Evan motioned to the chair. “Sit.” They could dispense with the pleasantries until he knew what the man was about.
Browning obeyed, but his posture remained stiff. “I was riding the estate today,” he began. “And I encountered something—someone—I did not expect.”
Evan’s gut tightened. “Go on.”
“A man. Gave me a note for you. Insisted I deliver it straightaway.” Browning hesitated. “There was something about him, my lord. Something… not good.”
Evan’s pulse quickened. “Where?” What could the man possibly want? And why not just deliver the missive directly to the house?
“The north meadow. He came out of nowhere. I’ve never seen him before.”
Browning extended the note. Evan took it, unfolding the parchment with deliberate calm. He scanned the page.
You and your pretty little wife will pay for the trouble you’ve caused.
The words struck like a blow. His blood turned molten.
He dropped the missive, raking both hands through his hair before snatching it up again as if rereading it would change the words. Fuck. Holy fucking hell.
“My lord?” Browning called out to him as Evan fought to gain control over himself.
His heart raced, threatening to burst outside of his chest as his breathing quickened. Who had dared to threaten Marina? It would be the last thing they ever did.
Only one man had a reason. An arse not good enough to lick the mud from a horse’s hoof. But that bastard was locked away, beyond reach. Had someone else taken up his vendetta?
“And you spoke to this man?” Evan asked, barely maintaining his temper.
Browning nodded. “He was evasive. Left me with only the note and vanished as quickly as he came.”
Evan forced his voice to steady. The weight of the message settled within him like a stone in water. “Describe him.”
“Rough-looking. The sort you’d find in the city, not on our land. Alone, as far as I could tell, but I can’t be certain.”
“Keep watch for him,” Evan instructed, the authority in his tone thinly veiling his anxiety. “If he appears again, I must know at once. Take no risks. There is nothing more important than ensuring my wife and son remain safe.”
Browning inclined his head, his usual steadiness returning. “Consider it done, my lord.”
Evan exhaled slowly. It wasn’t enough.
“And the men—tell them to be vigilant, but keep this quiet. I don’t want word of this getting out until we better understand what we are dealing with.”
“I’ll see to it personally.” Browning rose, pausing at the door. “We’ll sort this out, my lord. I’m certain of it.”
Evan wished he shared the man’s certainty. But Browning hadn’t read the note. Browning didn’t have a wife and child to protect.
The door shut behind him, leaving Evan alone with the rush of blood in his ears and the pounding in his chest. His fists ached to find the bastard responsible—to end this threat before it could take root.
Before he could stop himself, Evan read the note again. He vowed, with the same fierce determination he had shown during their last ordeal, that this time he would not be taken by surprise. This time, he would protect them all. No matter the cost.
He reached for the bell with the decisiveness of a man drowning, needing to ensure his family’s safety.
A moment later, there was a knock. Baxter entered, his tone carefully measured. “You rang, my lord?”
“Yes.” Evan turned, his expression grim. “I want footmen at every entrance. Night and day. And men patrolling the grounds at all hours. Effective immediately.”
Baxter’s sharp gaze narrowed. “Is there cause for concern?”
Evan hesitated. He trusted Baxter, but the fewer who knew, the better.
