Her thoughts raged as powerfully as the winds outside, but she refused to give in to despair. She had to hope—to believe that despite everything that had gone wrong in her marriage, James would not betray her.
At her destination, Evie wasted no time gawking at the magnificence of Lady Vernon’s manor. She already knew her rival had wealth, beauty, and influence. Yet that didn’t give the woman the right to dally with her husband. Jealousy and righteous indignation prompted her to open the carriage door before the wheels came to a full stop. Despite Jeffries’s pleas for her to wait while he fetched an umbrella, she raced up the front steps through the whipping wind and rain.
She didn’t care about getting wet—didn’t care about anything but stopping the seduction of her husband. She rang the bell as lightning cracked the sky, releasing sheets of water. A few minutes later, the butler answered. He stared at her, his expression going from startled to dismissive.
“Deliveries are to be made at the back entrance,” he said coldly.
Given that she was drenched and still wearing the simple walking dress she’d worn to Chuddums, she didn’t hold his mistaken assumption against him. She set her shoulders back and summoned a commanding manner.
“I am the Countess of Manderly,” she said. “I believe my husband arrived before me.”
“I beg your pardon, my lady. Please come in.”
The butler’s composure was a testament to his skill, especially when she handed him her soaking bonnet and stood dripping on the marble floor.
Bowing low, he said, “Allow me to inform the mistress of your arrival.”
Evie dashed water from her cheek. “Are Lady Vernon and the earl at supper?”
“I believe they are enjoying pre-prandial drinks in the drawing room?—”
Evie did not wait to hear the rest. She headed toward where she thought the drawing room would be. The butler hurried after her, his long stride allowing him to reach the door in the dark-paneled corridor first. He gripped the knob as if he feared she would wrestle it from him.
“If you will allow me to announce you, my lady?—”
“I will announce myself. Please open the door. Or I shall.”
Looking horrified, the butler quickly opened the door. Before he could open his mouth, Evie swept past him. Her heart plummeted at the intimate scene. James and Lady Vernon shared a cozy loveseat. Their backs were to her, their heads bent close together.
A dull roar filled Evie’s ears.
“What is going on here?”
She didn’t recognize the growl in her voice, nor the mad beat of her blood.
James twisted his head around, his expression one of utter surprise…the bounder. Did he think she wouldn’t catch him in the act? Frowning, he got to his feet.
“Evie?” He ran a baffled gaze over her. “What are you doing here?”
“I am your wife.” She lifted her chin. “It is my place to be here.”
“How lovely of you to join us, Lady Manderly.”
Lady Vernon rose, the movement as sensually elegant as her rose-colored silk gown. Her neckline trod the precise line between fashionable and scandalous. Her chestnut hair was upswept, with a single plump curl left to dangle coyly over her shoulder. She did not look surprised, nor alarmed, to be caught in flagrante. Her lush mouth, tinted the same shade as her dress, tilted upward at the corners.
“Please, do have a seat.” She gestured at the seat beside her, the one James had vacated, before addressing the butler. “Aston, see that another place is set for supper.”
Evie scowled. What is the blasted woman up to? If she thinks I am going to pretend to be civil while she entices my husband, she is sorely mistaken.
“I am not interested in your games,” she said tightly.
“Evie. What is the matter with you?”
James had the gall to look mortified. Instead of waiting for her reply, he turned to Lady Vernon.
“Pray forgive my wife,” he said in a low voice. “She has been under a great deal of strain, between caring for me during my illness and?—”
“Do not presume to speak for me.” Evie clenched her hands, unable to bear the humiliation of her husband apologizing to this…this interloper on her behalf. “Or treat me as if I am some naïf. I may not be as worldly as Lady Vernon, but I know what I see with my own eyes.”
