“Dearest girl.” Adrian’s mother swept into the room like an avenging angel, sympathy on her face. She took Evelyn’s hands in hers. “How are you bearing up?”
“Quite well, I think,” Evelyn said cautiously. “And you?”
“I am most distraught.” She heaved a dramatic sigh. “Most distraught. I came to see you today and was told you were here.” She released Evelyn’s hands and turned to Celeste. “Ah, Miss DeRochette, you are looking lovely as always.”
“Thank you, Lady Waterston.” She glanced at Evelyn. “If you will excuse me, I have matters to attend to elsewhere in the house.” She nodded at Helena. “Good day, Lady Waterston.”
“My dear.” Helena watched Celeste take her leave. “What beautiful eyes that young woman has. If she would discard those spectacles and do something more attractive with her hair ...”
“As much as I always adore seeing you ...” Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “Why are you here?”
“Why, I’ve come to find out what that beast has done.”
“That beast?”
“My son. Your husband.”
Evelyn chose her words cautiously. “Why do you think—”
“Goodness, Evelyn, I must have left his father a dozen times or more over the course of thirty years. He would drive me quite mad and then refuse to accept that he was in the wrong. It’s all that inherent aversion to excessive emotion. It’s most annoying and it is in the blood, I’m afraid.”
“I haven’t left Adrian,” Evelyn said slowly.
Helena raised a brow.
“I am simply overseeing the refurbishing of this house.”
Helena glanced around and smiled pleasantly. “It seems to be going well.”
“It hasn’t actually started yet.”
“Of course it hasn’t.” She paused. “You do realize that by giving him a reason—a rational reason like refurbishing—for your absence, you mitigate the need for him to expend any effort to bring you home?”
Evelyn drew her brows together. “What?”
“Perhaps I am not being clear.” Helena sat down on the sofa and patted the spot beside her. Evelyn obediently joined her. “By telling your husband you need to reside here to oversee refurbishing, he might well think that’s really why you are here. And not because of any vile transgression on his part. I assume there was a vile transgression?”
Evelyn started to deny it, then sighed. “Yes.”
“And he is aware of it?”
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “Oh, yes.”
“But you didn’t say that’s why you were leaving?”
“Well, no. I thought—”
“Evelyn, dear, you have only been married for two years. This is the sort of lesson in the handling of husbands that only comes with experience.” She studied her curiously. “I suspect you have never had a serious disagreement before, have you?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“Then this type of mistake is to be expected.” She thought for a moment. “You see, right now, there is no need for him to shower you with gifts and pledge his undying love and, yes, grovel, because in his dear little head he can convince himself you are gone for a purpose. That purpose being to supervise work here and not because you are furious with him. You are furious, aren’t you?”
Evelyn nodded. “I was.”
“But you miss him and so you are less furious?”
Evelyn hesitated.
“I thought so.” Helena nodded. “And now, because he has made no true effort to make up for his misdeeds, you are starting to wonder if he cares at all. And perhaps wonder if you have made a dreadful mistake?”
“Something like that,” Evelyn murmured.
“It’s exactly like that and there is no time to waste,” Helena said firmly. “Believe me, I speak from experience. The longer you allow this to drag on, the worse it will become.”
“Are you saying I should go home?”
“Has he begged you to return?”
“No.” Annoying beast.
“Then you do not return until he does so. To surrender at this point would be to give him the upper hand. Once given, it is nearly impossible to regain, and you will spend the rest of your lives together being someone less than the very confident, competent, strong woman he married. And that will make neither of you happy.” She met her daughter-in-law’s gaze firmly. “No, if your grievance is legitimate—”
“And it is.”
“Then you do my son a disservice by not permitting him to realize the value of what he has and the very real possibility he might lose it. And realize as well that it is worth fighting for. He does love you, you know.”
“I thought so,” Evelyn said under her breath.
“Do not mistake stubbornness for a lack of affection.” She heaved a heartfelt sigh. “Unfortunately, the men in this family have a great deal in common. They are nothing short of wonderful through the course of the pursuit, but once married, they do tend to rest on their laurels.”
“Oh no, Helena, I can’t believe ...” Evelyn paused. “Do you really think so?”
“I think your refurbishment is an excellent excuse for not demanding that you come home.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. But I am certain he understands that refurbishing is not the true reason for my absence.”
“Nonetheless, as it is a relatively legitimate reason, Adrian might not even realize you are still angry.” Her brows drew together. “Did you leave in a huff? Tossing recriminations and pointed barbs in your wake?”
“Well, I did say ...” She winced. “Not really.”
“Oh dear, that is a problem.”
Evelyn stared. “Why?”
“Dear girl, you simply
must
pay attention.” Helena huffed. “Unfortunately, Adrian is a very busy man and you have only been gone for what? Two days now?”
Evelyn nodded.
“Not nearly long enough if you are redecorating an entire house and entirely too long if you’re not. But as I am confident he is an intelligent boy, he should fairly soon come to the realization that perhaps you are not simply gone to refurbish and he must take action if he is to win you back.” She smiled. “Although I do see he has sent flowers. Only a first step, mind you, but sending both tulips and roses is certainly a step toward the right direction.”
“Oh, the roses aren’t ...” Evelyn started without thinking.
“Not from Adrian?” Helena raised a brow. “I see.”
“They’re Miss DeRochette’s,” Evelyn said quickly. It wasn’t entirely a lie. She had given Celeste the first two dozen and fully intended for her to have these as well. “I believe she has an admirer.” In truth, she had no idea if Celeste had admirers or not. She’d never said a word. But then there were all sorts of things Celeste kept to herself.
“I would be surprised if she didn’t,” Helena said firmly.
“As would I,” Evelyn murmured. She hadn’t thought about it before but it would be surprising if Celeste didn’t have a gentleman in her life. In truth, it would explain quite a lot. When this was all resolved, with the department and Sir, with her husband, she would make a concerted effort to find out her friend’s secrets. Or at least encourage Celeste to confide in her.
“Now, as I have come to give you advice, I had best get on with it.” Helena met her gaze directly. “First, do not return home until he has won your forgiveness in a matter satisfactory to you.”
Evelyn bit back a smile. “You said that.”
“It bears repeating,” Helena said firmly. “Second, if he does not do something soon, oh, a grand gesture of some sort, I would think, you must determine a way to inspire such a gesture. But it is very important he thinks it is his idea.”
“Do you have any thoughts as to what that might be?” A wry note sounded in Evelyn’s voice.
“I can’t do this all myself, you know.” Helena cast her a chastising look. “I have given you the benefit of my wisdom; the rest is in your hands.” She got to her feet, Evelyn following a beat behind. “I said you cannot allow this to continue overly long and that, too, bears repeating. You want to stay away long enough for him to realize he can’t live without you but not so long for him to get used to living without you.” She smiled in a satisfied manner. “Although I doubt that is possible. You know, I never really thought Adrian would marry at all. And then he met you. You, my dear, are the love of his life. Don’t let him muck it up.”
“I shall do my best.” Evelyn paused. “Don’t you want to know what he did?”
“Oh my, yes. Why, I am simply burning with curiosity, but I’m not going to ask.” She shook her head. “I know it’s not something insignificant and frivolous because you are far too sensible to be upset over something that doesn’t matter. And if it is something as dreadful as another woman, I might not be able to forgive him for being such an idiot. Nor do I think you would forgive him. Besides, even the most stubborn Hadley-Attwater man would know it would take far more effort than one mere bouquet to atone for that sort of transgression. No, I suspect he has done something far greater than a minor sin and somewhat less than eternal damnation.”
Evelyn nodded. “Somewhat.”
“Now, then, I must be on my way.”
“But I haven’t offered you refreshments. Tea or something ...”
“Yes, dear, I noticed. It is an obvious measure of how distraught you are and can certainly be forgiven this once.” Helena’s eyes twinkled. “But do not forget I have six other children who expect a certain amount of meddling on my part. I do so hate to disappoint any of them.”
Evelyn laughed. “Are you making the rounds then?” “I had planned to call on Portia next.” She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “That girl has some sort of secret, and she has since she returned from Christmas in Italy. It’s quite shocking really as she has never been able to keep a secret. One does wonder what she is hiding. There doesn’t seem to be anything I can do in regards to Bianca and her husband.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice in a confidential manner. “She and her husband have been estranged now longer than you and Adrian have been married, not that I blame her.” She rolled her gaze toward the ceiling. “I never trusted that man. While there has never been a divorce in the family and I am certainly not encouraging such a thing, her husband is the finest excuse for divorce I have ever seen.” She shrugged. “It’s none of my concern, of course.”
“Of course,” Evelyn murmured. Not that Helena had ever let that stop her.
“There is nothing I can do to help Miranda mend her heart. Someday, she will stop mourning her husband, but while two years is enough for many people, she is not yet ready to get on with her life. Soon I think. Hugh tends to avoid me.” She met Evelyn’s gaze. “You do know, now that Sebastian has married, Hugh is at the top of my list.”
“I thought Portia was at the top?”
“My goodness, Evelyn.” Helena smiled in a wicked sort of way. “I would never manage to accomplish anything if my children knew exactly what I was thinking.”
Evelyn grinned.
“Now then, my dear.” She took Evelyn’s hands and gazed into her eyes. “Do not hesitate to call on me if the need arises. I consider you no less a Hadley-Attwater than any of the others. You are as much my daughter as Diana and Bianca and Miranda and Portia.”
Evelyn swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. From the moment she married Adrian, Helena had become the mother she’d never truly known. “Thank you.”
“No thanks are necessary, dear girl.” She kissed her cheek. “I assume I shall see you tonight?”
Evelyn stared. “Tonight?”
“Oh dear, this misdeed of Adrian’s must have been rather more significant than even I have imagined for you to forget.” Helena’s brow furrowed. “Diana is having the family for dinner tonight.”
“Yes, of course.” It was, after all, on the schedule she’d had delivered to her husband. Admittedly, it had slipped her mind.
“It’s the first time we shall all be together since Sebastian and Veronica’s marriage.” She leveled Evelyn a firm look. “I expect to see you there.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
They chatted for a few more minutes, then Helena took her leave.
Evelyn’s gaze returned to Adrian’s flowers. It wasn’t at all like her to forget a social obligation, especially a family event. Obviously, this difficulty with Adrian was more distressing than she’d realized. She cherished being a part of this family far too much to take it for granted. She should probably send Adrian a note of reminder.
No. She turned and started up the stairs to her bedroom. He had the schedule. And he knew his family well enough to know any failure on his part to appear would be remarked upon. Her pulse quickened at the thought of seeing him. It had been only two days and yet it seemed forever. She did hope he knew her well enough to know she would attend. Still, given that he had suspected her of having an affair, she wondered if he knew her at all.
And as he had made little effort to get her back, she wondered, as well, if she knew him.
Chapter 16
W
hat on earth was wrong with him? Adrian paced the width of Diana’s foyer. And where was his wife?
He had considered appearing unannounced at her house to escort her here tonight, then thought perhaps it might be best to meet on what could be termed neutral territory. Not that he expected her to fly into a rage or berate him in front of his family. In truth, their argument had been remarkably civilized. Of course, from the moment she’d brought up leaving, his mind had been churning with the details of how her absence would only make his deception as Sir easier. He grimaced. He had always considered himself an intelligent man. Apparently, in that, too, he was wrong.
He’d arrived at Diana’s a few minutes early on the off chance that, for once, Evie would not be late. What he hadn’t considered was that he would be in the entry, waiting for his wife, when each and every member of his family arrived. Fortunately, no one seemed to take his explanation that he’d had a late meeting and he and Evie had agreed to meet here as at all unusual.
At least, greeting the various members of his family had kept him occupied. He couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, he had known this kind of apprehension. A man shouldn’t feel apprehensive about seeing his own wife. But damnation, he was nervous.
Admittedly, a man also shouldn’t suspect his wife of infidelity because she failed to mention a trip to a museum. And a man should make more of an effort to win her forgiveness than with a lone bunch of spring flowers. Good Lord, he was doing a better job at, well, courting her as Sir than he was as himself. Still, she hadn’t responded to Sir’s latest communication, which was gratifying. He should stop this nonsense right now. Go on with their life together, an excellent life, as they had before. But he’d never yet abandoned a quest, and if he knew nothing else about himself, he knew if he didn’t answer this question now, it would haunt him for the rest of his days. Perhaps, if he hadn’t started this course, if Max hadn’t called Evie back into service, if he hadn’t let his uncertainties convince him there was another man, he could have lived with his doubts about Sir. He had thus far, after all. But now, he would wonder who she truly loved every time she looked at him, every time he took her in his arms. Uncertainty would gnaw at him. He fully intended to spend the rest of his life with her, and she deserved better than that. As did he.
“If you wear a path in my floor, I shall have to box your ears at the very least.” Diana stood in front of the closed doors to the parlor.
“Do not treat me as if I am one of your children.” He drew his brows together. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough, I would say.” Her tone softened. “She will come, you know.”
“Of course she will.” He scoffed. “I am not the least bit concerned.”
“You look concerned.”
“Rubbish, I have nothing to be concerned about. Our arriving separately was a simple matter of expediency.”
“Yes, I believe you mentioned that. Every time someone new arrived.” She smiled in a manner that a casual observer might call pleasant. Said observer would have missed the knowing look in her eye. Diana was the oldest of his sisters and the closest to him in age. Adrian recognized that smile.
“What are you thinking?” he said in a sharper tone than he had intended.
“I’m thinking you look rather pathetic. There ...” She studied him, then aimed a pointed finger. “Around the eyes.”
“Don’t be absurd.” He shrugged. “I simply haven’t been sleeping well.”
She nodded. “Guilty conscience, no doubt.”
“What do you mean?” He narrowed his eyes. “What do you know?”
“All sorts of things I would wager you don’t.”
“And what might those be?”
“Well, let me think. Hmmm.” She tapped her chin with her forefinger. “For one thing, I know Mother tried to pay a call on Evelyn today.”
“Oh?”
“Imagine her surprise to discover your wife was no longer living in your house.”
“She is overseeing the refurbishment of a house she owns. It is convenient for her to stay there while she does so.”
“Where exactly is this house?”
“Mayfair.”
“And your house?”
He gritted his teeth. “Mayfair.”
“My, that is convenient,” she said. “I also know Mother did indeed pay a call on your wife.”
His stomach twisted. “Did she?”
“She most certainly did. Which is how I know exactly why you and Evelyn are arriving separately.”
“Who else knows?”
She cast him a pointed look.
He winced. “Everyone?”
“Everyone who has already arrived. And as only Evelyn and Hugh have still not appeared, I would say yes, everyone in the family, with the exception of Hugh, of course, knows you and your wife are no longer residing together.”
He groaned.
“Dare I ask what you did?”
“Why do you think I did something?”
She raised a brow.
“Doesn’t Mother know?”
“Quite remarkably, she says she didn’t ask.” Diana shrugged. “I don’t know what has gotten into her. She said it was no one’s concern but yours and your wife’s.”
“
Our
mother said that?” He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Are you sure this is our mother?”
“She does look like our mother. But it’s not at all like her.” She shook her head. “Still, you shouldn’t question it, just be grateful.”
“I am.” He breathed a sigh of relief. Although, as there wasn’t a single member of his family who didn’t let curiosity overcome good judgment, this reticence on his mother’s part would no doubt be short-lived.
Across the foyer, a footman opened the door and laughter could be heard a scant moment before Hugh and Evie appeared.
“I had no idea being a barrister could be quite so humorous.” Evie’s lips curved with amusement.
“It’s relatively staid for the most part and usually extremely serious.” Hugh chuckled. “But you would be surprised at the sorts of things people come to me with.” He caught sight of his brother and grinned. “I was just regaling your wife with tales of my dull profession.”
“Not so dull apparently,” Diana said.
“Admittedly, it does provide some moments of amusement.” Hugh stepped to his sister’s side and kissed her cheek. “I was afraid I was going to be late, but I met Evelyn outside as she arrived.” He handed his coat to the footman, then turned to help Evie with her wrap.
“My apologies, Diana. Are we late?” Evie asked.
“Not at all.” Diana smiled. “I have learned long ago with this family, while I may say dinner is at eight, I don’t plan on seating everyone for at least a half an hour after that. Oh dear.” Her brows pulled together in mock concern. “Now you know my secret.”
“What secret?” Evie’s eyes widened innocently. “I didn’t hear a thing. And I certainly didn’t hear a brilliant idea that I fully intend to make use of myself.”
Diana laughed.
Hugh glanced from Adrian to Evie and back. “I must say I was surprised when Evelyn arrived without you. Is there something—”
“Adrian had some sort of political thing to deal with,” Diana said smoothly. “As he didn’t know when he might be finished, he and Evelyn agreed to meet here. Now then ...” She took Hugh’s arm and steered him toward the parlor. “Everyone else is in the parlor and I’m sure Adrian and Evelyn need a moment to themselves before joining the rest of the family.”
“Of course.” Hugh cast Adrian a curious look, then turned his attention back to his sister. “Tell me what is on the menu this evening. I do hope you are serving that wonderful ...” The parlor doors closed behind them.
“I was wondering if you would be here tonight,” Evie said coolly.
“Miss a family dinner? I am not so foolish.” He shook his head. “Diana and or my mother and probably all the females in this family would track me down and berate me without mercy for failing in my responsibilities as head of this assembly. Besides ...” He grinned. “It was on the schedule.”
“Yes, it was,” she said firmly. “I am most appreciative that you did not ignore it.”
“Never.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “You look breathtaking tonight.” She was wearing a peach-colored confection, which made her dark eyes even darker. He had always loved that dress and yet he’d probably never told her. What a fool he was.
“Thank you.”
“Did you know that gown is a favorite of mine?”
“I had no idea. But if I had ...” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “I wouldn’t have so much as considered wearing something else.” She pulled her hand from his and studied him. “You look dreadful.” Her brows drew together. “Are you ill?”
“I’m somewhat tired.” His gaze met hers. “I find it is difficult to sleep without my wife by my side.”
“Ah well, that is a problem.” She smiled pleasantly.
“How goes the refurbishing?”
“Not well.” She shook her head in a mournful manner. “It’s going to take much longer than expected. Why, I have yet to have so much as a single room painted.”
“Then you don’t know when you’ll return home?”
“I have no idea.”
Bloody hell, he couldn’t stand another minute of this. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. “What can I do to make it go faster?”
Suspicion shone in her eyes. “What are you doing?”
“I’m doing what I have wanted to do since the moment you walked in the door.” He gazed into her eyes. “You are quite irresistible, you know. And I have been unable to resist you from the moment we met.”
“Oh no, you don’t.” She shook her head but made no effort to pull away. “You are not going to charm your way out of this.”
“Why not?” He grinned. “I can be most charming.”
“Yes, I remember.” She stared. “But ...”
“But I have not exerted my considerable charm on you as of late?”
“I’m your wife, I don’t expect you to be at your most charming every minute.”
He chuckled. “Well, it does take a certain amount of effort.”
“This is not amusing.” She glared. “I am still furious with you.”
“As well you should be.” He nodded in a sober manner. “My behavior was inexcusable.”
“Indeed it was.”
“I was a thoughtless beast.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Yes, you were.”
“I never should have doubted you.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“And I shall endeavor to do better in the future.”
“And?”
“And?”
And what?
His mind searched frantically for something else. “And I apologize?”
“And?”
“And ... Blast it all, Evie.” He huffed and stared into her eyes. “I can’t sleep. I can’t think. I am very nearly worthless. I miss you!”
“Do you?”
“I sent flowers.”
“And they were lovely.” She paused. “As was your note.”
“I meant every word of it.” His gaze searched hers. “There is no spring in my life, in my heart, if you are not there.”
She stared, then drew a deep breath. “It sounds so much better when you say it rather than write it.”
“Then I shall say it more often.” He paused. “I have been remiss, I think, in not letting you know how important you are to me. How my life is empty if you are not in it.”
“Then you should not have let me go,” she said firmly, but her arms slipped around his neck nonetheless.
He pulled her tighter against him. “I know, I was an idiot.”
“Yes, you were.”
“You could stop agreeing with me.” He frowned down at her. “Thus far I am a thoughtless beast and an idiot.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how you can bear me.”
“I am a woman of great fortitude,” she said in a lofty manner.
“Yes, you are. And you are mine.” He bent his head and his lips met hers. She tasted as she always did, as she had since their first kiss. Of unknown spices and dimly remembered sweets and yesterday and tomorrow and forever. Familiar and comforting and yet still, always, exciting. Desire curled within him as it always did, from the first moment with her. As he knew it always would. What a lucky man he was to be in love with his wife. He deepened his kiss and she responded. And her own passion echoed his. Finally she sagged against him. He raised his head and smiled. “And I am a fortunate man.”
“Yes.” Her voice had that lovely, breathless quality which only made him want her more. “You are.”
“Have you forgiven me?”
“I am considering it.” She drew a steadying breath.
He could still take her breath away. He tried and failed to hide a satisfied smile.
“You needn’t look like that.” She pushed weakly out of his arms. “It will take more than a bunch of flowers and a mere kiss to earn my forgiveness.”