Now it made sense what Adrian had proposed, about Davonshire picking up the pieces of Lily’s broken heart. But he didn’t intend to let either man near his sister. “I will protect Lily from them.”
“Will you speak with Lord Arnsbury?”
He nodded. “And I want you to come with me, Evangeline. You can warn Lily, in case she won’t listen to me.” He was less concerned about his sister, since it did not seem that the men were threatening her overtly. Matthew was their true target.
There was a waltz playing, and James led Evangeline into the steps, pressing his hand against her spine. Her face was still bright with color, and he couldn’t think of what he could say to ease her embarrassment.
“The kiss wasn’t that bad, was it?” he teased.
“No.” She closed her eyes for a moment and admitted, “It was that good.”
Her confession took him by surprise, though he knew she was right. Her lips had been softly yielding, reminding him of the last stolen moment between them.
She had a good reason to despise him, for he had not wanted to marry her. It wasn’t Evangeline—it was any woman. He had felt the trappings of his father’s dictates closing around him like a cage. At the time, he had only been twenty-three years old, and yet, his father had treated him as if he were already the earl. Every day of his life, he’d been forced to read ledgers and surround himself with duties he was unprepared to face.
Now, he understood that his father’s desperation was born from a man who had known he was dying. There had been so little time, but James had cast off responsibility and sought adventure in India. He had wanted to escape the title he didn’t want.
But time and hardship had filled him with regret. Evangeline hadn’t deserved to be cast off.
“Why didn't you marry someone else while I was away?” he asked. He guided her closer toward Matthew and Lily. The waltz would end soon, and he wanted to speak to both of them.
“Not many men would have me,” she answered. “Because of my family’s…business. And others were only interested in my money.”
Her parents had built their fortunes upon an empire of scandalous ladies’ undergarments, but it had never bothered James. “You are a beautiful woman with a good dowry,” he reminded her. “It’s what every gentleman wants.”
Her expression cooled. “Not evenyouwanted me, Lord Penford.” The dance ended, but Matthew and Lily were still on the far side of the room. He was about to approach them when he caught sight of another woman. His blood turned to ice, and he let out a low curse. God above, what wasshedoing here?
Evangeline frowned. “What is it?”
“Go back to your parents,” he ordered. “I know exactly what Adrian is intending. And if Matthew sees that woman…”
He didn’t bother finishing the sentence. The pieces of everything were starting to fall together. Adrian wanted command of Arnsbury, above all else—and his ruthlessness would send Matthew over the edge.
“What can I do to help?”
God above, he didn’t even know. All he could do was try to get Matthew out of this ballroom before he saw the woman who had clearly not been invited by the duchess.
“I have to stop him.” He glanced around and added, “Tell a footman to summon Lord Arnsbury’s carriage. I need to get Matthew out of here before he sees her.”
“Before he sees who?”
There was no time to explain. “Please go and summon the carriage. I will tell you everything later.”
Evangeline squeezed his hand before she hurried toward her parents. And in the meantime, he crossed through the room of people, hoping to warn Matthew.
Before he caught sight of the woman who had tortured him in India.
Chapter Nineteen
Lily left Matthew’s side after the waltz, feeling slightly out of breath. He had promised to fetch her a glass of lemonade while she went to see about Sarah Carlisle. The older woman had chosen a chair on the far end of the room, and another gentleman with gray hair was standing near her, leaning on his cane. Sarah’s face was flushed, and Lily hid her smile, wondering if she had indeed found a suitor.
Just as she was about to approach, she overheard two men arguing. “I don’t think it’s true,” the gentleman said. “We’ve known Arnsbury all his life. And Adrian Monroe is stirring up trouble for his own benefit.”
Lily paused, her heartbeat quickening. She wanted to believe that Sarah Carlisle had done what she could to dispel the gossip—but no one could know for certain.
She was about to approach the older woman, when she heard a female voice calling out to her. “Lady Lily?”
Lily turned and saw a beautiful woman with dark hair and skin the color of rich caramel. Her features held an exotic cast,as if she had been born in India, and she wore a dove-colored ballgown with two flounces. A warm smile curved over the woman’s face.
