“Evelyn?” Charlotte asked.
“Mmm,” said Evelyn, her head turned from watching Reese disappear to Charlotte and Sinclair.
“Are you well?”
Evelyn tried to smile. “Yes. Shall we have tea?”
She walked away without waiting for a reply. Charlotte and Sinclair followed her into a parlor and sat on the settee as Evelyn asked a servant to bring tea and a tray of refreshments. She settled on a chair near them and smiled serenely, her joy at their visit apparent. Still, her eyes held a sadness that only one person could make disappear. However, it was a wish that would never come true.
“So tell me, how are you enjoying married life? Are Jacqueline, Gemma, and Abigail prepared for the season? When are they arriving in London? Did Uncle Theo set a date for Lucas and Selina’s wedding yet?” Evelyn bombarded them with questions to distract them from asking after her wellbeing. Her emotions were too delicate to explore, and she didn’t want their sympathy. Not after she had written home about her happiness with Reese. A happiness that now proved false.
Charlotte knew Evelyn didn’t wish to discuss Worthington’s treatment in front of Jasper. After they visited for a brief spell, Charlotte would send Jasper away so she could have a private moment with her sister. For now, Charlotte answered Evelyn’s questions, trying to make her laugh at their family’s antics.
“Why did Lucas refuse to set a wedding date?” asked Evelyn.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “He spouted off some nonsense about letting the girls enjoy their season, and he didn’t want to steal away from their debut. I think he is trying to find a way out of the betrothal. You should see how jealous he has behaved since the house party.”
“Abigail?”
“Yes. Jasper has introduced her to some gentlemen in the neighboring counties. They have taken an interest in Abigail, and she finds their company amiable. Why, at our wedding party, Abigail had her hand claimed for every dance. Lucas was in such a fit that night.” Charlotte laughed.
“Now, what is this nonsense about a wedding present? We agreed no gifts,” said Evelyn.
“I know, but Jasper wanted to make a grand gesture. You tell her,” said Charlotte, bouncing in her seat with excitement.
Sinclair smiled fondly at his wife. “Our gift to you, Evelyn, is Cobalt.”
“Sapphire’s offspring?” Evelyn squeaked. “What am I to do with a horse?”
Sinclair shifted in his seat. “It was my intent to make a peaceful gesture toward your husband for the confusion of your, um...mistaken courtship. To let bygones be bygones and start our family anew. But from his earlier display, Worthington has not changed, and I agree with my wife that the paperwork should remain in your name.”
Evelyn sighed. She had no excuse to give them for Reese’s behavior. In truth, her mind was exhausted from trying to understand his sudden change of mood. “Thank you for your thoughtful gift. This wonderful news will thrill my husband once he hears of your generosity. Will you continue to London now?”
Charlotte gave Evelyn a hopeful smile. “We were hoping you would invite us to stay for an extended visit. I have missed you so much and want to spend time with you before I must face London without you.” Charlotte shuddered at the morbid thought.
Evelyn laughed for the first time since they arrived. Charlotte found proper behavior to be an inconvenience. Charlotte would turn London on its ear with her unconventional antics, a sight Evelyn would miss but couldn’t wait to hear about.
Evelyn brightened a little. “Excellent, I shall have a bedroom prepared for your stay. Reese’s family is in the village this afternoon, and you can meet them at dinner. I love them so. They have been most welcoming.”
Charlotte smirked. “Well, if their behavior is the opposite of Worthington’s, then I am sure we will love them too.”
“Charlie,” Sinclair warned. “On that note, I shall take my leave. I need to speak with the stable master about Cobalt’s care and to help him into his new home. You ladies need some time alone.” Sinclair rose.
“I will have a footman guide you to the stables.”
Sinclair waved her off. “No need, Evelyn. I have visited Worthington’s estate before and I am familiar with my way around.”
Jasper bent over and kissed Charlotte before he left. After he walked away, Charlotte stared after her husband with a dreamy expression. Evelyn felt a stab of envy, then brushed it away. She only held happiness for the love her sister shared with Jasper. It wasn’t Charlotte’s fault that Evelyn had married a toad. Obviously, the many kisses they’d shared hadn’t turned him into a prince, but an evil villain instead.
Evelyn rose, walked to the doorway, and instructed a footman to inform the housekeeper to prepare a bedroom for Charlotte and Jasper. When she returned to take a seat, Charlotte held out her hand to join her on the settee. Evelyn grabbed onto the offer and settled near her, laying her head on Charlotte’s shoulder.
“Do you wish to cry?” asked Charlotte.
“No. I have cried enough over him. He is no longer worth my tears.” Evelyn sniffled.
“If you wish to, I am here and I promise not to judge. Even though I suggest we plot his demise. Much more of a productive solution.”
Evelyn laughed. Charlotte had always been the more devious of the two and always strived to correct a wrong. Many victims had fallen under her crafty revenge. However, Evelyn couldn’t allow Charlotte to retaliate, even if it would be pleasurable to watch. No, Evelyn needed to stand up for herself if she ever hoped to earn Reese’s respect one day. She would think of her own plan to bring her husband to heel. If her plan didn’t work, then she would seek Charlotte’s advice. For now, she only wanted a sympathetic ear for her heartache.
Charlotte took her hand. “Your recent letters stated that Worthington had forgiven your deception, and you felt that he might love you.”
Evelyn sighed. “It is what my husband led me to believe. But now I realize it was a false sense of security. He fooled me as I had fooled him. I would say we are even, but I do not believe he feels the same.”
“Insufferable brute.”
Evelyn laughed, “I am so happy you came. I have missed you too.”
“And I you, Evie.”
Evelyn growled. She hated that nickname.
She pulled away. She wanted to see Charlotte’s reaction when she described her intimacy with Reese. She wanted to know if her behavior in the bedroom was normal or if her husband might think her too fast.
“What I do not understand is that only moments before you arrived, we had been about to...well, you know.” Evelyn twisted her hand in the air to emphasize what she couldn’t bring herself to say.
“No, what were you about to do?” Charlotte asked with an innocent smile. However, the teasing twinkle in her gaze gave her away.
Evelyn hit her with a pillow when she saw Charlotte’s amusement. “Make love in the middle of the afternoon,” Evelyn whispered, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
Charlotte relaxed back against the cushions. “Love in the afternoon when passion takes control is heavenly.”
“Then Sinclair and you ... ahh ...”
Charlotte cocked an eyebrow. “Make love in the afternoon?”
Evelyn ducked her head. “Mmm, yes.”
“The morning, afternoon, and throughout the night. Whenever the mood strikes. Yes, a lot.” Charlotte winked.
“So, it is normal to ...” Evelyn struggled to complete sentences.
“For a happy marriage? Most definitely.”
“Ever since the picnic where Reese showed me his estate, we have had this newfound connection. Not a night has not gone by without him carrying me away to his bed or a day without his tender affection.” Evelyn looked down at her hands, her heart heavy. “Why the sudden change?”
Charlotte pursed her lips. “I am afraid our visit has reminded Worthington of our deceit. Perhaps we should not stay.”
“Nonsense. If my husband refuses to forgive something that happened in the past now,
then he never will. I refuse to spend the rest of my life never being able to have my family around because it hurts his tender emotions.”
Evelyn rose and started pacing the parlor, her stride taking her back and forth in front of Charlotte. Each time, she paused, attempting to voice her thoughts. Then she would shake her head and continue her path across the rug. It was on her tenth time across the room that the parlor doors swung open and Reese’s family invaded the room.
Evelyn changed her flustered appearance to one of a serene demeanor. However, her mother-in-law noticed her state and offered her a smile full of sympathy.
Graham strode in behind his family, looking at a piece of mail, and didn’t see Charlotte sitting on the settee. “Did you find out who the carriage belongs to, Mother?”
“I believe Evelyn’s sister is paying us a visit,” answered Lady Worthington.
Graham’s gaze raised to stare at the identical twins. “Holy ...”
Charlotte rose and linked her arms with Evelyn, laughing at Graham’s reaction.
“Graham!” Eden exclaimed.
Graham blinked. “Well ... I ... ah ...”
Evelyn took pity on Graham and made the introductions. She explained how Charlotte and Sinclair were dropping off a wedding present on their way to London for the upcoming season. She added how she had invited her family to stay for a few days. Everyone agreed it was a wonderful idea to give them a chance to know one another better.
“Can I see your present, Evelyn?” Maggie asked.
Evelyn smiled. “I am afraid I cannot show you. You will have to visit the stables if you wish to see the present. It is a new colt named Cobalt.”
Graham looked at her in surprise. “Is this the same foal my brother thought he had won?”
“The very same.” Charlotte winked at Graham.
Graham whistled. “I guess that explains his absence.”
Charlotte fisted her hands on her hips. “Yes. No offense to your family, but your brother’s manners are despicable. He behaved most rudely at our arrival.”
“Yes, that sounds like Reese,” agreed Eden.
Evelyn grew quieter at their description of Reese, not wanting to draw attention her way. She didn’t want Reese’s family to notice her heartache. However, her new family was more attuned to Evelyn’s moods than she realized.
“Evelyn?” Noel asked.
“Yes, dear?”
“Are you well?”
Evelyn’s smiled wistfully. “Yes. I am emotional after visiting with my sister for the first time in months. I did not realize how much I have missed Charlotte.”
Evelyn’s answer seemed to pacify everyone. Or so she thought.
“Shall we take a walk to the stable to welcome the newest addition to our family, Mags?” asked Graham.
Maggie jumped from her chair with excitement and pulled Graham from his. She led him from the room, forgetting her manners on asking permission to leave. They could hear Maggie’s excited chatter all the way down the hallway. Everyone in the room laughed. Maggie reminded Evelyn of Charlotte.
“Was I like that at her age?” asked Charlotte.
“You still are.” Evelyn laughed.
REESE STOOD AGAINST the fence, watching Sinclair walk the colt around the open field. He didn’t know whether to refuse or accept the gift. His pride kept from doing either. Did Sinclair offer him the gift out of pity? Or was it, as Sinclair stated, a peace offering? Either way, he would be a fool to refuse such an offer. This opened up the possibilities for his breeding program’s success.
Still, it didn’t erase the circumstances he found himself in. He had a wife who confused the hell out of him. One moment, he wanted to kneel at her feet and adore her. The next moment, he wrestled with his demons on destroying her for her deceit and making him look like a fool. However, his need for revenge kept slipping away more and more every day. For a while there, they had existed in this peaceful harmony. Then poof, it disappeared by one simple visit from her family. He’d behaved rudely earlier, but he refused to apologize.
He turned his attention back to what was happening. The colt was a beauty. He admired its fine lines and graceful gait. He wondered about its speed once fully grown. Would the horse fly across the fields or racetrack? Only time would tell.
Before long, Maggie and Graham joined him to watch Sinclair run the colt through a workout. Reese’s trainer stood nearby, listening to Sinclair’s instructions.
“He is so beautiful,” Maggie said, awed.
Reese nodded in agreement. “Yes, he is.”
“Can I help Lord Sinclair?” Maggie asked.
Reese whistled for Sinclair and pointed to Maggie, then to the horse. Sinclair nodded, waving for Maggie to join him. Maggie let out a holler and climbed over the fence, running toward Sinclair and the horse. Reese chuckled at his sister’s excitement. He watched Sinclair patiently explain to Maggie about the colt’s care. Sinclair lowered himself to Maggie’s height and talked softly to her about what Cobalt enjoyed. Cobalt. A fitting name for the colt, especially after having a mother named Sapphire.
“That is one hell of a present,” Graham commented.
Reese ignored his brother, hoping Graham would go away. However, he wasn’t so lucky.
His brother slung his arm over the rung of the fence and settled himself in for the duration. “Please explain how you could not tell Evelyn and Charlotte apart? They are as different as night and day. Even down to their laughter.”
Reese sighed. He knew he would find no peace until Graham had his say. Reese would have to listen to this torture because Graham would be persistent until he did. “How are they different?”
“Well, one difference is that Charlotte has this throaty seductive laughter that tempts you with an adventure. While Evelyn’s laughter is soft and sensual, drawing you into her spell.” He turned to face Reese. “Then there are their mannerisms. Charlotte has an unconventional approach to life. I think with Charlotte you must always be on edge, waiting for the unexpected. While Evelyn is a lady to most admire. Her grace speaks volumes. Not that there is anything wrong with Charlotte. However, she does not appear to be your type. At least from the choice of your mistresses in the past.”
Reese blew a breath out of his nose. “Is that all?”
“No, there are many more discrepancies I could point out to you, but I think you are already aware of them. I just wanted to tell you what a fool you were not to have seen the differences between the two ladies. I, myself, have only spent but a half hour in their presence and saw them,” Graham gloated.
Reese was a fool. He’d noticed the differences during the house party, only refusing to admit that there were any. He’d believed what he wanted in the moment because he thought he had won the prize the night he took Evelyn to his bed. His satisfaction that he secured the foal to help his financial ruin had been his obsession. The rest was only clouds in his judgment. They obscured what his conscience tried to understand.
“I suppose now that you have your prize, you will return to neglecting your wife. I noticed her discomfort when we returned from the village.”
Reese shot him a sharp look. “As I have stated before, my wife is of no concern of yours.”
Graham turned serious. “That is where you are wrong. She is my sister now. I will protect Evelyn from any harm, and that includes the treatment she might suffer under your care.”
“I will treat Evelyn as she deserves and nothing less,” Reese snarled before he walked away.
Reese had enough of Graham’s insight. How he treated his wife was his business alone. It was his right as her husband. If he chose to ignore her for their remaining married life, it was his prerogative. Reese owned Evelyn, like he owned this estate. And nothing or nobody would stop him from how he treated her. Not Graham. Not the Duke of Colebourne.
Not even Evelyn herself.
Chapter Ten
Dinner that evening was a cross between a lively affair and awkward conversation. It bounced back and for
th throughout the many courses. Each time the conversation landed on Reese, the atmosphere turned uncomfortable, then someone in his family would redirect the conversation to a more enlightening subject that had the table laughing at their enjoyment.
When the subject of Charlotte and Jasper’s extended stay was disclosed to Reese, it turned into an angry discussion in which Evelyn became the target who gained the full support of Reese’s family.
“Should you not be continuing on with your travel? The roads to London can be most treacherous during darkness. I hope you brought enough outriders along,” said Reese.
“Charlotte and Jasper have agreed to stay with us for a few days before they continue on with their journey,” answered Evelyn.
“Like hell they will,” Reese thundered.
Evelyn laid down the silverware and folded her hands in her lap. With her shoulders pressed back and head held high, she sat firm in her decision not to cower under Reese’s anger. “They are my guests.”
Reese grounded his teeth. “This is my home and I make all the decisions regarding it. And I will not tolerate them staying on.”
“Then we are at a crossroads, Lord Worthington. Because I am adamant on their stay,” said Evelyn.
“You will not defy my orders, Lady Worthington.” Reese pounded his fist on the table.
The tableware rattled with each strike, the silverware clattering against the dishes. The table grew quiet, the guests switching their heads between each argument. Each person waited with bated breath on how the disagreement would end. Would Evelyn give into Reese’s orders? Or would Evelyn stay strong with her defiance? Either way, the outcome wouldn’t bode well for the couple.
Evelyn glared at Reese and then turned her head, addressing the table at large. “How shall we spend the day tomorrow?”
Maggie, the dear innocent, piped up with, “We can go fishing.”
“Excellent idea, Mags,” said Graham.
“I do love a day spent lazing with my pole dangling in the water, waiting for a bite,” said Sinclair, arching his eyebrows at his wife.
“Jasper,” hissed Charlotte, playfully slapping him on the arm.
How the Earl Fell for His Countess (Matchmaking Madness Book 2) Page 9
