Lucas stood. ‘Then there is only one thing you can do now, dear brother, and that is to get ready for your lady. Shall I send a messenger to James? Perhaps set the time for two this afternoon? That should give you plenty of time to have your thoughts in order.’
George looked at his little brother thoughtfully and then nodded. ‘Indeed. Excellent plan.’
‘And I will propose to have drinks with James, give you and Evelyn as much time as you will need.’
* * * *
James stood when his valet introduced his afternoon guests. He bowed slightly and shook the hands of both George and his brother, Lucas.
‘Evelyn will be pleased that you have returned, George,’ James said to the man who was likely going to be his brother-in-law, which would mean he was probably going to be the father of any heir who would inherit the Earldom of Dalton, as well as the Windermere dukedom.
‘I am most pleased, James,’ George replied. He glanced at his brother. ‘I discussed matters with my brother after I spoke to Evie. I hope you realise that I trust Lucas implicitly. That being said, he helped me think things through concerning Ruby.’
‘Oh?’ James arched his eyebrows, glancing over at Lucas, lingering on the handsome, wounded soldier.
‘I will need to discuss with you further, after Evelyn gives her blessing, but I would like to adopt Ruby and claim her as my own,’ George explained. ‘I know this may appear unconventional, but my reasons are my own and something I shall speak to Evelyn about. However, as Evie’s brother, I realise that I need to approach you, if for no other reason than to put our solicitors in contact to arrange the details.’
‘As I have said all along,’ James said slowly and evenly, though he was taken aback by the resolve in the Duke’s eyes, ‘I support Evelyn. If she wishes to agree to your plan—which I see the merit in doing in practical terms—then I will do all in my power to help her.’
George nodded. ‘Of course, you are a wonderful brother. I only hope that I have been half as good to Lucas.’
‘And Lucas is right here,’ Lucas drawled.
James smirked at the man. ‘Yes, indeed, I do not think that I missed you there.’ He stood and went to the drinks cart. ‘I have no reason to doubt that we shall be family soon. How about a bit of liquid courage before you talk to my sister, George?’
‘Sounds wonderful,’ George replied, thinking that it would not hurt for him to relax a little. Truth was that he had become rather tense since leaving his rented townhouse.
‘Lucas, do you fancy a hand of whist and some brandy while our siblings are out?’
Lucas beamed. ‘A most enjoyable plan.’
George stepped into the house’s informal drawing room, where he was told to wait for Evelyn. She had been spending time playing with Ruby, James explained. It felt like an eternity when really it was only a few minutes.
‘Evie.’ He stood and stepped toward her, holding out his hand to guide her like any gentleman.
‘George.’ She smiled, accepting his hand.
The door to the room closed softly behind them by James’s valet, who had been sent to fetch Evelyn.
‘May I kiss you?’ he asked, clearing his throat.
‘I do not know if that is wise, quite yet,’ she replied.
‘Of course.’ George understood her rationale. ‘You are quite correct. After our talk, though, I hope that I may steal a kiss.’
‘It is not stolen if I accept.’
George enjoyed her wit. ‘Again, you are correct, my dear. I have lately discovered that you have a particular talent for being correct.’ He motioned her toward the settee. ‘Here, let us take a seat here.’
Evelyn sat gingerly on the settee and George sat next to her, taking her hand in his.
He cleared his throat again. They were silent for long moments before she worked up the courage to break the silence.
‘So, George,’ she said softly, ‘do you hate me after I what I told you?’
‘Hate you? Never that, my dear Evelyn. Things could hardly be entirely your fault, if at all,’ he told her gently. ‘I honestly do want to have words. I know that I want to exchange fists with a certain man. Yet I do understand and agree when you say the past is best left there.’
‘Thank you, George. You are a wonderful man.’ Evelyn smiled.
‘And I really do love you, Evie,’ he continued. ‘I have not had much time with Ruby but I think that I care for her already. I would like more than anything to be her papa...’ He shook his head. ‘But first I need to get things straight with you, my dear.’
‘I love you, too, George.’ Evelyn sniffed.
George wiped at her forming tears. ‘I will say it again. I love you, Evelyn. You are the woman whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. You are the woman whom I want to have more children with.’
Evelyn frowned when George stopped speaking and fidgeted around his pockets. She couldn’t make out the blur in his hands, but it looked like a small pouch. He placed a glinting object in her hand. From the feel she could tell that it was a fine chain—she could see that it was silver—with a pendant.
‘I ask you, Evelyn Mayhew, would you do me the greatest honour in the entire world? Would you become my wife?’
Evelyn nodded. ‘Y–y–yes, George, I love you so much. You know that. I want to be with you forever.’
‘I want to make you, myself, and Ruby a family,’ he told her gently, taking the chain out of her hand. ‘Here, let me place this around your neck. This is not the Duchess of Windermere’s jewels. Instead I picked this out for you. The pendent is emerald because I know that you like the colour. I thought that this is a legacy you could give Ruby when she comes of age.’
‘Oh, George, it is beautiful because of the wonderful intentions that come from it.’ Evelyn allowed George to place the chain around her neck, securely fastening the clasp. ‘Your words were so simple and beautiful, directly from your heart. You are not ashamed of us.’
George felt as though he was going to be overcome. Once more, Evelyn had identified his feelings with such clarity. However, it took him a long moment to be able to overlook her latter comment about his not being ashamed of their relationship. ‘There is another thing. I would like to adopt Ruby. I want to claim her as my daughter. I am sure it may cause some talk, but we are not in London so it cannot be a lot. However, I do not care in the least. I want to be Ruby’s papa. She is ours,’ George told Evelyn. ‘Then, once we are wed, we can work on her siblings.’
‘Yes, you will be a wonderful papa,’ Evelyn told him, her smile brimming with love. She had not realised it was possible to love and admire this man more and more with each passing minute. ‘James has only tentatively adopted her. He is in fact legally her guardian. I am her mother on paper. I am not sure how it was worked out. It was rather complicated. But you would be her stepfather regardless.’
‘I would prefer to remove the step prefix,’ George told her gently. ‘I will admit my lost children influence my decision, but my love for you is the greatest influence. Ruby will be protected as my daughter and with my name. That I swear to you, Evelyn.’
She was back to nodding again, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Yes, George. I want that with you.’
‘Then we are all set.’ He cupped her face. ‘So, may I have that kiss?’
‘Of course, you silly man.’
George chuckled softly. ‘Don’t forget, I am your silly man, Evie.’
‘Mine,’ she whispered the moment before he claimed her lips, ravenously kissing her and forcing his tongue over her lips.
Then there was a knock at the door, making the couple jump.
‘Who is it?’ Evelyn all but squeaked, startled.
‘I do not hear any talking,’ her brother called through the door. ‘The two of you have either killed each other or are doing something more sinister.’
‘James!’ she cried, indignantly. ‘Can you not allow me this moment?’
‘Not when Lucas and I
are anxious to hear what has happened,’ James called through the door, once more sounding rather cheerful at the prospect of interrupting something “more sinister.”
‘George and I are engaged to be wed!’ she called out.
George, at this point, was trying his damnedest not to laugh. James and Evelyn reminded him a lot of Lucas and himself.
It was at this point that the door burst open.
Both their brothers were grinning in the doorway.
‘Looks like we got a wedding to plan,’ James said cheerfully. He went to his sister, forcing her to stand before he kissed her on the cheeks. ‘I am very happy for you, dear sister, that you have found a worthy love.’
George found himself rather foolishly self-conscious at being described as a worthy love by his future brother-in-law.
‘Thank you, James,’ she murmured, blushing and looking down at the floor.
George thought she looked absolutely adorable. Evelyn was then engulfed in her brother’s embrace. As soon as she was released, James had moved to shake hands with George. George felt indescribably happy to see his fiancée receive a much more civilised kiss on the back of her palm from Lucas, very soon to be her brother-in-law.
‘Congratulations, Evelyn. You already make my brother very happy.’ Lucas said for all to hear, ‘I do not know how you will put up with the lug, but at least this will be one less grumpy duke to be had.’
Evelyn blushed again. ‘Thank you, Lucas. I look forward to having you for a brother, too.’
‘Spare my lady’s blushes, Luc,’ George demanded of his brother. He cleared his throat. ‘Before we celebrate further, I think perhaps, James, your cousin may wish to join us. And of course, Ruby, too. I need to get to know my new daughter more.’
‘Do not be fooled, Evelyn,’ Lucas mock whispered. ‘He wants to teach her to call him Papa. I know my big brother. He is going to spoil the child.’
Evelyn laughed lightly. George simply smiled at his fiancé. He would not admit it out loud in such a setting, but his brother was correct in his assumption that Evelyn made him very happy.
Evelyn’s words brought him back to the conversation. ‘It is a great pleasure and honour that George wants that as much as I. I will allow him to spoil Ruby—for a bit, at any rate.’
Chapter 12
Three weeks later, James hosted a modest-sized engagement party which was, of course, the talk of Bath. George and Evelyn decided to wait three weeks so that they could invite their friends and George’s extended family from all corners of the country. Unfortunately for George, he knew he had to put up with the sight of Ruby’s natural father so as not to arouse suspicion.
In the past three weeks, he and Ruby had started to develop a close bond and the little girl called him Papa. She had the Duke wrapped around her little finger, just like her mama did. There was no doubt that they were going to form a very happy family.
George and Evelyn had planned their wedding for five weeks after their engagement party. It was time thus to coincide with the end of the small Season in Bath, and thus give the event and significance as was due to a duke who had opted to not wed in St. George’s Cathedral in London.
They had decided on a honeymoon destination, too. They were going to Inverness and Asaign in Scotland for two weeks, the carriage journey there would take eight days each way. James had pouted at his sister until she agreed that Ruby should stay with James while they were away. The Earl of Dalton claimed that this was his last chance to monopolise his niece’s time. He had also added that it would give them an uninterrupted chance to work on more nieces and nephews.
* * * *
A couple of nights after their engagement, many of the guests who lingered in Bath a few days longer attended an outdoor masquerade. The soiree was hosted by one of the widowed matrons of the ton, a duchess no less, who wished to take advantage of the numerous guests who had descended upon the town. She had had her many servants set up the extensive gardens of her estate on the outskirts of Bath similar to that of the Pleasure Gardens in London, with gentle lamps lighting paths and leading to makeshift grottoes.
It was at the masquerade that Evelyn was accosted by her ex-lover.
‘Evie,’ Matthew said to her after she politely greeted him. ‘Are you certain about marriage to the Duke of Windermere?’
‘Of course I am certain. Do not ask a ridiculous question,’ she hissed, annoyed that he would ask such an impertinent question. ‘My brother ensured that I am happy with my decision, but that is James’s job as brother.’
‘I am a friend and wanted to ask,’ he reasoned.
‘Sorry, Lord Matthew.’ She took a deep breath. ‘However, I took great offence to your question, as though you think I am a child. I am not a child. I very happily made this decision because I love George.’
‘Evie.’ Matthew sighed heavily. ‘I have to wonder because at one time you professed to love me.’
‘And you lied to me,’ she said.
Matthew snorted. ‘Now, Evie, that is nonsense.’
‘It is not,’ Evelyn retorted angrily. ‘You told me you loved me, too. You once acted as if I was all you needed in the world. Then you told me the truth days before your engagement was announced. You had to have made a decision long before the announcement. You did not have the decency to tell me then.’
‘I–– ’ he started to say. ‘Evelyn, what we had was not something I had wanted to stop.’
‘So you wanted me to be your mistress,’ she snapped. ‘You have said little to me until now that I have found George. Is it because a duke decided to look my way that you are acting like a child?’
‘This has nothing to do with who your fiancé is.’
Evelyn shook her head, confused. ‘I still do not understand what this is, Matthew. The past is best left there. You are wed. I, too, will be very happily wed and head over heels in love with my soon-to-be husband.’
‘So it is that simple, is it?’ he asked. Evelyn thought he sounded a bit dejected. Part of her felt sorry for her ex-lover, but that was all she felt.
‘Yes, it is that simple,’ she implored him to understand. ‘What we were is over and is nothing to me. I have George. What he is to me is what a man is to a woman. My love for you was that of a silly girl.’
Matthew did not say anything.
‘You cannot do anything like this,’ she implored him. ‘You cannot confront me like this about the past. People cannot know.’
‘Evie, I am allowed to be concerned about you.’
‘I am not sure about that,’ she replied. ‘We have both moved on and changed. I am happy with George. I love him.’
‘Evie––’
‘I did not want to bring this up, but you leave me little choice,’ she cut his words off. ‘When you confronted George about me he pieced together the truth. He knows and he does not hold you in high esteem. Just leave me be.’
‘Evelyn?’
She turned toward the sound of her fiancé’s voice, smiling. ‘George.’ Evelyn took a couple of steps but George got to her side and threaded her arm through his. George frowned, rather unkindly after hearing the end of the conversation, ‘Ashton, I would appreciate it very much if you stay away from my fiancée and leave us in peace. I thought we had this conversation some weeks ago. You made your decision long before Evelyn and I met.’
Lord Matthew Ashton bumbled along, saying something along the lines that he was just looking out for a friend. Evelyn tried to be more appreciative of the sentiment and skillfully thanked him for his concern.
Of course, George was the knight in shining armour. He would not let Matthew get away without a threat of some description. Evelyn felt as if she heard the words forming in George’s mind.
‘Leave my fiancée alone, Ashton, once and for all. You have your own bed to worry about. You need not worry about mine. If you cannot understand that then perhaps you will understand the phrase pistols at dawn.’
Evelyn gasped. She could scarcely believe that George h
ad just threatened Matthew to a duel. Duelling was illegal but it did not stop gentlemen from doing such things anyway.
‘No, George, you cannot.’ Evelyn grasped his arm. ‘I could not––what if you were hurt?’
‘Of course not, love. I just need to make sure my message is understood,’ George capitulated and Evelyn was flooded with relief. Her George was not the kind of gentleman to simply call a man out. Aside from potential death and injury, there was also the almost certain scandal if the story got out. As it was Evelyn did not like that the current conversation could well be overheard and spread.
Matthew relented after this, leaving swiftly.
The couple walked away, and George led Evelyn down the walk to where there were more people.
‘I want to kill that bastard,’ George said through gritted teeth.
Evelyn shook her head. ‘No, you do not. You are being ridiculous. Just leave it now. I am certain he realises how things are now.’
George was not particularly pleased but once again was inclined to agree with Evelyn. ‘Of course, it is best to leave it be.’ Then he said, ‘However, if he does not understand and returns I will have to think of a more creative means of dealing with him.’
‘You will not do anything that could mean you get hurt,’ Evelyn cried out, unhappy.
‘As my lady wishes,’ George declared.
‘George, you almost called him out.’
Her arm threaded through his, Evelyn felt George tense. ‘Not without provocation, you realise. I heard some of what he said to you.’
‘What if people heard just now? Then suddenly the whole world could have found out,’ she fretted.
‘I did not see anyone, I did check,’ George attempted to assuage her.
Evelyn knew she was on the verge of panic. ‘Good.’
‘Settle down. Once we are wed, it will not matter over much who knows. It will just be a tasty bit of gossip for a time.’ George attempted to soothe her, albeit very clumsily.
‘I do not want everyone to know I made such a horrible lapse in judgement,’ Evelyn argued.
To Be by Your Side Page 12
