Free My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander Page A

opinions, you should like to join us.”
    “As enticing as you make it sound, and as much as I do enjoy a rousing debate, I believe I shall leave you gentlemen to your own devices. Besides ...” She glanced around the room. “There are any number of people here I should like to speak with. Why, there’s Lady Cavert and Mrs. Wellbourne. And your cousin may yet need my assistance.” She smiled in a wicked manner of her own. “As may Lord Compton.”
    “Are you sure?” Adrian studied her.
    “Well, he is probably capable of taking care of himself. . .” She laughed. “Of course I am. Now go.” She cast him a reassuring smile. “You may rejoin me later.”
    “I shall count the minutes.” Adrian turned to Lord Huntly. “Apparently, I am at your disposal.”
    “Excellent, sir.” Lord Huntly beamed at Evelyn. “You have my gratitude, Lady Waterston.”
    She waved off his comment. “Not at all.”
    “We are gathered in the card room, my lord.” Lord Huntly started off. Adrian cast her a resigned look and followed after the younger man. “I cannot tell you how appreciative I, well, all of ...”
    If she were a more suspicious sort, she would think Lord Huntly’s arrival was entirely too convenient. But as much as she knew better than to trust Max completely, she was fairly certain she was on her own this evening. Still, someone somewhere was obviously watching over her. Adrian would be occupied for a good quarter of an hour if not longer. Perhaps there was an ancient druid god that protected women who did not wish to lie to their husbands. As she hadn’t. There were people here she did indeed wish to speak to.
    Evelyn circled the room, stopping to chat briefly with an acquaintance here or listen to the latest gossip there. By the time she reached the ballroom’s grand entry, she had learned the ladies’ receiving room was in the same wing as the library. And that Lord Dunwell did indeed have a collection of antique swords displayed on his library wall. Swords? She scoffed silently. Men were certainly transparent creatures.
    Evelyn headed in the direction of the ladies’ receiving room and the library beyond. All was going entirely too smoothly thus far, but she knew better than to be too confident. Too much confidence inevitably led to carelessness. Still, she sent a silent prayer of thanks toward ancient druid gods or anyone else who might be listening.
    And couldn’t help wonder if a naked dance of gratitude under the stars might be a small enough price to pay for success.

Chapter 6
    W hat was she up to?
    Adrian narrowed his eyes and watched his wife leave the ballroom. He’d finished his discussion sooner than he’d expected and obviously sooner than Evie had planned as well. She appeared unhurried, calm, even serene. To an unsuspecting observer, it would look as though Evie were simply off to view the rare orchids Lord Dunwell had in his conservatory. Or perhaps she was curious about the new portrait of Lady Dunwell painted by Mr. Sargent hanging in the gallery. Adrian had been thinking about having his wife’s portrait painted, and he did like the American’s work, even if some of it was scandalous.
    Or she could be off to an assignation with a lover. Ridiculous, of course. Why, no more than a half an hour ago, Adrian was convinced he was making a great deal out of nothing. Yes, she had not been herself in recent days. But while it was not unheard of for long winters to create a certain amount of melancholy, that answer didn’t seem right. Not for her. He wasn’t sure why but he knew it. He had realized in recent days, much to his surprise, that the only part of his life in which he was not completely confident was in regards to his wife. He did trust her. Still ...
    His jaw tightened and he started around the perimeter of the room. He was being a fool and he well knew it. But he was also aware he had become, well, boring in the past two years. He’d thought he was a bit staid even when they’d