Isadora observed as the two men exchanged pleasantries, but something about the way Fernsby carried himself felt… off.
She could tell instantly that Evan did not like him. And—more importantly—Fernsby did not like Evan.
“Ah, Your Grace,” Fernsby said, “I heard you made quite the investment recently.”
“What have you heard?” Evan said, a hint of a challenge in his voice.
“The abandoned shipyard on the West Dock,” Fernsby noted with a sly smile.
“Hardly abandoned,” Evan corrected smoothly. “Acquired, yes. And soon to be profitable.”
Fernsby chuckled. “Bold of you. I had assumed you would prefer safer endeavors.”
“You are speaking to the wrong man.” Evan tilted his head, his smirk deepening. “Where is the fun in that?”
There was something quite off about their conversation. Fernsby seemed as though he was holding back on something—perhaps because Isadora was here. And Evan seemed as though he was trying his hardest to maintain the façade of normalcy.
Isadora had spent her whole life in ballrooms where men spoke with politeness but meant something else entirely.
And this exchange between Evan and Fernsby felt like a thinly veiled threat.
She wanted to ask, but Evan would never tell her here.
Instead, she remained silent, watching as Fernsby finally inclined his head slightly.
“Well,” he said lightly, “I do wish you luck, Your Grace. After all, it is always so tragic when business ventures fail.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that, Lord Fernsby.”
“With your methods,” he said, “I do not doubt it.”
With one last look, he gave a mocking bow and walked away.
Isadora turned to Evan immediately.
Methods? What did he mean by that?
“What was that about?” she asked immediately.
Evan exhaled, watching Fernsby disappear into the crowd.
“Nothing with which you need to concern yourself.”
That only irritated her more.
“Evan—”
“Not now, sweetheart.”
And just like that, he turned, leaving her standing there, frustrated and full of questions.
Isadora did not see Evan for the rest of the night.
When they returned home, he disappeared into his study, and by morning, he was gone.
It was not unusual—Evan often left early for meetings—but after the encounter with Fernsby, Isadora felt uneasy.
He’s hiding something,she thought to herself. She had spent enough time around powerful men to know when something was being deliberately hidden from her.
