Evan discreetly handed a note to his valet. “You’re to deliver this in person and not leave until you’re handed a response. Now, leave before anyone sees you and decides to follow.”

His valet nodded and rushed out of the library. No sooner had he disappeared down the hall when Evan heard the door close behind him while he was standing before the warmth of fire. When he turned he wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Amelia.

“Amelia, you should not be here.”

“I’d wondered where you had run off to. I’ve been trying all evening to make my way to you, but you disappear at every turn.”

She approached him and dragged her delicate finger down his chest. If he didn’t stand his ground, the woman would clearly persuade him otherwise.

He grasped her hand and placed it at her side.

“I’m not in the mood for your games, Amelia. What do you want?”

The woman gasped. “Really Evan, is that any way to talk to a former lover? If you must know, I was hoping we could come to an arrangement of sorts.”

Evan put distance between them and moved to sit behind the desk, but she followed and sat on the corner of his desk.

“What are you playing at, Amelia? Speak plainly, if you don’t mind.”

“I hear you’re in need of a wife. I could be that wife, in name only. You put me up in a townhouse and I’ll remain out of your hair.”

“Now, why would I want to do that? I’ve no intention of marrying quite yet, much less taking you as my bride. When my time comes, I’ll take a wife whose loyalty lies with me, and not some other cad. I’ll not be a cuckold like your late husband, and all the while the ton knew of what you were doing behind Henry’s back.” He laughed. “If I had to guess, there were three others before me. I am sorry, Amelia, that just will not do.”

She pouted and lifted her skirts, exposing her calf. “Come now, darling. I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement that we’ll both find pleasurable.”

Evan pushed his chair out and walked around the desk toward the door.

“My answer is no; I do not think your proposal would ever work.”

She shrieked and stomped away from the desk.

“Mark my words, Evan; this is not the last of this conversation.”

He smiled as she pushed him out of the way and headed towards the stairs. Finally, he would have some peace and quiet. He was only on the sofa for a few minutes before he dozed off. He knew not how long he had been asleep for, but he opened his eyes to find his valet before him. Joseph passed him a message and mumbled something.

“Thank you, Joseph. You may retire for the rest of the morning.”

“As you wish, my lord.”

Evan waited until he was alone and opened the note.

He could not have been more pleased with how succinct Lady Winston had been with her reply.

After breakfast, he’d have his carriage readied and he would pick her up for a drive. There would be no other way to catch a moment with her alone, if he didn’t take this opportunity. He would, of course, have to use Emberly to keep this diversion from his mother’s notice but, if anything, he was confident the Viscount could do anything he set his mind to; including driving his mama away from the gentlemen’s planned activities.

He tucked the note into his coat and returned to his room only to find Emberly already at his door knocking.

“Now just where in the world have you been sleeping, Radcliffe?”

“Apparently in the library, and don’t give me that look. Come in. I have need to talk to you about something.”

Evan began divesting himself of his jacket, then raced to the wash stand. As he dabbed the towel to his neck, he turned toward his friend.

“I have need to take leave after breakfast. I have an engagement, but my mother cannot know where I’ve gone. Am I understood?”

Emberly nodded, but cast him a quizzical brow.

“I am to meet with Lady Winston this morning for a drive.”

“Is that so…. And when was this arrangement made?”

Evan cast him a glare. One that his friend would know any more questions were not welcome.

“What am I to say to your mother if I am questioned?”

“That I had to leave urgently. Otherwise, you say nothing else.”

“Seems simple enough. I can promise you, your mother will notice, but I am sure we’ll keep well entertained.”

Evan paused for a moment while reaching for a clean shirt. An unsettling feeling washed over him. “What do you mean entertained?”

“I believe your mother and sister were hosting a garden tea party and us gents were invited…err…expected to attend.”

He smiled. “Well, in that case, my absence will most definitely be noticed. Be sure not to say anything about where I have gone.”

“Yes, yes. I know, Radcliffe. Relax, would you?”

Now to figure out what breeches to wear. Why on earth did this seem such a task?

“If that is all, Radcliffe, I will be heading down to the morning room and will leave you to finish getting ready. Would hate for gossip to circulate as to why you turned down Amelia last night.” Emberly quipped.

Evan snapped his head up. “What do you know of her proposal?”

“Enough. After she left you, she wandered straight to my bed.”

Egads. The woman bore no shame and made no effort to hide her unladylike behaviour.

Evan put his hand up. “I have no need to hear more. Only know that I have no desire to continue my previous relationship with her. We are done.”

“I surmised as much, but you should know she is relentless in her pursuits.”

“That may be so, but my answer will not change. Should she wish to press the matter more, she will find herself cast out and exposed for the pariah that she truly is.”

Emberly, who had his hand on the door, now leaned against it. “What in the devil has gotten into you? Did that last brawl addle you, Radcliffe? That woman will try to ruin you any way she can, if she does not become your countess.”

“Tell me, why it is her sole ambition to become my wife?”

“Ah! You have not heard, then. Let me pour us some spirits while you finish getting dressed. You will most certainly require a stiff drink.”

Evan raced to finish getting dressed when he saw his friend imbibe a full glass of whiskey and poured another.

“Slow down, Emberly, or you’ll be casting your stomach contents before you eat breakfast.”

Emberly waved him off. “I’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, may not. I have it on good authority that Amelia was left nothing by her husband. Anything that was left of her dowry went toward her husband’s debt and his heir is tossing her to the curb.”

The viscount rose and retreated to the window to open the curtains and a window.

“If that was not ridiculous enough, I have heard that if she does not find a new situation, she will be forced to take employment in the theatre once again. I am certain she was given quite the proposition by Madame Martine.”

“Christ,” Evan muttered. Amelia’s past had come back to haunt her, and this time she would not escape its clutches. He shuddered to think the questionable future his former lover faced.

“Her fate, even still, is not my issue. I ended things long ago and have no intention of making her my countess.”

“Be that as it may, consider this a warning. The woman is not known for playing fair.”

Evan craned his neck toward his door, hearing footsteps, followed by a woman’s gentle wrapping at the door.

“Enter.”

Anna, his mother’s maid, entered, not once looking up at him.

“My lord, your mother requested your presence for breakfast.”

“I will be there shortly, Anna. Go along and no need to fret.”

She looked up at him. “You know how she gets…if she does not…”

He smiled. This whole affair with Annabelle had his mother becoming more difficult to manage. Now was the time to reign her in. “Run along, Anna. You have nothing to fear. In fact, your employment here will always be required. Do not let the dragon unsettle your nerves.”

The maid curtsied and rushed out of the room. When he turned, Emberly’s mouth fell open.

“Did you just refer to your mother as a dragon in front of her maid?”

Evan could only smile. “You best be on your way, I will only be a minute.”

He went and sat in his chair by the window to contemplate a new scenario. He could easily find his mother a new husband. A wealthy one too, and if he played his cards right, one who could manage her, as well.

After he left Eliza he’d go to White’s and see who would fit the profile as husband, dragon tamer and wealthy. Where he’d find this paragon, he knew not, but it was becoming glaringly apparent that something had to be done.

* * *

Eliza paced to and fro in her room, riddled with nerves she had not felt since the morning she was to be married to Alfred. What more could the man possibly have to say after their first encounter? Honestly, his letter caught her off her guard. The man, who is naturally of a higher station than her late husband, surely had far more pressing matters to tend with other than taking her out for a drive.

Pulling her away from these incessant thoughts Mary walked in and started to laugh.

“What could you possibly find amusing at my distress?”

“Eliza, how old are you really? Fifteen, or thirty? Do try to calm yourself; shall I make you some tea?”

Eliza sucked in a deep breath and shook her arms loose. “I haven’t the slightest idea what to say to that man. Why would he want to drive with me?”

“Would you like me to coddle you like some child, or would you like the truth, Eliza? Goodness, one would think you were coming out all over again. The man is clearly drawn to you. I hardly see this as some sort of act to embarrass you in any manner.”

A knock on the door drew their gazes to the hall.

“That would be him, my dear. Now, go on and have a lovely time.”

“We will not tarry.”

Eliza made her way to the foyer where the handsome Earl of Chisholm stood. There was a boyish charm about him. He had no lines around his eyes and had a masculine glow about him. There was no doubt in her mind that he was of good stock and in fine constitution.

“My lord. How kind of you to arrive on time. I do believe you’re the first gentleman I know who does not arrive either too early, or far too late.”

He held her gaze for a moment and extended his arm to her. “Shall we?”

She placed her gloved hand on his forearm as he escorted her to the carriage. Once they were both seated, he wrapped on the roof for the driver to begin their journey.

“To what do I owe this pleasure, my lord?” she asked.

“Please, call me Evan, Lady Winston.”

“I could never call you by your Christian name. That would be very inappropriate, considering we have only just met.”

He chuckled. “If you insist, but be prepared to be reminded,” he added with a glint in his eye.

“I feel as if a drive would be the most private opportunity we have in becoming better acquainted, seeing as I am always found out, or having to be pulled away. Tell me, how is your cousin doing?”

“Mary is doing remarkably well. Frankly, I have no idea what invigorated her to shop for new clothing, attend the theatre, and the list could go on.”

“Well, I imagine you moving into town has her ecstatic.”

“She really left me no choice.”

“So, she forced you…”

Eliza shook her head. “No, she did not, but the woman would not relent. I am sure most have heard by now, but my late husband left me a cottage and some funds, whilst his eldest son took over the family home with his wife.”

“I had heard, but I don’t really pay all that much attention to gossip.”

“Mary asked me to move in with her as the cottage is in disrepair, so I saw no harm in indulging her for the time being.”

She could not believe she just admitted that much about her situation. What on heaven’s earth would she say next?

He reached over to hold her hand. “There is no shame in moving in with a relative. Besides, one can hardly expect you to manage a home needing that much help. It will be good for you both to have the companionship you deserve.”

Eliza hadn’t meant to, but she withdrew her hand from the warmth of his. He only smiled and sat back in his seat.

“Do you like the opera, Lady Winston?”

“I have never been, my lord. Why do you ask?”

“I have a box at the opera and wondered if you and your cousin would join me and my sister sometime.”

She giggled. “You chaperone your own sister to the opera? What a good brother you are,” Eliza chided.

He rolled his eyes. “Good brother, perhaps not in a few days. I am hoping to introduce her to a young man or two. I am hoping to have her married off before the season is out. Do you suppose I will have a chance?”

“That would depend very much on the young lady in question, my lord. I would love to join you and your sister, and I am certain Mary will accept the offer as well.”

“Most excellent, I will send word once a date is set. This week is not the best time as my mother and sister have guests staying with us.”

“Oh! Then why are we out and about when you should be with your guests?”

“That’s the crux of it, they’re my mother’s guests and she is bent on finding me a wife, while I’m busy trying to find my sister a husband.”

Eliza winced. She could only imagine the task he had ahead of him and blurted out, “Perhaps you should find your mother a new husband, too.”

“Ha!”

The earl laughed. Hard. She’d never heard a man laugh so heartily.

“You know, my lady, that is quite the brilliant plan. Marry my mother off first, and then my sister. A sound and sensible plan it is. Do you know of any candidates who would tolerate a most meddlesome and demanding dragon?”

Eliza covered her mouth. Heat seared her cheeks as if a hot iron came close to touching her. “You, sir, did not just call your mother a dragon.”

“I most certainly did. You have not had the displeasure in meeting her yet. The woman is impossible. I am sure you will adore my sister once you get passed her impulsiveness that lands her into trouble every time.”

Eliza winced and this time leaned forward to take his hand into hers. “I am certain you will find the best choices for your mama and sister. I meant no harm, my lord. I was only jesting.”

The earl took her hands in his. “I know, Eliza. They do try my patience. This week cannot be over soon enough.”

They sat in silence for Lord knew how long until the carriage came to a stop. He moved next to her and faced her. Before she realized his intent, he cupped her cheeks and drew her in for a kiss. His lips were soft, and his masculine scent flooded her senses. Passion. A brief moment of passion she knew not how to react other than to follow his lead. The earl pulled away, leaving her in a haze of delirium. Not even her late husband kissed her so.

“I should not have kissed you as such, Eliza, for that, I am sorry. Can you ever forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive, my lord.”

“Please…call me Evan.”

“Where are we, Evan?”

“We are back at Mary’s. I will call on you as soon as I can.”

The carriage door opened and he exited first and aided her out.

“Thank you for the drive, my lord.” Eliza curtsied and swiftly went indoors before anyone would notice any lingering moments.

As soon as she closed the door, Mary and her son stood in the hall and looked at her waiting for an accounting of what transpired.

“So… Do not keep us in suspense, Eliza, what happened?”

All she could do was lean into the door as the memory of his swoon worthy kiss. Eliza closed her eyes and let the flutterings in her belly run rampant, and whispered, “He kissed me.”