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Had she truly believed coming here would work?

Nay. But Evelina also had to try. They’d said their piece, and now it was time to make good on her promise. She truly did not want any of this man’s estates, nor did she care about being named a bastard, as Gareth said.

Evelina was only sorry her husband could not remain at Castle Blackwood. They could not chance Ashford’s influence.

“Come,” she said, knowing at least she had made the effort. “He will not see reason.”

When she turned, neither Gareth nor Eamon said anything further. If the baron were in their places, he would have spoken, ensuring his voice was the last to be heard. But they did not, and the three of them walked out of the hall, their heads held high.

They were just at the entrance to the hall when Lord Ashford’s voice stopped them.

“Evie,” he said, his voice lacking the edge that it had earlier.

For that reason alone, she stopped.

“I would speak to you in my solar chamber. Alone.”

“Nay,” Gareth and Eamon both said at once. She looked first at her husband, and then her father. The look she gave both, hopefully, enough to quell their fears.

“I will speak to him,” she said firmly.

Neither man argued with her. When Ashford breezed by them, Evelina followed, not looking back. She did not delude herself that the man who had raised her would change his mind, declare that he had, indeed, loved her like a real daughter all these years and beg for her forgiveness.

But he did hear her threat to expose herself as a bastard, and just perhaps, he believed her.

29

Evelina, Gareth and Eamon left Ashford Manor in much the same way they arrived. None spoke until they were a fair distance from the keep. Though people continued to mill around about them, near the stable was fairly quiet.

It was there that Evelina turned to the men and broke into a smile.

“We can stay.”

“What do you mean?” Eamon asked.

“He will not challenge the marriage.”

They were as surprised as she. “He does not wish for me to denounce him as my father. In exchange, he will not challenge our marriage.” She addressed her father. “Part of me had hoped it did not work. Our relationship—”

“Will stay exactly as it always has. I know the truth, as do you. ’Tis all that matters.”

“Evie.” Gareth shook his head back and forth in disbelief. “What did he say?”

“He has not made a decision on my inheritance, and I do not believe he’ll be offering a bride price.”

Her father laughed.

“But neither will he contest the marriage.”

“He believed you would not budge.” Her father stoked his beard. “And without the ability to marry you off . . .”

“I hold no more value to him.”

Gareth pulled her into him. “I am sorry,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

“Do not be sorry. It was a better outcome than I could have wished for. Yet, I still do not know where we will go. Or what our future holds, precisely.”

“I may have an idea.”