Free Lost to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 1) by Adele Clee Page B

I’ll ever be able to ride through the forest again.”
    For Evelyn, the opposite was true.
    In Town, one could not swim naked in the moonlight or be rescued by a dark, brooding gentleman who found pleasure in being rude to everyone he met.
    Aunt Beatrice put her fingers to her temple and winced. “Has Mr. Sutherby mentioned the reason behind such an impromptu departure?”
    Evelyn shook her head. “Only to reiterate what he told us at Mytton Grange. He had an urgent matter of business to attend to and had no option but to return.”
    “The man barely gave me time to finish my eggs. I didn’t even get a chance to crush the shell and you what that means — a whole a year of bad luck. In his impatience, I thought he might tear the spoon from my fingers and rap my knuckles.” She sighed. “And you know it’s not wise to travel on a full stomach. It causes all sorts of problems with my digestion.”
    No one could have been more shocked at the sudden change of plan than Evelyn.
    It was not the distress of having to pack their meagre belongings in a hurry or the sense of wild panic filling the house, that affected her. Lying awake during the early hours, her mind had been occupied with thoughts of Alexander Cole. Would he walk over to Mytton Grange again? Or would she be left alone in the dark, plagued by disappointment?
    Well, she would never know.
    The thought caused her throat to constrict.
    “Although he has been most attentive to your needs,” her aunt continued.
    “Who?” Evelyn said. Her aunt couldn’t possibly know that the Earl of Hale had rescued her from the icy depths of the river.
    “Mr. Sutherby! Honestly, Evelyn, anyone would think you were the one who had injured their head. I said he’s been very attentive since our return. I suppose I can forgive him for causing my stomach cramps as he will soon be family.”
    Evelyn shook her head and glanced over her shoulder. “Shush,” she whispered. “He has not offered for me and even if he does I’m not sure I’ll accept.”
    “What? Of course, you’ll accept. There’s not a man in all of London more suited to you.”
    Mr. Sutherby had spent the last two days trying to arrange a private meeting and Evelyn had used her aunt’s ill health as an excuse. But time had run out. With her aunt’s appearance at Lord Melbury’s ball, she’d have no choice but to listen to what the gentleman had to say. The thought caused a nervous flutter in her chest that shot up to her throat when she spotted Mr. Sutherby approaching.
    “My dear, Miss Bromwell, you’re looking resplendent this evening,” Mr. Sutherby said after bowing gracefully to her aunt. He smiled wide enough to display a full set of white teeth. “Say you’ll dance with me. It’s been an age since I last twirled you about the floor.”
    With a sudden urge to give the man an opportunity to ask his question in order to enlighten him of her feelings, she said, “Of course, Mr. Sutherby. I will mark you down for the —” She should have said the waltz, a dance more suited to intimate conversation. “For the cotillion.”
    Mr. Sutherby inclined his head. “And perhaps you would like to join me in the park tomorrow? Or perhaps a trip to a museum? Charlotte will be happy to accompany us.”
    Evelyn fell silent for a moment.
    “Oh, she would love nothing more, Mr. Sutherby,” Aunt Beatrice interjected. “Wouldn’t you, Evelyn?”
    Before Evelyn could answer, they heard a commotion on the far side of the ballroom. A sea of heads shot to the door leading out into the hallway, but with the dance floor being overcrowded, she struggled to see what was happening. She could hear gasps and whispers rippling through the room.
    “No doubt, someone has fainted from the suffocating heat,” Mr. Sutherby said. “Melbury really should limit the number of people he invites to his gatherings.”
    Aunt Beatrice nodded. “It’s only a matter of time before someone …”
    Evelyn ignored them, their words