Uncle Theo laughed. “I only speak the truth of your elder.”
Evelyn laughed. “A very wise elder.”
“I thought so at one time. However, I believe I am left in doubt.” He frowned.
“What leaves you wondering of your wisdom?”
Colebourne folded his hands across his stomach. “A foolish attempt I made to play my hand at matchmaking.”
Evelyn tilted her head. “Mmm. But you can brag of your success, can you not? Charlie and Sinclair are deliriously happy.”
“Yes, they are. While you are beyond miserable.”
Evelyn smiled wistfully. “Your description of my mood is rather daunting.”
“But the truth, is it not?” Colebourne arched a brow.
“At times, I would say it matches perfectly. However, it is not a permanent state of my emotions. ‘Tis only how I have felt during certain instances since my marital vows.”
“They are emotions you should never suffer from if the man you married held your heart in the palm of his hands and protected it with his own heart. I had thought Worthington was that gentleman.”
“He is.” Evelyn protested, coming to the edge of the settee.
He stared at Evelyn in doubt. “If he is, then why have you been near tears since you arrived yesterday? Why did Sinclair inform me of Worthington’s cruel words? And why does your husband sport a bruised face, complimentary of his brother?”
“It is as you explained before I left to marry Reese. You told me he would be a challenge and that love is never easy. I have discovered love is a complicated matter where there are no correct paths to take to achieve its outcome. Only the journey filled with twists and turns will make it feel complete. At the moment, we are wandering on a rocky path filled with many ruts. However, I am optimistic that we shall soon find a smooth journey.”
“Optimistic, huh?”
“Very.” Evelyn’s smile portrayed her belief.
Colebourne slapped his hands together. “Excellent. I had hoped you held this opinion.”
Evelyn gazed at her uncle in confusion. She thought Uncle Theo held disappointment in her marriage. Instead, he seemed pleased with her declaration. “You wish for my marriage to succeed?”
He nodded. “Yes, and it is the reason I refused Worthington’s request to visit with you. I also informed him you will remain at my residence during your stay in London.”
“Why?”
“To prompt him to court you. Why else?”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were pleased that I wished to fix my marriage.”
“I am.”
“Then why are you refusing him?” Evelyn stared at Uncle Theo in disbelief.
“It is all part of my plan.”
“Plan?”
“Yes. I realize there are some quirks to tweak for your marriage to be joyous.”
“You mean manipulations,” Evelyn muttered.
“However, you wish to call them, my dear.” Colebourne smirked.
Evelyn laughed at her uncle, who was mad about matchmaking. Knowing that Uncle Theo wished for her happiness with Reese gave Evelyn the support she needed to proceed.
“I am afraid I must ask you to halt your plans. Thank you for making my dreams come true. Now I must hold them in my own hands to make them a reality. I am returning home. After this conversation is finished, I want no more interference with my marriage. Reese and I must be honest with one another and deal with our problems together.”
“If you’re sure. I still think that if I ...”
Evelyn held up a hand to stop him. “I only want you to say, ‘Evelyn, I will support your wishes as you see fit.’”
Uncle Theo smiled. “Yes, exactly what I’d been about to suggest.”
Uncle Theo rose and held out his hand to Evelyn. She rose and wrapped her arms around his middle. She knew Uncle Theo meant well. She loved him more than any simple words could say. At her darkest moments in life, he held her, protecting her from further pain. In his eccentric attempt, he’d tried to secure her a future of happiness. However, somewhere it shook with uncertainty. But Uncle Theo could no longer hold her and protect her from harm. No, those arms now belonged to Reese.
Evelyn glanced down at the document torn in two lying on the side table. When she glanced at the bottom of the page, she noticed Uncle Theo’s name. On the line below, it stated her husband’s name. Each line held no signature.
She pulled away, lifting the paper. As she read, she saw that it was their marriage settlement. Who was to blame for its destruction? “Our marriage settlement?”
“Yes, it was not to your husband’s liking.”
New doubts started clawing away at the hope in her heart. However, Evelyn tried to keep them at bay until she heard the explanation. “May I ask why?”
“He refused all that I offered, stating he only wished for your love.”
“My love?” Evelyn whispered.
“Your love,” Uncle Theo confirmed.
Evelyn understood how important it was for her uncle to offer a marriage settlement to Reese. He needed the funds to support his family, not for selfish uses. The refusal of the offer spoke of the depth of his love. A love Evelyn had waited a lifetime for. Even though a spark never struck her before they met, her heart had yearned for Reese for an eternity and would never stop yearning for him.
Evelyn kissed Uncle Theo on the cheek. “Thank you for everything.”
“My pleasure.” He sat back down with a grunt. “Now I am ordering you out of my home. You are not to return until your husband declares his love. Not a moment sooner.”
Evelyn’s laughter filled the air.
BEFORE REESE RETURNED home, he had many stops to make. Each one involved Evelyn, except for two of them. He dreaded making the calls, but they were a necessity. If not, doubt would hang over their heads, doubts he never wanted between them. He planned to make them his last two stops for the day. Once he reached home, he hoped Evelyn had returned. If not, he needed to change his plans for the evening.
Once Reese gathered his surprises for Evelyn, he had all of them delivered home, except for the flowers. While most would buy their wives roses, Reese picked wildflowers that grew around the pond on his property. He wanted her to remember that day. Not because of his falsity, but because of the connection they shared.
With dread, he walked up the stairs. Once inside, the butler rushed him up the stairs to his mistress’s boudoir. He found Angelica near the window. When she turned toward him, she undid her robe and let it slide off her body. At least she wore a negligee underneath. If not, then his news would make it awkward.
Angelica was a gentleman’s greatest dream come true in the bedroom. She was unabashed with displaying her wares. Her negligee always highlighted her generous curves. Even now, Angelica’s bosom teased him falling out of her gown, her nipples peeking through. The slits in her gown showcased her long legs. However, it was her glorious mane of red hair that was her greatest asset. It hung down her back and made a man want to plunge his hands in and hold her to him.
“Reese, my love,” Angelica purred. “Rumors had reached my ears of your return to town. I have been waiting eagerly for your visit. I have grown so lonely with you away.”
Worthington knew her statement to be false. Just as he found pleasure with multiple mistresses, Angelica was no different. That was why breaking off their affair would be easy. She wouldn’t make a scene because other gentlemen’s offers dangled at the snap of her fingers. When he didn’t advance past the door, she realized the reason for his visit. She slid on her robe and tied it before sitting on the chair in front of the mirror.
“I am afraid I must end our arrangement. I have made sufficient provisions to your account.”
She picked up a hairbrush. “May I ask why? Do you find fault with the desire we shared?”
“I am now married. And the supposed desire we share is the same desire you share with any other gentleman. I represent the flash of a coin in your eyes,
” he scoffed.
Angelica ran the brush through her hair, meeting Worthington’s gaze in the mirror. “I do not care if you spoke your marriage vows. Even more of a reason to visit. I am sure your wife cannot satisfy your desires as I can.”
Worthington clutched the doorknob. “I care and I will not discuss my wife with you.”
“Very well. I see I cannot change your mind. However, my bedroom will always be open if your circumstances change.”
“They will not,” Worthington murmured before leaving.
He rode in his carriage to the last destination before home. This one would be more difficult. Barbara was more possessive than Angelica. She didn’t share her bed with another and displayed her temper whenever she learned that Worthington had bedded someone else. Even though he spent most of his time with Barbara, her possessiveness annoyed him. She misunderstood their relationship, always holding out for a marriage proposal. In which he could, if so inclined, since she was the widow of a peer and not a courtesan like Angelica. However, Worthington refused to live with her jealous tirades, nor would he subject his family to them.
The sun vanished against the city’s landscape. The golden hues mixing in with the light from the lanterns. Nightfall hovered on the horizon, waiting to indulge in its decadence. When he stepped from the carriage, he noticed the roads were still full of carriages conveying the lords and ladies of London. He wanted to be at home, not dealing with something he should have taken care of as soon as he got to town. But his anger with Evelyn had still consumed him upon his arrival. Then he’d spent the rest of his time before Evelyn’s arrival in a drunken state, which had resulted in the fine mess he found himself stuck in now.
Worthington let himself into the house. He didn’t own it, but Barbara demanded that he never knock. She had nothing to hide from him. Since it was near the hour for her to prepare for an evening out, he took the stairs to her bedroom. He pushed the door open, catching the maid helping Barbara into her evening attire.
As always, she looked exquisite. Her hair was coiled into a style of elegance, pearls draped her neck, and her dress hugged her curves to perfection. Her bosom was on full display, leaving no one to wonder what charms she possessed. Many times he had witnessed Barbara dress, and then he would dismiss the maid and coax her into a scandalous dance of desire.
Staring at her now, he felt nothing. No spark. No fire. Nothing but wistful disdain. He would miss their friendship, but that would be all.
“Please, excuse us. I will finish buttoning Lady Langdale,” Worthington ordered the maid.
The maid left and Worthington moved into her place, sliding one button after another. She turned in his arms, and Worthington dropped them to the sides, refusing to hold Barbara. He should never have offered to play lady’s maid, but he needed the maid to leave. He wanted to break it gently to Barbara. While he’d been direct with Angelica, Barbara would require kid gloves to handle the end of their affair.
He took a step back. But that wouldn’t deter Barbara. She started unbuttoning his coat.
“Why finish with my dressing when you are only going to spoil it with your passion?” Barbara purred.
Worthington clasped Barbara’s hands to keep her from undressing him. He took another step back, holding her at arm’s length. Her enthusiasm turned to confusion. She tried to pull her hands away, but Worthington tightened his hold. He knew once he uttered the words to end their affair, she would unleash her claws.
“We need to talk.”
Barbara tilted her head. “What has happened to your face?”
“A brawl.”
“With whom?”
Worthington sighed. “Graham.”
“Why? What trouble has he caused now?”
“None.”
She peeled her hands away and urged him to sit. “I will order a poultice to bring down the swelling. You poor dear. You must bring Graham under control before you cannot.”
Barbara flittered around the room, placing items in her reticule, and gathering a shawl from her wardrobe. Once she had the items she needed upon departure, she made her way back over to Reese. He should have known Barbara would try to sit on his lap. He kept trying to work up his nerve to tell Barbara the truth. Every scenario ended the same: with Barbara in a fury.
When she lifted his hand to press against her breast, he jumped, knocking Barbara onto the floor. He remembered his fury when Graham touched Evelyn. He imagined how this scene would hurt Evelyn if she witnessed the exchange.
“Reese,” Barbara whined.
“Sorry, sorry,” Reese muttered, running his hand through his hair.
He stood rigid when Barbara’s hand slid up his leg. He knew the directions of her action. At one time, he would have savored the pleasure of her mouth on his cock, but now he only felt disgust. Before he could stop her, she palmed him, stroking his cock. At least his body didn’t betray him.
Barbara’s eyes narrowed, her confusion changing to annoyance. When she squeezed harder, Reese winced. He swatted her hand away and moved to the door. He needed to end this. Reese couldn’t draw this out any longer. The result would be the same. They were over. Reese wanted to return home to Evelyn.
“I wanted to break this to you gently, but there is no easy way. Our relationship has run its course.”
Barbara took a step forward. “Does this have anything to do with your altercation with Graham?”
“In a way,” Worthington winced.
“Why are you throwing me over?” She clutched at her pearls.
“I have recently married.”
“Married?” Her deathly whisper crawled up his spine.
Reese retreated up until his back hit the door.
“When?”
“A few weeks ago.”
“To whom?” Barbara demanded.
“Her name is not important. I will never give her reason to doubt my faithfulness.”
“You promised.”
He shook his head. “I made no such promises.”
“You implied.”
“No. You assumed.”
“Tell me her name. It is not as if I will not learn who your wife is by the end of this evening,” she pleaded.
Worthington puffed out his chest with pride. “Evelyn Holbrooke.”
“The Duke of Colebourne’s niece?”
“Yes.”
Barbara’s gaze narrowed. “This makes perfect sense now. Were you not invited to his house party? Did he force you to marry the chit?”
Reese hesitated for a second too long. Barbara caught his waver and came to her own conclusion. It didn’t matter how they wed, only that they were. Before he ever took a bride, he’d made a solemn vow to never treat his wife the way his father had treated his mother, and that included taking mistresses. While he had failed with his earlier behavior, he no longer would. The rest of his days would be full of Evelyn by his side, and he would no longer warm another lady’s bed.
“The details of my marriage are mine alone. I had hoped we could end this amiable.”
Barbara slapped her hand on the vanity. “For the past three years, I waited for you to make me your bride. I rejected other offers for you.”
Reese shrugged. “You should never have done that.”
“I waited for you,” she whined.
“Again, your fault, not mine.”
Barbara screeched. “You are a philandering rake.”
She lifted a hairbrush off the table and threw it at his head. He ducked, then threw the door open to make his escape. He ran along the hallway, down the stairs and reached the foyer with Barbara following on his heels, throwing whatever object she encountered. Her volatile temper sent the servants into hiding.
Barbara’s cries echoed along the hallway. “Please stay. Do not leave me.”
To avoid any further outbursts, Reese needed to make it to the safety of his carriage. Barbara would never take this past her front door. She avoided scandals like the plague. Nor would he have to worry about her confron
ting Evelyn. No, Barbara would dust off her pride and move on. But before she did, she would make it miserable for Worthington.
She reached him at the door and clung to him. Her heavy perfume billowed around them. She tried to draw him into a kiss, but Worthington turned his head to the side, avoiding her lips. He reached behind him, turning the knob. Once he had the door ready to open, he untangled himself from her clutch.
“Take care, Barbara.”
He strode down the walk and entered his waiting carriage. He glanced out the window and watched Barbara slam the door in fury. Worthington breathed a sigh of relief at his swift escape. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation for his last stop of the evening. Or at least he hoped. He prayed Evelyn had returned home. He lifted the flowers to breathe in their fresh scent.
Chapter Nineteen
Evelyn returned to an empty house.
She expected Reese to be waiting. Instead, only silence greeted her. She hurried to her bedroom to change her clothes. She had borrowed a dress from Jacqueline, but her older sister was a few inches taller than her. Evelyn kept tripping on the trim. Once she changed and Sally styled her hair, Evelyn went to the window to watch for Reese’s arrival.
Evelyn had sworn to make Reese suffer for his cruel words, but she didn’t want to play any more games. She wanted their marriage to begin anew, starting this evening. She wondered if Graham could be persuaded to stay at his club for the night. Evelyn wished to have the townhome to themselves.
When Reese’s carriage pulled in front of their home and he exited carrying flowers, Evelyn knew Reese thought along the same lines. Before he could reach the stairs, Graham came hurrying up behind Reese and started arguing with him. She couldn’t make out their quarrel from where she stood.
Evelyn hurried down the stairs, wanting to stop another altercation. She didn’t need Graham to defend her any longer. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, Reese and Graham had closed themselves off in Reese’s study. Evelyn pressed her ear against the door to listen to the argument.
“Why did you pay a visit to those women?” Graham snarled.
How the Earl Fell for His Countess (Matchmaking Madness Book 2) Page 17