“A precaution,” he said, his voice clipped. “And her ladyship shall know nothing about this.”
Baxter nodded. “Understood, my lord. Anything else?”
A name. The name of the man who dared threaten his wife. Evan would trade his entire fortune for that single piece of information.
“Inform me immediately if you notice the slightest thing out of place.”
“Is there anything specific I should look for?”
If only he knew. But any shift—any little change—could be the clue that led him to the bastard responsible. Damn whoever was doing this. “Anything out of the ordinary. Anyone who doesn’t belong.”
A vision of Marina being dragged from his arms struck like a physical blow. His grip tightened against the ache in his skull, a growl of frustration escaping before he could stop it. The study walls closed in around him, too small to contain the hellstorm brewing inside.
“I also want a footman stationed near the nursery at all times. And one shadowing my wife when she’s not with me. Armed, but discreet.” He met the butler’s gaze, his meaning clear. “No risks.”
“My lord, might you tell me what is going on?” Baxter hesitated. “I trust your judgment, my lord, but feel I may be better equipped to help if I understand what is happening.”
Evan exhaled sharply, staring back at the man who’d served his family since he was a boy. “Someone is threatening my wife. It is the responsibility of this household to keep her safe. And unaware.” His voice hardened. “I won’t have her frightened.”
It would break his heart for her nightmares to return. For her to thrash and cry in her sleep.
Baxter’s expression darkened. “Are you certain it’s wise to keep this from her?”
“You must trust me on this. She’s suffered enough. I won’t let this haunt her as well.”
A long pause. Then Baxter nodded. “Very well, my lord. I’ll need to hire additional men, but in the meantime, we can pull from the stables.”
“Do whatever is necessary.” Hell, he’d line up every man in Norfolk to link arms and form a circle around the house if it meant keeping Marina safe.
Baxter inclined his head. “I’ll inform you once all is in place.” He turned toward the door but paused, studying Evan. “We’ll handle this, my lord.”
Evan merely nodded, barely seeing him go. The worst scenarios played in an endless loop in his mind. If he closed his eyes, he’d be driven mad from the torture of it all.
He moved to the window, staring out over the estate bathed in the deceptive serenity of the pink-and-purple sunset. Someone was out there. Maybe watching. Maybe waiting. And there wasn’t a damned thing he could do—yet.
His fingers dug into the window frame as he fought the rage within him at how helpless he was without more to go on.
“Darling?”
He hadn’t even heard her enter.
Turning, he found Marina standing in the doorway.
“Come here, love.” He opened his arms, exhaling as she melted against him. Her warmth, her vanilla scent—somehow, it steadied him.
She nuzzled against his neck. “Are you all right? Was something wrong with Browning?”
His mouth went dry. He hated lying to her. But her safety mattered more than the truth. Once the danger had passed, he’d beg for her forgiveness.
“Of course I’m well. You’re here.” He brushed a kiss against her hair. “And Browning is fine. We just need to hire a few more men to help with a few things.”
“It won’t prevent us from hosting the house party, will it?” She pulled back, searching his face. “I really want to do this, Evan. Please.”
Dammit. The fucking house party. That was the last thing they needed. But if he refused her now, she’d demand answers. And Marina was too clever to be put off by anything short of catastrophe.
He would consider their situation flirting with the very thing, but unless he wished to tell her so. They were having a house party.
Unless… perhaps it was a blessing. If she kept herself occupied with planning the bloody event, she might not notice how frayed his nerves would be until the blackguard was identified.
