Page 14 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

A ll morning, Evan had looked forward to hopefully seeing Min at Sydney Gardens that afternoon. However, his hopes were dashed when he received a note from her saying she would not be going. She would, however, be at the ball at the Upper Rooms that night.

Evan wouldn’t miss it.

Before he could go upstairs and inform his mother of his plans, which would delight her, Alton delivered the post to the study. At last, there was a letter from Mrs. Dalton. Evan tore it open and scanned the contents with growing frustration.

Her husband had refused to listen to her pleas regarding the divorce. He’d banished her from his household—which was how she was writing a frank letter about the matter—and she was now staying with her sister. Evan felt badly for the poor woman. While she had made a mistake, this punishment was surely excessive.

Evan set the letter aside and stared off into nothing, his mind and gut churning. He ought to go to London at once to deal with this matter. He needed to speak to his father. Perhaps he could talk sense into Sir Abraham.

Except Evan didn’t want to leave Min and whatever was happening between them. At the same time, he couldn’t pursue anything with her with this horrible business hanging over his head.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there considering his options, but the butler returned to inform him that Sheff had arrived.

Shaking himself from his stupor, Evan rose. “Send him in.”

Sheff came into the study, and right away, Evan could see there was a dark cloud over him.

“Afternoon, Sheff,” Evan said. “You don’t look like the happily married man and father-to-be that I’ve seen recently.”

“I am still those things,” Sheff said gruffly. “However, I am also a thoroughly angry son.”

Evan was familiar with the Duke of Henlow’s penchant for indulging in activities that generated gossip. Setting up house in Bath during the Season with his mistress was a prime example. However, as it was expected from him, the gossip wasn’t that his behavior was shocking, but merely interesting. Could the duke even provoke outrage anymore?

“Blast, what has your father done now?” Evan asked. He gestured to the seating area and returned to his chair.

Sheff sat across from him and ran his hand through his hair. “He’s completely lost his mind. As awful as his behavior has been for years now, what he wants to do next makes everything pale in comparison.”

Perhaps there was room for shock after all. “That sounds ominous.” Evan immediately thought of Min and how this might affect her.

“He’s planning to divorce our mother,” Sheff announced with a faint curl of his lip.

Evan’s breath caught. “That is terrible.”

“It’s abominable!” Sheff’s voice rose. “Do you know how damaging it will be to everyone? He will file suit against Jo’s father. I’m absolutely livid. I can’t believe he would do that to my wife .”

“That is indeed beyond the pale. And what of your sister?” Evan knew it would damage Min’s reputation. He worked to hide his rising anger lest Sheff question it.

“It will ruin her chances of marriage.” Sheff threw his hands up. “I cannot countenance why my father would do that to Min. It’s unconscionable. He’s endured marriage to my mother for nearly thirty years. Why seek to dissolve it now? Because he’s found love again and finally has love in return.”

Evan was glad for the duke in spite of what he was prepared to do. “Neither of your parents is happy. It’s a shame they can’t go their separate ways.”

“I agree, but they can live apart and completely avoid one another.” Sheff blew out a breath. “I do feel for my father and understand his desire to publicly acknowledge his love for Mrs. Welbeck. I can’t imagine if I were not allowed to marry Jo, if I had to hide our relationship in the shadows.”

Evan felt bad for all of them, especially for Min. He could, of course, not help thinking of his own situation with Mrs. Dalton and how damaging it would be to his family. He thought of how upset his parents would be, but had he really considered how it would affect his mother? She was a popular hostess, and the life she knew would be destroyed. His sister might fare better, since she was now married to the Viscount Somerton, but it could taint them, at least for a while. Evan needed to put a stop to this.

In fact, he never should have stepped in to take the blame in the first place. But he’d wanted to help his friend and had thought the risk to his reputation would be minimal. He’d been a fool to think the affair would be regarded as a rakish exploit. He also hadn’t expected that he wouldn’t want to be seen as rakish.

He was tempted to talk to Sheff about it, but he didn’t want to burden his friend. Not now. He was also, he realized, embarrassed.

“I’m sorry to saddle you with all this,” Sheff said. “I just needed to talk to someone who wasn’t Jo. She’s very upset, as you can imagine, and I don’t wish to cause her further distress, especially with the babe. We’ve decided to return to London tomorrow.”

“Have you? Is Min going with you?”

Sheff’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We invited her, but she declined. My father made it clear to her that she needs to marry as soon as possible. Though, he said he won’t initiate the divorce until she is wed.”

Evan imagined the enormous pressure Min must feel. She had to be terribly upset. Perhaps that was why she wasn’t going to the gardens today. Except she was going to the ball.

What better place for her to find a husband?

It occurred to Evan that he could be that husband.

He considered telling Sheff that he had a solution for Min. Evan wouldn’t care that his father-in-law would plunge the family into scandal. Though Evan’s very proper father would care, even if the man was a duke.

However, Evan would not say anything at all until he spoke with Min. He frowned at Sheff. “Is there no way of talking your father out of it?”

“There doesn’t seem to be.” Sheff scowled. “Things had finally improved between my father and me.”

“And now he’s gone and decided to upend everything for love,” Evan said.

Sheff’s scowl deepened. “Are you arguing there’s something romantic about this?”

“No, I only feel sorry for him and his position.”

“I do too,” Sheff said with a sigh, his features relaxing. “I will always feel bad that he is trapped in a hate-filled marriage, but he can be happy with Mrs. Welbeck—even somewhat publicly. It’s not as if he hasn’t had mistresses before. But he doesn’t want Mrs. Welbeck to be another one of his many mistresses. She is different in his eyes, and I understand that too.”

“What a bloody mess.” Evan paused before asking, “Do you ever think love is not worth the turmoil?”

“Having experienced it for myself, no.” Sheff met Evan’s gaze. “It is worth every agony. I suppose I can understand my father’s motivations, but just as he will fight for his love, I must fight for mine.”

Evan could see how fiercely Sheff cared for Jo. “Your love for your wife is inspiring. If a rogue like you can reform so completely, I think there’s hope for the rest of us.”

“Does that mean you are hoping to shed your reputation?” Sheff asked.

“I have been considering that,” Evan said evenly.

“I encourage you to do so before it gets worse, not that it will. But speaking as someone who was a consummate rake, I regret my behavior.” Sheff grimaced briefly before fixing intently on Evan. “Is there another reason you’re looking for redemption? I notice you keep asking about my sister, and you did spend an inordinate amount of time with her at that house party. Should I be concerned?”

“Concerned about what?” Perhaps things such as me kissing your sister? “I hold your sister in the highest esteem. I consider her a good friend.” And I would like her to be more than that, truth be told.

“It’s nothing more than that?” Sheff asked.

“It is not.” Not yet anyway. “Would it be bad if it were?”

Sheff’s brows shot up. “Not bad , but surprising. Really, it isn’t my business. I will not direct my sister on whom she should wed, as our parents have done. However, if you are interested in my sister in that way, you must be committed to being the love of her life. That is what she needs and what she deserves. If you can’t do that, don’t waste her time.”

Evan understood. He nodded.

“Are you seriously considering a courtship?” Sheff blinked at him.

“I’ll keep that between your sister and me, if you don’t mind.” The truth was Evan didn’t know. He certainly had a deep affection for her and was wildly attracted to her.

“Smart man.” Sheff gave him a nod of approval. “She could do far worse than you.”

Evan laughed. “Thank you?”

They spoke for a few more minutes before Sheff stood to take his leave. Evan wished him a safe trip to London and bade him give Jo his very best.

After Sheff was gone, Evan’s thoughts turned completely to Min—she hadn’t been far from his mind—and how she must be feeling. He was anxious to see her tonight. To talk with her about marriage.

But should he? He hadn’t yet resolved the matter with Mrs. Dalton, and he really should before he could consider the future with Min. He would not allow scandal to touch her, not after all she’d been through.

If he were smart, he would travel to London tomorrow too.

S ince her conversation with Pandora yesterday, Min had thought of little else but the choices facing her.

She’d been so consumed by what to do next that she’d decided not to go to the gardens to meet Evan. There was simply too much weighing on her mind. Furthermore, spending time with him would likely encourage her to do what Pandora had suggested. Indeed, many of Min’s thoughts had centered on spending a night with Evan, particularly as she’d tried to sleep last night. Desire had flushed through her as she recalled his kisses and his touch—and imagined what else he would make her feel.

“I think that may be my favorite gown,” Min’s mother said as they rode the short distance from her house to the Upper Rooms for tonight’s ball.

Min glanced down at her pink ball gown, which was the one she would have chosen to wear a week ago. She didn’t point that out to her mother. She’d avoided speaking to the duchess since yesterday’s stunning revelation from her father. In truth, Min now generally avoided speaking to her at all—since the prior stunning revelation regarding Ellis.

This was far too much turmoil for one family to endure.

Min had written to Ellis last night for the third time and had a footman deliver the letter to her father’s house so he could post it. She’d wanted to lament to Ellis about the divorce, but hadn’t. Ellis had her own problems and didn’t need to hear about Min’s.

Instead, Min had told Ellis how much she missed her, that she was well, and that she hoped to see her soon. She also wrote that she was closer than she’d ever been to accepting a proposal of marriage—not that there was anyone specific.

Because she had to before her father plunged the family into scandal.

Min squared her shoulders against the squab. “Mother, I have decided to wed with due haste. However, the choice of groom will be mine and mine alone,” she said firmly. If she could not have love or passion, she would at least choose someone she could respect.

“I’m pleased to hear it,” her mother said. She even smiled, which made Min want to roll her eyes. “I do expect him to hail from a noble family. After your brother’s marriage, it’s very important that you make a good connection.”

Important to whom? Min clenched her jaw.

The duchess continued, “I know you had mentioned Mr. Jarvis, and while he does seem pleasant enough, he is not nobility. You deserve someone better, and you know that, Minerva. You are the daughter of the Duke of Henlow. You should be marrying the heir to another dukedom, or a marquessate, at the very least, an earldom. But I will settle for a viscount.” Her exhalation was tinged with disappointment.

“ You will settle?” Min asked with a look of disgust. “My marriage has nothing to do with you, and given your rather poor history with marriage, forgive me if I don’t want your input at all.”

Her mother bristled. “You must also not consider Evan Price,” she said, as if she hadn’t heard what Min had just told her.

Min had to keep from glowering at her. “Why would you even bring him up?”

“Because I’ve seen you speaking with him, and I know you spent time with him—too much time—at Longleat.” The duchess sniffed as if she smelled something unpleasant. “His family is fine, I suppose, but again, there is no title. Furthermore, his reputation isn’t…pristine. On that front, Mr. Jarvis would be a better choice. But again, you shouldn’t choose either of them.”

“Mother, stop . I will wed whomever I want. That includes Mr. Jarvis or Mr. Price or a blacksmith.” The coach came to a halt, and Min was grateful she could leave the coach.

As they made their way inside, Min wondered if she’d made a mistake in coming tonight. Was she actually hoping a new gentleman would appear? Someone with whom she would fall instantly and madly in love? Or at least with whom she could share the same passion she did with Evan?

The thought of enduring another series of dances tonight without Ellis by her side or any of the other members of the Rogue Rules Club was both depressing and frustrating. At least she’d had Pandora to talk to, even if she wasn’t here at the ball.

They entered the ballroom, and for the first time, Min felt uncomfortable. She thought of never having to attend another event like this and didn’t think she would mind one bit. There were two ways to achieve that end. As a spinster, she would no longer attend balls, just as Pandora didn’t. While as a wife, she might very well continue going to balls, but she would do so with entirely different expectations.

She suddenly glimpsed years into the future and wondered how it might feel to attend a ball like this with her own daughter. Her breath halted in her lungs as she contemplated that never happening if she became a spinster. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe.

“Here comes Lord Spilsby,” her mother said eagerly. “I know he is not your first choice, but I do believe he has changed since inheriting his title. I think you should give him a chance.”

Spilsby, once again wearing a horrid waistcoat—this time in the hue of brownish-purple that made one think of decay—arrived before Min could state that she had no intention of doing so. He bowed. “Will you do me the honor of dancing the next set with me, Lady Minerva?”

Min could not say no, especially since she’d somewhat broken a rule when she’d refused him the other night. However, her mother had inadvertently given her an excuse to do so when she’d made up that story about Min being ill and having to stay at Sheff’s house. Was Min to blame for seizing on that?

“Certainly,” Min replied with a forced smile. She took his arm and glanced at the profile of his long face. He had wispy brown sideburns that arced along his jawbone. Some men sported facial hair to compensate for a feature that was lacking. In Spilsby’s case, Min didn’t think there was enough hair in the world to make him look anything other than disagreeable.

As they took their places on the dance floor, he gave her an earnest look. “I owe you an apology, Lady Minerva. I understand you may hold some disdain for me based on an unfortunate event that happened at Almack’s last spring. I’m afraid I reacted poorly to something that happened involving a friend of yours, and it was not well done of me.”

Min narrowed her eyes at him. She suspected her mother had put him up to this in order to bolster his chances. Except he had no chance with Min whatsoever.

“I’m not the one you should apologize to,” Min said. “That would be Lady Somerton, though I daresay she wouldn’t want to speak with you. Even if you tried, her husband would probably call you out.”

She laughed as if she were telling a jest, but she was not. And given the shadow that passed over Spilsby’s eyes, she thought he knew it too.

“Furthermore,” Min continued, “one might excuse what happened at Almack’s because perhaps you were simply having a bad night. However, there is no excusing the rumor you spread later in an attempt to ruin Lady Somerton. That, I am afraid, is unforgivable.”

He opened his mouth to speak, his brows knitting, but Min held up a hand. “I don’t think there’s anything for us to discuss.”

“Still, I would like to explain,” Spilsby said, his face flushed. “Might I call on you tomorrow to do so?”

She did not want him calling on her, for that would only encourage him. “No, that is not acceptable to me. In fact, this will be the last time we dance together. You must not ask me again, because I have no interest in marrying you. There will be no courtship. You must turn your interest elsewhere.”

Spilsby’s eyes rounded, and his nostrils flared. His jaw clenched, and little lines formed around his mouth. He didn’t glower, exactly, but he did not look pleased. The music started, and they made their way through the dance rather awkwardly.

Halfway through, Min spied Evan near the wall. He looked magnificent, with his dark hair styled so a few waves moved across his forehead. He did not have his walking stick, and Min found she missed the accessory. It added something to his appearance that was undeniably attractive. Though, Min found him handsome at every turn—whether he’d just fallen from a horse or was suffering after having a bonesetter prod his injured ankle.

Each time she saw him, her heart beat a little faster and her desire to be close to him increased. She wished she could dance with him. Perhaps the absence of a walking stick meant that he could.

“Careful,” Spilsby said crossly, interrupting Min’s mooning.

Min realized she’d lost track of where she was supposed to be moving. She did not respond, except to send Spilsby a faint glower.

She found Evan once more, and this time, he was looking in her direction. Their eyes met, and Min knew in that moment that she wanted what Pandora had suggested. She wanted that one night for herself. And she wanted it with Evan Price.