A woman’s shriek brought Eliza upright in bed. She wildly scanned the room, but Evan was nowhere to be found. Her heart pounded. She leapt from bed and whirled, looking for her dress.

She found her chemise hanging haphazardly on a chair, and put it on. She donned two petticoats and had to forego the corset. She couldn’t manage it herself. As she dragged the dress over her head, the door swung open and slammed shut.

Evan stood against the door, carrying a tray of food. He looked as though a swarm of bees had attacked his face and his eye was puffy.

She stared. “What happened?”

“Amelia.” He growled.  “I was on my way to have breakfast brought up for you, when I found her knocking on every door, looking for us. I dragged her outside. Oh, the scene she made.”

Eliza ran to him, took the tray and placed it on the table and pulled him into her arms. She loved him, but this affair could not continue if it placed him and his family at risk.

“You poor man, but how did you come to receive the black eye?”

“gentleman misunderstood the situation and thought to rescue her.”

Eliza pulled away. “We must leave at once, Evan. It is not safe for the two of us to be together.”

“We shall leave once you have eaten.”

Eliza hardly knew what to say. How could she remain calm in the face of scandal that would likely end with Evan arrested? The logical thing was to her affair with the earl—at least until Annabelle was married.

She shook her head. “I cannot possibly eat. You have been accosted, harassed, and are in danger of God knows what. Think of your sister and your mama. We must leave immediately. Pray tell, where is the wretch now?”

Evan frowned. “She is being held in the wood shed until the constable arrives to collect her.”

“Frankly, I would be happy if I never saw her again.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Fate as it were would see that she would never be permitted happiness. Only for an instant did she know what true pleasure and love was.

Evan pulled her close. “Have you not enjoyed our time together?”

“Of course I have, but we cannot continue this affair.”

“What do you mean we cannot? Who said anything about this being an affair, or you being my mistress? Damn it, I want you for my wife, Eliza. I cannot do any of this without you.”

Eliza fell into his arms sobbing. How had this situation come beyond repair? They would never live a life of peace with that woman running around creating trouble.

Evan squeezed her and patted her back. She supposed he had not been accustomed to consoling women before, so she would forgive his silent manner.

She pulled away to finish fixing her hair and washed her face. It served her right for indulging in a night of sin. Never again. Never again would she leave herself open to terror.

Eliza looked over at him. The bruising began to surface and the cuts had already been wiped clean. He would surely be happy once she was out of his carriage and he was on his way to the safety of his home.

“Evan, please see that the carriage is readied immediately. I have no desire to be here another moment.”

“As you wish, love.”

Eliza sat on the bed once more. The reality of his admission struck her. He wanted her to be his wife. How could that even be possible, when at every turn someone interfere din their affairs?

She loved Evan more than words could say. The idea of being with a man who worshipped her was as delightful as it was encouraging that not all men were like her first husband. Whilst she did not listen to idle gossip, what shame would she bring to this family if she became countess? The constant reminder of all their mistakes being tossed in their faces at every opportunity. How to fix the impression society had of them was an intrigue she did not feel she had the energy for?

Eliza rose from the bed and made haste to the carriage. Another moment wasted wallowing in her self-pity was not useful.

Evan waited for her at the carriage, his lips pursed and his eyes weary. “Are you ready, my love?”

“Yes, let us be on our way. I am sure you will need to have your physician examine you upon your return.”

Once he closed the door behind him, he slid onto the seat next to her. She grasped his hand. He held her hand in solitude for a bit and turned to face him.

“Evan. Last night was the most incredible night of my life. You bestowed me with the greatest gift I could ever have. I love you, but I do not think it is wise for us to marry.”

He gripped her and then held her cheek with the other. The love in his eyes spoke volumes. His beautiful lips and the hair that now cast shadows along his cheeks… This man had been hers for all of a fleeting moment.

“We will marry. Once I have discussed with the constable the matter regarding our safety and what course of actions he will take to ensure that wench will never bother us again, we will begin preparing.”

“Evan, my love, I do not think that woman will easily let this go.”

“Perhaps, which is why I propose that we handle my visits discreetly. I will come to see you and will send you additional servants so that you are protected at all costs.”

Eliza shook her head. “If that is what you wish, my lord.”

“Absolutely, my love. I will visit you discretely until Annabelle is married. Then we can marry.”

How could they possibly get married? Just as she was beginning to enjoy her newfound freedom. “We shall discuss this further once you and I have had more sleep.”

The carriage stopped at her cottage. She leaned into the earl and embraced him.

He lifted her chin until their gazes met. “I promise I will see you very soon with a surprise. Do not despair, my love, I shall put things right again.”

He kissed her so long and hard that her toes curled. Lord, how she loved when he swept her up in the moment. His kiss full of love and promises. Their future vague with unknowns. Fate would soon reveal their true destiny, for better or for worse. With an ounce of grace, the next few weeks would pass quickly and quietly.

Evan pulled away from her and stepped out of the carriage. She heard the gasp from her housekeeper.

“Mistress, what happened?” the older woman cried.

Eliza stepped out to find her housekeeper and manservant paled at the site of the earl.

“All will be fine, Bertha.”

“Shall I summon the doctor?” the housekeeper asked.

Evan smiled and held the woman’s hands in his. “I will be fine, madam. Nothing that a good rest cannot fix. Would you see Lady Winston is settled and resting please? It has been a long morning and noon has not yet arrived.”

“Yes, my lord. My lady, come along.”

Eliza looked back before the front door closed to find the earl leaving instructions with her manservant.

Good heavens! What could that man be planning now?

* * *

Evan walked in the door to catch Annabelle and Emberly embracing. They both stood there with their mouths gaping. He kept on walking until he reached his library and slammed the door shut, then rang for a servant.

He laid on his sofa and closed his eyes until a servant arrived.

“Yes, my lord.”

“Where is my valet? I need him immediately.”

The door opened again before the servant left. When he opened his eyes, Emberly hovered like a doting hen.

“Blimey, Radcliffe. What in the deuces happened to you?”

“Need you ask?”

“Yes! Who did this to you? I will call them out.”

“You will do no such thing. This was the result of a misunderstanding that Lady Amelia caused.”

The rage consuming him left him restless to the point he could barely remain laid down. He could not believe the lengths that woman went to make his life miserable. “The nerve of…” he began to sputter when mid-sentence his valet entered.

“You summoned me, my lord.”

“Yes, I need a bath readied. I would also like two of our strongest male servants and a maid to be posted at Briar Cottage in Devonshire until further notice. Lastly, you will send a footman to my solicitor immediately. I request his presence post haste.”

“Will that be all, sir?” His valet’s voice trembled. His voice never trembled.

“What is the matter? Why are you glaring at me?”

“I have never seen you angry, my lord.”

Evan shrugged and waved him off. “Bring something for my head. It is pounding something fierce.”

Evan rose and began pacing the room.

“Radcliffe! What can I do to aid you?”

He snorted, but then it struck him. He was irritated at how not once, but twice, Eliza wanted to end this…this courtship of sorts. She was frightened, a natural inclination given the circumstances.

“Emberly! You’ve given me an idea. I’ll answer your questions just once my solicitor arrives. How comfortable are you if we procure a special license for you to wed Annabelle immediately?”

Emberly frowned. “What is the rush?”

“Until I know what is being done with Amelia none of us are safe. Once Annabelle and you are married, I will be free to wed Eliza and can move her here onto the estate where I can protect her.”

“Do you believe that will keep that horrible woman away?”

No, he didn’t, but it would certainly give him time to throw her off course.

For once in his bloody life he required things to turn out. No more running, chasing, or having to answer to individuals who did not warrant an explanation.

Evan regarded his friend. He sat in a chair across the room. “Emberly, why exactly are you here?”

Emberly grinned. “Your mother summoned me. She made it abundantly clear she is displeased with your decision in our arrangement.”

“Well, if the dragon had done her duty in the first place, perhaps things would have been different.”

Emberly laughed. “You needn’t be so harsh. She is still your mother.”

“That may be but who do you suppose drove my father to his death? What an accomplishment. Do they teach that skill to girls in school?”

His friend sighed. “You are angry, and rightfully so. My friend, you are in love with the woman. If you are concerned for her safety, bring her here. She can stay in your mother’s apartments until you are wed.”

His soon-to-be brother-in-law raised a valid point. If he brought Eliza here but kept her safe within another wing of the home, he could still see her without risking late night travels and so forth.

“You are brilliant! Will you be staying on?”

“I can, if you like. I am sure Annabelle would not mind.”

“Excellent. You will bear witness to the changes with my solicitor, and I may need your assistance with one other matter. Instruct the housekeeper to set an extra plate for dinner and to have a room readied. There is much to be done.”

* * *

Dinner was quiet. Annabelle and Emberly discussed their plans for a trip to the continent. The fact that he had found a reasonable husband for his sister gave him pause and while happiness was not considered mandatory in a marriage he, all the same, wished the love he had for Eliza that they found the same.

While most marriages of the day began with an amiable courtship, he knew all too well what unpleasant marriages appeared from the inside. His own parents were the sole reason why he put off the notion of marrying for so long and no doubt Emberly’s, too.

The hour was half past nine when his solicitor was led into his library. Line after line he added to his sister’s dowry, modified his own last will and testament, then he sought advice on how to address the on-going harassment of Lady Amelia.

His solicitor advised him to seek the assistance of the parish constable, which at this point he’d already done. Frustration mounted, but the sooner he had his sister married, he and Eliza would be free to live their life as they were meant to—without society’s interference.