Page 20 of Until the Rake Surrenders (Rogue Rules #5)

B y the time they reached Bath in the evening, Min wanted nothing more than to nap. She was exhausted by the events of the day, most pleasantly so because of the delightful trip with her new betrothed.

Min could hardly believe all that had happened. Or how happy she was.

They’d taken Merlin to the mews straightaway so Evan could make sure his beloved horse was cared for by the grooms. Once he was unsaddled, brushed, and happily snacking on an apple, Evan tore himself away and they made their way to Min’s father’s house in Catharine Place. Evan had sent a groom to exchange his riding boots for slippers and to fetch his walking stick.

Jurgens greeted them at the door with an expression of relief. “I’m so glad to see you are all right, Lady Minerva. I will tell your father you’ve arrived.”

However, before the butler could even leave the entrance hall, the duke came running in. “Minnie, my dearest!” He scooped her up against him and hugged her tightly.

Min returned his embrace for a long moment. She knew without a doubt he’d had nothing to do with her kidnapping.

When they parted, the duke looked to Evan, who, despite having his walking stick, was listing slightly to his right. “I can’t thank you enough for rescuing my daughter, Mr. Price.”

He held his hand out, and Evan shook it.

“I take it Her Grace’s butler explained to you what happened?” Evan asked.

“He did indeed.” The duke shifted his focus to Min, his expression turning dour. “I have already had words with your mother. Rather, I should describe it as an argument.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe she would arrange to have her own daughter kidnapped, though she did not care for me using that term.”

Min scowled. “Perhaps not, but that’s precisely what she did.”

“What of Spilsby?” her father asked.

“We left him by the road somewhere on the way to Bristol.” Min sent an appreciative look toward Evan.

“You just left him there?” her father asked with a bit of frustration.

“I wasn’t going to bring him back with us,” Evan said.

Min didn’t want her father to think they’d kindly set the bounder loose. “Papa, you’ll be pleased to hear that Evan threw him from the coach and hit him several times, I think—I can’t exactly recall.

“That is satisfying.” He smiled at Evan. “Thank you, Price.”

“I may also have pointed my pistol in his face,” Evan noted.

Min’s father’s eyes narrowed. “I will ensure he pays for kidnapping you.”

“Papa, I would prefer to move on from the entire matter. I don’t want more scandal.”

The duke’s face flushed. “We can’t let him get away with kidnapping you.”

“You must respect your daughter’s wishes,” Evan said firmly. “She doesn’t want any more chaos, particularly with what you have planned.”

There was a moment of hesitation in which the duke appeared conflicted. He fixed his gaze on Min. “Spilsby didn’t hurt you, did he? I won’t be able to ignore that.”

“No, his intent was just to force a marriage by ruining my reputation.”

“I would have called him out,” Evan said.

“I have heard of your prowess with a pistol and blade,” Min’s father said with a nod. “Perhaps you’ll have reason to yet.” He looked back at Min. “But your reputation may be tainted if anyone knows what happened.”

“I doubt that will happen,” Min said. “In any case, I am now betrothed and will be married with due haste.” She smiled at Evan.

“Is that so?” Her father blinked as he regarded them both.

Min held up her hand and flashed her betrothal ring at her father. “Please say you’re glad. I have never been happier.”

“If this is what you want, how can I be anything but delighted?” her father asked with a grin before fixing a stern look on Evan. “Though if you don’t treat her well, you will have me to answer to. And don’t think I’m not aware of the irony of me making demands on anyone regarding their marriage. It is because of my behavior that I wish to ensure my daughter’s husband is above reproach because that’s what she deserves.”

Evan inclined his head. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“I’m well aware of the mistakes I’ve made,” Min’s father continued. “But the two of you are already in a much better position than I have ever been. You both love each other.”

“We do indeed.” Evan spoke with a confidence that made Min’s heart flip. Her love for him seemed to increase moment by moment.

“Then I can’t ask for anything more,” the duke said.

“I, however, have something to ask of you.” Evan flicked a glance at Min.

“Come, Papa, let us go to your study or the drawing room,” Min suggested.

“The study will do.” Her father gestured for them to precede him.

Min took Evan’s arm so he could lean on her a bit as they made their way to the study. “You must sit,” she said to Evan, guiding him to a chair.

“I’m disappointed there is no settee so we may sit next to one another,” he said softly, with a mock pout.

Min flashed him a brief smile. “You’ve sat by me enough today, haven’t you?”

“Never,” he whispered with seductive promise darkening his gaze.

Min took a chair near Evan’s, and her father sat opposite them.

The duke sent Evan an expectant look. “What is it you wish to ask? I’m sure you’ll find Min’s dowry is most agreeable.”

Evan waved his hand. “It’s not about that. I ask that you not proceed with divorcing Her Grace. You must understand that doing so will only have negative effects on your children—and on Ellis, who certainly doesn’t deserve any more grief.”

A pained expression overtook the duke’s face. He briefly looked down at the floor. “I have considered this, so please know that I haven’t made this decision lightly.”

“I understand, Papa,” Min said. “But you must rethink this. Like it or not, there are some who already think poorly of Sheff because of whom he married, and our mother certainly hasn’t helped with things she has surely said about Jo. I can only imagine the sentiments she’s expressed to her friends and the gossips of the ton. But most of all, you must think of Ellis,” Min pleaded. “She doesn’t deserve further turmoil, and if you bring a suit against her father, it will only make matters worse.”

Her father’s brow was deeply creased. “I know that, and it did give me pause. However, I have since learned that your mother has another lover, one who is far more recent. In fact, they continue to see each other. He lives here in Bath.”

Min sucked in a breath. She should not have been surprised.

The duke’s gray-blue gaze hardened. “I’m planning to sue him instead.”

Min wasn’t sure they’d be able to talk him out of it now. She sagged against the chair and looked over at Evan, who was watching her.

His jaw tightened, and he shifted his attention to the duke. “Please don’t do that. What will be the benefit?”

“I will no longer be married to her,” the duke replied simply. “Nothing will bring me greater joy.”

Evan’s expression settled into a near scowl. “Not even the peace and happiness of your children?”

Min’s father flinched. “Of course, their happiness means everything to me, but I have denied my own for far too long. Now that I have someone whom I love, I want to be with her in all the ways that matter, including in the eyes of the law and the church. Surely you can both understand that?”

Min’s heart broke for her father. It was hard to argue against that, especially now that she knew how it felt to be truly, madly, and deeply in love. The thought of not being able to become Evan’s wife cut into her and threatened to steal her breath. “Papa, I know we’re asking you to sacrifice what you want, and you have already paid a great price for marrying our mother. Yet, if you hadn’t, Sheff and I would not exist. So there is something good that came of it, isn’t there?”

The duke looked away as he nodded.

“It’s time to end this cycle of punishment and suffering in our family,” Min said. She suddenly saw her life and her family in shocking clarity. Her mother broke her father’s heart. He punished her by having affairs. She retaliated by having affairs. He struck back by bringing her illegitimate child into the household. And her mother responded by treating Ellis horribly. “You and Mother have waged a war for nearly thirty years. I understand you wanting to end it, but you can do that without a divorce. A divorce would be your final punishment, but what you—and Mother—have failed to understand is that every battle you’ve waged has had devastating consequences for me, Sheff, and Ellis. Despite that, Sheff is happily married with a child on the way. And I am on the verge of marrying the man I love. Ellis now knows the truth and can pursue a life she wants instead of what has been dictated for her. Please don’t rob us of the happiness and peace we all deserve.”

Her father blanched. He wiped his hand over his mouth. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.” He was silent a long moment before nodding vaguely. “We haven’t been good parents. I don’t want to ruin your happiness. You’re right that you, Sheff, and Ellis deserve that. It’s time to end the war.”

Min hated that he looked defeated. “You aren’t losing, Papa,” she said softly. “You have Mrs. Welbeck and the love you share. Mother has bitterness, and none of her children want anything to do with her. Please let joy heal you. We can all move on from this.”

Her father gave her a weak smile, but his eyes were bright—with tears and with pride. “How are you so much wiser than me? I’m happier than I can say that you’ve found love and your brother has done the same. I would ask if there’s anything I can do for you, but I doubt there is.”

“The thing I want most is for Ellis to be at my wedding,” Min said. “She has not responded to any of my letters that you forwarded. Can you inform her that I am betrothed and would like her to be with me at the wedding? I don’t know where she is, but we’re planning to marry in London as soon as Evan can obtain a special license.”

The duke hesitated before saying, “I can tell you that Ellis is also in London.”

Min’s chest tightened as emotion washed over her. At least she knew where Ellis was.

“But don’t ask me for her address,” her father said, before Min could utter the words. “I will convey your invitation, and it will be up to her if she attends.”

“Does she blame me in some way?” Min asked.

“Of course not, dear. She’s just a wounded bird at the moment, and, like me, apparently, she needs time to heal.”

Min nodded as Evan reached over and took her hand. She squeezed him, grateful for his presence and support.

“When should we adjourn to London?” the duke asked.

“The day after tomorrow,” Min replied at the same time Evan said, “Tomorrow.”

Her father laughed as Min shook her head at Evan. “You need a day of rest after today’s upheaval.”

“But I want to marry as soon as possible,” Evan said, his eyes dimming with disappointment.

The duke smiled at them. “I will leave for London in the morning and see about obtaining the license for you.”

Min’s heart leapt. “Thank you, Papa.”

Evan sent her father a wry glance. “I suppose your position does have more weight than mine.”

“Even so, I believe you could obtain it on your own,” the duke said with a shrug. “My involvement will hasten things, which it sounds like you both want.”

“You don’t mind that I stay here, do you, Papa?” Min asked. She’d considered staying with Pandora as she’d originally planned, but her father’s house was much closer to Evan, and that was preferable.

“Of course not, Minnie. You are always welcome anywhere I am, as are you, Price.”

“Evan, Your Grace,” Evan replied.

“Henlow,” her father said. “We are family now.”

Min stood, and the men rose with her. She went to give her father a hug. He held her tightly and kissed her brow. When they parted, he sniffed.

She was so grateful he’d listened to reason. “I’m going to walk Evan home now.”

The duke clasped Evan’s hand once more. Min took Evan’s arm, and they left the house.

As they walked to his mother’s, Evan glanced over at Min. “That went even better than I expected. Your argument was most persuasive.”

“You inspired me,” she said with a smile, though her heart felt a little heavy.

“I sense a bit of sadness in you just now.” His brow was furrowed as he regarded her.

“I miss Ellis so much. I’m sad she’s not here to share our good news and that she may not be with me when we marry. On the rare occasions when I did imagine my wedding at some point in the future, I expected she would be at my side. I suppose that was selfish of me to think that, as my companion, she would always be beside me. She has her own life to live.”

“I don’t think that was selfish of you at all. Just as I don’t believe you expected her to do anything as your companion.” He stopped just before they reached his mother’s house and turned to face her, taking her hands. “Ellis is like a sister to you, yes?”

Min nodded.

“Then, of course, you would expect she would be at your wedding and by your side. If she isn’t there physically, you must believe she is with you in spirit. As your father said, she needs to heal.”

“I know,” Min whispered. “It’s just hard, and I’m not very patient.”

“You demonstrated that quite adequately in the coach earlier,” he remarked with an arched brow.

Min giggled. “Don’t talk about that here.” She glanced around the square.

“Is it unseemly?” He waggled his brows at her.

“No, it’s arousing.” She enjoyed the flare of desire that sparked his gaze.

“Just wait until we’re married,” he murmured.

She gave him her sauciest stare. “I sincerely hope I don’t have to.”