“Could you use it well enough?”
“Yes.”
That was not the answer she wanted to hear. “Would you?”
“If I were convinced a man plotted assassinations, I might.”
Could you do the opposite, and present it so everyone decided it meant nothing at all?She did not ask. She did not have to. Of course he could. She already regretted having compromised him to where he would not prosecute. She would curse herself before this was over, she feared.
He had told her all there was to tell. Walking with him, seeing him, made her sad and wistful. Her heart wanted to stay, no matter how painful it might be. She knew, however, that was not wise.
“I must go.”
He pulled out his pocket watch. “Not yet. We are meeting someone soon.”
“You arranged a rendezvous for me?”
“I am the rendezvous. They are the friends.” He looked above the heads surrounding them. “Ah, there they are.” He guided her down the path.
Up ahead, Eva and Gareth waved.
“What brings you to town?” Padua asked when they all continued on the path.
“We are meeting with estate agents, looking for a house to let,” Eva said.
“Also, Lance had become poor company.” Gareth looked apologetic. “He will be following us, I think. We are sorry, Ives, but I could not listen to his moaning about dying of boredom in the country another day. I promise to play nursemaid if he turns up.”
“I expect we will both be needed. If he issues another challenge, however, you can be his second this time. I am all talked out where he is concerned.”
The two brothers pulled ahead as they chatted on. Eva fell into step with Padua. “Where are you staying? I will call on you.”
“It is a simple room in a house. I would love to receive you, but I do not even have a sitting room.”
Eva’s little smile matched the sly way she looked ahead at Ives’s back. “I can’t imagine Ives is happy about that.”
“He is not happy about much where I am concerned.”
Concern replaced Eva’s mirth. “Did you break with him?”
“I had to. London is not Merrywood. We both knew such a liaison would only bring scandal to him. Surely Gareth told you about that, and how Ives has already paid a cost for befriending me even if the affair is over.”
“He only told me that Ives’s refusal to serve against your father would not be well received at court. He is doing the right thing, however. If he made a different choice, it would be despicable.”
On the face of it, yes. Eva would not think any better of Ives if he did make a different choice, in order to do less than his best for his lover’s sake. Whether cruel for his own benefit, or dishonorable for hers, Ives could not win. It had been heartless of her to force that dilemma on him.
“I do not like picturing you in some tiny chamber in a stranger’s house,” Eva said. “Once we have settled into our new home, you must stay with us.”
“I could not intrude. You are still almost newlyweds. Please do not try to cajole me, Eva. You have a kind heart, but I am contented where I am. And please do not let Ives know that you offered. He does not approve of the arrangements I made for myself.”
Eva cocked her head. “Did he offer to make a better arrangement for you?”
Eva had bluntly asked if Ives asked her to be his mistress. Padua never thought she would speak so frankly with a woman, but Eva had found Ives in her bed. That had created a special intimacy between them. An instant friendship.
“He did not offer directly. He intended to help me find a home, however.”
“And when a suitable one proved too expensive, he probably intended to help you afford it.” Eva narrowed her eyes on Ives. “He has formed some bad habits over the years. It may be cruel of me, but I am glad you did not accept that help, Padua. His dealings with women have been too efficient for my liking. It will do him good not to get his way for once.”
“We neither of us have gotten our way, Eva.”
