Evan looked up and waved Jude to the chair across from him.
Jude looked at his teacup and then back at him. “I thought you might need a stronger drink this morning.”
Evan sipped his tea and laughed. “Whatever do you mean? It’s not even noon.”
“You must not have heard the latest,” Jude said and rubbed a hand over his face.
Evan set his cup down on the table. “Heard what? What has happened?”
Jude took a deep breath and released a puff of air before he spoke. “Marina is betrothed to Minto. It’s all over town this morning.”
Evan struggled to catch his breath and his face paled. “You are not serious.”
“I wish I weren’t,” Jude replied, shaking his head. “EvenImight have considered marrying her to save her from that fate, and you know how I feel about marriage.” He signaled to the attendant to bring them drinks.
“She can’t,” he said. “Why would her father allow such a thing? She wouldn’t have said yes.”
Jude shook his head. “I’m not sure what can be done about it now.”
Their drinks arrived, and they both drained the brandy from the glasses. They sat in silence for a few moments. Evan’s thoughts raced, trying to come up with some sort of plan to get Marina out of this. He’d agree to see her married to anyone else other than Minto, if only for her safety.
“I knew there was something between the two of you,” Jude said, nudging Evan’s shoulder. “I flirted with her a couple of times to see if you would notice and confirm my suspicions.”
“I noticed,” he huffed. “But that doesn’t matter. We have to figure a way out of this for her. I shall call on her immediately.”
Once he arrived at the Sidmouth townhouse, he hurled himself from the carriage and charged up to the door. Their butler met him after he knocked, took his card, and left him in the foyer.
The man returned a few moments later. “I am sorry, my lord, but you may not see Lady Marina.”
“What do you mean, I am unable to see her?” he demanded. “She and I are acquainted, and I know she will agree to see me.”
“His lordship has stated that you are not to be allowed admittance.”
Evan clenched his fists. “He can’t do that.”
The butler’s gaze turned haughty. “I believe he can.”
“Marina! Marina!” Evan shouted toward the stairs, hoping she might hear him and know he had arrived.
Two footmen arrived and assisted the butler in shoving him outside, with Evan fighting against them and continuing to call for Marina. They got him outside and closed the door behind them.
He looked up at the windows. If he knew which window was hers, he would climb up to her now, uncaring if anyone saw him do so. What’s the worst that could happen? They’d be forced to wed.Good.
The scandal would be a far better fate than seeing her shackled to Minto. He contemplated climbing to the second-story rooms anyway, hoping luck might be on his side, and find his way to see her.
The front door opened again, and an older version of Marina stepped out. Her mother was still quite beautiful, even for her age. He took a couple of cautious steps back, unsure why she had approached.
“Please, my lord,” she pleaded. “I only have a few moments and I must speak with you.”
“Of course, my lady. I tried to call on your daughter but was told I wasn’t allowed admittance.”
She rolled her eyes. It reminded him so much of Marina, it caused his heart to ache. “My husband.”
Evan nodded. “I wished to speak with Marina, er…Lady Marina.”
She narrowed her eyes and fixed her gaze on his. “Do you love my daughter?”
He closed his eyes and prepared to answer. “I do, my lady.” He sighed. “I intended to ask her to marry me today, and speak with your husband about the matter, but I learned of this business with Minto.” His face shifted to a sneer as the man’s name escaped his lips. “I would do anything to save her from that fate, even if it means that she is lost to me.”
