Sister. Whoever had recognized him might also know that his sister was actually dead. Not that it mattered. It only meant that the wedding would have to happen sooner rather than later. “I’m sure she is. I’ve yet to check on her.”
The man nodded again. “If you be needing anything else…”
He could ask more questions, but somehow, he had the feeling it would just appear more suspicious. The best thing to do was just allow this to slip away, knowing full well, they’d marry.
Would she be less angry at their wedding if she thought she’d been ruined?
Then he remembered her assertion that she didn’t care if she became a spinster. She actually wanted to remain single and in control of her destiny. He didn’t know how to tell her that from every angle, the fates were aligning against her.
Chapter Eight
Noah’s home perched on a bluff overlooking the harbor below. It was a beautiful location, and it afforded him both panoramic views and the necessary waterways for shipping any goods his land produced.
So as they crested the hill just before his home, even from the carriage, he could see the large ship that was anchored in his harbor. A ship that did not belong to him. The brigs he used were double masted, designed for stable carrying of goods, not speed. But this ship was larger, a third mast rising from the deck. The man who used this boat was serious about his sea travel.
“Damn,” he muttered as he banged on the carriage wall. He needed a moment to think. “Stop.”
“What is it?” Avery asked, looking up from her embroidery. They’d passed a pleasant morning of light conversation punctuated by her work.
All of that was about to change.
The carriage pulled to a stop. “That ship. I don’t know who’s it is, but I don’t like it.”
“It’s a Carrington ship,” she answered with a brief glance before she looked back down at her embroidery.
“What?” He sat up straighter, for the first time, irritated with her embroidery needle’s soft rhythm. How could she continue to work when they faced potential danger and how could she identify the ship with such a quick glance? “How do you know?”
Blessedly, she stopped again. “I visited the harbor twice a week for my entire life. My father was a shareholder in Carrington Shipping for years before my uncle realized that my father was stealing and cut him out. I’d recognize a Carrington ship on a moonless night in the dead of winter during a blizzard.”
He raised his brows. “You don’t need to be dramatic.”
She smiled at that. “I wasn’t trying to be. It’s the truth. Honestly, I can hear them. They sound different in the water from other ships. Must be the size and weight.”
He shook his head. How had it not occurred to him that the business had been a big part of her life? She was a part of the drama that surrounded her family’s business. “Then perhaps you can explain why it’s here.”
She shrugged. “You said that Bash and Eliza were joining us. Maybe they came directly here but took another route?”
“Mayhap. But we’d have been far safer at sea. If they were coming here, we should have all travelled together.” He stared at the ship frowning. Even now, a dingy was being lowered from the bow. Whoever was on that ship, they’d know soon enough.
“You’re right. But if it’s not them, then who? Eliza and Menace?”
“Abigail went off with Blasphemy and Emily with Dishonor. We were supposed to scatter. That was the word Bash used, I believe.”
Was someone checking in on him? Making sure he’d married Avery as he’d promised? Noah was less than impressed with the surprise visit. No, he’d not wed her yet, hadn’t even convinced her of the plan, in fact, he hadn’t even really tried. But, if someone had planned on arriving this soon, he needn’t have transported Avery at all.
And his half-truths and unsaid information were about to be brought into the light. His stomach clenched.
The marriage would happen, that much was certain, but after all of this, would she even give him an heir? Did he want her to? The very idea of her going through such a process filled him with sheer terror.
He pinched the bridge of his nose as he stared at her. They’d have to live separately. He couldn’t be with her every day and maintain any detachment.
The carriage pulled up to the door, servants already lined up in greeting as Avery began to pull the veil over her head.
“Don’t bother,” he grumbled. “They’ll know who you are soon enough.” You’ll be their mistress.
She frowned. “It’s tradition, one I observed even at Isabella’s. What’s more, you were the one who told me I should keep my options open, make certain I have choices, yes?”
He sighed. He had said that. And while he loved that Avery sparred with him, this was a pointless discussion. “They’ll all know you’re not my sister.”
“You can still introduce me as Mrs. Everly.”
That was true. He should have, however, come up with a better explanation for both Avery and his staff. He’d had the entire morning to consider it, but he’d been too busy studying the gentle curve of her nose and the way her lips pressed in thought. He’d stared endlessly at her long dark fringe of lashes and…
He sighed. He should have slept more last night. But he’d lain in bed, alone, missing the feel of her pressed to his side. Two nights and he didn’t want to sleep without her. What a ninny he’d turned out to be.
“We should have gone with Mrs. Carrington instead of Everly. Someone at that last inn recognized me.” At least this was a partial truth and might soften her to the eventual declaration of their nuptials.
She blinked. “Who?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “But if they know who I am then they likely know I don’t have a living sister, certainly not a married one.”
She pressed her lips together. But he couldn’t see more as the veil slid over her face. “What does it mean?”
“I don’t know yet.” Lie. The footmen snapped open the door and Noah climbed out, helping her down.
He held out his arm to her, her hand slipping into the crook of his elbow. “Hmmm,” she murmured thoughtfully, but he didn’t ask more as introductions began.
Did she have some insight into their path forward? On the surface the answer was simple enough. They should marry and be done with it. But the idea filled him with both excitement and dread.
They’d no more made their way into the foyer when the door opened again.
A large, dark-haired Scot strode into his home. Noah wasn’t a small man, and he was well built, but this man dwarfed him in both height and sheer size.
“Who is he?” He leaned down toward Avery, pulling her closer.
Her other hand pressed to his biceps. “I don’t know.”
That surprised him and he looked down at her. The ship was here, and it was from Carrington Shipping. Clearly this man had come for Avery. How could she not know?
He stepped forward, pulling her hand from his arm. He heard her noise of dissent but truly, he only meant to put himself between her and this man. With a hand, he tucked Avery behind him. “Can I help you?”
“Ye can,” the large Scot said. Even his voice was huge, echoing throughout the two-story foyer. “I’m here to see me cousin, Avery.”
“Ewan?” Avery cried behind him. Her hand came to his shoulder as she stood on tiptoe, peeking over his shoulder. “Is that you?”
“It is, lass.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice rising in excitement. “How did you find me here? Last I knew, you were in Scotland.”
He cleared his throat. “I’ve got a great deal to tell ye.”
Noah crossed his arms not stepping out of the way. “You can start right now.”
Her cousin Ewan was here? Now? It made no sense. Avery’s mother had two sisters. One of those sisters had married Lucas Carrington. Of course, they’d had four daughters and the five of them, Avery, Isabella, Eliza, Abigail, and Emily had grown
up together for better and some for worse. But the third sister had married a Scottish laird and the families had had no contact for over a decade.
Isabella and Eliza had sent letter after letter to Ewan, begging for his help, but those notes had gone unanswered.
Until now…
Ewan looked down at Noah, his stare hard. “Ye’re Bash’s friend?”
“He’s Devonhall to you,” Noah answered. “Or Decadence if you want to be familiar.”
The other man chuckled. “Ye can’t tell me what to call my in-law. Ye think being an earl makes ye my keeper?”
Noah snorted.
Avery considered stepping around Noah, but she stayed put. This was his home and what was more, he’d done an admirable job of keeping her safe. She’d trust his judgment.
“I’m not your keeper, but I am hers.”
“Ye’re no’,” Ewan replied quickly and rather loudly. “If anything, I am. I’m her kin. Sent by the man who’s her current guardian.”
“Where have you been then?” Noah fired back.
Ewan paused, his features drawing tight. “I arrived in London months ago. Shortly after the first letter.”
She gasped. It couldn’t be true. Her cousins had been all alone with no male protector when their father disappeared. Her father hadn’t allowed her to help them. He’d wanted their shipping company. “It was you. You were the mysterious Scot that Isabella and Eliza were trying to identify. But why not help us if you were in London all that time?”
He grimaced. “I found Dishonor first and he needed my aid in catching the thieves.” He scrubbed the back of his neck. “I infiltrated the ring of criminals, keeping my identity secret from everyone.” He clasped his hands in front of his body. “I’m still not sure it was the right choice but overall, you girls seemed to have landed on yer feet. Still, I did not mean to abandon ye.”
She tapped Noah’s shoulder, excitement skittering through her. “And were you successful? With the thieves?”
He grinned at that. “I was. Emily’s kidnapping was the last attempt of a dying organization. And ye are the last of the female cousins unwed.” Then he cocked a brow at Noah. “Is she unwed?”
Noah’s jaw clenched. His muscles bunched under her hands. “Yes.”
“But ye’ve plans? Bash said…”
“Bash did not discuss those plans with me,” Avery chimed in. “I’d like to speak with him first.”
Ewan’s brows shot up and he gave Noah a look that clearly noted his disapproval. Even Avery bristled at that. Noah allowed her space because he cared about her wishes. It mattered to her that he had.
“Forgive me, cousin,” Ewan rumbled. “But Noah and Bash made an agreement. Rules have been broken and consequences must be enforced.”
Her hand tightened on Noah’s shoulder. “I am prepared for the consequences. Always have been.” And by that she meant her own ruination. He was the only person in her entire life to ever really take her wishes to heart.
For the first time in her entire life, she felt valued. It made her consider what he’d said. Was marriage an option?
She’d told him and herself that she didn’t wish to be dominated by a man, but she realized she’d had a deep fear after her father. It ate at her.
Avery had worried that no man would ever really love her. But Noah, he gave her hope.
“I wasnae discussing yer consequences, Avery, but his.” Ewan pointed at Noah.
Noah looked back at her, his gaze hard and unreadable. “I won’t force you. The choice is yours.”
Her heart swelled with emotion as she looked into his grey green eyes. “Thank you.”
“Ye can speak tae me,” Ewan rumbled. “Bash sent me here to oversee ye.” Then he looked back at Noah. “We need to have a chat. Because yer making promises that aren’t yers to keep.”
Noah was still taut as a bowstring under her hand. “You think you’re the man to force me?”
Ewan stepped forward, lifting his chin. “I’ve come because Bash sent me,” Ewan fired back.
“How fortunate for Bash.” Noah drew out the name. “He has an army of men traipsing about England doing his bidding.”
Ewan chuckled at that. “I’ll have ye ken that I wanted to come. The other girls are all settled but Avery…” Ewan shrugged. “And the man is a duke.”
Avery lightly tapped on Noah’s shoulder. “Perhaps we should go sit to finish this conversation?”
He gave a stiff nod and gestured for Ewan to move toward the front parlor just off the foyer, but as he turned to escort her, he kept her tucked at his side, his body still blocking hers.
And while she knew she had nothing to fear from Ewan, she liked the gesture all the same. Noah was standing up for her rights even against her family. Her chest swelled with appreciation.
They all sat, Ewan seeming to fill an entire settee. “So, I’ll ask again. When is the wedding?”
Avery blinked. Ewan was her family and she appreciated him coming here but had the man not heard a thing she’d said? Not understood?
She looked at Noah, whose jaw looked like it was carved from granite. “The lady is not ready to marry.”
“As her nearest male relative, I must insist,” Ewan returned evenly.
Avery’s heart jumped in her throat. While she was beginning to think marrying Noah was the path that would make her happiest, she was not ready for a well-intentioned family member to force the issue. She still wanted a choice. “Ewan,” she held out her hands. “We’ve all just arrived after a long journey and you’re here to chaperone now. Can’t this conversation wait until we’ve all had an opportunity to settle in? I can assure you nothing has happened that would make this conversation a pressing matter.”
Ewan relaxed a bit, giving a stiff nod. “Ye’re right, of course.”
Noah looked no less irritated as he stood. “With that in mind, I shall instruct my staff to get rooms ready for both of you.”
And then he exited the room without looking back.
Chapter Nine
Avery sat in the music room as they awaited dinner and stared at her long-lost cousin. Noah had yet to arrive, a turn of events which was curious in a gut-wrenching sort of way. She’d grown used to his company, and spending the day without him had been lonely.
The truth of the matter was she’d barely slept the night before, either. She’d missed his heat, the feel of him against her body and under her head. She’d struggled all night to find a comfortable spot on the pillow.
She sighed, wondering what was keeping him now.
“I suppose we should take this opportunity to talk,” Ewan murmured after clearing his throat.
“Must we?” she asked. It was odd to discuss such intimate dealings with a stranger. Even more so without Noah. When had he become such an extension of herself?
“I’m sorry I didnae help ye sooner.”
She waved her hand. “I went straight from my father’s care to Bash’s. In many ways I was luckier than the Carrington sisters. Our cousins.”
He grimaced. “And yer father?”
“There was nothing you could do on that front.” She shrugged. “A father is allowed to do as he chooses with his daughter.”
“I ken yer right, but I still wish…”
She raised her brows. There was no point in wishing, and honestly, Ewan’s intervention had come too late. Not only was her father gone, but Bash had seen to her care and then Noah. “I haven’t heard the best things about your father either.”
He frowned, pulling back. “That’s not yer concern.”
She held up a finger. “It likely isn’t.” She gave him a knowing look. “Was my comment a reminder that discussing very personal issues with distant family is rather uncomfortable?”
His eyes widened. “Yer a lot more like Eliza than I first imagined.”
That made her smile. “Eliza is one of the toughest people I know. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
He gave a quick nod. “Ye should.”
/> “Thank you,” she replied. “Though if I may add, my point stands.”
He scrubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose it does.”
“So you understand that it might be uncomfortable to discuss all the issues in my past that make me wish for more time to consider my options for marriage?” She didn’t bother to add that one option was not to marry at all.
Ewan grimaced, his brow furrowing. “Now wait just a minute.”
“Tell me more about your father. Was he a criminal like mine or just cruel?”
He stood. “We’re not discussing my father.”
“If we’re discussing mine then we’re discussing yours.” She stayed in her seat, her hands folded in her lap.
He plopped back down again, the floor trembling a bit. “Ye really are exactly like Eliza.”
She shrugged. “Again. Thank you.”
“Fine. Don’t discuss the details with me,” Ewan said. “Though, I have to say, I don’t think it helps ye much to stay quiet.”
She shook her head. “I may very well discuss the details with you at some later juncture, but I don’t know you as of yet, you see.”
He scowled. “The thing that makes ye both so difficult is how right ye are.”
“I fail to see how that’s a problem.” But she couldn’t help but grin.
His face grew even darker. “If ye don’t want to talk out the details with me, ye’ll discuss them with Isabella and Bash. Ye can’t remain with Ivinhart unwed. One way or the other, this has to come to a conclusion soon.”
Her stomach dropped. She’d grown used to being at Noah’s side, just the two of them. “Is my cousin coming here?”
“They are in Dover. Easy trip from here with my ship.”
Her heart began to pound in her chest. He was talking about her leaving Noah to discuss her future? Did she want to do that?
Avery had told Noah that she didn’t wish to wed him. Of course, that meant she’d have to leave, but she’d assumed she’d have more time. Time to really consider, especially because of late, she’d contemplated changing her mind.
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