Evan paced the foyer furiously waiting for his sister. They would be late as usual, a trait he absolutely abhorred.

“Hurry up, Annabelle, it’s not been your first time to the opera,” he yelled up to her.

She appeared on the stairs and descended. “What is the matter, Evan? Haven’t you heard of being fashionably late before? Proper ladies are always fashionably late to these sorts of outings.”

Evan groaned and grabbed her hand rushing out the door.

“Evan, please. You’re hurting me.”

“We still have to pick up Lady Winston and her cousin Lady Mary.”

His sister scrunched up her face. “Who are Lady Winston and her cousin?”

The question gave him pause. His heart screamed to say a beautiful woman, but sensibility demanded he keep his interest in the lady to himself.

“They are friends; who I hope you will be kind to. They would be the sort of ladies you could call on for tea; seek counsel from them in all things proper.”

His sister raised her gloved hand to her mouth to mask her gasp. “Do you not think Mama proper?”

“I do not need to answer that, but I will say that she did not watch you close enough and keep you from getting ruined.”

“Evan!” she cried. “We were to be married, Wickham and I. How was I to know the rake would run off to America with a wealthy heiress?”

His sister began to sniffle, and he offered her his handkerchief and she declined.

“Honestly, Evan, I thought we were beyond this discussion. Can you answer my question?”

He nodded and extended his hand for her to proceed.

“What is the purpose of me meeting these ladies and this surprise outing to the opera?”

“I am trying to see if you’re interested in meeting any of my acquaintances.”

“Ah. The hunt for my husband continues. I have to admit, Evan, that soiree that Mama hosted was dreadfully boring.”

For once, Evan agreed with his naïve sister wholeheartedly. “Did you know that she provided me with only half the list of attendants?”

“I did. Although, I found it quite shocking that Mama invited that wretched Lady Amelia. I mean, considering all the gossip that I’ve heard regarding the both of you and your indiscretions with her when her husband was still alive.” His sister glared.

“How did you-”

“Henry told me. I had asked him why she kept running off after you left the room. Naturally, I was curious. A woman notices these things, and I’m certain Mama has her theories.”

“Does Mama know that she insists upon becoming my countess?”

His sister shrugged.

“Oh, here we are. I’ll only be a moment, Annabelle.”

Evan opened the carriage door, and hurried up the steps. Before he could knock a manservant opened the door.

“My lord. If you will follow me to the parlor, Lady Winston will join you in a moment.”

Evan waited eagerly to see the lovely lady and luckily she followed along another minute later.

When he rose to meet her at the door, his breath caught in his throat. The gown, her hair, her eyes…she was a goddess come to life, and he’d kissed her already. A need to have her crept over his flesh.

“My lady, you look utterly ravishing.”

She blushed. “Thank you, Evan.”

“Ah ha!” he cheered. “You said my Christian name. I gather your affections are the same as mine?”

“Possibly, my lord, I’ve yet to see how you conduct yourself in public with your sister.”

Evan appreciated a woman with sense of humor, and while he suspected she wasn’t trying to jest with him, her attempts at being coy were failing. He wanted her even more which was a pity seeing as they would have not a single moment alone this evening.

“Will your cousin be joining us this evening?” he asked.

Eliza nodded. “She said she would join us afterward, that she had one stop to make first.”

“Very well then, let us depart. I am certain Annabelle is bursting to meet you.”

He extended his arm to her, and she fell in step with him out the door and into the carriage.

Eliza took a seat across from his sister and smiled at her.

“Allow me to introduce you to Lady Annabelle Radcliffe, my sister. Annabelle, this is Lady Elizabeth Winston.”

Annabelle grinned and side-eyed him. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Winston. When you can, you must tell me how you came to be my brother’s friend.”

Eliza inclined her head at the suggestion which worried him immensely. Would she tell his sister about their first meeting, or their secret ride? His sister would certainly expose his actions to his mother which he had no time for.

“Well ladies, I am certain you both will get along fine. Perhaps after tonight we can plan for another outing if you’re both inclined to agree.”

* * *

“This is quite exciting. It has been sometime since I have attended anything quite so public.” Eliza added with a smile. Short, polite conversation was the best manner in which to meet someone.

“So, the gossip is true then?” Annabelle inquired with a shaky smile. “You are out of mourning?”

“It would appear so, Lady Radcliffe.”

“Please,” she waved off. “Call me Annabelle.”

“Although, between the three of us, I do not hold out much hope. In being the second wife of a baron, and his son inheriting most of his father’s fortune. I have a comfortable income, yet not anything that would be considered impressive and alluring.”

Evan’s sister snorted and he look rather pained as she was forthcoming with her situation. There was no lie in what she said, and wondered how it would look upon the rest of the ton in her attending the opera with a family above her station and means.

“There is no need to talk like that, Eliza,” the earl said. “You only need concern yourself with enjoying the company this evening. I can tell you and Annabelle will get on famously.”

That she was sure of, now, if only she was as confident that Mary was going to join them. Something told her that her cousin had made other plans purposely to leave her alone with the earl and his sister. If that were the case, then where in God’s name would Mary have gone? Christian had left early to attend some function with other members of the regiment, and Mary acted as if she had received some gentleman caller. Her cousin, most indeed, would have left her in such an awkward and unfamiliar situation.

When the carriage stopped, Eliza was surprised by the number of people entering at the same time. Evan stepped out first and aided his sister and then herself to the ground.

For all her nerves, there was something so exhilarating in attending the opera for the first time. She had spent so much of her married life in their country estate that the concept of being social did not exist.

She followed Evan and Annabelle, observing the rush of the ton; the lecherous gazes of men and ladies in attendance with their husbands. Tonight was sure to be a spectacle. The theater was a full house and while she recognized some faces, she hardly knew anyone beyond the company of the earl and his sister.

Her excitement soon turned to nerves when a young man approached Evan.

“Ahem! Radcliffe, you must introduce me to this lovely woman.”

The earl looked back at her and then back to his friend.

“Emberly, can you at least wait until we’re in my box?”

“I guess it will have to do. Annabelle, allow me…”

Evan’s sister took the arm of the young man and they disappeared to the top of the stair case.

“I guess we have a few moments alone before we head into my box. How are you feeling, Lady Winston?”

The formality in his voice took her aback. “I am fine.”

A rush of heat flooded to her belly. Was this normal?

“Are you ill, Eliza? You look flushed.”

Eliza smiled. “I will be fine once I am seated. The theater is quite warm and I am unaccustomed to being around so many people.”

He smiled back. “I am not overly fond of these establishments either, nor of the pretentious lot who attend, but we all do what we must. Annabelle needs a proper husband, and I ought to at least find her one who will keep her amused for a while.”

Eliza gasped and then laughed. “Well then, when you say such a thing, is it any wonder why you are still unmarried yourself?”

They stopped behind a banister before entering his box. He pulled her in close by her waist. His breath warmed her face and the strange and yet familiar wanting from before returned.

“Madam, I will have you know, I have in part not married yet as I do not think I am ready. Since inheriting this earldom there was much to learn. Toss in the messy business with my sister-well-I have not given it another thought. Though, it would seem others have plans for me. Let us join Emberly and Annabelle before she makes a spectacle of us all.”

He grinned a cheeky smile that would have melted many a heart, and for a brief moment the memory of his passionate embrace warmed her. She took his arm and followed him as they entered his box.

“Ah! There they are, Annabelle. Come, come, I am due for an introduction.”

“Lady Elizabeth Winston, allow me to present to you my oldest friend, the Viscount Emberly.”

The Viscount bowed and she curtsied. “A pleasure, my lord.”

“Ah, but the pleasure is all mine.”

The lights dimmed and the curtain rose. Eliza could hardly keep her gaze on the stage when all she wanted to do was give into the urge watch the earl. His hair had a slight curl behind the ear. A charming feature no doubt. Even in the dim lighting the man was intensely handsome.

Eliza turned away to focus on the stage. Tonight had been diverting thus far and she could not fathom what later would bring. Though, the absence of her cousin was concerning and she would question Mary upon her arrival. She highly suspected her cousin would do something foolish, but never in all her years did she suspect her cousin would abandon her in such manner.

Short staccato notes to long drawn out moments drew Eliza in by the second, that is, until the earl captured her fingers in his hand and brought them to his lips. The warmth of his kiss and those lips brought back the brief lapse of judgement she’d experienced yesterday. How she wanted his lips on hers again, and this very second.

He released her fingers, placing his hand on her skirt, leaned into her and whispered, “Thank you for joining us. Your presence makes this opera tolerable.”

Eliza struggled to stifle a giggle. There was something about Evan that kept her from her senses. She leaned close and whispered, “It was the least I could do. Besides, your sister is amiable. Tell me…are she and the viscount closely acquainted?”

He went rigid and she noticed his grip on her leg tightened.

Clearly the earl had not noticed his friend’s attraction to his sister.

Eliza suspected that perhaps he had no inkling of the bond the viscount and his sister had. Sure, it was all fun in public, but did he not see the signs of something much more grand?

She leaned into the earl again and this time took his hand, “Do not be alarmed. I think it quite charming.”

“You wouldn’t think so if you knew of the company he keeps as of late,” the earl growled lowly.

“Now, now. Consider this, you’re no patron saint either, nor is any man, I imagine, of any sort of wealth. You gentlemen are accustomed to acquiring what you want and when; and men do change when they find the right woman.”

The earl snorted. “I won’t change. I can be certain of that.”

“Such a bold claim for a man who passionately kissed an older woman outside her townhouse.”

She heard him lift his chair and without any sort of warning he lowered to her ear and whispered, “Follow me.”

The man had to be jesting. Intermission was soon to occur and if they weren’t in their seats by then…

Eliza took his hand and followed the earl until they reached a door before the stairs. They entered what appeared to be a service corridor. He then pressed her against the wall.

“You cannot be put out by our kiss from yesterday,” he said. “If you are, then I apologize. On second thought, I do not apologize. I would plunder those beautiful lips of yours nightly if I could.” His eyes were serious, yet the smirk on his face showed some tenderness.

“Do you handle all your lady birds in such a manner, my lord?”

“No, Lady Winston, I do not. I prefer them naked, willing, and wet.”

Heat seared her cheeks. This man was a living, breathing and walking ruination. Not that she was a vestal virgin by any means, but, Lord, had this man made her wanton with need. A terrifying thought slammed into her bosom and she looked away. She could never be what he wanted. His glazed over eyes screamed he wanted her, but she would not want to be viewed as a mistress. Never in her life did she expect the thought to cross her mind.

The earl pulled away, and cupped her cheeks. “Eliza, love, what is the matter?”

Eliza squeezed her eyes shut, searching for the proper words for this moment only to blurt out, “This affair cannot be born, can you not see that? I will not suit as a mistress. I lack in any sort of experience, and you would be expected…”

“I am expected to do what? Damn it, Eliza, would you look at me?”

She shook her head. “You would be expected to marry someone younger, beautiful, and with an appealing dowry. My presence in your personal life would complicate matters, especially while you have your sister on the marriage mart.”

He pulled away and handed her a handkerchief. She hadn’t realized until this moment she’d sobbed the final words.

When she dared to look up at him, he only smiled.

“My dear, I am already up to my ears with two scandals. I hardly believe a third one would be so crushing. Eliza, if you are worried that things cannot be learned, I am happy to announce anything can be learned. Patience and admiration go a long way and is mutually beneficial. I am not frightened by your lack of experience and appreciate your honesty. Allow me to return the kindness.”

The earl moved closer to her. Eliza was firmly pinned to the wall.

“I assure you I am not on the market for a wife. However, a former lover seems to think she’ll be my countess. I have made my position clear on the matter, but I do suspect she knows no end to harassing me. I would never consider you a mistress, but you need some companionship. The sort that leaves you panting and satisfied. If you desire, we can come to a temporary arrangement. I want you in every possible way you will allow me to have you.”

Eliza gasped. This was indeed a scandal in the making. Mary always said she needed a lover, but a high born one with trouble already at his door? Her stepson would surely cut her off, not that she didn’t think he could do so, or could he?

“Evan… I do love how direct we can be with each other, but what of finding your sister a husband?”

“What about Annabelle? I will find her a husband. The only obstacle is finding one who will keep her in line and respectable.”

He lowered his head closer and closer, until the moment their lips met. Evan grasped her arms and pinned them above her head. His musky scent tangled with the skillful tongue he slipped into her mouth made her knees quiver. Never in her thirty years did she believe a couple could be this engaged. Her heart raced, and warmth swept over her body like a hot summer breeze. She desired more of his touch, yet now was hardly the moment. 

Evan pulled away and looked down the corridor. The sound of a flurry of footsteps headed toward them, sent her into a panic.

“My lord! We must return to our seats.”

He nodded and took her by the hand and led her back to his box. Neither his sister or the viscount said a word, but their silence spoke volumes of how disheveled she must have appeared. Lord, if there was to be any gossip, she was sure it would be in the morning rags.

They returned just as the curtain rose again when the door opened behind them and a woman’s perfume wafted to them. Eliza kept her focus on the opera, but the earl rose and stepped behind them. The viscount turned and looked past her. Everything in her body warned her to not look, but her curiosity won over.

When she turned, the door clicked shut and the earl had vacated the box. With whom she did not know, but she suspected by morning she would hear.

The viscount moved to sit next to her.

“Never fear, my lady. Radcliffe will join us momentarily while he deals with an altogether problematic member of society.”

As he was about to rise, Eliza pulled on his jacket. “Tell me, sir, does your friend know of your fascination with his darling sister?”

The viscount straightened and smiled. “I haven’t the slightest notion what you are saying, my lady. Belle and I are simply friends.”

Now it was her time to smirk. “You sound like a man who is attempting to convince himself of the matter.”

He placed a finger to his lips in a shushing motion, then rose. “Now pay attention to the opera. Soon enough it will be over, and the ton will be wanting their introductions to you.”

Eliza nodded and he returned to his seat before the earl returned at her side.

“Pardon me, my lady. I had to quickly remove a lady who was out of line.”

“Oh! I see,” she whispered. “Pray tell, who was this lady? An ex-lover by chance?”

He growled. “No one you need concern yourself with.”

And there it was again. The man simply danced circles around her when she asked him questions.

“If you insist on being so secretive, you may find yourself asking questions I may choose not to answer.”

Eliza smiled. Two could play this game. Not that their appearance in public was any game, but she could not allow him to be so cunning. She’d already been married once and could not be fooled as to what went on behind closed doors. She knew the woman had to be a former lover, and one that might make his life difficult. Yet, they were all adults, and there was no reason to be evasive.

Perhaps she would take this as a lesson and use her own wiles to remind him that he isn’t so infallible. That, he too, was just as vulnerable, and she wasn’t one to mince words with.