Intended to keep unwanted people out as opposed to the residents in, the garden gate was easy enough to unlatch.She opened it, stepped through, and closed it as much as she could without actually locking it back into place.
The hour was, in her estimation, nearing ten.If she moved swiftly, she ought to be able to reach the appointed meeting place and return home within half an hour at most, provided she took a carriage.
Eager to settle into the comfort of her bed as soon as possible, Evelyn pulled her cloak’s hood up over her head, walked to the next street corner, and hailed a hackney, directing the driver to take her to Smithfield Street.From there she’d walk the rest of the way.It shouldn’t take more than five minutes at most.
Dressed as she was and without escort, she doubted anyone would think her more than a servant running a late-night errand.The driver certainly didn’t pay her much mind.Nor did the two gentlemen she passed later after alighting from the carriage.Neither one acknowledged her presence with so much as the tip of his hat.
Satisfied she would complete her task without Adrian being the wiser, Evelyn crossed the street and entered St.Bartholomew’s churchyard.The stones marking the graves appeared like crooked teeth in the darkness.A sweet scent from some nearby plant offered a pleasant escape from the somber surroundings.
Evelyn navigated her way to the back of the church, her eyes seeking the man she’d come here to meet.She heard him before she saw him, the gentle tread of footsteps behind her prompting her to suck in a breath as she turned.
“You came.”His voice was whisper quiet.
“Of course I did.If the information you can provide will help put this viscous rumor about me to rest, then there’s little I will not do to obtain it.”
“Is that so?”He stepped toward her but his face remained cast in shadow.“The missive I sent you.Did you bring it?”
She raised her hand, showing it to him, and allowed him to take it.“You said you know who’s behind the attack.Will you give me their name now?”
“A deal is a deal,” he murmured, “but before we get to that, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our dance together last night.You’re an extraordinary woman.A pity you’re not as innocent as you appear.”
A chill swept under Evelyn’s cloak.She forced herself to remain where she stood, to not back away as concern flooded her veins.“What are you saying?”
“Only that the incidents described by the paper weren’t entirely false.Were they?”
Panic descended upon her in full force.“Of course they were.I would never do what that column suggested.Least of all at Marsdale’s ball.”
“Because you care for him.”A humorless chuckle followed that statement.“And yet, you gladly accepted another man’s attentions.”
“No.”She felt sick at the very idea of what he suggested.
“I saw you with my own eyes.”
Evelyn stared at him in dismay while fear began squeezing her heart, stifling every consecutive beat.She shook her head.“Whatever you saw, or think you saw, I had no part in it.”
“Oh, but you did.There was no mistaking the name your roguish companion used while you sighed in his arms.What astounds me the most is that someone else saw you as well, which can only mean that one illicit encounter was not enough to appease you for one evening.”
“No.Something’s not right.”Her head spun as she tried to grapple with what he was saying.She had no idea how such a thing could be true.It had to be an illusion of sorts.But the lengths someone had gone to in order to wound her were extensive if that was the case.
“Agreed.Young women playing at innocence when they are anything but is rather misleading.”
“You mistake my meaning.Good lord, I can’t imagine what you must think of me if you believe what you saw to be true.”Not that it mattered.He was just one single person, but if he gave her the name of the source who’d passed on the information to the newspaper columnist, maybe she could get to the bottom of what had transpired and change everyone else’s opinion.She looked to the man she’d come to meet.“Tell me who the source is and I’ll prove you’re mistaken.”
He was silent for a moment, an unmoving silhouette in the darkness.And then he said, “I’ll want a favor in return.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”Aware that time was of the essence, Evelyn gathered her courage.She could not be gone from home for much longer.“Name your price.”
His breathing grew louder.“Your surrender.Right here, right now.”
She stiffened.“I don’t understand your meaning.”
He moved toward her with wraith-like fluidity.The cool palm of his hand settled gently against her cheek before curling around the back of her head and holding her steady.Another step brought him closer still while sending her already trembling pulse into a mad gallop.
“A passionate kiss,” he murmured.“That is my price.”
Although she had no desire to do as he asked, she reasoned it might be worth it.They were alone in the dark.Nobody else would know what she’d done.But the name he’d provide her with after would allow her to figure out what had transpired last night at the ball, and could potentially save her reputation.
Surely the benefit outweighed the cost.
