“Your Grace,” a voice called from his left. Evan turned his head to find Lord Kingsley. Noble—born and raised, Evan was surprised to see that he had shown.
“A fine event. The best of the Season, I daresay.” He stepped forward towards them.
Evan merely nodded. “My wife’s doing.”
“Indeed, and yet, I must say—your handling of the railway commission last month was rather impressive. Would you care to share your thoughts on the upcoming proposal?”
The question caught Evan off guard. Before, Kingsley had barely spoken to him unless forced to. Now, he was seeking his opinions?
And then another Lord joined him. “I was thinking the same,” said Lord Atwood. “Bravo, on your strategy regarding the tariff negotiations. I’d be curious to know how you anticipate the House of Lords reacting.”
The realization settled in slowly. They no longer saw him as an outsider clawing for respect. Hewas finally seen as one of them.
“We shall have to wait and see,” Evan replied curtly.
For years, he had fought for a place among them, only to realize tonight that he no longer needed their approval. His marriage to Isadora had helped him accomplish that goal, but in the process, he had discovered that it had never been that important all along.
“It is great to see you here,” Lord Kingsley continued. “And what a great opportunity to speak with you as well, considering how busy you are.”
“Yes, well.”
Evan realized that their chatter had already begun to irritate him.
He glanced over his shoulder to look at Isadora. She was smiling politely.
“I’m afraid,” he said, cutting off Lord Kingsley as he droned on about a possible business deal, “that I need to excuse myself for a moment. I need to speak with my wife.”
The gentlemen blinked, caught off guard.
“But shouldn’t we discuss the proposal? I believe you will find it to be quite lucrative,” the Lord replied.
“I’m afraid that it is going to have to wait,” Evan smirked and then guided Isadora away.
“Come,” he murmured.
She turned toward him, blinking in surprise. “Evan? Surely, we can speak later. Perhaps the Lord?—”
“I do not care what the Lord has to say,” Evan said, a gruffness to his voice. “I need you.”
“N—now?” Isadora was suddenly flushed.
“Always.”
He guided her away from the crowd, and upstairs to the balcony where they were finally alone and away from all of the noise.
“What is it that is so urgent that you shot down the Lord’s request to do business with you?” Isadora teased once they were there.
“Oh, the Lord can wait. In fact, I will make him wait,” Evan replied smoothly. “I think that is fair, considering how they have treated me all these years.”
“They did not see your value before,” Isadora said.
“No, they saw my value.” Evan rolled his eyes. “They just felt like they were too far above me to acknowledge it.”
“Well, the tides have shifted.” Isadora grinned. “They know better now, and your place in society can no longer be challenged.”
Evan nodded. It was a satisfying feeling, no doubt, but he had other things on his mind.
“Forget them,” he shrugged, taking her hand in his own. “We do not need to waste our time thinking about them tonight. Not when you are by my side.”
