Evan lowered his paper. “That’s wonderful news.” His closest friend, Jude, had married Juliana recently—thanks to the meddling minx before him. Only a fool would doubt Marina’s ability to orchestrate exactly what she wanted. And heaven help anyone who would oppose her.
She beamed. “But she hasn’t told him yet—she wants the doctor to confirm first. So you mustn’t say a word.” Marina rifled through the letters. “Speaking of the devil, you have a missive from Jude.”
Evan took the letter, broke the seal, and read. As he reached the end, a slow grin spread across his face.
Then he laughed. Too perfect.
Marina’s brow lifted. “What is it?”
“Jude already suspects she’s with child.”
Marina stifled a laugh behind her hand. “Those two are hopeless.”
“You aren’t wrong,” Evan said, setting the letter aside. “But you women underestimate how much we men actually notice.”
“Do we now?” She scoffed. “And what, pray, have you observed?”
Evan studied her. There—just beneath her teasing tone, a flicker of something else. “You’re keeping something from me.”
Her eyes grew wide. “I… I…”
“Just tell me, Marina. You know you can tell me anything. Whatever troubled you back in the clearing—it wasn’t nothing.”
“Oh, that,” she said quickly, glancing down at the desk. “I just wish we hadn’t missed the season. That’s all. So much happened without us.”
She sounded sincere, but his instincts indicated otherwise. But he wouldn’t press her further. At least not at that moment.
Evan reached for her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “There’s always next year.”
She nodded. “You’re right.”
“I usually am.”
Marina scoffed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
She opened her beautiful mouth to speak and then closed it again.
“What is it, love?” Perhaps he’d finally get to the heart of the matter.
“I thought perhaps we might host a house party soon. I was thinking about next month. What do you think?”
Evan’s first instinct was caution. A house party meant disruption—especially for Arthur. “We just had Graham and Diana here, and we were in London for Hannah and Matt’s wedding not that long ago. Perhaps a small gathering instead?”
Marina clasped his hand across the desk, eyes shining with excitement. “I want a grand event. After reading about all we missed in Town, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the house brimming with guests and festivities?” She caught his gaze. “Please.”
They both knew he wouldn’t deny her. He released a long sigh, resolved to his fate. “Next month, then?”
She nodded, slipping from her chair and making her way onto his lap. If he played his cards right, his ‘punishment’ might come sooner rather than later. Pun very much intended.
“Nothing too extravagant,” she said, running her fingers along his collar. “I’m thinking of a fortnight-long party with a selective list of guests.”
“And who exactly do you have in mind?” he asked, his arms circling her waist.
She beamed at him. “All our friends, though I doubt everyone will attend. I thought we could decide on the list together.”
“Hmmm,” Evan murmured, his fingers tracing idle patterns along the silk of Marina’s gown. “And I suppose this has nothing to do with the letter from Lady Eliza that arrived last week? The one that had you pacing the study for an hour.”
Marina stiffened slightly, color rising in her cheeks—stoking his desire. Either from how prettily she blushed or her position on his lap. Either way, desire stirred.
