Loving an Unconventional Lady (Preview)

Chapter One

Evelina turned at the knock on the door of her bedchamber, which opened and revealed a blonde head with tousled hair that was in need of a haircut. Sebastian sighed.

“Come on, Evelina. You are not supposed to take several hours getting ready for the reception.”

Evelina rolled her eyes.

“Oh, Sebastian, you do exaggerate so. I’ve been away for ten minutes.”

“It feels much longer to me.”

“Well, you were never good at telling the time. Or having patience,” Evelina teased.

Her brother grunted and shook his head.

“Well, hurry up and come downstairs. People are beginning to wonder where you are. Someone asked if you fainted in the powder room.”

“Don’t be so ridiculous!” Evelina gasped. “Nobody said that!”

“Are you sure about that? Come back downstairs, Evelina.”

He retreated and closed the door before she could respond. Evelina doubted that anyone was wondering where she was. Those who knew her wouldn’t need to ask.

She wasn’t going to take long, anyway. Not when she was enjoying herself. The wedding itself had been beautiful, set in the nearby church at noon in the village, and now there was a reception happening downstairs. Over one hundred guests were attending, and it was making her eyes bulge. This wasn’t something that normally happened for weddings. They were private affairs with just family and a few close friends, but the groom had been insistent on it. As if he wanted to show everyone that he had such a lovely bride. Evelina had attended her Seasons in London, and they were attended by more than that, but it still made her feel overwhelmed.

This time, it was different. This was her cousin’s wedding, and she was here to support Arabella. She was marrying Francois Dubois, a nobleman from France who now lived in Kent, just outside Dover. Evelina wasn’t sure who was more excited about the wedding, her cousin or her aunt. It had come as a surprise to everyone else; Arabella’s husband was nearly forty, and his hair was already turning silver, but nobody needed to guess why when they caught the pair looking at each other. They were in love, and nobody was stopping that.

Evelina wondered, not for the first time, if she would get a wedding like this. Maybe something smaller. It had made her laugh when Arabella said she wanted something small and simple, with fewer than twenty people. But that was where they differed; Arabella was incredibly popular. Her wedding had never had a chance of having a guest list shorter than one hundred people.

She was everything the ton liked. Tall and willowy with gracious beauty.

Evelina made a face at herself in the mirror. She was short, barely over five feet tall, and curvy. She had a hard time finding gowns that fit and made her look good. She had blonde hair and blue eyes like the rest of her family, but Evelina still felt as if she was the odd one out when she was almost a head shorter than everyone else.

None of her family cared, of course, but the rest of the ton was not so forgiving. Who discriminated against someone over how tall they were? It was like they were trying to find something to grumble over. Evelina didn’t mind too much, but she was self-conscious.

At least Georgina didn’t discriminate. She was only a few months old, so she wasn’t going to notice anything. She was always happy to see her. Evelina hoped she could slip away to see her soon. She missed her greatly. Her young ward was adorable, and she always cheered her up.

Heading downstairs, she entered the ballroom and saw that people were finishing off a dance, a stringed quartet in the corner playing lilting music. Even though they’d already finished eating, Evelina’s stomach growled. The food had been delicious, and she wished she could have a bit more. The cook had outdone herself this time.

“There you are!” Sebastian was smiling at her as he approached, another gentleman at his side. “I was beginning to think you’d gotten lost.”

Evelina resisted the urge to give him a sharp retort. Mostly because she lost the ability to speak when she saw his companion. Tall, dark, and handsome, he walked gracefully and proudly, his head held high. Evelina had encountered plenty of handsome men during the Season in London, but this man was something else. She felt a flutter in her chest, catching her off guard. She couldn’t understand why she was reacting this way. It was strange, and she didn’t know what to think.

“I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine.” Sebastian indicated the man beside him. “This is Edmund Blackwood, son to the Duke of Ravenswood. Blackwood, this is my younger sister, Evelina.”

“I’ve heard you speak about her plenty of times.” Blackwood bowed, giving Evelina a smile that made her lightheaded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Evelina.”

“I…thank you.” Evelina’s mouth had gone dry. What was wrong with her? She swallowed. “I’m surprised that I haven’t met you before. Sebastian spoke often about you when you were at Oxford.”

“We’ve been incredibly busy, so meeting up has not been on the cards a lot of times over the years.” Blackwood gestured at Sebastian. “Your brother isn’t very good at keeping up with correspondence, anyway.”

Sebastian gasped, clasping a hand to his chest.

“Oh, my lord, you do wound me! I am better than before!”

“Just barely.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes, and Evelina giggled. She couldn’t help but agree with Blackwood, though; Sebastian was terrible at keeping in contact with people. If it were a one-off occurrence, she would just ignore it, but her brother was not someone who wrote back and forth after the third time. He got bored very easily, wrapped up in everything else.

It was a wonder he had any friends at all when he was that bad at responding to letters.

“Another dance is about to start,” Sebastian commented as the dancers stopped as the music ended, and they applauded the musicians. “Evelina, why don’t you and Lord Blackwood dance?”

Evelina gulped.

“Me?” she squeaked.

“It’s not that difficult. Just one foot in front of the other.” Her brother winked at her. “I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it.”

Evelina wanted to say that she didn’t want to. Normally, she was stumbling around and couldn’t keep up, but now she was incredibly nervous, and she knew she was going to step on someone’s toes or bump into her dance partner. It was why she turned down dances and didn’t carry her dance card around.

But with Blackwood smiling at her and holding out a hand, how could she refuse? It would be hard to refuse anything when he was looking at her like that.

Her heart racing in her panic, she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor, where they lined up with several other couples. She recognized the dance as soon as the music started, and it was easy enough that she didn’t have to worry about anything complicated. But Evelina still had to concentrate, focusing on her feet and making sure she didn’t bump into anyone.

Why did her family want her to dance when they knew she was probably the most awkward person on the dance floor? Her awkwardness stood out, and Evelina didn’t like being the center of attention.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the dance finished. She clapped politely and turned to Blackwood.

“If you’ll excuse me, my lord, I must go and…and fetch a shawl for my mother.”

That was a lie, but it was enough for Blackwood to agree to leave her be, bowing before he walked away. Evelina continued to watch him leave, admiring his long, lean legs and the broad shoulders. There was something in him that kept her watching him. She couldn’t believe that, finally, someone was capturing her attention. After two Seasons, she had begun to think that it wouldn’t happen to her.

Although she had a feeling that the Season in London was going to fade away for a while. She had to look after Georgina, after all. She was just a baby, and Evelina couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her with a nursemaid all the time. She had promised to look after Georgina, and she intended to follow through.

She wondered what Blackwood would say about her situation. Would he find it admirable that she would take on a child that wasn’t hers? Or would he consider her someone he needed to keep away from? Evelina didn’t want to think like that, but it would happen.

As she headed toward the door, she caught sight of Arabella. She was talking to a couple of her friends, looking radiant as she laughed. She looked stunning, the real blushing bride. Evelina couldn’t begrudge her for enjoying herself.

She touched her cousin’s arm, capturing her attention.

“I’m just going out to fetch Georgina,” she said. “I won’t be long.”

“Of course. I understand.” Arabella hesitated, and then she squeezed Evelina’s fingers with a grateful smile. “Thank you. I do appreciate everything, Evelina.”

Evelina simply gave her a smile in response and headed out into the gardens. So she wasn’t disturbed by the main part of the celebrations, Georgina was at a nearby tenant farm. She and her nursemaid, Alice, would be there whiling away the day.

She just needed to cross the gardens and around the small lake, and she would be at the farm.

“So you met her, did you?”

Evelina slowed. She hadn’t expected someone to be in the garden. It was already dark, not a time for anyone to be out walking. It was still warm, though, so couples might be tempted to get a moment alone.

But from the tone, it didn’t sound like it was intimate.

Maybe she should leave them alone, but then Evelina heard Blackwood’s voice.

“I did. She was everything Sebastian said she was. I didn’t think he would be that accurate about his sister, but he was.”

That made her stop. Blackwood was talking about her? Her pulse racing, she shifted closer to the bush that was between them. She should leave him to this private conversation, but if it was about her, she deserved to know.

“What’s she like? I’ve seen her at a distance all day, and while she’s pretty, there doesn’t seem to be much to her.” This was a male voice, and it sounded cultured. “She didn’t seem to talk to anyone unless it was family, and she kept looking as if she wanted to leave. And yet she danced with you.”

“We didn’t talk at all,” Blackwood replied. “She just kept staring at her feet. I was expecting to talk to her a little bit, but nothing. I’ll agree that she’s a pretty thing, but she’s dull. You can’t have a conversation with someone who doesn’t talk, can you? It was a relief when she hurried away.”

Evelina felt like she had been hit in the stomach. Blackwood was calling her dull? How could he? She was shy, yes, but not dull. Yet the words wouldn’t go away, swirling around in her head. It made her nauseous.

The one time when she found someone attractive, and it made her pulse quicken, he ended up insulting her. He didn’t care to know her beyond the superficial greetings.

She wanted to cry at how horrible it was. She really tried when she was struggling, and it felt like a failure.

Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she slipped away and stumbled in the direction of the farm. She could wait there until the majority of the wedding was over and people were beginning to leave. She couldn’t be around anyone right now, or she would burst into tears.

As far as she was concerned, the excitement about her cousin’s marriage was gone, ruined by Lord Edmund Blackwood.

***

Three Years Later

“Lady Clarington wishes to talk to you, Lady Evelina.”

Evelina sighed, lowering her book to look up at the butler. Kettering stood in the doorway to the playroom, hands clasped behind his back as he waited for her response.

“Can’t you say that I’m occupied right now, Kettering?” she asked. “I spoke to her this morning.”

“She’s very insistent, I’m afraid. She wanted to speak to you.” Kettering paused. “If you’re worried about being sick yourself…”

“Mother’s been sick for several years. I think I would’ve gotten sick myself at some point, so you don’t have to worry about that.” Biting back a groan, Evelina put her book aside and stood up, nodding at Alice. “I’ll be right back.”

“Of course, my lady.”

The nursemaid smiled at her, and then her attention went back to Georgina, who was playing with wooden dolls across the floor. She had been quiet for the best part of an hour now, and Evelina enjoyed these moments. Georgina was a lovely girl, but she was still very excitable. It could be exhausting.

She wouldn’t change it, though. She loved being around her ward. Georgina made things brighter when she was having a bad day.

Evelina made her way through the house to the morning room, where her mother spent most of her days. The dowager countess had been unwell for some time, and there were days when she was sure she was dying. If she weren’t in her room, she would be in the morning room, lying on her favorite chaise looking out over the gardens that crisscrossed the front of the house. Evelina had to admit that the view was gorgeous from there. She could see why her mother wanted to stay here when she wasn’t feeling well.

But this had been off and on since her husband died five years ago. Evelina was always kept nearby to help her mother, but she had to raise Georgina as well, and taking care of two different generations had become exhausting. Evelina would be happy when Lady Jane finally recovered and was well enough to look after herself.

Lady Jane was in her usual place when Evelina entered. She gave her daughter a smile.

“There you are. How’s Georgina?”

“She’s playing quietly. I think she’s going to have her nap soon.” Evelina caught sight of a familiar figure sitting across from her mother and blinked in surprise. “Aunt Mary!”

Lady Jane’s sister smiled and stood up, kissing Evelina on both cheeks.

“You’re looking very well, Evelina.” She pulled back and gave her a piercing look. “Although you do look tired. Maybe you should retire when Georgina naps. You have to have the strength to keep up with a lively little girl.”

Evelina managed a smile back, wondering why her aunt was here. Aunt Mary often visited, but normally it was not a surprise. Evelina hadn’t been made aware of this visit. She sat in a chair, watching as the sisters exchanged glances. Being so close in age—only fifteen months apart—Lady Jane and Aunt Mary could’ve passed for twins. They seemed to have conversations without having to say a word. Evelina had often marveled at it.

Although she was more worried this time. What was going on?

“I’ve got something I want to talk to you about, Evelina, dear.” Lady Jane coughed, the sound making Evelina wince. “It’s following on from yesterday.”

Evelina groaned.

“You’re talking about me going back to London and having another Season.”

“It’s been three years, and you’ve been playing mother to Georgina all this time. I think it’s about time that you returned.”

“No!” Evelina cried. “I can’t do it! I don’t want to!”

“Can’t or don’t want to? Which is it?”

“Both! I need to look after Georgina, and I don’t want to go and find myself a husband. I know that’s why you want me to go,” she added as Lady Jane started to speak. “I don’t want to get married.”

Lady Jane sighed.

“Georgina’s under my guardianship, not yours, Evelina. Remember? You shouldn’t have to worry about her.”

“I’m the one who looks after her the most, Mother!”

“But you can’t just live as you are on your own. I’m not going to be around forever, and Sebastian will have his own life. He won’t be able to look after you so much.”

“I have my own allowance, and Georgina and I…”

“You need to think of your own future. I love Georgina like my own granddaughter, but she needs a father as well. You should be thinking about her and what she would want.”

Evelina didn’t want this argument again. She’d gone through it already the day before, and the week before that. Lady Jane wanted her to find a gentleman to marry so she could raise Georgina as she deserved. If she continued as she was, she would be a spinster, and looking after a child alone was going to be hard work. Evelina didn’t care about that; to her, raising Georgina was more important.

And she wasn’t about to go back and get hurt again. Not after what Blackwood said about her. If he thought she was dull and boring, what did everyone else think? She didn’t want to go back to London to find out, not with Blackwood’s words bouncing around in her head. They wouldn’t leave her alone, even now.

Not that her mother knew about it. Evelina had never told her, choosing to nurse the embarrassment in private.

“Why would I want to go and find a husband when I’m happy with how things are now?” she demanded. “I love my life right now. Why change it?”

“Because you aren’t happy,” Aunt Mary answered, turning Evelina’s attention to her. She shook her head. “We can tell that you’re not happy.”

“I am!”

“We know otherwise. Looking after a young child is hard work, and I know you don’t get a proper break. So, you should be thinking of your future and what would make you happy.”

Evelina snorted.

“You and Mother would be happy, but I won’t be. You know that.”

“Yes, we’re perfectly aware of how stubborn you are.” Aunt Mary glanced at Lady Jane, who was reaching for her cup of tea. “But you have to really think about it. Deep down, are you truly happy? Wouldn’t you want something for yourself?”

“I’ve got what I want.”

“Name one thing you’ve got. Maybe we’ll understand if you tell us.”

Evelina wanted to say Georgina, but she found herself faltering. She loved her young ward deeply, and she wouldn’t get rid of her, but was that being truly happy? Becoming a parent because the mother didn’t want to risk the scandal? Evelina still remembered that day, helping with the birth and then cradling the baby once she’d been cleaned up. She felt the bond between them and knew she couldn’t let her go.

But was that true happiness? Aunt Mary’s words were getting to her, and Evelina didn’t know what to do.

“Look,” her aunt said as Evelina hesitated. “I know you’re thinking about that little girl, but you need to think about yourself. You’re beautiful, accomplished, a gem of a person. Someone is going to see that, and you’ll find some happiness for yourself. You deserve it, after all.”

“I think people might dispute that, Aunt Mary,” Evelina said bitterly.

“If you’re worried about going without Georgina, she can come and join you.” Aunt Mary nodded at her sister. “I’ve spoken to your mother about it. She said once she’s feeling a little better, she’ll travel to London with Georgina in a few weeks. You know that your ward will be looked after properly in your absence, don’t you?”

“Of course,” Evelina said. “The servants are wonderful with her, and Alice barely leaves her side. I know they’ll take care of her.”

“There you are. You should come with me to London in a few days, and we’ll get you settled. Then once you’re sorted, your mother and Georgina will come and join us.”

“I need a change of scenery, and going to London will help me with that,” Lady Jane added.

Evelina arched an eyebrow at her.

“You’re calling London a change of scenery? I would’ve thought you’d go to the seaside and get the sea air if you’re not feeling well.”

“I can do that any time. What’s more important than my health is you.”

Evelina didn’t believe that at all—she would rather have her mother well and healthy than find a husband—but she could see the dowager countess wanted to make sure nothing was going to go wrong after she passed. She wanted her daughter to be looked after and cared for if anything happened to her.

She didn’t want to think about her mother dying. That left a nasty taste in her mouth. She still remembered when her father died five years ago, and Evelina didn’t want to remember that. She’d been feeling sick and cried for months, knowing that he would never be there again.

If Lady Jane passed…

The two sisters were staring at her, giving her pointed looks. Evelina knew if she said no now, they were going to wear her down eventually. She didn’t want to go through this same argument again.

She sighed heavily and held up her hands.

“All right, I’ll agree to it. But Georgina is to join me as soon as possible. I won’t be parted from her for too long.”

“We understand that.” Aunt Mary gave her an encouraging smile. “You won’t regret this, Evelina.”

But Evelina had a feeling that she would.

Chapter Two

“I was beginning to think you’d turned into a statue.

Edmund jumped. He hadn’t realized that he had been joined by someone. Looking up, he saw his mother, the dowager duchess, standing in the doorway to his study. How had he not noticed that she was there? He frowned.

“Don’t you knock anymore, Mother?”

Lady Ravenswood snorted.

“Of course I knocked! I’m not that uncouth, Edmund. You didn’t respond to me after the third knock, so I opened the door.”

“Did you?”

“You were staring off into the distance, and I was beginning to think that you’d had a fit or something.”

“Mother!”

“What? If I have to be shocking, I’ll do it if it means I get your attention.” She folded her arms in disapproval. “You knew I wanted to talk to you, and you just ignored me.”

“Do you?” Edmund frowned. “I don’t remember you saying so.”

But he did. He knew his mother wanted to discuss the same thing again. She wanted him to find a wife. Edmund didn’t want to do that. As far as he was concerned, he was going to remain a bachelor. He wasn’t interested in finding a wife.

Not when he saw what happened when things went wrong. He didn’t want his heart to be broken.

But his mother thought otherwise.

Lady Ravenswood sighed and approached the desk. For someone in her mid-fifties, she was still a handsome woman. Tall and slender with graying dark hair and barely any wrinkles on her face, she still managed to get people to give her a second look. Edmund had never met anyone as graceful and fashionable as his mother.

“You know that you have to find someone to marry, Edmund,” she said.

Edmund pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I’m painfully aware of it, Mother. And I’m also aware that I don’t want to have anything to do with marriage.”

“Why would you turn that down when it’s your duty?”

“Maybe it’s because it’s my duty? That is guaranteed to make me walk away and ignore it.”

Lady Ravenswood rolled her eyes. She began to pace back and forth.

“You’ve been the Duke of Ravenswood for a year now. You have matured a lot, and you’ve become the man I knew you could be. I’m incredibly proud of you for that, especially given your carefree days and your behavior before. But you’re taking it too far.”

“How so?”

“All you do is work now! You should be going out there to socialize…”

“You forget that I do go to social events, Mother,” Edmund reminded her. “I’m not a complete recluse. I just do what I want.”

Lady Ravenswood scoffed at that.

“Going to your club isn’t being sociable.”

“If there isn’t anyone of proper substance to speak with, it can be a bit boring. You know I prefer to engage with people who can hold my attention. Being around others who have nothing interesting to their personality simply results in my wanting to escape the situation as soon as I arrive.”

“You won’t know that unless you actually go there, Edmund. Although I’ll give you your due with the social engagements when you escorted your sister.”

Edmund shuddered. He hadn’t cared too much about social engagements during his twenties, seeing it as a time to drink and have fun with his friends, flirting with the occasional young lady who was susceptible to him. But now there was nothing enjoyable about it. He just wanted to walk away and leave it all behind. However, Charlotte needed him. His little sister had her first Season the year before, but she hadn’t made a match. Although there was a good reason for that.

“At least I’m getting out and about,” Edmund protested. “Mother, I have a lot to do, and it’s a miracle that I am able to leave the house.”

“You’ve got an estate manager to look after your estates, and an accountant for your finances.”

“Some of this needs to be done personally. I have three separate homes, and I can’t leave the responsibility to other men.”

Lady Ravenswood groaned. “Seriously, Edmund, that is no excuse. You took on your father’s responsibilities, but you’ve forgotten about yourself. You need to find a wife. You have to pass the title down somehow.”

“I have plenty of time, Mother. It’s not as if I’m going to get too old to have a child.”

“That’s not the point! Anyway, I need you to be out and about more often than last year this time around. I’ve got to find Charlotte a suitable match. She had no luck last year, and you need to help her find the right man.”

That made Edmund laugh. As if he could get his sister to focus on that.

“You do realize that Charlotte has her own ideas about what she wants in a husband, don’t you? I can count on both hands how many proposals she got last Season, and she turned them all down.”

“What?” Lady Ravenswood’s eyes widened. “She did? I didn’t know about that.”

“They came to me, and I said they needed to speak to Charlotte about it. Besides, Father died shortly before the Season started. Even if she didn’t have specific requirements for a husband, she wasn’t about to find someone when she was still grieving her father. You know it would’ve been a little inappropriate.”

“Well, yes…”

“So I don’t think Charlotte needs anyone’s help. She’s capable of making her own choices, and I know she’s confident in her own skin.”

“That’s not the point!” The dowager duchess looked frustrated. “You need to be there for your sister. Stop arguing on that point. Both of you need to find someone to marry. Perhaps the pair of you can help each other find suitable matches.”

Edmund wished that his mother would stop going on about finding marriages for him and his sister. They were meant to be in mourning, and yet they’d gone to several social engagements instead of withdrawing. That wouldn’t have seemed appropriate to the ton; the last Duke of Ravenswood’s passing had not been quite a year ago. It made it seem like Lady Ravenswood didn’t care about her husband at all.

She did. Greatly. Edmund had heard her crying when she thought she was alone, but she had to continue on whatever she could. And focus her attention elsewhere.

Including setting her son and daughter up with prospective matches so they could marry and settle down. Something that was going to be an uphill battle with Charlotte being particular and Edmund not wanting to marry at all.

“I expect you to be making a decision soon about your future, Edmund,” Lady Ravenswood said as she headed for the door. “You need to look out for yourself. We have a title to think about now.”

“It will just go to my cousin’s side, that’s all. Our family won’t lose the title.”

“You’re supposed to have a son to pass it to, not just give it to your cousin because you can’t be bothered to get married. I won’t have it.”

And before Edmund could say anything in response, his mother had left the room. He slumped in his chair and buried his head in his hands. The thought of getting married out of obligation took the joy out of looking for someone. How was he supposed to find a wife when he didn’t even care to bother with it?

***

There was no point in staying at home when his mother was going to pester him about finding a wife. Edmund needed to get out and away. It was best to keep out of the way for now, with Lady Ravenswood’s mind set on something.

She had to understand that it wasn’t something he wanted to do. There was plenty of time to focus on finding a wife. Right now, there was too much to do. Edmund had to get everything organized, and even with the staff helping him, it felt like the list of things he had to sort out was getting longer and longer.

Also, he liked the independence of being a bachelor. He had just himself to worry about. Lady Ravenswood might argue about that, but she kept to her own schedule as well. It was only on an odd occasion that they would go out together. Edmund didn’t have a wife to run his timetable by.

It was better that way.

However, it was difficult being a bachelor and having so many ladies of the ton parading their unmarried daughters in front of him. It felt like he was on parade, and it was too awkward, making the whole situation uncomfortable. It was annoying, something he’d gone through when he was the heir. Now that he was the duke, it was even worse.

Why did everyone see him as a title and not himself? What was wrong with getting married because the two people loved each other? Of course, Edmund didn’t believe in love, not with everything around him being so calculated. It sucked the joy out of things. But if he had to marry, he would rather it be with someone who loved him.

“Your carriage is here, Your Grace.”

Parker, his butler, was waiting for him with Edmund’s hat and coat in his arms. Edmund tore his gaze away from the huge portrait of his father hanging in the foyer and tugged his coat on.

“Where’s Lady Ravenswood?”

“The dowager duchess has gone out to play bridge with her friends across the street, Your Grace. She said she would be back later.” Parker handed Edmund his hat. “Shall I say you’ve gone to the club if she asks?”

“Well, it’s the truth, isn’t it? I don’t really go anywhere else.” Edmund put his hat on and gave Parker a wry smile. “I’m sure she’ll complain, either way.”

Parker’s mouth twitched.

“I cannot possibly comment on that, Your Grace. Have a pleasant evening.”

Edmund headed out to the carriage, and soon he was outside the club he frequented most days. It was how he enjoyed his time. Plenty of his friends were there, and it was good fun. They could play cards, drink, and talk about debauched subjects without anyone’s wife or mother there to keep them in line. It was remarkable what they couldn’t say in front of ladies in case they were shocked by the topic content.

As he entered the club, handing his hat and coat to the footman in the foyer, a sense of calm washed over him. When his father passed away, leaving him with everything to do, it felt like he was floundering and struggling to keep his head above water. But when he came to the club, it made him feel better. There was an atmosphere that settled on his shoulders like a blanket. It was warm all year round, inviting to the guests who frequented the place. The perfect place to hide away and take time for himself. He felt as if he was truly home, in a place where he could be comfortable without worrying about who he was. Edmund, not the Duke of Ravenswood.

That’s how he preferred it.

He walked into the main drawing room and saw several games of cards being played, dotted at various tables around the room. The atmosphere wasn’t silent, but it was calm. There was some laughter in the air, and it made Edmund smile.

Selecting a book from the huge bookcase by the door, he went over to one of the chairs by the fireplace. If he didn’t want to do anything in particular, he just wanted time out of the house. He would just sit in his chair and read a book, letting the comforting sounds and voices wash over him like music.

“Can I get you a drink, Your Grace?”

A footman appeared at his side, bowing to him. Edmund nodded back.

“A large brandy, please, Andrews.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Andrews moved away, and Edmund opened his book. He could see himself whiling away the hours until very late. It would help unwind his mind with all of his work as well. He certainly needed to make things less cluttered in his mind.

“Edmund?”

A little annoyed that he was already being interrupted, he glanced up, only to do a double-take when he saw Sebastian Hartwell standing in front of him, giving him the usual lopsided grin that he knew too well of his friend.

“Sebastian!” Edmund jumped to his feet, clasping Sebastian’s hand before they embraced. “It’s been a long time! Where have you been?”

“Here and there.” Sebastian rolled his shoulder with a grimace. “I had a riding accident, so I have to convalesce in Brighton for a while, taking the waters.”

“Really?”

“Broke my shoulder and collarbone. Trust me, that is not something I want to go through again.” Sebastian gestured at the chair across from Edmund’s. “Mind if I join you?”

“Of course! You don’t need to ask!”

There were few people Edmund would allow to interrupt him willingly, and Sebastian Hartwell, the Earl of Clarington, was one of them. They’d known each other for years, and it had gotten harder over the years to meet up. It always brought up good memories for him. He surveyed his friend as he sat down gingerly.

“How long ago was this accident? It looks like you’re still in pain.”

“It was three months ago.” Sebastian settled back with a heavy sigh. “The doctor says the bones have mended well enough, but I’m going to be sore for a while afterward. I just need to take it easy and not go riding for some months.”

“And that was one of your favorite pastimes.”

“I know. I’ll figure something out.” Sebastian nodded at Andrews as he returned with Edmund’s brandy. “I’ll have the same as him.”

“Yes, my lord.”

A moment later, both of them were holding glasses and toasting each other. Edmund let the liquid slip down his throat and settled in his chair, stretching his legs toward the fire.

“So, how have things been with you?” Sebastian asked, crossing his legs at the ankles. “You look exhausted.”

“That’s pretty close to how I’m feeling,” Edmund grunted.

“Still finding your feet?”

“You could say that. It’s harder than I thought. I was under the impression that I could do it easily without any worries, but there’s far more to it than I anticipated.”

Sebastian nodded.

“That’s about right. At least you have an estate manager and a household that knows what they’re doing. You just need the right nudge.”

“Is that how you managed it when you first became an earl?” Edmund asked. “You were far younger than me when that happened.”

“Let’s just say, it doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s going to be just as tough whether you’re sixteen years old or sixty years old.” Sebastian shrugged. “It’s how you cope with it that shapes everything.”

Edmund remembered his father saying that before, when he was still alive. He wished he had listened a bit more.

“There’s also another reason I’m back in London,” Sebastian continued, taking a hefty gulp of brandy and shuddering. “I should still be in the Lake District, but Mother sent a letter saying that Evelina is coming to London to prepare for the Season. She’ll be with Aunt Mary.”

Edmund frowned.

“Evelina?”

“Don’t you remember my sister? You met her a few years ago.”

“Did I?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes.

“I know you’re bad with names and faces, but you can’t be this bad. You danced with her!”

Edmund tried to remember Sebastian’s sister, and it did take a moment. He’d only met her once three years ago, and the dance had only lasted a few minutes, but after a moment, he did remember her. Evelina had been so quiet that she’d been easy to forget, focusing more on her feet than on him. But he did recall her having such beautiful eyes. There seemed to be a lot of expression in them, and Edmund had done his best not to openly stare.

Not that he was going to admit that to his friend, though; he wasn’t likely to be impressed with that remark.

“I suppose that means you’re going to have to attend events with her if your aunt is unable to,” he said with a sigh.

Sebastian snorted.

“Unfortunately. I love Evelina, but I would rather not be dragged to any of these social engagements. The conversations are so boring, and you can’t talk about what you want without being interrupted by someone who doesn’t understand or people pestering you to dance.”

Edmund chuckled.

“I know the feeling. I’m going to have to do it myself this Season. Charlotte’s going through the same thing.”

“Little Charlotte?”

“She’s hardly little anymore, trust me. And she’s a lot louder.”

Sebastian smiled.

“I seem to remember her being absolutely delightful. I know the evening will be a lot more interesting with her about. She knows how to bring joy into a situation.”

Edmund didn’t know about that. He loved his sister, but Charlotte was someone who had the ability to make a situation awkward.

“Maybe we should get our sisters together,” he suggested, taking another sip of brandy. “Then we’d have an excuse to be around each other and catch up. There’s a lot we have to talk about, I’m sure.”

“I agree wholeheartedly,” Sebastian declared. “It’s taken this long to get Evelina to finally agree to come to London in the first place. She’s been insistent that she’s not going to have a Season at all, that getting married is the last thing on her mind.”

Edmund raised his eyebrows.

“I thought it was what all young ladies wanted. To marry and have a comfortable life.”

“Not Evelina. She’s not interested. To her, there are more important things to get on with, and finding a husband takes time out of her day.” Sebastian blew air out of the corners of his mouth. “She makes it sound like such a chore.”

“I see her point,” Edmund replied. “I’m of the same mindset.”

“It’s different for women compared to men. Mother’s concerned that Evelina is going to become a spinster, and she doesn’t want that. She wants to be sure that she’s looked after, and she can rest easy.”

“But isn’t it your responsibility to look after her, though?”

Sebastian nodded.

“It is. And, personally, I don’t mind what she does as long as she doesn’t embarrass us and is happy.”

“Although not getting married before a certain age can be considered embarrassing,” Edmund pointed out.

“For Mother, maybe. But not me. I know my sister too well.” His friend’s eyes glinted as he raised his glass. “She doesn’t do something without an ulterior motive. She’s as stubborn as I am. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s doing this just to get Mother to stop pestering her about it. And I’m curious to see how that’s going to pan out during the next few months.”

When he put it like that, Edmund was curious as well. He had a feeling things were going to get interesting.