Fifteen

Hunter

"Good gracious, man, breathe."

Zach gripped my coat sleeve and led me outside and down the terrace steps through the gardens. "Walk it off." He guided me toward a row of barren trees that signified the beginning of the host's renowned garden maze. Lord Sutton's estate extended far enough out of London to have the pleasure of a bounteous garden, but winter had kept it from appearing in rich bloom. With only the light of the full moon, darkness enveloped us, and the tangle of sparse branches resembled skeletal fingers stretching forth to snag anyone within reach. The scene looked as ominous as it felt.

"Thank you for stopping me, Zach."

"If I hadn't, both of those men would be visiting a surgeon at this very moment," he said with a low laugh.

Heat coursed through me at lightning speeds. I was absolutely livid.

Only one table away in a gentleman's game of cards, I could not believe the blatant crassness with which these men spoke, knowing that I sat within earshot. Then to speak of a woman such as Lady Gwendolyn as if they were on casual terms with her… as if they knew her. Though I would readily acknowledge her frigid persona may have earned her the nickname, I did not believe any woman should be the center of a man's amusement, especially when it veered into demeaning her. Then I chastised myself for the guilt I carried for calling her the Ice Princess in the first place.

Shame on me.

"How could they even call themselves gentlemen?" I growled. "Thank goodness she was not privy to such incorrigible behavior. I would be mortified if she had heard it." I paced with a heightened stride. Gwendolyn might have this reputation of being cold, but I had seen flickers of emotion within. I only needed more time to reach her, but I could not do that when men of the ton continued to force her to keep her walls up.

Lucas strode toward us. "Forgive me, I only needed to see that Helena remained in trustworthy hands before I left. I heard of the altercation and saw Lord Hennison slip away from the ball with a black eye." He chuckled. "I have never been more pleased to see that pompous cad put in his place." He glanced between Zach and me. "What happened, may I ask?"

I walked the space in front of them, pumping my hands in an effort to ease my taut muscles. If only Jackson's doors were open at this hour, I would have departed for it posthaste.

Zach turned to Lucas. "The men had the gumption to insult his betrothed."

"While you were present?" Lucas asked with surprise.

I nodded.

"Blast. I wish I'd been there to see you plant a timely facer."

"You're married now, Lucas," I muttered. "It's hardly appropriate for you to leave your wife for a round of cards."

He stopped me from pacing. "But you're my friend, Hunter, and I will always be there for you, anytime you need me."

I stared at him. "For now, I need your counsel, Luke."

"Ask me anything," he said, with a wave of his hands.

"How do I get her to see me?" I rubbed my hands together. The chill in the air started to penetrate through the heat of my fury. "You and Helena. You had complications… obstacles."

"All relationships do." He risked a glance at Zach. His words were for him as much as me. "How hard do you want to overcome those obstacles, Hunter?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. A layer of sweat coated my skin, despite the dropping temperatures. "I want her to see that I am not Josiah. I am my own man. And I would always offer her the utmost respect." I stared at Lucas. "I would never do to her what Josiah did."

He placed a hand on my shoulder, hindering my movement. "You have both been forced into a situation not of your choosing, but it does not have to remain that way. If you saw Lady Gwendolyn at a ball, would you be attracted to her?"

"By no mistake," I responded almost instantly.

"Brilliant. What would you do then?"

"Ask her to dance, invite her to promenade, send gifts… I've tried all these."

"Then think of something you haven't tried. How many men do you suppose see her for more than a beautiful face?"

I gave this some serious thought.

"How many men do you suppose have engaged in a meaningful conversation with her and truly inquired into her interests?"

No wonder Lucas was happily married.

In a sidelong glance, I saw Zachary's face and the pain that resided there.

"And you, Zach," Lucas wasn't finished.

"What did I do?" Zach threw up his hands, feigning innocence.

"It's what you haven't done."

Zach's jaw grew rigid.

But Lucas continued, "Eveline is married. There is nothing you can do about it. I suggest you forgive her, bid her memory farewell, and move on. It's what's best for the both of you. The sulking and drinking has gone on far too long. I miss my mate."

If only it were as simple as a lecture. Yet, since Luke and Zach had been childhood friends, somehow his words hit the mark. Zach tugged on the lapels of his tailcoat. "You're correct." He swallowed uncomfortably. "I've been deep in my head for far too long." He seized a long breath. "But you're wrong about me having to forgive her. It's she who must forgive me."

Both pairs of eyes flashed to Zach. The focus had shifted off of me, which I preferred, but his confession surprised me. "What do you mean?" I asked.

He rubbed his chin, obviously struggling with what to say. "She, uh, she married of course to save her sister and mother as you both suspected." He took a deep breath. "But I failed miserably in my promise to protect her."

"When did you make this promise?" asked Luke, his curiosity evident.

"When I was sixteen."

Luke's cheeks turned ruddy. "Did you deceive her?"

He shook his head. "No, not willfully. I always cared for her, but after Oxford, I just…" His jaw tightened. "I was intrigued with the attention I received from women. They had never looked at me like that before and I, well—you know, you were there."

Luke crossed his arms over his chest. "So where did that leave you with Evie?"

"Nowhere." Zach threw his hands up in exasperation. "I knew I'd never be good enough for her."

Lucas groaned. "So, you led her to believe you cared for her then paraded all of these women in front of her."

Zach's face flashed with anger. "No, I never wanted to hurt her. I never kissed her. I never told her I loved her or led her to believe we had a future as more than friends."

I watched these lifelong friends quarrel back and forth but, even as Zach spoke, I knew his words were layered with untruths. "Then why do you suffer so?" I whispered.

He blew the air from his cheeks out through his lips. "Because I lied to myself."

We sat in silence for several moments. Zach's confession carried weight and we all needed to process what he said.

Then he added, "Evie's husband remains mostly in the West Indies. He does not return often. I may have delved into something I shouldn't have. I made some inquiries and I now believe her husband has secrets."

"Pardon?" Luke coughed. "You did what?"

Zach brushed any possibility of impropriety aside. "Before Sir Colin Turner married Eveline, he had a woman in the tropics."

Lucas' eyes widened. "He's married to another woman?"

"It's unknown if they were wed."

I saw the protective side of Lucas surface several times on Evie's behalf. "This could illegitimize any children she has with him."

I watched as Zach cringed, most likely at the idea of Eveline bearing another man's child.

Lucas continued, "Is she aware?"

"It's not clear. The runner I hired to look into it only suggests a romantic history with a woman named Deshane. Though she has since died, the date of her death was unknown."

"Evie wed almost two years ago." Then Lucas realized what Zach had truly said. "Wait, you hired a man to investigate Eveline's husband?" I watched the two interact with fascination. The three of them had grown up together since their days in the nursery and a familiarity bound them together. One I could never possess.

Zach appeared guilty. "I only wanted to know that her needs were being met."

"And?" Luke asked, appearing less stunned than me to this confession.

"Monetarily, yes, decent enough. Though with his money, he could provide better for her." He paced before us. "I discovered that when Sir Colin proposed marriage to Eveline, they agreed to a mutual transaction. He would save her family from ruin, and she would maintain his interests in England; but there is a part of the contract that has confounded me."

"You've seen the contract?" I sputtered, taken aback.

He shrugged. "I may have been privy to the specifics." He waved a hand. "Nonetheless, there is a clause that if anything happens to him that Eveline will be responsible for his assets in whatever form they entail. Don't you find that wording odd?" Zachary shared more at this moment than he had the entirety of our time together on the continent. Apparently, Lucas was ignorant to the specifics as well.

"It means she will be a rich widow if he died," Lucas muttered. "She will be well taken care of."

Zach seemed unsettled. "But why specify… whatever form that entails . Isn't there but one form? Assets?"

"I cannot speak of a solicitor's language." I chuckled at Zach's resourcefulness, if not obsessiveness. "I opted to not enter that realm, as you are both aware."

"I'm only curious," Zach tried to justify his reasons, but we all knew his reasons had many tiers.

Lucas shook his head. "I cannot say if I'm more dumbfounded by what you found or why you did it."

Zach rubbed the back of his neck. "She is my friend," he mumbled. "I only wanted to be assured of her future."

We had yet to hear exactly what Zach felt for Eveline, but we didn't quarrel over his vague categorization.

"She might have told you the specifics had you asked and not just deployed your spy," Lucas said, treading carefully with his accusation. "She knows you are avoiding her."

"Evie wouldn't tell me," Zach countered. "She would never speak ill of anyone, much less her husband, even if she knew he had a mistress."

Lucas agreed. "She always made the tough choices. Genevieve told me she had to take care of her father when he fell ill, then plan his funeral. Her mother didn't leave her bedchamber for months." Lucas placed a hand on our friend's shoulder. "But yes, Zach, it sounds like an apology is in order… then, you must be through with it. I know she cares for you. It kills her to think you are cross with her. Ease her suffering and move on ."

Zach smirked. "Who knew marriage would turn you into such an astute man, Luke?"

He returned a laugh. "Oh, I can safely say marriage had done more than that for me." He shot me a pointed look. "A great deal more."

I arched a curious brow.

He continued, "Helena's love makes me want to be a better man. I want her to be proud of me."

I pursed my lips. Could I even attain that level of consideration with Gwendolyn? Lucas read my mind.

"When I first met Helena, I saw her beauty too, but believed all the wrong things. Do not make the same mistakes I did. Find out what Gwendolyn truly enjoys, find ways to fill her life with joy. Bring a smile to her face."

I nodded.

"Now I must return to my wife before every man in there has a set with her except me. See you inside."

I glanced down at the splatter of blood on my cravat which came from either Lord Hennison or Sir Jameson, I wasn't sure since everything happened quite quickly. Even now it remains a blur. Should I be surprised at how swiftly I moved to Gwendolyn's defense? But that is what any affianced man would do… wouldn't they?

"I'm not going to ask of the reasons a half dozen expressions flitted over your face just then." Zach chuckled, then motioned to depart. "I will leave you to your thoughts, Matthews."

I held him back. "Will you please convey my apologies to my parents for me? I must leave."

"Certainly." He nodded his goodbye.

I walked to the stables and paid the stable master for use of a horse that I assured him would be returned tomorrow. He dutifully saddled it and brought it to my side, but before I could mount, Lord Langley appeared at the entrance. When his eyes fell upon me, it seemed apparent he came in search of me. I steeled my expression, wondering how much more complicated the night was about to become.

I walked the borrowed steed toward him. "Lord Langley."

"Lord Devon." He peered down at the blood splattered on my shirt and cravat. "Lord Zachary pointed me in your direction."

I cleared my throat. "I'm leaving the ball, my lord. How can I be of assistance?"

He shifted awkwardly, then clasped his hands behind his back. "I heard of the conversation… er, altercation in the card room."

I lifted my chin. Would he chastise me for defending his daughter to men of the ton ? I had no regrets. Those men behaved poorly. "It's my duty to defend my betrothed, my lord. I will not apologize for it."

He pursed his lips as silence expanded between us. "You were right to do so. I have done an abysmal job of it," he conceded.

I studied his eyes. He had been drinking. Did he speak the truth, or a version of honesty that is divulged when one is deep in their cups?

"It is not too late to be a better father," I suggested. "But as you are aware, she is my responsibility now."

"That is not only what I refer to, Devon."

I tilted my head, urging him to continue.

"Do you know anything about the financial crisis surrounding the Horse Shoe Brewery?"

I kept my expression clear. "I believe I read about it in the press," I worked to not reveal anything more. "A tragic accident."

He stared at me then inhaled noisily through his nose. "I'm certain someone influenced the commission to reimburse the brewery for the tremendous loss."

"I read something similar to that as well," I affirmed.

"Hmmm," he continued then paused as he rubbed his chin. "And I suppose you also read about the pounds that went to the families of the deceased."

"Yes, I believe so."

He shook his head. "That was never disclosed in the press, Devon."

He caught me. I clenched my fist tighter around the horse's leather straps. How did he learn of my involvement?

He clutched my sleeve earnestly, though not in a threatening way. "Lord Devon, I don't think you understand the depth of this." Yes, he had been drinking as evidenced by the stench of brandy exhaled with every word. "I could have been ruined. When the threat of bankruptcy loomed, the other breweries then faced insurmountable scrutiny. Several closed their doors straightaway."

I knew this to be a possibility, but I never intended for him to feel as though he owed me. The men I met with in the last two weeks and the deals I negotiated were simple business transactions made with a clear head and moral connections. Nothing out of the ordinary for a peer. Lord Langley may have been able to resolve most of this himself had he not been so shaken over it.

"Lord Langley," I shook free of his hold and took his hand in a firm grip. "We are soon to be family. Your concerns are mine." I let go and returned my focus to the horse. "Now let us put this behind us. It's over. I only advise that you shift your investments toward more reliable and less speculative options."

He nodded.

I mounted the horse, but before I left, I requested one more thing. "And please, Langley, I ask that you keep this between us. Nobody else need hear of it."

Upon our goodbye, I rode hard into the night with my thoughts scrambled wildly. I had not expected to be confronted by Gwendolyn's father just then, but was grateful that it was over.

However, my foremost concern did not center on the earl. If Gwendolyn learned of my involvement with her father's business, she might suspect my intentions were only to win her favor, which is why I asked for his confidence.

I need Gwendolyn to learn of me without outside influences. But on the contrary, how can I show Gwendolyn she can be herself with me? What can I do that might help her to feel safe?

Safe.

That's it. Gwendolyn needed to know I would do anything to protect her.