Free Wonderful by Cheryl Holt Page B

slipped out. But once voiced, he rippled with excitement. He would bring her to the city—quietly and discreetly of course—and he’d tuck her away in a private love nest. It wouldn’t matter that he had to wed Priscilla, because he’d have Evangeline.
    It was perfect! Perfect!
    “Your mistress?” she said, scowling.
    “Yes, we could be so happy.”
    “I repeat, you’re mad. And you have to go.”
    “No, no, Evangeline, you’re not listening to me.”
    “I’m listening.” She nodded with derision. “Believe me, I heard every word, and I’m embarrassed for both of us.”
    “Why?”
    “You presume I’m the type who would…who might…who would like to…”
    Apparently, his request was so offensive she couldn’t verbalize her upset.
    “There’s a physical attraction between us,” he said.
    “So what? We’re not animals. We don’t have to act on it.”
    “We could have the most wonderful liaison.”
    “Why would you suppose it is what I seek or covet?”
    He couldn’t fathom her reticence, not when he was so thrilled by the idea. How could he see the advantages so clearly, and she see only disadvantages? He was desperate to persuade her it was for the best.
    “I’m very rich, Evangeline, and I can be extremely generous.”
    “Bully for you.”
    “Think about your future. Think about your life at the vicarage with my cousin. Then try to picture yourself in London with me. We’d attend the theater, and we’d have fascinating friends. I’d dress you in gowns and jewels. You’d want for nothing.”
    “You actually assume I’m pining away for gowns and jewels? You actually assume that’s the sort of person I am?”
    “You’re so beautiful, Evangeline. Let me pamper you. Let me make you mine.”
    She jerked open the door and stepped into the hall without checking first to ensure no servant was walking by. It was late, so it was unlikely, but her brazenness yanked him back to his senses and forced him to recognize that she was correct. He’d gone temporarily insane. It was the sole explanation.
    What had come over him? Why had he offered such a ridiculous, untenable proposal?
    He was getting married in a few weeks, and though he wasn’t the most moral man, he liked to imagine that—at least at the beginning—he might be faithful and loyal. What would it say about his character if he took a mistress right before he took a bride?
    The answer to that question was too awful to contemplate.
    They stared and stared, and finally she said, “I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”
    “Fine.”
    “You’re leaving now, and I’m locking my door. I realize this is your house, but you are not to visit me again. Do you understand?”
    He considered arguing just because he could be contrary and obstinate, but sanity was gradually sinking in. He’d been behaving like a lunatic and was mortified.
    “I apologize,” he said. “I won’t stop by again. I promise.”
    She didn’t reply, didn’t smile, didn’t indicate any heightened feeling. Had she none? How could he be brimming with affection and she be completely indifferent?
    She simply waited, then waited some more, until it dawned on him that she was waiting for him to depart.
    He walked out and kept on down the hall, and when her door closed, when the key spun in the lock, he didn’t glance back.

CHAPTER SIX
    Evangeline sat at the harpsichord in the music room at Fox Run. It was very late, and she was smarter now, so she didn’t touch the keys. She was afraid she’d attract an audience.
    For the prior four days, ever since Lord Run had kissed her in her bedchamber, she’d been a ghost in the house. She’d sneak down early to breakfast, then flit back to her room and hide all morning. She spent the afternoons with Vicar Bosworth, calling on neighbors and being introduced to important parishioners.
    When she returned to the manor, she’d creep inside, would rush upstairs and have a supper tray delivered. The evenings were long and