With all the spite and disdain she could muster, she replied, “I am so sorry that I am such a burden to you, Papa.”
“Marina,” he ground out through clenched teeth, “you will not disrespect me. I am trying to ensure you have a secure future, when it seems you have no mind to make the selection for yourself.”
“You don’t deserve my respect. Not after I saw you with that woman last year.” The words left her lips before she could stop them.
Her father’s face immediately went white. “What did you just say?”
Marina squared her shoulders. “I know about that woman. In the hunting cabin. And you believe yourself capable of making the right decisions?”
“I am not explaining my actions to you.” Her father growled. “Do as I say, or you’ll face the consequences.”
He pushed his chair back and departed without so much as a glance in her direction.
Shoving her plate away, she folded her arms across her chest. Thankfully, her mother didn’t bear witness, or she would remind Marina how unladylike she was being. There was plenty she hoped her mother didn’t bear witness to.
But there was something about her father’s words that couldn’t get out of her head. He legally had the right to force her to wed Minto, but he hadn’t done so yet.
She couldn’t help but hope that meant it wasn’t what he wantedfor her either. But she also didn’t have another suitor to consider.
Especially when Evan had taken up residence in her thoughts. But there was no hope of a future with Evan, not that she wanted one. Never again.
But as much as she hated Evan, she hated even the thought of a life with Minto more.
Chapter Five
Evan
From a highbackedchair at White’s, Evan pondered over a healthy pour of brandy. The burden thrust upon him after his father’s passing put more stress on him than he had realized. No longer did he wake up eager for adventure. He missed happiness, an emotion that had become foreign to him, at least with any regularity. Instead, he woke with the awareness that he always had more work ahead of him to secure his future.
And hope that he might one day cease mourning over the future that he lost forever with Marina.
He downed the rest of this glass and slammed it on the table, motioning for the attendant to bring him another.
“Easy there. Might I join you?”
Evan looked up to see Jude standing next to him, and he nodded to the chair across from his. Jude asked the attendant to bring him a drink, and they sat in silence until they had each received their tumbler of brandy.
“Being a member of the peerage isn’t always as glamorous as it seems, is it?” Jude asked, shrugging before taking a gulp from his glass.
Evan released a burst of air. “No, it sure isn’t.”
“I have always found that a woman helps.” Jude arched his eyebrows and smirked.
“I think a wife would only make matters more complicated.” Evannoted Jude’s change in expression and added, “But you aren’t referring to a wife.”
“I was definitely not referring to a wife,” Jude retorted.
Evan laughed. “Well, all my responsibilities would still be there, even if I took a woman to bed. She’d probably just make demands of me, too.”
Jude narrowed his eyes and assessed Evan. “You already have a woman on your mind, I think.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not.” Evan hid behind a drink of his brandy.
“Hmm. Interesting.” A devilish grin alighted Jude’s face. “I think I’m right, but you don’t need to admit it. For what it’s worth, sometimes I envy those who can give their hearts to another. So, I wish you good fortune in your endeavor.”
“I assure you, I have given my heart to no one,” Evan said with a bit more intensity than he needed to.
Laughing and shaking his head, Jude said, “Perhaps you shall believe it if you keep speaking the words.”
