Page 51

Once arriving home, he stormed past the foyer and into the sitting room where he poured a generous portion of whiskey into a crystal glass. The fiery liquid trailed down his throat and into his stomach and he closed his eyes.

“For a man who’s recently engaged, you do not look very happy.” Evan’s deep voice brought him out of his revelry. “Has something happened?”

He met his brother-in-law’s gaze. “Lucinda confronted Wren. Told her we were lovers, among other things.”

“That could not have gone over well,” Evan said. He sat in a chair holding a book, a glass of whiskey at his elbow, atop a small table. Distraught, Grant hadn’t noticed him when he first entered the room.

“No,” Grant admitted. “It did not. I am not sure she will marry me.”

He lowered to a chair and stretched out his legs. “I do not blame her.”

“You love her.” Evan’s statement hung in the air.

“Of course I do. With all my heart.” Grant took another drink. “What good will it do me?”

Evan shrugged. “It will give you the courage to fight for her. To show her that you are indeed a changed man who will be faithful.”

“How the hell will I prove that?” Grant snapped. “I have no idea what she is thinking right now. No—I do. She is thinking I am no better than a whore.”

Evan put his book aside and looked at him for a long moment. “I am sorry this happened.”

To top off the already dreadful evening, Grant blinked away tears of frustration. “Thank you.”

“Tomorrow you will feel better and have a clear head,” Evan said, looking pointedly at the glass in Grant’s hand. “If need be, recruit Felicity to help. I am sure she will have good ideas.”

As he climbed the stairs, leaving the half-empty glass behind, Grant considered how his sister could help. Perhaps he’d also get Henry’s wife, Hannah, to help as well. Surely Wren would understand that like both Henry and Evan, he too could change from a rogue to a devoted husband.

Because he’d promised Wren he wouldn’t call on her, Grant waited an excruciating two days to finally contact Wren. He sent a note via the coachman asking her to meet him and was overjoyed—or as overjoyed as he could be when she replied affirming that they could meet. He hoped it would be so that he could marry his beloved, and not lose her because of his own lack of foresight.