AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 8
Evan couldn’t help smiling. Alexandra, though a mess, still looked gorgeous to him. But to her paramour, Mr. Landon? What would he think?
Her cheeks turned crimson, and he imagined the rest of her luscious body bore the same blushing color. How would she react to this?
Sophie clasped both hands to her mouth. And Alexandra just stood, immobile, as if petrified.
“My lady,” Mr. Landon said, “your sister was just telling me that you’d been lost on your way to London. Thank goodness you are all right.” He turned to Evan. “And you as well, my lord.”
“Yes, Landon, thank you,” Evan said. “We’re fine, but in need of some sustenance at the moment.”
Ally stood, still paralyzed. She said nothing.
“Mr. Landon,” Sophie said, “I’m sure you understand that my sister and stepbrother need to see to a few things.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” He took Alexandra’s hand and kissed it.
A jolt of possessive jealousy surged through Evan.
“I shall call on you again soon,” he said as Graves showed him the door.
“Oh, of all the…” Ally shook her head.
“I’m so sorry, Ally,” Sophie said. “He just arrived a few moments ago, and I was explaining that you were being looked for. I’m thrilled you’re here and all right, of course. I never dreamed he’d come out of the parlor.”
“He’ll probably want nothing more to do with me,” Alexandra said. “I look an absolute fright.”
“If he doesn’t want you because of how you look, he’s not worth your time anyway,” Sophie said.
“Rubbish, Sophie.” Alexandra shook her head. “Please excuse me. I must see to a bath and then have a nap.
“You don’t wish to take a meal?” Evan said.
“Not at the moment. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.” Alexandra ambled up the stairway.
“Sophie,” Evan said, “would you care to join me in a meal?”
Sophie nodded. “I haven’t been able to eat due to worry. Suddenly, I have quite a hunger. Plus, I’m anxious to hear all about your ordeal.”
Sophie joined him in the informal dining room while he ate and told her of the carriage accident and how they’d found shelter. Of course he left out the part where he’d slept with her sister.
“How very terrible for the coachman,” Sophie said. “But how very fortunate for the two of you. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to Ally.”
“She is fine, though a bit frazzled,” Evan said. “She’ll be all right. Have you heard any word from my father?”
Sophie shook her head. “I doubt we will. Why would they send word while on a wedding trip?”
“Just some business dealings I was hoping to get his input on,” Evan said. “Jacob and his solicitor are due here within a few weeks, and I need to have up-to-date information. I guess it will fall to me to get things in order.”
“Yes, please don’t bother your father,” Sophie said. “He and my mother have waited so long for happiness. They do so deserve it.”
Evan swallowed the bite of chicken sandwich he’d been chewing. Sophie was right. He’d learned a lot about what her mother had endured during her first marriage, and he did want her to have happiness now. He was still a bit irked that his father hadn’t found that kind of happiness with his own mother, but at least his mother had been taken care of and had lived a good life. If only she could have had love…
But what of love? Evan himself had been ready to marry Lady Rose Jameson, and though he cared for her, he hadn’t been in love with her nor she with him. Was love simply an illusion? Love was not the act itself. He’d engaged in the act many times, but had never loved the one he was with.
Though with Alexandra… He’d felt something different—something almost primal and protective. But no, it wasn’t love.
Not that he’d know the difference.
