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Evan finished his meal. “If you’ll excuse me, Sophie, I must get cleaned up after our…difficulty.”
“Yes, of course.” Sophie rose as well. “I’ll see to my sister. In fact, I’ll have Chef prepare her a tray. She must eat something.”
Evan nodded and climbed the two flights of stairs to his suite on the third floor. He bid Redmond to prepare him a bath. When the tub was ready, he peeled off his soiled clothing and lowered himself into the steaming water.
Ah, heaven.
“Do you require anything else, my lord?” his valet asked.
“No, Redmond. You may go. I may just sit here until the water becomes tepid.”
“I couldn’t help but notice your bruising. Do you wish me to call your physician?”
“No, there’s no need. We were thrown a bit in the carriage. I assure you a hot bath is the best medicine for me right now.” That, and perhaps another tumble with Alexandra. But that wouldn’t happen.
“Very well, then.” Redmond bowed and left the room, only to come back a moment later. “I beg pardon, sir, but Mr. Graves requests an audience with you.”
“Can’t it wait? I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but he says it’s of the utmost importance.”
Evan sighed. “Fine, send him in.”
Graves entered, the expression on his face unreadable. “Forgive the intrusion, my lord, but I received an urgent message from your printing office in Bath.”
“Well, what is it?”
“I’m sorry, my lord, but I was told that only you could read the missive.”
Evan let out a breath. Why now? All he wanted was a warm bath and his own bed. And then, of course, perhaps another meal later.
“Redmond,” he said, “fetch my robe please.”
Evan dried quickly and stepped into the robe that Redmond held for him. He turned back to Graves and took the letter the butler was still holding. Sighing, he broke the seal and took out the folded piece of parchment.
He widened his eyes. “Thank you, Graves. You may go. Redmond, please ready my grey suit. I’m going to have to go into Bath.”
* * *
Having finished her bath, Ally sat in front of the looking glass, combing out the snarls from her finally clean hair.
A knock at the door startled her.
“Yes, who is it?”
“It’s just me,” came Sophie’s voice from the other side of the door.
“Of course, do come in,” Ally said.
The door opened, and Sophie ambled in, carrying a tray. “I figured you would be hungry,” she said. “I know you must have been fraught with embarrassment when Mr. Landon saw you so disheveled, but still, Ally, you must eat. You haven’t eaten in nearly two days.”
Her sister was right, of course. Ally was hungry. But so many images were swirling in her mind. The intimate moments she had shared with Evan, and then the man she intended to marry, Mr. Landon, seeing her looking no better than a common peasant. She sighed. How would he ever feel the same way about her? He thought of her as glamorous and socially intelligent. Not that she felt that way herself. Her past wouldn’t allow that. But damn it, no one would know of her past if she could help it. No one but Sophie and her mother knew now. Well, except for Evan, and he had assured her his confidence. Up until now, she had put on a good show for Mr. Landon. Perhaps he would understand that she had been in a carriage accident and had been without amenities for two days. If only he hadn’t been there to see her when she returned.
“Thank you, Sophie.”
Sophie set the tray on the table and uncovered it. “Chef outdid himself today. Roast chicken sandwiches with tomato and fresh mozzarella salad and creamed vegetable marrow. Lemon spice cake for dessert.”
Ally feared it would all taste like sawdust to her right now. But her stomach wasn’t going to allow her to wait any longer for sustenance. “Do join me, won’t you, Sophie?”
