Page 17 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

E van departed for London early Friday morning. He’d been tired after being up late with Min. He’d stayed longer than he’d intended, watching her sleep and not wanting to disturb her by leaving. He was careful not to fall asleep himself, lest he not wake up early enough.

But he’d had to go, so he’d carefully extricated himself from her limbs. She’d sighed and burrowed into the bedclothes. He realized he could gladly watch her do that every night.

After dressing, he’d stolen from the house without being detected, then limped home because he hadn’t brought his walking stick. He would do it all again, or even walk across the city of Bath multiple times without his stick, to have another night with Min.

He hoped it would be the first of many—for a lifetime—but first, he needed to deal with the Mrs. Dalton issue. After spending last night at a coaching inn, Evan had continued on to London and arrived this evening. Rain had slowed him down a bit, so he’d gone directly to his parents’ house and caught his father just after he’d dressed to go to dinner at one of his clubs.

Llewellyn Price was not a large man, but he possessed a bearing that commanded attention and respect. Perhaps it was the flecks of gray in his dark hair that made him appear wise, or the way he carried himself—with immense confidence and little fear. Those traits had served him well, as he had elevated himself to Lord Commissioner of the Treasury. But he had always been a formidable man of great integrity, which was why, Evan suspected, people were drawn to him, including his mother.

Catriona Price had married beneath her station as the daughter of a viscount, but Evan’s grandfather had never found her choice of husband lacking. Indeed, his grandfather, Lord Coleford, had been Evan’s father’s staunchest supporter.

Evan was quite grateful for the warmth of his family, especially after what he’d seen of Min and Sheff and their family’s troubles. That sentiment made Evan’s visit to his father even more difficult.

Evan had behaved poorly. He’d leapt to his friend’s defense without considering the effect on his family. All because Evan thought to weather a scandal to protect a friend. It had been unfair of him to expect his family to do the same, and he understood that now.

His father came into the study where Evan was waiting for him. “I’m surprised to see you here.” His gaze flicked to the walking stick Evan held, and his brow creased with concern. “The ankle is still troubling you?”

“A bit,” Evan replied. “Though spending the better part of the past two days riding in a coach has forced me to rest. I am hopeful it will be fully healed soon.”

His father assessed him with a narrowed eye. “I take that to mean you have not been resting it as much as you should.”

Evan lifted a shoulder. “You know me too well, Papa. I have done my best.” He flashed a smile.

His father grunted, then went to pour a brandy. “Do you want a drink?”

“Yes, I think I do,” Evan said evenly. Perhaps it would help the coming discussion.

His father poured two small tumblers and came to hand one to Evan. Then he sat in his favorite chair near the hearth. “How is your mother?”

Evan took the other chair across from him and rested his walking stick against the arm. “Very well.” He sipped his brandy as his father did the same.

“What did she say about you returning to London?” his father asked, holding his glass on the arm of his chair. He gave Evan a pointed look. “We’d agreed you would stay away until I summoned you.”

“I know, but it became imperative that I return.” Evan took another fortifying drink of brandy. “I told Mama I needed to return to take care of a matter.”

“And is that why you’re here? You have a matter that requires your attention?”

“Unfortunately, yes. It involves the Mrs. Dalton situation.” Evan tried to relax the tension bunched in his shoulders.

His father leaned forward, his eyes blazing. “Do not tell me you came here to see her. You are not to spend time with her at all.”

Evan blew out a breath. “The truth is, I have never spent time alone with her. Except when she came to see me in Bath last week.”

His father’s eyes widened. “What the devil are you saying?”

“I hope you won’t be too angry. I did not have an affair with Mrs. Dalton. I only said I did.”

“You lied about it?” His father blinked, and he shook his head in bewilderment. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“To protect my friend, Roger Martin. He was having an affair with Mrs. Dalton.” Evan went on to explain why he’d protected Roger and why Mrs. Dalton had come to see him.

His father listened, his jaw clenching through the part about Roger and his face paling as Evan explained about Sir Abraham intending to file suit for divorce.

When Evan finished, his father leapt out of his chair and paced across the study. “This is an unmitigated disaster.”

“It has turned into one, yes.” Evan hated that he was causing his father such distress.

He swung around and glowered at Evan. “You must fix this.”

Evan shifted in his chair. “I know. That is why I’ve returned to London. The time has come for me to tell the truth.”

His father marched toward him, his features etched in disgust. “The time has come and gone, my boy.” His father sat back down. He turned his attention to the fire, his expression fixed in an angry, contemplative mask.

“I’m sorry,” Evan said quietly. “I never meant to cause so much trouble. I should have been more thoughtful.”

“Indeed, you should have. What you did was embarrassing to our family—and it wasn’t even true .” His father slammed his hand on his knee as he shifted his angry gaze back to Evan. “You are smarter than this, Evan. What possessed you?”

“I explained why I wanted to help Roger,” Evan said. “However, if I had it to do over again, I would not have taken the blame. I thought I could weather the scandal. I did not think how it would affect all of you.” Or how it would affect Evan and any plans he might have had for his own future. Because he hadn’t remotely considered that he might want to court or marry someone. He’d never expected to fall in love, which was precisely what had happened. The acknowledgment filled him with a radiant joy in the midst of this tumult.

His father harrumphed. “Hopefully, once the truth is known, the damage will be undone.”

To Evan, but what of how this would hurt Roger? “I do feel badly for how this will ruin Roger and his career.”

“He made a mistake,” his father said crisply. “He must own it and do his best to survive the consequences.”

“He doesn’t have a father like you to guide or advocate for him,” Evan said with regret. Roger had lost his father when he was quite young and had attended Cambridge due to the kindness of a gentleman in the district where he’d grown up. The man had seen Roger’s intelligence and promise and arranged for him to be educated.

Evan continued, “I also feel bad for Mrs. Dalton. I barely know her, but she seems truly distraught. Sir Abraham has banished her from the household and forbidden her from seeing her children. Roger told me that Sir Abraham was often cruel to her, that she was very unhappy. And the man is old enough to be her father.”

His father exhaled. “I know all that.”

“All of it?” Evan asked. “Even the part about how Sir Abraham treats her?”

“Yes.” His father drummed his fingers on his knee. “Sadly, there are many unfortunate marriages with one or both parties enduring a miserable existence. I’m afraid that is the way of things.”

“It shouldn’t be,” Evan said with more vitriol than he’d planned. “There’s no reason people should have to remain in a union where they are both unhappy.”

“That may be true, but people manage. What choice do they have?”

“That’s easy for you to say.” Evan found his father’s cavalier attitude irritating. “You and Mother are incredibly happy. Have you any idea how fortunate you are?”

His father gave him a direct stare. “Yes, we do. We say that to one another all the time. But don’t think for a moment that marriage is one extreme or the other. It is for a lifetime, and over that course, there are good and bad times. Some people are simply better suited to one another than others.” He eyed Evan intently. “For a young man who has eschewed marriage—or even talk of it until now—you seem quite interested in the estate. What has roused your passion on this topic, or are you simply advocating for Mrs. Dalton? I’ve always credited you with a caring heart, my boy, which is why I was doubly disappointed in your behavior with her. I confess I’m relieved it’s not true.”

“Thank you for saying that,” Evan said. “As it happens, I am interested in marriage.”

“Are you?” His father’s brows shot up. “Is there someone in particular?”

“Yes,” Evan replied. An image of Min filled his mind and heated his body. He felt a surge of love just thinking of her and in anticipation of when he would return to her. “I’m particularly eager to put this matter with Mrs. Dalton behind me because I plan to propose marriage.”

He prayed Min would say yes. Despite their shared intimacy the night before he left, he couldn’t stop thinking of the conversation that had preceded it. She’d been right to call him out for not being honest. Even worse, he’d found himself in a mess—of his own bloody making—that was far too similar to the sort of turmoil Min’s father had subjected her to. It was imperative that he fix things before he could even ask her to spend forever with him.

His father’s entire demeanor changed as a grin swept over his features. He lifted his brandy toward Evan. “This deserves a toast.”

Evan picked up his glass and tapped it to his father’s. They each drank.

“Do I know this young lady?” his father asked.

“In fact, you do—Lady Minerva Halifax.”

His father blinked in surprise. “Henlow’s daughter? It’s no wonder you had quite the commentary about marriage, given the family you plan to marry into. Are you sure you want to step into that fray?”

“I would leap into a pit of snarling lions to marry Min.”

His father’s features softened. “You’re in love,” he said gruffly.

“Yes, I am.” Evan’s chest expanded as he confirmed that out loud.

His father smiled warmly, which was a rather rare occasion. “Then we must fix this situation with Sir Abraham with due haste.”

“Yes,” Evan agreed. “I am hoping you can talk him out of the divorce.”

His father’s brows drew together. “You want me to speak to Sir Abraham.”

“After your impassioned speech about the trials of marriage, I think you’re the best candidate,” Evan said wryly. “Mostly, I didn’t think it wise for me to call on him alone.”

“You are probably right about that. We’ll speak to him together, then. He’ll be at the club tonight. He has avoided speaking with me—for obvious reasons—but we will impress upon him the need for a discreet conversation. The man can’t want to put himself and his children through such an ordeal as divorce.”

Evan found it impossible to have this conversation and not think of Min and what she would be facing when her father did the same thing to her and, by extension, to Evan and his family once they were wed. That assumed she accepted his proposal. He could not take for granted that she would. Aside from this scandalous problem he’d created, he had no idea if she loved him in return. And that was of vital importance, for if she didn’t love him, she wouldn’t marry him.

Nor should she.

Evan looked at his father and shifted in his chair once more. “I should tell you something else.”

His father’s expression turned guarded. “I’m not sure I like the sound of your tone.”

“Since we are speaking of divorce, I should tell you that the Duke of Henlow is planning to file a divorce suit against his wife and her one-time paramour.”

“That’s rich coming from him,” his father said with a hint of derision. “I never would have believed Her Grace was unfaithful. She’s always appeared above reproach—a veritable saint next to His Grace and his well-known affairs.”

“Yes,” Evan replied. “His Grace doesn’t dispute his own transgressions. However, as you know, the law doesn’t seem to care what men do. Women, on the other hand, can be held to account if they have been unfaithful and if their husband cares to take them to court to prove it.”

“Can he prove it?”

Evan nodded. “But I would rather not say how.” That would mean bringing Ellis into the conversation, and he would not do that. He wished he could protect her—and Min—from this. What he ought to do was fight to ensure that Min’s father didn’t go through with his plan. If Evan could expect to convince Sir Abraham, why not try to persuade Min’s father to do the same?

“I confess I was thrilled to hear you will marry the daughter of a duke,” his father said somewhat ominously. “But now that I know what’s in store, I cannot support it.” He gave Evan a sad look. “I’m sorry, son. It will be a terrible ordeal for all of us. You can’t put your mother through that—or your sister. She has her own family to think about now.”

He wouldn’t support Evan’s marriage? Evan hadn’t expected that. He felt as if the floor were caving out from under him. “I will convince His Grace not to file the suit.”

“You think you can?” His father sounded skeptical.

“I think after we are successful persuading Sir Abraham, I will have both the motivation and experience to do so, yes.”

“Your confidence has always been an attribute,” his father said with a chuckle.

Evan smirked. “I wonder where I got it from.”

“Your mother would say it’s arrogance, but between us, she likes that.” His father studied him a moment. “What is your motivation exactly?”

“Marrying Min,” Evan said quickly. Eagerly. “I love her, and I will marry her.” He prayed she loved him in return.

“Very well. First things first.” His father swallowed the rest of his brandy and stood. He looked at Evan and frowned. “You’ll need to change your dress before we go to the club. Be quick about it,” he added before going to pour more brandy.

Evan rose with the aid of his walking stick. “Thank you, Papa.”

His father turned to face him. “I’m glad you finally told me the truth. I just wish you had done so earlier. Actually, I wish you’d never had a reason to.”

“Surely you can see why I wanted to help my friend?” Evan asked.

“I do. As I said, you have a kind heart, and I cannot fault you for that. We will set this matter right, but I make no guarantees about your friend.”

“I know. We can only do our best.” Evan fervently prayed he would have good news to share with Roger by the end of the evening. And then he could leave for Bath first thing in the morning.

Min would be in his arms by Monday night.

B y the time Min strolled in Sydney Gardens with Pandora on Monday afternoon, the rumors about Evan and Mrs. Dalton were being openly discussed. Overhearing a third such conversation, Min paused on the path.

Pandora arched a brow at her but said nothing.

Min turned and went to the pair of women discussing Evan and Mrs. Dalton. “Pardon me, but I couldn’t help hearing what you are loudly saying. I felt beholden to tell you that the matter between Mr. Price and Mrs. Dalton is a grave misunderstanding.”

“How do you know that?” one of the women asked, her eyes bright with curiosity. She and the other women were about ten years older than Min.

“I have it on good authority.” Min used her haughtiest daughter-of-a-duke tone. “The Price family are friends of ours. Mr. Price is not the rogue he is purported to be. You should not believe every rumor you hear.”

Min spun on her heel and rejoined Pandora on the path.

As they walked away from the encounter, Pandora slid her a smile. “That was quite a passionate defense of Evan. Is all that true?”

Min hadn’t seen Pandora since she’d learned of the rumor—and the truth of it from Evan. “Yes. It’s a horrible mistake of Evan’s own doing, and it’s why he’s in London right now. He is putting things to rights.” She went on to explain how Evan had confessed to an affair with Mrs. Dalton to protect a friend.

“I would say that’s rather gallant of him,” Pandora noted. “Though, perhaps ill-advised.”

“I was quite cross with him because he didn’t tell me about any of it. I had to hear the rumor from the Viper—my mother—after which, I confronted him.”

“I can see why that would be upsetting,” Pandora said with a frown. “He didn’t lie, exactly, but he wasn’t honest either.”

“Exactly. He explained why he didn’t tell me—he wanted to fix the mess he created so that I was not embroiled in another vexing, scandalous situation. He thought my problems with my family were troubling enough, and he was right. Still, I wish he’d told me, and it gives me pause that he didn’t. Creating chaos and scandal is my father’s forte, and I would rather not invite that into my life.”

Pandora looked at her with sympathy. “Have you forgiven him? It seems you may have, since you are defending him today.”

Min lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know that ‘forgiven’ is the right word. I’m not angry with him. In fact, he spent the night—or part of it anyway—with me after we discussed the matter.”

Pandora gasped. “And you’re just now telling me?”

“I probably ought to have called on you straightaway on Friday, but I confess I was rather tired,” she said somewhat sheepishly.

“I’m sure you were,” Pandora said with a smirk. “Was it everything you hoped it would be?”

“And more,” Min said, unable to keep from smiling.

“So things are good between you, then?” Pandora asked.

“I suppose so,” Min replied with hesitation. “I can’t stop thinking about the encounter we had in one of the alcoves in the tearoom on Thursday night. We kissed, and he said, ‘Marry me.’ He didn’t ask me. He demanded .”

“That’s more than I’ve ever been…asked,” Pandora said wryly.

Min grimaced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that. When I pointed out he hadn’t asked me, he said he would do so properly, and that he would declare his love.”

Pandora stopped and turned toward Min. “He said he loved you?”

“Not exactly. He said that he would declare his love. It was like a plan he’d laid out. I don’t know how to describe it, but it wasn’t the sweeping emotional moment that one would hope for after hearing that someone loves them. ”

“I understand your hesitation. At least you seem hesitant.” Min nodded, and Pandora continued. “You aren’t yet certain you can trust him to be the man you need.”

“Yes.” Min was so relieved that Pandora understood. “I want to trust him, but I do need to be sure that he will be committed to me and our family—if we marry—and that he will be wholly honest.”

“Perhaps he is waiting to give you a sweeping, emotional moment until he’s resolved this matter in London,” Pandora said gently. “I can understand him wanting to do that. He is not the sort of rogue who would promise those things and then abandon you like Bane did to me.”

“No, I don’t think he is,” Min admitted. “I think part of me also wonders if he only wants to marry me because of the passion we share. But that may be because, to me, it’s a singular connection. He’s experienced this before, while I have not.”

They started walking once more, and Pandora’s brow creased. “Has he? It sounds as though you need a frank discussion about both love and passion. I think, for you, they are completely intertwined.”

“I agree. I keep thinking about how Evan and I started as friends, and everything has built from there. I’ve never had that with a gentleman before, and I can’t help wondering if that is at the heart of why he’s the first man I’ve known who’s actually stirred me to consider marriage. Not because I have to wed, but because I want to.” She realized that was true. She did want to marry Evan. Because she loved him. “I think I’m in love with him,” she whispered before she could censor herself.

Pandora gave her a wide smile. “I think you are too. But I wasn’t going to say so. I knew you’d puzzle it out.”

Min laughed. “You are a dear friend.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Wait for him to return, hopefully tomorrow.” Unless he’d found some way to shorten his trip. The prospect gave Min a flash of anticipation. She was eager to tell him that she loved him. But could she until she knew for certain that he was the man she thought he might be? “What would you do in my situation?”

Pandora shook her head. “I don’t have any advice beyond what I’ve already shared. I’ve made my peace with being a spinster, and I frankly can’t imagine anything else.”

Min hated to think that her friend would not ever have a lasting relationship. “You really have resigned yourself to that?”

Pandora nodded and did not seem sad about it. “Soon enough, I should leave my aunt’s house. She is a proper widow, and I am a spinster who writes novels and wants the freedom to have an occasional liaison. I shall take a cottage somewhere, perhaps in Weston.”

“Well, that would be lovely,” Min said. “Because we will always be there together in August.”

Pandora sent her a sideways glance. “I know that is your intent, but I don’t see that happening. More than half of us are married now, and you will probably be next.”

“I have not committed to anything, nor have I been asked,” Min reminded her.

Pandora smiled. “Yes, I know, but it’s likely you will, and then it will be just me and Ellis in the Rogue Rules Club.”

“Plus our new member, Iona,” Min said. “You will like her.”

“Has she a reason not to marry like Ellis and I do?” Pandora asked.

“Not that I am aware of.”

“So as I said, it will be Ellis and me together at my cottage every August in Weston. Don’t feel sorry for us.”

“I shan’t, because I may be there with you. As I said, I have not committed to anything,” Min assured her. “Are you going to write to Ellis about your cottage plans?”

“I may mention it in my next letter,” Pandora replied.

“Your next letter? You’ve already written to her?”

Pandora nodded. “The other day. I had a footman deliver the letter to your father with a request that he forward it to Ellis. He sent word back that he had done so.”

“Will you tell me if she replies to you? She has not responded to any of my letters.” Min hadn’t told anyone that. It hurt that Ellis didn’t even want to write to her when Min missed her terribly. Ellis was like a sister, even before Min had discovered she truly was one. Now, Min was trying to decide the course of her life without her dearest friend and sister. “I would give anything to talk to her right now.”

“I know you would,” Pandora said softly.

They’d reached the area where carriages were parked.

Pandora stopped and faced Min. “This is where I leave you. My aunt’s coach is just over there, and I’ll wait for her inside.”

Min knew Pandora didn’t care to linger when the park was teeming with gossiping busybodies. Pandora wasn’t a prime topic of gossip anymore, but some women still occasionally cast her a censorious look.

“Do you want company?” Min preferred to delay returning to her mother, who was not too far distant with a few of her friends.

“That isn’t necessary. Aunt Lucinda sees me and will join me shortly.” Pandora looked her in the eye. “However, I want to hear what Evan has to say as soon as possible. No more waiting a few days to tell me what’s happening,” she added in a mock scolding tone.

Min put her hand on her heart. “I promise.”

They bid farewell, and Min started, begrudgingly, toward her mother. If she wasn’t ready to depart, Min could wait in their coach as Pandora was doing.

As Min neared a large oak tree, Lord Spilsby stepped from behind it. He blocked her progress along the path. “Good afternoon, Lady Minerva.” He gave her a bright but thoroughly irritating smile. Today’s waistcoat was a violent orange.

“Good afternoon, Lord Spilsby.” Min did not bother smiling in return.

“May I escort you to your mother?” He offered her his arm before she could respond.

Min frowned. “I have been clear about not wanting to spend time with you. That includes promenading. You must excuse me.”

As she tried to move past him, he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her toward the tree. “Come now, Lady Minerva, I think you will find we have much in common.”

Min couldn’t believe he would grab her like that. She pushed at his chest as he hauled her against the tree trunk on the side away from the path. “I can’t imagine what you would think we share. It certainly isn’t fashion sense. Or how to behave in public. I demand you release me at once!”

He gripped her more tightly and moved close so that his chest touched hers. He lifted his left hand to stroke her cheek. “You are very lovely.” He bent his head as if he meant to kiss her.

Min shrieked as she pulled her head back, knocking it against the trunk. She shoved at him and squirmed to escape.

“What is going on here?” a voice cried out.

Ducking under his arm, Min managed to wriggle free. She stepped away from the tree and pivoted to see who had spoken. Mrs. Lawler stood not ten feet away.

Of all the people to see what had just happened! The irony was too much.

“Did you see what Spilsby did?” Min said to Mrs. Lawler.

Mrs. Lawler pursed her lips tightly in a wholly judgmental fashion. “I saw the two of you embracing.” Her tone was accusatory.

“That was not embracing !” Min cried. “That was him accosting me!”

“It didn’t look like that to me,” Mrs. Lawler said with a shrug.

Min saw what was going to happen. Mrs. Lawler would repeat what she thought she’d seen, that Min and Spilsby had been caught in compromising position. All the busybody had to do was walk along the path and share that news with everyone she encountered. There were enough people milling about this fine afternoon that the rumor would spread like an unchecked fire.

It was too perfect. Min would be forced to marry Spilsby. The coincidence of this happening with Mrs. Lawler, the notorious gossip on hand to witness it, was too much.

Min turned on Spilsby. “You planned this,” she hissed.

He didn’t deny it. “I only wanted a moment alone with you, Lady Minerva. It is my deepest desire that we should wed, and I know you will agree it is a good match. I would like to speak with your father immediately.”

“You will do no such thing,” Min said firmly. “You are a scoundrel and a rogue. No, I won’t even call you a rogue. That’s too kind a word for you. You’re an absolute blackguard.” Unable to control her ire, she slapped him across the face. It wasn’t truly a slap because she was wearing her glove. The crack of her bare flesh against his would have been much more satisfying.

She turned to face Mrs. Lawler once more and saw that her mother was approaching.

“What’s happened here?” the duchess said.

Min froze. Something about her expression was wrong. She did not appear concerned, aghast, or anything other than mildly curious. And she had to have seen what Min had just done. At the very least, she would be outraged by Min’s attack on Spilsby’s person.

“You are behind this, aren’t you, Mother?” Min whispered.

The duchess appeared nonplussed, but Min saw the glint of victory in her gaze. “Behind what?”

Min glanced toward Mrs. Lawler and caught the flash of guilt in hers. Yes, they’d all planned this.

“I’m going home, Mother,” Min said. “And then I’m going to Pandora’s. Permanently.”

Min stalked to their coach and instructed the coachman to take her home. Her mother could bloody well walk.