Free A Taste of Seduction by Bronwen Evans Page B

the note he received had been a clever forgery and she hadn’t been able to get word to him? He swiped a hand over his face, scrubbing at the dark thoughts assailing him.
    He could feel the fortress around his heart begin to weaken.
    What did she want with him? If her story was true, there was no going back—not from this. However, no official announcement of his nuptials to Claire had been given; he could still back out. Augustus would simply have to front up and marry Claire if he wished to help his friend.
    If Evangeline was innocent, her return changed everything. If she forgave him, they could have a chance at a future, at regaining the past.
    But, he thought, she had a son who was a viscount. Her life should revolve around her son and protecting his inheritance. She certainly didn’t need a man like him in their lives, a man with little wealth or position.
    A man who had not protected her.
    Perhaps he and Evangeline had missed their chance. It might be better for all concerned if they acted like grown-ups and admitted that their time had passed. It was too late for them. What they’d once shared was over. Five years was a long time.
    You remember every minute of your time with her as if it were yesterday.
    He lay back and closed his eyes, a sigh escaping at his cowardice. A small voice echoed in his head, saying that it was never too late.
    Marriage to Evangeline would be more pleasurable than marriage to Claire.
    Her son was a problem in this plan. He didn’t know if he could be a father to Viscount Stuart’s son. If the boy took after his mother, it would be easier. He didn’t even know the boy’s name. Jealousy, deep and poisonous, seeped into his blood. It was too painful to face the fact that the boy should have been theirs. The warmth of the bathwater faded as the impact of Evangeline’s return hit home. Already she had him tied up in knots when he should be focusing on De Palma.
    With another sigh he pushed the issue of Evangeline from his mind. De Palma had tried to kill him last night. All his energy should be focused on staying alive and putting an end to this deranged woman.
    Evangeline was a distraction he didn’t need right now. If he didn’t keep his wits about him, he could end up dead.
    If Arend’s hunch that Victoria was their villainess was right, was Isobel involved? Arend had said very little recently about Victoria’s stepdaughter, yet Hadley knew Arend was spending considerable time with the young woman. Arend would use anyone to find out what he needed to know. Hadley felt a tad sorry for Isobel.
    And God help her if she was part of her stepmother’s plot.
    Harper, his valet, knocked on the bathing room door. “My lord, His Grace is below.”
    Hadley rose slowly from the tub, exhaustion beckoning. “Augustus is in town? When did he arrive? Never mind. Tell Thurston to show him into the breakfast room while I dress. And ask Cook—”
    “Already taken care of. Breakfast is waiting for you. I’ve taken the liberty of laying out your clothes too.”
    “Thank you. Inform my brother I’ll be down shortly.”
    He wondered what Augustus wanted. He hoped his brother hadn’t got himself into trouble. Arend was due soon. It was very unlike Augustus to drive all night to reach town this early. Usually Augustus led life at a leisurely pace. He didn’t put himself out for anyone but himself.
    —
    By the time Hadley reached the breakfast room, Augustus was already partaking of a plate of food. He didn’t even look up as Hadley helped himself from the sideboard and sat down.
    “You know, you really should have been the firstborn.”
    At Augustus’s words he realized he’d sat at the head of the table. He usually did because Augustus rarely came to town. He hadn’t asked for this quasi-position, but someone had to be in charge, and Augustus simply wasn’t interested.
    His Grace took after their mother: fair-haired, small of stature, quiet, and withdrawn. He did look the picture of a