He felt as though his chest might cave. “Dear God, Evie, I need you to hold me. But more than that, sweetheart, Ineedto hold you. Desperately.”
In the next breath, her arms were locked tightly around his neck and she was sobbing against his chest. It nearly broke his heart. When had he acquired one?
He folded his arms around her. “Oh, Evie, sweetheart, don’t cry.”
“I was so afraid you might be dead.”
“I’m too much of a bastard to die young, so if you do marry me it’ll be for a good long while.”
She leaned back slightly. “You do know that you’re only giving me the illusion of choice. How can I not marry you when I love you so much?”
He felt as though she’d picked up the hammer and slammed it into his chest. No woman had ever loved him. “Say it again.”
“I love you, and yes I’ll marry you.”
He covered her mouth with his. Soon, he thought. Very, very soon. Before she had a chance to change her mind.
Chapter 21
The boxing room was more shadows than light but then it usually was. Most of the light focused on the ring where Lord Ekroth stood, as he kept glancing around at the other men surrounding the roped-off area.
Rafe had called the meeting, invited Ekroth into the ring. It had appeared he was going to decline the invitation until Mick ushered him in with a gentle prodding and the lifting of the rope. Splints kept Rafe’s left hand immobile and it was far from being completely healed, but he could pack quite the wallop with his right.
He wondered if Ekroth recognized the significance of the group of men who were in attendance. If any of them realized why they had been singled out for this particular lesson.
“Don’t keep us in suspense, Easton. What’s the meaning of all this?” Ekroth asked.
“Lord Rafe.”
“Pardon?”
“Not Easton, but Lord Rafe Easton. That’s how I should be addressed.”
“I didn’t think you much cared for your noble heritage.”
“I’ve had a change of ... heart. So in the future, you will address me with the respect that my father passed down to me.”
“Simple enough. Consider it done.”
“Splendid. Now on to more important matters. Do you know what you all have in common?”
Each one looked at the others. Some squirmed. Some shook their heads. Some averted their gazes.
“You were all at Wortham’s the night that he decided to send the earl’s daughter to her ruin.”
“You were there as well,” Ekroth said accusingly.
“Indeed I was, and so I’m well aware of what you’d planned for the woman who is to become my wife. And it doesn’t sit well with me. Doesn’t sit well with me at all. So, gentlemen, tonight I give you a choice: you can see your debts to me come due and your status within Society ruined, or you can let it be known—without going into specifics—that you know Wortham to be unsuitable for any man’s daughter, sister, or cousin. You will ensure that he is reviled, considered the scum of the earth, and shunned by all who are proper. Do that, gentlemen, and with the exception of Ekroth, all your debts to me will be wiped clean.”
“What of me?” Ekroth demanded.
“Of you I require a bit more. You wanted to put your hands on her, humiliate her, ruin her with your vile touch, while promising nothing in return.”
“I promised five hundred quid.”
“Her worth cannot be measured.”
Ekroth jerked up his chin. “So what do you plan,my lord,in order for us to be even?”
