“You are to follow me,” he said firmly. “It is very unusual for His Grace to make allowances like this, but he has made one, luckily, as he was awake.”
“I just wish to speak to him once,” she said, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
At least I have a chance.
That was all she needed. The butler led her up the staircase and then down the hallway to stop in front of what appeared to be a study.
“Rest assured you shall conduct yourself in a proper manner, or you shall be escorted out,” the butler warned, and then slowly, he opened the door for her to enter. “Go on then, My Lady. He is inside.”
It was too late to turn back now.
With slow, hesitant steps, Isadora ventured inside.
A man sat behind the large desk, his face half-obscured by the dim light.
She had never seen him up so close like this before. The first thing she noticed was his size.
He was…massive.Broad-shouldered and impossibly still. He leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled before him as he regarded her with a stare.
A moment passed.
Then another.
Finally, he broke the silence.
“You are either very brave,” he said, “or very, very foolish.”
The words sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to stand taller.Perhaps I am both.
“I had no other choice.”
His expression did not change.
“You always have a choice,” he murmured, leaning forward just enough. “Most would have chosen differently.”
Isadora clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “Most are not in my position.”
A pause. Then, ever so slightly, his lips tilted—though it was not quite a smile. “And what position is that?”
“I am Lady Isadora Morton, daughter of the Earl of Young.”
Something flickered in his expression. Not surprise. Something else. Amusement? Annoyance?
“So you are.” His voice remained unreadable. “And what does the daughter of an earl want with me?”
“I need your help.” Isadora swallowed her pride. It was not an easy thing for her to ask for help.
CHAPTER 3
“My help?”
Evan leaned back in his chair, studying the woman before him with idle curiosity.
Isadora Morton.
He had heard of her before in passing. Daughter of the Earl of Young and very protective of her younger sister. He knew of her friends, who happened to be married to some of his own. But never had they ever spoken to one another. Andneverhad he expected her to be standing in the middle of his study like this.
A lady of rank standing before him at an hour no proper woman should. Her cloak was damp from the night air, her cheeks flushed, whether from the cold or sheer audacity, he did not know.
