“I came to apologize and clear the air with Lady Sidmouth,” she explained, “and was distraught to learn of the situation with your betrothed. She graciously allowed me to wait with them to ensure you all returned safely.”
Evan could only imagine the awkwardness that his future mother-in-law felt when his mother arrived on her doorstep. He locked eyes with Marina and they both glanced at her mother.
“It’s quite all right. Lady Ockham and I have discussed matters,” Lady Sidmouth said, no hint of bitterness or disdain in her tone.
Evan couldn’t believe his ears but was relieved nonetheless. He assumed they would be subjected to many awkward holidays and exchanges for years to come, and here these two remarkable ladies sorted it out all on their own. Hotheaded gentlemen would haverequired nothing short of a duel to resolve similar affairs.
Lady Ockham clapped her hands to gain everyone’s attention and addressed the room. “I have asked Cook to prepare a light dinner on the sideboard if you wish to join me in the dining room. You all must be famished after the events of the day.”
The gentlemen ensured each of the ladies had an arm to escort them to the dining room. Evan pulled Marina back and took his mother’s arm. “Mother, I wish to introduce you to Marina.”
His mother took Marina’s hands in hers. “I am so happy you are marrying my son, and I hope we will be good friends.”
“I hope so as well, my lady,” Marina said.
With his mother and Marina each on his arms, they joined everyone else in the dining room. The ladies made their selections from the sideboard and Evan sat his mother in a chair by Lady Sidmouth before seating Marina where there was an open chair for him right beside her. The room roared with conversation. A footman brought around a bottle of wine and filled their glasses.
Lady Sidmouth clinked her knife against her glass, and everyone shifted their attention to her. “I appreciate everyone who aided in my daughter’s safe return, as well as those who kept me company while we waited. This has been a trying, devastating couple of days for all of us, and I am humbled by the love and friendship in this room. I consider you all family from this day forward.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. The rest of the ladies, including Marina, also wiped away a few tears.
Evan choked back his own emotion. His future mother-in-law was right. Not only was he lucky in his love for Marina, but he had friends who supported him and fought alongside him with no questions asked. Such friendship, especially among theton, was rare. For a man who was an only child, he enjoyed having such a large, extended group he could call family.
The talk at the table shifted to Evan and Marina’s wedding, whichwould take place in the morning. Everyone would return, plus Hannah and Hudson, to be present for their vows and a small, intimate wedding breakfast.
Once everyone returned to the drawing room after dinner, Evan pulled Arthur aside. “I know what I’m about to ask you is not typically done, but I am hoping you will take pity on me after the day we have had. Please allow me to stay tonight and not be separated from Marina. I was terrified of losing her today, and I can’t bear to be apart from her, even for tonight.” He paused and offered a hopeful smile. “Please.”
Arthur contemplated what he asked. “You stood before the barrel of a gun, willing to take a bullet and give your life for my sister. I will not demand that you part from her this evening.”
“Thank you, Arthur.”
He patted Evan on the back. “What are brothers for?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Marina
Marina loved allthe wonderful people in her life, but she was thankful when they called for their carriages. They would all return in the morning when she married Evan, but she’d had enough excitement for the day. It was bittersweet, since Evan had also called for his carriage to be sent over. She couldn’t bear the idea of being apart from him.
She needed to tell him she loved him. Without a doubt, she knew her heart but hadn’t found the way to tell him. The words somehow didn’t feel powerful or strong enough for what she felt for him. He had told her several times, and she didn’t want to merely say it back. After the hateful way she’d treated him, he needed to understand that she wouldn’t live a life that didn’t have him in it.
If they were in a romance novel, she would have cried the words into his chest after the kidnapping incident, but that didn’t seem to be the most appropriate moment. He deserved to know she cherished him, in a way that was deeper than she ever thought possible, and she couldn’t find and speak those words with the group of men watching them.
She shook off her thoughts and noted Evan and his mother were the last ones remaining in the drawing room with her family. Marina held Evan’s hand and leaned against him on the settee. She whispered in his ear, “Please come tonight. I’ll let you in atthe servants’ door.”
“I don’t think so, love.”
She pulled back. “What? Why?” How could he not do as she asked? Surely he didn’t want to be parted from her, either, after the day they had. Had something changed between them? Of course not. He’d risked his life for her. His response made little sense.
Brooks appeared. “The Ockham carriage has arrived.”
Evan kissed Marina’s hand and shifted his attention to his mother. “Come, Mother.”
Marina watched in disbelief as her mother and Evan bussed each other’s cheeks. Her mother was far more forgiving than Marina could ever be, and she admired her for it. Her mother would be far less lonely in the country with a friend nearby. It was an ideal situation, but she still couldn’t believe it had worked out. If something good could come out of her father’s passing and Minto kidnapping her, she would take it.
Her betrothed, on the other hand, she was not pleased with at the moment. Marina stared holes into his back as he departed with his mother and didn’t cast her a backwards glance. She reminded herself that the man had been willing to take a bullet for her, so she was being churlish by allowing frustration to build for him. She could at least acknowledge that. It didn’t change the fact that she wanted him with her, and she wouldn’t sleep a wink without feeling the safety of his arms around her.
She dropped back onto the settee and crossed her arms, warring with herself over her selfish need for him and acknowledging that it wasn’t proper for him to spend the evening before their wedding together. But the evening they’d spent together last night wasn’t proper and that hadn’t stopped either of them. She huffed out loud, not caring that her mother and brother would plague her with questions when they noticed she was in such a state.
“Does that mean you don’t want me to stay?”
