An Earl's Guide to Catch a Lady (11 page)

“Belle!” Jo scolded with a shocked expression.

“You are not helping matters. Evelyn has already explained why she will not marry him—although Belle has a point,” Jo glanced expectantly at Evelyn.

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed, and she glared at her friends. “I have made my decision. I will not change my mind.”

Belle cleared her throat. “So what did you have in mind then? You can always elope with a stranger, but that would get you shackled to another stranger. Or you can run away to another continent. A little cottage in Tuscany might be nice.” Belle still had a dreamy expression in her eyes.

“Oh! I have an idea!” Jo clapped her hands. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.  “You said he would follow you to London, right?”

“He might follow, yes.”

“Oh, he’ll come,” Belle put in with a nod.

Evelyn did not see what relevance it had, but she nodded anyway.

“Have you ever considered that perhaps the only way to make him understand that you will never marry him is to embark on a wild affair with St. Aldwyn?”

That caught her attention. What an absolutely horrifying notion. An affair with St. Aldwyn? Never. It would be Charlotte all over again. She might not want to marry Matthew, but she respected him and would sooner jump into the Thames than hurt him in such a way.

“No,” Evelyn said adamantly. “There will be no seducing St. Aldwyn.”

Jo gave a satisfied nod. “I propose you elope then.”

“I beg your pardon?” Evelyn asked sending her a confused frown.

Belle arched a delicate brow, “Oh, what a brilliant, idiotic plan. Did we not already establish elopement is out of the question?”

She shot Belle a glare. “Oh just shush and listen!” Jo gushed. “You elope, move to the continent and live out your dreams in peace,” Jo explained to Evelyn.

“Ah yes, the plan reveals itself,” Belle said with a role of her eyes. “And who might this mystery man be that will leave everything and move to another country and,” she said holding up her hand when Jo would have interrupted, “who is to say this mystery man will not demand she return to London with him the minute they are married.”

“Exactly,” Evelyn agreed. She did not like this plan one bit.

“That is the best part,” Jo replied calmly. “There is no mystery man! In fact, that is what makes this plan so brilliant. There is no man.”

Evelyn and Belle stared at her as though she’d grown horns.

“I elope with a... woman?”

Jo glared at them in irritation. “Don’t be ridiculous! There is no man, there is no woman, and there is no elopement! There is only the illusion of one.”

Jo continued to glare at them, waiting for confirmation that they understood her brilliant plan. It didn’t take long.

“Are you serious?” Evelyn asked finally.

“It is what you want is it not? To travel the world?” Jo asked Evelyn with a slight smile.

“Yes, but... I always meant to come back. This is my home after all.”

Sensing Evelyn’s dejection, understanding dawned. Belle gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. “It won’t come to that, Evelyn. But you need to be prepared for what might happen if you continue to refuse the Earl.”

Belle gave Jo a pointed stare. It did not matter what Evelyn’s dreams were, she was quite possibly already in love with Grey, even if she refused to admit it.

Evelyn heaved a long, wary sigh. “Let us hope it doesn’t come to that. That is to say, at least not so soon.”

“Evelyn,” Jo said gently. “Think of it as your dreams finally coming true. This is what you have always wanted.”

Jo was right. But her dreams did not include running away to another continent to live in exile. But what was the alternative? Marry and live in exile? Neither of the aforementioned options held much appeal. What if she chose another option, one where she did not have to marry or be exiled to the continent? What if she could just live her life the way she wanted to?

“Perhaps he won’t follow, but even if he does, I’ve made my decision.”

Jo and Belle stared at her expectantly.

“I will not be forced into marriage, but neither will I flee my home.”

If this adventure had taught her anything, it was that life’s too precious and short to make the wrong decisions.

Both her friends seemed to approve of her decision.

“Then perhaps it is time that I let you in on a little secret of mine,” Belle said on a radiant smile, her eyes glittering with mischief. “I am the famed, or should I say infamous Madam De La Frey, and I will design for us such a makeover wardrobe the likes of the ton has yet to see.”

Jaws dropped.

Belle beamed at their obvious surprise.

Jo was the first to recover, “How could you not have told us before?”

Belle shrugged. “It never seemed right to bring it up, I suppose. And if it ever became known it would cause quite the scandal.”

Evelyn shut her mouth. That would be an understatement. Madam De La Frey was quite infamous. Only the daring of the daring wore her gowns, none of which were spinsters.

“We would cause quite the scandal even wearing gowns of that sort!” Jo exclaimed. “My brother would thrash my behind!”

“I think it’s a marvelous idea, Belle!” Evelyn remarked, excitement causing her heart to flutter.

“What?” Jo asked shocked.

“All is fair in love and war,” Evelyn replied with a grave nod. “And this is war.”

“You are both mad!”

“We might be mad, but are you with us?” Belle asked Jo pointedly.

“Well, I cannot very well let you go through a scandalous transformation all on your own now can I?”

“Oh good!” Belle chimed happily.

“Just imagine when your brother catches a glimpse you Jo!”

“You won’t be laughing when that happens,” Jo replied drolly.

Belle turned thoughtful. “I have a few gowns that will be ready in a day. It will give me time to design more.”

“When do you suppose Grey will arrive in London?” Jo asked.

“I have no clue,” she murmured. But her guess would be any day now.

“I believe Grey will fall over from shock, seeing you in a gown and not in those dreadful breeches,” Belle teased.

“I’m more concerned for our brothers,” Jo said dryly.

“I doubt Simon would even notice.”

“Oh he’ll notice. He is after all a man,” Belle said.

Evelyn smiled. “Don’t forget that I am not the only one going through this change. I daresay everyone will be abuzz over our transformation.”

“Not to mention scandalized,” Belle chirped.

“Scandalized is good. It is the suspicion I’m worried about,” Jo commented dryly.

“What suspicion?” Evelyn asked curiously.

“We all disappear from London only to return transformed. If that doesn’t cause suspicion, I don’t know what will.”

Belle gave Jo a droll stare. “While everyone will notice the difference I dare say no one will be able to put a finger to it. We are after all, surprisingly successful in our pursuit to appear invisible.”

Evelyn nodded in agreement. The entire ton believed them to be spinsters, therefore uninteresting and unnoticeable.

“Oh how the lowly will rise,” Jo joked lightly.

“Oh how the mighty will fall,” Belle countered.

“Oh how our forces will unite,” Evelyn finished.

Chapter 9

There was something to be said of potted plants. They were nice to look at for one, and they brought a warm, somewhat personal touch to an otherwise impersonal room, not to mention perfect to hide behind if one was so inclined, which Evelyn happed to be. How she ever thought it would be a marvelous idea to wear one of Madam De La Frey’s revealing gowns, would be anyone’s guess. It was impossible to hide.

The person daring enough to wear such a revealing gown of midnight blue commanded the attention from everyone. It hardly fit the picture of someone hiding behind a potted plant. And why was she hiding in the first place? Certainly not because she’d behaved like a hoyden on her journey to Bath, or that she had gifted her innocence to a man she barely knew—and who she was quite certain was in love with another woman. Oh no, the potted plant had the pleasure of her company simply because Matthew would be in attendance tonight.

His name was whispered on the lips of every mamma, widow and marriage minded young miss. Even Lady Chesterton almost fainted from pleasure that he had chosen her event at which to reenter society. And while his name was on the lips of every lady, their names were on lips of every gentleman. When she first entered the ballroom with her friends at her side there had only been mild interest in their transformation. Then, without warning, they were swarmed by the attentions of the gentlemen. By all accounts their transformation meant they were ripe for the picking, and not the marriage sort of picking!

Spying Jo and Belle on the far side of the ballroom Evelyn signaled them over. They had become separated after they were all whisked away to the dance floor. To her utter shock it had been Lord Harry who had swept her away, and she had given him the tongue lashing he so richly deserved.

The sudden image of the back of Matthew’s head caused Evelyn to stiffen and her heart to skip a beat. She heaved a sigh of relief when the man turned and she saw it was only Lord Beaverstoke. Matthew’s cold furious eyes still haunted her, largely at night. There were even times it felt as though the memory of the coldness of his gaze scorched her skin and then some mornings she would wake up in a sweat, panting from an exotic dream where he had done all sorts of wicked things to her.

But Evelyn needed time to explore her options and decide which road led down to happily ever after, if that even existed.

Much like love.

Such an ordinary word, yet nothing about it could be said to be ordinary. She recalled her mother explaining that love was not measured in how much you felt for a person, or even how much you could forgive him for. It was measured by the determination of the soul. It had sounded silly to her ears at the time, because, how could love ever be measured? Is love not supposed to be immeasurable?

“Evelyn!”

Her thoughts were interrupted by her friends.

“We have been looking for you everywhere,” Jo exclaimed when they reach her, excitement evident on their flushed faces.

“Oh? I have been here at my usual spot... next to the fern,” Evelyn replied dryly.

She glanced passed them, noticing at once some sort of commotion in the center of the room. Unfortunately, her height did not allow her to catch a glimpse of what or who had all the young ladies whispering and giggling behind their fans.

“Yes we noticed,” Belle said giving her a pointed stare. “Why aren’t you enjoying the attention?”

Evelyn raised her brows. “I take—”

“Not now!” Jo interrupted grabbing Evelyn’s arm. “Come, let us go to the powder room.”

Evelyn frowned. The powder room? In all the years of their friendship, they have never once gathered in the powder room. They may as well be on their way to becoming old crones, but never that.  Hiding behind potted plants and lurking in the shadows was more their style.

“It’s too late now,” Belle drawled in a dramatic fashion, bringing their attention to the crowd that now parted for a man and a woman. And Evelyn just knew.

Damn her for being so dimwitted! She ducked behind the plant before he could spy her, motioning for her friends to pretend she wasn’t there. He was searching for her. She was certain of it.

“If you wanted to hide Evelyn, you should have gone with the green!” Belle whispered through her teeth.

“Or gold,” Jo muttered.

While the whispers of his attendance had reached her ears earlier, she still couldn’t quite believe that he had ventured back into society. He’d been out of the ton for many years and if she were to believe the rumors, he’d publically announced that he would never return. Bad news for her, because it meant that if he signaled her out, scandal would follow right at his heels.

“Evelyn? I think they saw—”

“Shhhhhhhh, and don’t look at me,” Evelyn whispered furiously at Jo.

“Too late,” Belle chirped.

Jo shifted to the side, giving Evelyn a view of the Earl and their hostess.

“They are coming this way,” Jo whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

“What?” Evelyn screeched.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure when he notices you hiding behind a plant he’ll take your meaning and leave,” Belle said mockingly.

“He looks pretty determined to me,” Jo offered.

“Who looks pretty determined?” A strong male voice interrupted their conversation.

Evelyn closed her eyes at the familiar sound of Matthew’s voice, and for the first time it dawned on her what an achingly painful hand fate had dealt them. There would be no camel rides in Africa, exotic dishes on exotic islands, no exploring the great pyramids of Egypt or the ruins of Greece if she succumbed to the temptation Matthew presented. He possessed the power to shatter every hope and desire she’d ever had of exploring the world.

“I say. What are you about girl?” The booming voice of Lady Chesterton startled them all out of their wits. The woman had a voice that could part oceans.

“I— Ah—” Evelyn started but stopped when she noticed everyone staring at her as though she’d sprouted a second head. All except Matthew. He stared at her in amusement, his eyes taking in the scandalous gown that clung to her body seductively, before they met hers again in a heated gaze.

Her face flushed the color of a fiery sunset.

Attempting to find her scattered wits she shifted her gaze to Lady Chesterton and found her voice, “Lady Chesterton, I do apologize. I seem to be feeling quite under the weather.”

Jo frowned. “Has your headache returned?” she asked in utter concern. Bless her soul.

Evelyn nodded slowly. “Yes. I’m afraid that it has.”

“What a pity girl,” Lady Chesterton boomed almost happy, yet her gazed still regarded them narrowly. “The Earl of Grey has requested the pleasure of your acquaintance,” she finished as though that fact alone should make her headache disappear. 

“Is that so?” Evelyn murmured and awarded him with a level stare, overjoyed that a hint of surprise sounded in her voice.

Lady Chesterton made the necessary introduction that would allow him to seek her out should he wish to do so. Evelyn, on the other hand, barely registered the introductions. She stood numb as she came to realize what game he played. He would not press his suit with her brother, nor would he deign to kidnap her. No, what he planned was much worse. He intended to wear her out and tear down every defense she had.

Publicly.

The horror of her realization paralyzed her.

Evelyn couldn’t breathe.

“If you will please excuse me, I feel a bit—” Evelyn clutched her stomach, “faint.”

“Good lord girl, you look positively green,” Lady Chesterton’s voice thundered.

Matthew frowned. Concern entered his ancient eyes.

“Allow me to escort you home, Lady Evelyn,” Matthew interrupted, not at all concerned for proprieties.

Evelyn’s eyes widened as they met his. Surely he did not believe she would actually accept his offer?

She was saved by Lady Chesterton, who made a disapproving sound.

“That would not be at all proper, as you well know,” Lady Chesterton admonished with a frown.

Matthew’s countenance turned hard as steal as he shifted his gaze to their hostess.

“I have been a friend of the Tremaine family since childhood, madam. There was no reason to introduce us except formalities. Isn’t that right Evelyn?”

Evelyn looked between him and Lady Chesterton. It suddenly occurred to her just how much he would push the boundaries of society to get what he wanted. And he would get away with it.

Lady Chesterton lifted an enquiring brow in Evelyn’s direction.

“Er, yes. He is a friend of the family.”

Oh but she hated the beaming look of triumph on his face.

“Well!” Jo put in brightly. “The evening has been such a crush and has worn me out so!  I will escort Lady Evelyn home.”

Not once did Matthew’s gaze leave her as they made their apologies and took their leave. But she felt his eyes scorch her long after she lay in bed that night. The intense burning sensation haunted her dreams until morning.

Matthew watched Lady Josephine and his future wife disappear into the crowd. In the two days it took him to put his affairs in order, he’d had plenty of time to plan his strategy. He would woo Evelyn into submission, and he would be relentless about it. Admittedly, he’d made such a mess of things, that at first he did not know how he would repair the damage. He not only regretted the way he’d handled Evelyn, he regretted the things he’d said. It had been hard to admit, but he had been wrong.

He should never have let his past interfere with his future and he should never have let Evelyn out of his sight. Look where it had gotten him.

So one broken vow later, he’d returned to London, and he would do so again, for her.

Damn, but when he saw her in that gown of midnight blue hue his heart had nearly stopped beating. The neckline had been cut so low it only served to deepen the swell of her breasts. Pools of silk gathered at her feet, hinting at what lies beneath. He’d had to force every muscle in his body to relax and not drag her out of room where every single male ogled her. And they did ogle her. It drove him mad.

Six years he’d spent living in hatred, with no hope that somewhere in this debauched world, there would be someone warm and radiant that could crack the ice around his heart. But by a stroke of luck—or fate—he’d found Evelyn.

Even now as he stood in silent contemplation, Evelyn gone from his view, he had to stop his legs from running after her and beg her to give him a chance. He probably would have made an utter fool of himself if he hadn’t seen how much his presence affected her.

He would never be satisfied with just one passionate night. Not when he wanted forever. All he needed to do was convince the reluctant lady that he would make forever worth her while, whether he deserved her, or not.

“I know ladies who are intimate with lords that are acquainted with very bad people.” A soft voice whispered beside him.

Matthew glanced over to Lady Belle, who stood staring at him with such an ominous look on her face he almost laughed.

“Is that a threat, my lady?”

“A threat?” She gave a throaty laugh. “Threats are so indelicate, are they not? Think of it more as a fact.”

And with that she glided past him, leaving him speechless. Damn him if that little vixen didn’t sound serious as hell.

The next evening found them in Lady Westmont’s ballroom glowering at each other. Evelyn all but jumped for joy at how perfect it had turned out. Perfect being that if a rich secluded Earl singled out a self-proclaimed spinster, particularly one that had gone through a splendid transformation, every man, gentlemen and rake alike takes notice. The result being that for the first time in her life, her dance card was full.

Oh she’d had gentlemen ask her to partner them in the past but she’d always declined with some feeble excuse or another. Eventually the gentlemen stopped asking. The Earl’s attention at Lady Chesterton’s however, made her the talk of the town and one of the most sought out ladies in attendance, which in return gave her the perfect opportunity to avoid him. Thus started the glowering, and he’d been glowering all evening.

At this very moment he glared daggers at an oblivious Lord Wesley, a very dear friend of Evelyn’s. Matthew, however, did not know this and it appeared that the rumor of last season had reached his ears. A laugh escaped her at the absurd thought of her being secretly engaged to Wes.

“I sincerely hope you are not laughing at me,” Wesley drawled just as he whirled them out of the way of poor Lady Rose and Lord Spencer.

Evelyn’s cheeks flared. “Apologies Wes, I was lost in thought.”

“Would those thoughts perhaps be about a certain Earl?” he asked innocently.

Her eyes narrowed on his expression. So Wesley had not been as ignorant as he would have her believe.

“Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Oh I don’t know. He’s been staring daggers at my back for the better part of the evening and you have been stealing glances at him since he arrived. That and I overheard Belle and Josephine place a wager on your wedding date.”

At her shocked expression he gave a throaty laugh before he explained, “Belle wagered you will be married before the Season’s end, given your history with the Earl, but Jo didn’t have that much faith in the Earl’s ability to persuade you into matrimony.”