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His ink-stained fingers dusted over his latest letter draft once more. He’d hardly gotten past the salutation before giving up.
What in the devil am I to write now? ‘Your father murdered mine?’ Ah, truly the pinnacle of romance.
Thomas shook off the grim thoughts. In actuality, he did know what to write, if not what to say. At a bare minimum, he knew this new development would need to be discussed in person.
He picked up his utensil and began to write:
Dearest Evelina,
It has been some while since our last conversation, and much has happened in the days we have been apart. My affections for you have not lessened; yet, there are matters of great import that must be discussed in person. I implore you—please, meet me in the same manner as before, in three days’ time.
Yours,
Thomas
Thomas wished he could see Lady Evelina sooner, but given his injuries he was confident that in his present state he would stand no chance of escaping if he once again came head-to-head with the guard dog.
“Who are you writing to?” Gerard asked suspiciously, several minutes after Thomas had failed to respond to the comment about the end of his relationship with Lady Evelina.
“Who do you think?” Thomas muttered.
Gerard was up and out of his chair in a heartbeat. “Blast it, Thomas,” he said, trying to snatch the letter draft right out of Thomas’ hands as he was folding it.
“Gerard! Enough!” Thomas pulled the letter close to his chest. “While the Duke of Alderleaf seems to have been the mastermind, there is no evidence to suggest Lady Evelina knows anything of the matter at all.”
Gerard looked as though he wanted to make another grab for the letter. He evidently managed to restrain himself by digging his nails into his palms with enough force, his knuckles went completely white. “Thomas, how can you not see this with greater clarity?”
“If there is some evidence I am missing, I implore you, tell me,” Thomas said with unnecessary bite. “Otherwise, I see no reason why Lady Evelina should not take our side in the matter.”
“Perhaps because you mean to accuse her Father of murder?”
Thomas flinched at the bluntness of Gerard’s words, but he held his ground nevertheless. “Lady Evelina is a lady of the utmost honor and morality. When she hears the evidence we have to present, she will choose to do what is right above all else.”
Gerard gave Thomas a look of the utmost pity. Thomas wasn’t sure whether to wilt or rage against the gaze.
