Free How to Plan a Wedding for a Royal Spy by Vanessa Kelly

I’ve always wanted to travel, perhaps to Egypt or even India. I have to get married someday, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could marry an explorer? I think it would be grand fun to see the pyramids and the temples of Luxor, don’t you?”
    â€œNo,” Evie said in a blighting tone. “It’s so hot in those countries, and you hate the heat even more than I do.”
    â€œNow you’re just being beastly.”
    Evie smiled at her sister’s comical grimace. Her twin did hate the heat, and Evie couldn’t imagine her dealing with the dust, disease, and other difficulties of foreign travel. But, selfishly, Evie couldn’t bear the idea of Eden having grand adventures and leaving her behind. It would leave a tremendous hole in her life that Evie feared she’d never be able to fill.
    She collected her fan and gloves and stood up. “We’d better go. I’m sure Mamma is breathing fire by now.”
    Eden glanced at the clock on the mantel. “Oh, confound it, you’re right.” She dashed through the connecting door to her room and returned a moment later with her fan.
    They hurried down the hallway of the wing that housed the family apartments. When they reached the top of the broad staircase leading down to the front hall, Eden stopped her.
    â€œEvie, what are you going to do about Wolf? You know Mamma’s going to keep on about this. She’ll do everything she can to throw you together. I wouldn’t be surprised if she nipped in to change the place cards in the dining room so that you’re sitting next to him.”
    â€œDrat. I hadn’t thought of that, but I’m sure you’re right. It would be just like Mamma to do something so annoying.” She thought for a moment. “We need to find out why Will’s here. I refuse to believe he has any interest in courting me, but something’s definitely off. He was acting oddly out there on the lawn.”
    Eden started them both back down the stairs. “Leave it to me. I’ll get the truth out of him, by hook or by crook.”
    Knowing Eden’s methods, that sounded rather alarming. But Evie did need to know what Will was about. Even though she hadn’t seen him in years, she still knew him well enough to form a clear sense he was hiding something. If she could find out what it was, then she would be in a much better position to manage both him and her mother.
    â€œWell, all right,” she replied. “But please refrain from anything too outrageous.”
    Eden winked at her. “You must be thinking of some other sister of yours.”
    When they reached the bottom of the staircase, Eden pushed her toward the drawing room. “Tell Mamma I’ll be along in a minute.”
    Evie frowned at her. “Where are you going?”
    â€œTo the dining room. I need to check out the seating arrangements.”
    â€œMamma won’t like it if you reorder things.”
    â€œPish,” Eden scoffed. “Just leave everything to me.”

Chapter Five
    As Will bowed to the fourth matron Lady Reese had introduced him to, he realized it was another indication that Evie’s mother had taken him on as her special project. For some inexplicable reason, she’d latched onto him as soon as he’d set foot in the drawing room, dragging him through the rapid round of introductions that focused on guests with the most distinguished titles. She avoided the younger people, particularly the unmarried girls. Will found that most interesting.
    Unfortunately, Lady Reese’s obsequious attentions had thus far prevented Will from getting close to his target, Evie, who didn’t seem particularly interested in talking to him in the first place. Lady Reese had been gradually working him around the room in an obvious slow pursuit of her daughter, but Evie had adroitly avoided getting trapped. She’d learned long ago how to avoid her mother, and that particular