Page 99 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

Sophia wrinkled her nose. “I had to squeeze the peach to get away from a man behind the Drayton Theater.”

Evangeline sat up straighter. “You grabbed his bollocks?”

“Yes, and it was disgusting.”

She laughed, imagining her tiny sister bringing a man to his knees with the move Uncle Charles had taught them. “That’s a story I want to hear.”

“Another time. This is your turn.”

Evangeline lowered her head. “There isn’t much more to say.”

She had told her great-aunt and sisters about the journey to find Uncle Charles and the revelations about Jonathan’s identity and mission.

“Uncle Charles said Sir Jonathan loves you,” Regina said softly. “Do you want to tell us how you feel about him?”

Fresh tears burned the backs of her eyes. “I thought I loved him, but I didn’t know him, did I?”

Regina’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know. Some parts are true. He wrote the journal articles you loved, so he’s a proper antiquarian like he claimed.”

“For heaven’s sake, Regina! He’s an assassin.”

Her sister cast down her gaze, pink flooding her cheeks. Evangeline regretted her sharpness immediately. She had lashed out when Regina had only meant to help.

“I’m sorry.” Evangeline reached across the table, but Regina didn’t look up. “I never intended to sound harsh, but what I said is true.”

“Is it?” Sophia asked. “It seems to me he could have easily completed his mission after rescuing Uncle Charles. He could have left him to the Semkari, as far as that goes. What was it? Two nights on the road you and Uncle Charles were alone with him?”

Evangeline inhaled, mulling over her sister’s observations.

“I love seeing this emotional side of you,” Sophia said, “but what do the facts tell you?”

Her chest tightened with anger. “Fact one. He recognized we were related to Uncle Charles at the docks and lured us to the villa. No doubt, he intended to hold us prisoner until Uncle Charles came out of hiding.”

“That’s a stretch,” Regina said. “We’ve been free to come and go since we arrived.”

“Fact two. He used us to find his target. I led Jonathan to Uncle Charles. I should’ve seen through everything, but I let fondness for him distract me.”

Sophia reached for her hand. “You’re being too hard on yourself—which is unfair to Regina. That has always been her role.”

“Sophia!”

Their younger sister shrugged, smiling at Regina before squeezing Evangeline’s hand. “We should gather all the facts and make a list. Let’s prove he loves you, and it isn’t an act.”

Evangeline rolled her eyes. “Emotions cannot be proven.”

“We can try. Don’t you want to know?”

“Of course I do, but even if he didn’t want to accept the assignment, he did it to protect his fiancée.” She pushed away from the table. “His fiancée, Sophia. He loves her, not me.”

Sophia leaned back in her chair. “Your research is missing pieces. Crispin was around when Sir Jonathan received his assignment. He didn’t know the details, but he is privy to the relationship between Sir Jonathan and his former betrothed.”

Evangeline stopped pacing to face her sister. Her heart pounded; her mouth grew dry.

“She married Ben Hillary, her old flame,” Sophia said. “According to Crispin, Sir Jonathan never stood a chance once Ben rekindled their association.”

Evangeline frowned. “So his love was unrequited. That doesn’t negate my statement.”

“Crispin saw it differently. Sir Jonathan was ready to have a family, and Miss Thorne was kind. He surrendered her to Ben too quickly for it to be true love.”