One of the young women strolled up to Cait. “Hello, I am Lady Evelyn Keegan,” she said. “I am to understand that you know my brother, Declan.”
Why was a sibling of a Devil here? She thought they were all wronged loves. Though, that didn’t explain why Lennox was here since there was no lady that he needed to apologize to. Perhaps there was more to this house party than setting wrongs to right.
“You seem confused,” Lady Evelyn chuckled.
“Does your brother need to apologize?” Cait asked.
“Perhaps to Darton, but not me.” Lady Evelyn laughed further. “I am here because Lady Hartfell believes Darton broke my heart.”
“Did he?” Cait asked.
Lady Evelyn shrugged. “It was so long ago that I hardly recall.”
That was a lie. A heart broken is not easily forgotten.
“But I did not come over here because of me, but you.”
“Me?” Cait asked.
“Yes. Declan told me how a romance was brewing between you and Julian while they were both recovering at Harrington Manor.”
Lady Evelyn must be more familiar with Keegan’s friend, given she called him Julian.
“Then that dreadful woman ruined everything.”
“I am not certain I would call her dreadful,” Cait defended the dead wife of Julian.
“That is because you never met her,” Lady Evelyn insisted.
How had Lady Evelyn met Julian’s wife?
Though, it did not really matter. The Devils of Dalston were friends and it was not unusual for them to visit.
“My family estate, Crestview Park, neighbors Ashford Place. Declan and Julian have been friends since they were old enough to explore and play before being sent off to Eton.”
Cait had not realized that Keegan and Julian had known each other for so long. She had assumed they all met when they went to work for the Home Office.
Not that it mattered, really, as she and Julian had no future.
“Julian married that shrew then left her there with his unpleasant father.”
“Did you care for anyone at Ashford Place?” Cait asked with a chuckle.
“Julian. I quite adore him.” She smiled right before her eyes widened. “But not in a romantic manner, I assure you. More of a sisterly manner.”
Cait did not need an explanation but was glad to have had it.
“I had thought Julian treated her horribly after what had happened and thought to be her friend.” Lady Evelyn leaned in. “I visited half a dozen times before I gave up. His wife was mad,” she whispered. “Quite mad, I assure you.”
Oh, Cait wanted to pry and ask for specifics, but it was not her place. Therefore, she bit her tongue so as not to invite further gossip and turned the conversation to another topic. “When did you supposedly fall in love with Darton?”
Lady Evelyn blew out a sigh. “It was ages ago. Three years at least,” she answered. “We had met in London, during the Season and had a delightful courtship, though we hid it from everyone because he did have a disreputable reputation to protect.” She laughed. “Then he visited my brother, though it was to visit with me. Declan took issue with the attention Michael was giving me. What was there soon ended.” She frowned. “I am afraid their friendship has suffered for it.”
“But you were not in love with Darton,” Cait pointed out.
“I can hardly recall; it was so long ago.”
“Three years,” Cait offered. “Yes, I can understand how it would be difficult to recall something from so long ago.”
