Chevalier Valmont
Evie’s gaze wandered further down. There were approximately twenty names on it.
Then she gasped.
For at the bottom of the list was a name she had not expected to see.
Julius Stafford-Hill, Duke of Aldingbourne.
She stared at the name, her mind in a whirl.
What did it mean? Why was her brother’s name on the list? Who were these men? And what relationship did Julius have with them?
And, most importantly, why was it hidden here, in this tiny little laundry room?
She reached inside again and felt around, but there was nothing else. She moved the stack of laundry aside, but nothing.
There was only this paper.
She did not know what it meant. Something about it boded ill.
It might be dangerous.
She flew over the list again, once, twice, three times.
Then, with a resolute motion, she held it towards the candle flame and watched the paper light up in an orange blaze and gradually burn to a crisp.
Evie blew at the cinders so they scattered in the air.
Mitzi groaned and turned aside.
Evie quenched the flame of the candle and settled in the narrow space next to her.
She had done the right thing, she told herself.
Whatever it meant, it was better that it was gone.
Especially if Julius’s name was on it.
At one point,Evie must have fallen asleep, because when she opened her eyes, the weak morning light was drifting through the window. The storm had stopped, thankfully.
Evie picked herself up, patted down her skirt, and opened the door.
She nearly fell over the figure prostrated in front of her door.
It was that man, Schneider.
And next to him, on the floor leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest, chin sunk to his breast, sleeping deeply, was Hartenberg.
Evie stared for one moment. Then slowly, carefully, she crouched down so she was on the same level as him and peered into his face.
A strand of dark hair fell over his forehead.
Thus, asleep, he looked half as frightful as when he was awake. But she supposed that was true for anyone.
Just what sort of a man was he, exactly? Certainly, he was domineering and annoying and tended to command everyone around. But did he have a sense of humour? So far, she’d not detected a single drop. He also seemed practical, and concerned for his betrothed’s welfare. That was, of course, herself. Or rather Clara.
Evie scratched the back of her head. It was all getting somewhat confusing.
