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“They didn’t say, my lord.”
“Then I’ll go join them at St. James’s Palace.”
“You can’t, my lord!” his butler cried as Noel turned for the door.
Noel glowered at him. “Why not?”
“Because a man from Mr. Hall’s office is awaiting you most impatiently. He refuses to leave until he speaks to you.”
Mr. Hall was his attorney. “Fine,” Noel said, “I’ll get rid of him.” He had to talk to Eve before she hardened her heart against him. He couldn’t bear one more moment having her think he might still be planning to marry Margaret.
When Noel walked into the drawing room, the fellow awaiting him said, “Mr. Hall has sent me to fetch you, my lord.”
“What for? I have another obligation that—”
“Forgive me, sir, but Miss Archer’s uncle has come to London. And he is demanding to speak to you. But he asked that you not involve Miss Archer and her family just yet.”
That brought Noel up short. Then it fired his temper. After everything the Archers had been through … “I believe Miss Archer, at the very least, should be included in this discussion.” And why the devil had the man chosen this very moment to do this?
“He says he will only speak to you.”
Noel sighed. It wasn’t as if he could refuse. Eve and her family had been waiting for this, and he meant to make sure they got what they needed.
“Very well.” He gritted his teeth. “But you’ll have to wait while I dress for my other commitment this evening.” No matter what, he was not going to miss Eve’s appearance tonight. “It involves the queen.”
“Of England?” the man said, incredulous.
“What other queen would I be talking about?” he snapped before hurrying up the stairs.
Thankfully, his valet already had his clothes laid out for the night. Normally, he would wait until the last minute to put on such finery, but he dared not. He didn’t know how long this discussion would take. Besides, it couldn’t hurt to cow Eve’s uncle by appearing in clothing only reserved for appearing before royalty.
Once attired, he arranged with his butler to have young James fed and dressed in his new clothes while the lad was waiting for the ladies to return. “If I’m not back by the time they need to leave for St. James’s Palace, give this to Eve.” He handed his butler a handkerchief. “Tell her it was Natalie’s. That it’s for luck. And tell her I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
His butler nodded, though he clearly had questions.
Even if Noel would have answered them, he couldn’t stay for them. It was time to go meet Eve’s villainous uncle.
CHAPTER 8
Eve, her stepmother, and Lady Cokesbury had gathered in the foyer of Cokesbury Place in their finest attire, watching for Noel. Earlier, when they’d come home to dress, it was to find that Noel had gone off to see his attorney for who knew what reason. He still hadn’t returned. He’d even instructed the butler to tell them not to wait if they were ready to go to the palace before he got back.
They didn’t have much time, though. All ladies participating in the competition were to be there half an hour early to lay out their submissions. Noel knew that.
Eve sighed. Remembering how she’d fled Noel just last night, she winced. She’d been a coward, and now she was paying for it. She hadn’t seen him all day, and she didn’t know if his sudden defection boded ill.
Not that it mattered. He would do as he pleased, and she would just have to endure whatever that was. Although if he asked her to marry him …
Surely that was a dream.
Jimmy raced down the stairs in front of Noel’s valet, coming to a halt in front of them.
“Why, aren’t you just the handsomest young man,” Lady Cokesbury told Jimmy.
Jimmy gave a courtly bow. “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”
“Oh, and he even sounds like a little gentleman, doesn’t he?” Maman said, brushing tears from her eyes. “Your son has worked a miracle on the lad, Lady Cokesbury.”
Eve had to wipe a tear from her own eye. Who would have guessed Jimmy could ever carry off such attire and good manners? Apparently, Noel had.
