pain in his eagerness to reach her. “I’m glad to see you. I called on you yesterday at your brother’s, but he said you’d returned to your mother’s house. I’m surprised you went back.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you.” She continued toward her father’s house.

Evan touched her arm briefly. “Wait, please.”

She stopped and turned toward him. “Whatever you have to say, make it quick, because I’m on my way to my father’s house.”

“I can see that,” Evan said. “I want to apologize for the other night.”

“You’ve nothing to apologize to me for. You should be apologizing to Miss Forsythe for your cavalier treatment of her.”

“It was a flirtation,” Evan said with a grimace, thinking how terrible that sounded. “I recall our encounter now. She had asked if we could promenade into the garden, and she actually asked me to kiss her and?—”

“I find that hard to believe,” Min said.

“Why? You asked me to kiss you.” He wished he hadn’t said it as soon as the words left his mouth. It might be true, but it did not seem the right thing to say at this particular time.

Min narrowed her eyes at him. “I suppose that’s true. Are you telling me you don’t make a habit of kissing young women in gardens?”

“Not generally, no.” He shrugged. “I like to flirt, Min. I enjoy making women smile and feel good about themselves, so I flatter them. I make them feel special.”

“Is that what you did with me?” she asked quietly.

“Yes.” Though it had come far more naturally. Making Min smile was as easy—and vital—to him as breathing. “But there’s more to it than that. We have a connection—a friendship, at least.” He stopped short of telling her he’d begun to wonder if there was something more.

She pivoted toward her father’s house. “I really must be going.”

“I can’t bear it if you’re angry with me, Min. I have decided to change. I won’t flirt anymore, and I won’t steal kisses.”

“Not even from me?” She didn’t look at him.

“Not even from you.”

She slid him a glance that held a tinge of skepticism. “Do you really think you can do that?”

Her gaze had softened a bit, making him think he was perhaps breaking through her anger. “I’m going to try,” he said. “Though, you make it difficult. You can’t want to kiss me either. It’s not helpful.”

She looked toward her father’s house. “Perhaps we should just stop spending time together. It seems we are too tempted.”

He could not argue with her, and yet he didn’t want to contemplate not seeing her anymore. “I miss our habit of being together every day when we were at Longleat. I thought you enjoyed that too.”

“I did.” She glanced at him once more. “But we weren’t able to resist temptation then, either.”

“I promise we can maintain our friendship and nothing more.” At least Evan would try for that. “Perhaps I’ll see you at the gardens later. I’m going there shortly to join my mother.”

“Not today,” she said. “My father has something to discuss with us. Perhaps tomorrow.”

Evan felt a surge of anticipation in his chest. “I shall hope so.”

Their gazes caught and held. She looked away first and continued on her way to her father’s house.

Evan watched until he could no longer see her, then he turned and went back to his mother’s. His ankle hurt too much to join his mother at Sydney Gardens.

Reflecting on his conversation with Min, he wasn’t quite sure what had just happened or what he’d agreed to, but he hoped he would see her tomorrow.

And if his ankle still pained him, he’d suffer through it. Min was worth the agony.