Valiant (Gentlemen of the Order 3)

In the coming days, you’ll not know who to trust.

When Mr Golding uttered those words in his office, Vivienne hadn’t imagined he might be referring to himself. By rights, she should be angry, livid, but his actions stemmed from desperation. The same urgency to get this matter over with now compelled her.

Vivienne and Evan waited in the carriage on Kennington Road, while Buchanan scouted the area to ensure Mr Ramsey hadn’t followed them to Lambeth. Within seconds of them settling into their seats, Evan mentioned the subject tormenting both their minds.

“Vivienne, let me explain what I meant earlier.”

“Honestly, there is no need. You were happy until I arrived amid a thunderstorm to turn your life upside down.” And all because Mr Golding had encouraged her to deal with things promptly.

“I wasn’t exactly ha—”

“I would never have held you to the contract if it wasn’t for finding our legacy. I thought our lives were in danger. I didn’t know it was Mr Wicks who’d donned a mask and ransacked my home.” Yet despite all the trauma and turmoil, she wouldn’t change a thing. She’d suffer again for one kiss from Evan Sloane’s skilled lips.

“Vivienne, I didn’t lie earlier. The struggle for the truth has been wrought with problems. But I see our relationship as separate to the case. Indeed, I hope things continue once we’ve found our lost legacy.”

She’d like nothing more than to spend her life wrapped in his arms, but it was a fantasy. Everything had changed.

She had fallen in love with him, this spectacular specimen of a man who stole hearts, not bounty. These strange emotions had to be love. The longing, the profound ache, excitement, desire, her preoccupation with his happiness—the list was endless—the willingness to make sacrifices.

“Evan, I don’t regret anything that’s happened between us, but I cannot be your mistress. And we would have been fools to marry because of a contract. I know that now.” Knowing he’d married her out of duty would hurt more than being apart.

“What are you saying?”

She fought the urge to slide across the carriage and ease the tension from his shoulders, soothe the frown lines from his brow. “That we should do as Mr Golding says. Concentrate on solving this quickly. Forget everything else.”

“Forget? You’re rather fond of that word.” He remained silent for a time, his gaze focused on the window. “Will you not stay with me tonight?”

“I think it unwise to do—”

“Please, Vivienne.” He settled those hypnotic green eyes upon her. “Come to my room. Have the bed. I’ll take the chair. Just stay with me.”

She smiled. “We’ll be writhing between the sheets within a minute of you closing the door.”

He managed a smile, too. “You thrust the scroll into my hand and said you trusted me. Let me keep my word. Let me prove your trust is not misplaced.”

How could she resist such a heartfelt plea?

“I suppose it cannot hurt.” Everyone knew it was better to surrender to a pirate. “But I’ll not have you sleeping in the chair. You may lie on top of the coverlet.” She sighed. “I doubt I shall get a wink of sleep.”

“You can sleep during the long carriage ride. Tomorrow we journey to Highwood.”

Chapter 17

Having spent the night in bed, facing each other while still fully clothed, talking about things Evan would never dare mention to his friends, let alone a woman, they both slept on the journey to Bedfordshire. But Vivienne’s insistence that Mrs McCready and Buchanan travel with them was the main reason Evan had closed his eyes.

He had not sent word to Highwood, informing them of his impending arrival. Consequently, the air in the grand hall thrummed with nervous tension. Mrs Elkin, like most experienced housekeepers, spoke with calm aplomb when firing instructions to the staff. Maids curtsied and footmen bowed before hurrying to attend to their tasks.

“While the maids prepare the rooms, perhaps you’d like to take tea in the drawing room, sir. I’ve taken the liberty of putting Miss Hart in the east wing, her companion in the chamber next door.”

“Thank you, Mrs Elkin.”

Drat! His apartment was in the west wing, hence the reason the housekeeper had placed an unmarried woman far from his reach.

“I shall speak to Cook, sir, prepare menus for the coming days and have them brought to you within the hour.”

Evan smiled. The woman wanted to know how long he planned to stay but would not ask directly. “Excellent. We will dine at seven o’clock. Tha

t should allow a little more time to prepare. No need to go to too much trouble as we must head back to London in a day or two.”