Page 87 of The Haunted Duke

Evander chuckled, then leaned into the lit match Damien offered to ignite his cigar. He took a couple of puffs and then blew smoke rings toward Adrian’s face. His brother scowled and batted them away.

“Do not attempt to do so at our house,” Evander warned. “Helena’s and my honeymoon is far from over, and it seems my darling ray of sunshine has a rage within her that can rival my own.”

“A soul match to be sure,” Adrian offered dryly as he smirked. “So glad you two realized it before she married Jeremy.”

Anger and regret sizzled through Evander’s veins at his brother’s sarcastic remark, but now that his beast was in slumber, he simply grinned around his cigar as he reached out and smacked Adrian on the head.

His answering scowl and the way he rubbed his head had both Evander and Damien chuckling, and before he could give another retort, Damien spoke.

“Speaking of Jeremy, I received a letter from him. He and his man are doing well on their journey. He said he would write again once they arrived at their destination, but he asked that I pass this on to you.”

Damien pulled a small missive from his outer jacket pocket and extended it toward Evander. He reached for it slowly, still wary of receiving letters.

Evander,

Thank you for loving my dear friend Helena in a manner I never could. I appreciate the reminder that we can, and indeed deserve, to be with those we genuinely desire. May both of you enjoy endless happiness.

Yours Truly,

J

Relief and happiness surged through Evander as he carefully folded the letter up again and put it in his pocket, knowing that Helena would be elated once he showed it to her later. No threats, no warnings. Just gratitude.

“Wonderful,” Evander murmured, looking up at his friends. “So very wonderful. I am happy for him.”

“And you, old friend?” Damien asked with a raised brow. “Are you happy?”

Evander’s lips twitched toward a smile, but did not fully make it.

“Helena and I are in a wonderful place,” he confessed. “But the actions of her father give her good days and bad days. He and Ingram have been sentenced to gaol for the rest of their days, as you know, but the news of Robinson’s terrors has spread fast through the ton. We have sent Mary-Anne and Alexander to my summer home to get away from it all, but Helena misses them. I believe that I might have to step away from business for a while so that we may join them.”

Adrian and Damien’s faces grew solemn.

“Take as much time as you need, brother,” Adrian urged. “We will handle things here.”

“Indeed,” Damien agreed. “And as soon as Caroline and the baby are strong enough, we will visit you. Nothing unburdens a heavy heart like that of a child.”

“We will all come,” Adrian added.

A grin touched Evander’s lips, thankful that they were both so accepting of his departure, and that they understood that it was nothing like the first time he chose to leave London society behind.

“Thank you both,” Evander replied, drawing toward the end of his cigar. “Your presence will be most welcome.”

“My love.” Helena’s sweet voice broke through the heaviness of the moment, and Evander’s heart stirred as he looked up and saw his wife. She seemed to be glowing as she smiled at him. And though such beauty made it hard for him to breathe, he grinned like a fool.

“Yes, my life?” he asked, stepping toward her.

“Might I borrow you for a moment?” she asked, glancing meaningfully at Adrian and Damien. “Privately.”

Curious, Evander excused himself and followed her into a small alcove just off the foyer, tucked away from the noise of the household’s celebration. Helena took both his hands in hers, her green eyes bright with something that looked almost like nerves.

“I do not wish to steal anything from Caroline’s day,” she began softly. “Truly, I do not. But I find I cannot hold this in a moment longer, and I would rather you hear it from me alone before anyone else guesses.”

“Helena, you are frightening me,” he said, though his lips were already curving upward, some instinct in him already reaching for hope before she said another word.

“I am with child,” she whispered.

For one full second, Evander could not speak at all. Then a sound tore out of him, something between a laugh and a sob, and he swept her up into his arms, spinning her once before setting her carefully back on her feet as though she were suddenly made of glass.