“Many.” Apollo frowned. “You didn’t know? I thought for sure you did.”
“I’m sure they’d be of better use to Everly. I think they should be given to her,” Asher said. “If that’s all right with you.”
Though written by Everly’s mother to Everly’s father, the letters were, in fact, Apollo’s property.
And naturally, Apollo had read those intimate notes, which made her despise him all the more.
“I’ll see what I can find,” Apollo told Asher begrudgingly. “Though, I can’t see them doing either of you any good.”
Everly didn’t know how they did Apollo any good, yet he’d still read them, likely finding humor in her pain.
“We’re to have a dinner tomorrow night,” Diana said warily. “Perhaps, you both will join us.”
“Yes,” Everly said anxiously, her stomach turning over and over again. She didn’t care that Apollo would be a guest. All she cared about were the letters.”
“We’ll be there,” Asher said.
“Excellent.” Diana turned to her brother. “Now, I believe there to be a few of your friends over there.” She all but pulled her brother away.
For the remainder of the day, it was all she could think about. Not even Asher could pull her from her thoughts.
Her mother had written to her father. Repeatedly, though they’d lived in the same house.
She was anxious to see what her mother had said but also feared them. Was there another side of her mother that she hadn’t known?
* * *
Everly arrived at the dinner the next evening even more anxious than she’d been the day before.
The sound of thunder broke up the sound of the downpour. The weather had been horrible all day.
The footman who’d held the umbrella over her head departed to get the next guest.
Everly took in the foyer. She was also surprised to find that Diana’s dinner was not the intimate affair she’d assumed it would be. There were more than a few young ladies present.
Her cousin found her immediately. “I’m glad you are here. Dinner is about to begin. Asher arrived moments ago. The men are in the drawing room with the women.”
Everly lifted her Egyptian blue fan and began to swiftly beat air upon herself. “I didn’t know your dinner would be such a grand event.” She pressed her fingers to her throat as she tried to clear it. It had held an inconvenient itch all day and it hurt just a little when she swallowed.
“The party was supposed to be smaller,” Diana confessed. “But people overheard me mention it to you and Asher last evening and I could not refuse.” Her eyes glowed.
“You’re becoming an expert hostess,” Everly told her as she tried to ignore the itch, She refused to clear her throat the entire evening.
“And it is because of you.” Diana sighed. “I fear I’ll be hosting quite frequently this Season, especially when more than one young lady confessed to having a certain admiration for my brother.”
Everly smiled to those in the room who met her eyes. “Diana, my stomach is already in knots over these letters. Please, do not upset it further.”
Diana laughed. “Well, I’ve got something that I’m sure will lift your spirits.” She steered her to the sitting room, but that was all the guidance Everly needed, for she saw what Diana wished to show her the moment they entered the room.
Apollo was there, and no other young woman seemed to be more infatuated with him than Miss Abigail Christensen. She batted her lashes at Apollo and seemed to be taking in his every word as though it were medicine to her soul.
Apollo also seemed at ease in her presence.
The girl had moved on.
It was almost unsettling how quickly the girl’s affection for Asher had been set aside. Everly was pleased but still found it disturbing.
It didn’t escape Everly’s notice that if Miss Christensen married Apollo, they would be cousins.
Again, her stomach protested.
“I shall ask him for the letters,” Everly said.
“We can wait until after dinner,” Diana said. “Though just so you know, he did bring them.”
Everly smiled.
Then she felt Asher’s approach.
His hand settled on her lower back, and she looked up to meet his eyes.
Words didn’t need to pass between them when something else, something far stronger than words, seemed to flow from one to the other. It was warm, there was wanting, but also something deeper that pulled at the fabric of Everly’s begin.
She came unraveled by that look.
The room would have surely faded away had dinner not been called a moment later.
She’d seen him earlier that day. She’d gone to his home to see Brinley and her godchildren. She’d not at all been surprised to discover that Asher had been given the role of godfather. It was yet another thing that would bind them.
But even with two adorable babies to spoil, her thoughts had been elsewhere. Part of her had wanted to go to Apollo’s home to demand the letters right then and there, but it was not proper to visit a bachelor’s home even if that bachelor was her own cousin.
So, she’d waited until dinner and didn’t wish to wait a moment later.
Yet as she studied the way Miss Abigail Christensen clung to Apollo, she knew she’d need her patience for she refused to discuss anything about her mother in the woman’s presence.
Dinner was informal and Everly was made glad when Asher took the seat next to her, his hand searching out hers in the shadows where no one could see.
Abigail excused herself after the first few minutes but quickly returned a little winded. If only she’d gone to relieve herself when they’d been in the drawing room. Everly would already have her mother’s letters in hand.
As it were, there’d still been too many people around to bring it up.
The first course came and went without incident.
And then Abigail said, “Lady Wycliff, you rent out such a lovely townhouse and in such a prime location. My father hopes to take it once you are wed.” Her eyes glittered with malice. Was she still mad at Everly after all?
Everly pressed her napkin against her lips. “I’ve no intentions of giving up the townhouse. As you said yourself, it is in such a wonderful location.” And her girls would need a place to continue their classes. She couldn’t bring them into Asher’s home, not with his entire family always about.
Not that she planned to keep it from anyone anyway. The women in his family already knew, but she didn’t wish her lessons to conflict with soirees and garden parties down the road.
“I believe that will be a decision for your husband to make,” Apollo said with a direct look at Everly. “You might be used to being a woman of an independent nature, but you won’t be for long… Unless of course, Lord Ayers thinks to let you rule as you wish.” Apollo had been looking at Asher during his last statement.
Their side of the table fell silent, which happened to also consist of Lord and Lady Renner.
Asher stiffened beside her.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 1
Everly looked at him and found his eyes to be on Apollo before they came down to hers.
Trepidation entered her blood as she waited for him to tell Apollo that his suspicions were accurate and that Everly would always rule herself.
“We’ll make a decision about the property later,” Asher finally said.
The words felt like a slap to the face, especially since she’d already stated that she intended to keep it.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Diana said, smiling and trying to salvage the moment. “And I’m sure whatever you decide will be what is best for both of you.”
“Of course,” Asher said. “We’ll do what’s best.” Under the table, he squeezed her hand.
Everly took a steadying breath.
She was overreacting. Asher didn’t intend to rule her. She smiled. “Of course.”
Apollo lifted his wine glass. “Glad to kn
ow the situation is well managed.” His eyes had cut to Everly on his final word.
Abigail giggled.
Everly put down her fork and tried to yank her hand from Asher’s but he strengthened his grip and then squeezed her hand again as if trying to quiet her.
“Lord Renner,” Asher said. “I hear you’ve a new horse and that you purchased him from my brother.” He smoothly changed the topic.
Lord Renner began to entertain their portion of the table with the description of the English thoroughbred Lore had sold at the jockey club.
Everly’s heart raced. She’d never been quieted before. She wasn’t sure what to do. A part of her wanted to believe that Asher knew what he was doing, but another part of her warned against allowed him to begin exerting his will over hers. He had to know that she was not a dog to be muzzled whenever he wished.
She swallowed as the debate continued in her mind and at the forefront were the letters her mother had written. How old were they? Who had she been before her father’s influence? What if she’d been a different woman? A stronger woman? What if, bit by bit, he killed her spirit until she’d hardly recognized herself?
Everly could be silent and give into Asher’s wishes, but how many more instances would this situation arise until she finally lost herself?
She couldn’t lose herself, not after everything she’d been through.
“Lady Wycliff,” Abigail called again. “I hear you have the most wonderous parties. Aside from this Season, I was told they happened nearly every night. Do you suppose Lord Ayers will allow you to continue to do so?” She smiled.
Yet Everly understood what the woman was doing. She was trying to draw Everly into a debate that would embarrass Lord Ayers and make him rethink his choice.
She’d not fall for it.
She opened her mouth to speak.
Asher spoke over her. “Naturally, such things would change—”
“Not in the least,” Everly said as she frowned up at Asher. “If I wish it, I shall have a party every night.” Though she didn’t wish it. Not anymore. She wanted to spend time with Asher. She no longer needed the crowds.
She’d been ready to say words that had been quite a similar nature to Asher’s, but to hear him say that she’d not be allowed to have her parties… He’d gone too far. She was a hostess. It was in her nature. If he thought he could control her…
He frowned at her and gave her a look of confusion.
She glared at him, uncertain of what her own look said.
Apollo sighed heavily. “I suppose all thoroughbreds have to be broken in.” He was looking at Lord Renner when he said the words, but there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was speaking about Everly.
“Do you compare me to a horse?” she asked her cousin.
“Of course not, my lady,” Apollo said. “It would be quite unfair.”
To whom? Surely, he did mean the animal.
“Apollo,” his sister gasped.
“Everly.” Asher said in warning.
How dare he warn her! How dare he not defend her!
Heat was burning her face. The storm that brewed outside matched that in her heart.
When Asher tried to touch her again, she snatched her hand away and stood.
“I’m afraid I’m feeling rather ill,” Everly declared. “I should take my leave.” Then she looked at Apollo. “I should like my mother’s letters now.”
Apollo shook his head, looking rather resigned, but gestured to a footman who stood by the wall.
The footman ran off.
Other gentlemen at the table had stood when Everly did. Everyone’s eyes were on her.
Asher said, “I shall see her to the door.”
Everly didn’t want to be seen to the door. All she wanted was her mother’s letters.
The footman returned and Everly noticed his hands were empty. She also noticed the grim look on his face as he whispered into Apollo’s ear.
Apollo then frowned and looked at Everly. “I’m afraid they seem to have been misplaced. I’ll look for them and send a message to you once they are found.”
“No, I’ll not leave without them.” It was the only reason she’d come. How had his footman misplaced them?
Abigail cleared her throat. “Hopefully, a servant has not run off with them, taken them somewhere that is hardly discreet.” Her eyes flashed at Everly. “A place of betrayal.” She lifted her glass of wine as she glared at Everly, but then she looked away. The glance had been fleeting, but enough for Everly to know they’d meant something.
Thunder shook the house.
Lord Renner stood. “I’ll have some of the maids look.”
A place of betrayal?
Abigail leaned over her fish and a curl slipped in front of her face.
“Abigail,” Diana said. “Is your hair wet?”
Abigail quickly tucked the stand away and grinned. “I splashed some water on my face before I returned.” She bit her lip and again her eyes turned to Everly.
Water.
Place of betrayal?
The kiss.
The tree.
Outside.
Rain.
Everly gasped. “No!” She ran from the room and toward the hall. She could hear others behind her, but she was blind to anything and everyone. Servants scattered out of her way as her stomach turned.
Abigail would not be so cruel.
But the letters were missing.
She reached the doors to the back terrace and had just opened them when she was grabbed from behind.
“Are you mad?” Asher’s voice vibrated with anger. “You cannot go out there.”
“I must!” Her eyes widened. “The letters are out there. Abigail put them in a tree.”
Asher frowned. “What are you talking about? You need to calm down.”
“Let me go!” She struggled and reached for the doors again, but his strength far surpassed her own.
“Everly, you’ll not making any sense,” he said with a quiet voice. “You said you were feeling ill. We should get you home.”
“Not without the letters.”
Uncertainty filled his eyes.
“Please! She put them in the tree.” Why was she begging him at all? He didn’t own her. He didn’t control her. “Let me go! I am not yours to control.”
His eyes widened, but his hold was relentless. “Everly, I am not trying to control you. Listen to me...”
She started to shake her head. His every word only ensured she’d never see what had been written on those papers. The rain, even as they spoke, would be taking the ink away.
She went limp.
His hold relaxed. He likely thought his words to be working.
Yet the moment she was free, she spun away and ran out the door.
Rain hit her, drenching her to the bone all at once. The fury in the wind made her skin chill. The yard was too dark to see much, but she saw the outline of trees.
And then an arm was around her.
“No!” She started to fight. “I must get to the trees! The letters!” she screamed and started to weep. She saw shadows pass before her, but her vision had blurred with tears.
If the letters were ruined, she’d hate Asher forever.
She fought. Her hands wrapped around the porch post and she clung to it. “Let me go!”
“Everly!” he shouted as he tried to yank her free. “Be civil. Do not force me to—”
She turned around and struck him, her hand, with the rain, made the smack against his cheek vibrate in the dark. She was momentarily stunned by her action.
As was Asher.
∫ ∫ ∫
4 2
As they stood in the storm, Everly took Asher in.
He was as wet as her. Water dripped in his eyes, but he didn’t seem to care. He simply stared at her.
Then she pulled in a breath. “I cannot be controlled, Asher. You cannot force me to do anything. Do you understand?”
He didn’t answer. The wind gre
w terribly loud. She wasn't sure if she’d have heard him even if he had spoken.
But his eyes took her in with a blank expression that chilled her more than the cold.
“My lord!”
She looked out into the night and saw two footmen approach. One held a bundle of what could only be paper, but it was ruined. “No.” She reached out for the letters and pressed them to her chest.
“Let’s get inside.” Asher wrapped his arm around her, but his voice was unmistakably distant.
Once indoors, Everly fell into the first chair she could find and opened the first note.
Nothing. She could read nothing from it.
She went to the bottom and found a few words on it legible, but the rest…
She held her mother’s thoughts in her hands and as tears began to burn her eyes, she realized how little it had to do with understanding the woman who’d given birth to her and everything to do with simply having a piece of her.
Her father had kept them apart for years, but what she could remember…
She’d been loved.
But now she was gone. Her mother was eternally gone from her.
A glance around showed that she was alone in the hall. The servants had given her privacy, but it was Asher’s absence she felt the most.
Then footsteps were heard racing down the hall. Her hopes died at the sight of Lord Renner and Diana.
“Everly,” her cousin gasped.
“She put them in the rain.” Everly’s voice was hoarse. It was likely that everyone heard her shouting like a madwoman. The story would be all over London before morning. “Abigail put them out in a tree.”
“Why would she do that?” Lord Renner asked. “Are you sure?”
Everly could speak no more.
Diana put a hand on her husband’s arm. “I know why.” It was the first time Diana had ever looked enraged. “Please see that Miss Christensen is seen to her carriage and make it publicly known that she is no longer welcomed in our home.”
Her husband didn’t ask questions, he simply left them alone.
Everly’s tears burned as they fell down her cold cheeks.
Diana touched her shoulder. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Everly shook her head and sniffed. The letters sat on her lap. She would check every one before she moved, but she knew what she would find. Nothing.
The Perfect Duke (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 21
