“Of course, I’m out of sorts, so stop toying with me,” Evie snapped. “Tell me someone who wouldn’t be, considering my circumstances.”
“Perhaps we could have this conversation in private?” His free hand took her wrist and then he was walking, and Evie hadlittle option but to follow as his long strides led her toward the exit.
“Can I be of assistance, Miss Spencer?”
“I am to, ah, talk with Lord Hamilton briefly, Mrs. Humphrey. If you will take my bag also, please, I shall see you shortly at home.”
The Spencer cook/housekeeper studied Lord Hamilton for long seconds, and then nodded. She held out her hand, and he passed her the bag he’d taken from Evie.
“I’ll just walk behind you,” Mrs. Humphrey then said, clearly not trusting Lord Hamilton.Clever woman.
“In that case, I’ll carry that bag as yours looks heavy,” Lord Hamilton said surprising both women. He took the bag back from Mrs. Humphrey.
Evie couldn’t be sure, but thought Humphrey had told his wife exactly what Evie got up to at night when she was impersonating a Frenchman. The woman had said a few cryptic comments in her hearing that told her she was not impressed.
She was sure the Spencers’ household staff were not like others. They seemed happy to offer their opinions freely at any given time.
“Well then, shall we?” Lord Hamilton said walking and towing Evie with him. “I feel as if I just passed some kind of test with Mrs. Humphrey, who I guess is your butler’s relation?”
“Wife,” Evie snapped. “And not a maid, so she should not be walking behind us.
“I am not your enemy, Evie, and the offer came from her not I.”
Her name coming from his lips was a shock.
“You can’t call me that,” she rallied.
“Possibly not, but your family did earlier, and I like it,” he said. “Somehow it makes you appear approachable. A facade that I am fully aware is not true.”
“We all live behind facades, my lord. You are not the most approachable man either.”
“I would never lay claim to such a thing,” he replied calmly.
“I don’t give you permission to use my name, however,” she said. “Unhand me at once.”
“You sound like the heroine in one of those ghastly novels my aunts would read.”
“Yes, well, one wouldn’t expect someone like you to lower yourself by reading such a book.”
Evie couldn’t be sure but thought he sighed. “Surely, as your fiancé, I should be allowed to call you Evie?”
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded instead of answering his question. “And you are not my fiancé.”
“Somewhere I cannot wrap my hands around your neck and squeeze, which means we need to stay in public.”
“I can’t believe you just said that!”
“I’m quite sure other people have spoken to you in such a manner before, considering your caustic nature.”
“Yes, well, from what I’ve seen, your nature is hardly sunny, my lord. In fact, I believe some refer to you as ruthless, and other less flattering descriptions.”
She shot him another look in time to see his lips tighten.
“Listening to gossip, Miss Spencer. I thought better of you.”
“There is always a thread of truth to gossip.”
“I found you last night in men’s clothes gambling, Miss Spencer. I got you home safely and offered a proposition that would aid us both for the remainder of the season. Perhaps you could think about that instead of my ruthless nature?”
