Page 53 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Ethan scratched his head, then sighed. “Let us give them privacy.”

The four of them were headed toward the field when a loud laugh cut through the silence. Katrina knew that maniacal chuckle. She winced in horror.

“Hell and damnation,” Evan said as he turned and dashed in the direction they’d just come. Cursing, Ethan followed him. By the time Katrina and Charles caught up to them, they bookended Alexander and Buttons. Unfortunately, Lord Greyson stood with them.

Greyson grinned wickedly. “Well, well, well. The things one finds when engaged in a daily constitutional. How delicious. The Earl of Wellspring is a molly. Oh, how my mother will enjoy this salacious news.” He rubbed his hands together as he winked at Alexander. “How much might this tidbit be worth? For I doubt you want news of your behavior to get out.”

Poor Alexander. Kat would stand up for him, as well as for Mother’s beloved Buttons. She would not allow the marquess to do to these men what he had done to her and Evan.

She inserted herself between Greyson and his newest victims. Alexander paled as he gasped for breath. Buttons’s face turned red, and unshed tears glistened in his eyes.

“I will not allow it,” Kat said. “Leave them be. You… you evil…”

There was not a cruel enough word to capture Lord Greyson’s diabolical nature.

Her brother grabbed her around the waist and tugged her away from the fray. As soon as he let go of her, she rushed back to jam her finger in the odious man’s chest.

“You are a wretched, vile, repugnant monster. An unwelcome beast.”

“Katrina, no.” Alexander shook his head. “You cannot protect us.”

“Katrina, come,” Ethan said.

She was not a child who needed protection. She was capable of fighting her own battles as well as championing for those around her who were being mistreated. How dare Greyson take the special moment away from two remarkable men.

She pushed Ethan’s hand away and stared into the marquess’s eyes. “When women see you coming, we run the other way—all of us—as fast as we can.”

“Is that so?” He glared from his beady, soulless eyes.

This time, Evan clasped her forearm. “I’ve got this,” he said gently.

Nay. She had this. She swished his arm away. To her surprise, he hummed in appreciation as if proud of her. Thereupon, side by side, she and Evan stared down their enemy.

“What do you bloody want this time?” Evan asked.

Satan chuckled. “What I’ve always wanted. For the lovely Lady Katrina to spend time with me.” He tapped his finger to his chin. “Just think of the scandal. And a domestic servant to boot. I hear they lock away the lower class who bugger men.Lady Katrina, I’d say this secret is worth—” He stared at her stay-less bosom and licked his lips.

“You bloody fool.” Evan took a step back, then lunged forward. His fist landed under Greyson’s jaw. The marquess toppled to the side and hit the ground with athud.

“Ouch,” her brother said.

“Too bad.” Taylor cringed. Thereupon, whistling a cheery tune, he strutted away from his companion, eventually disappearing from sight.

The snarling marquess used his sleeve to wipe the crimson liquid dripping from his nose. “You will be sorry. I will ruin you all.”

Did the man not understand that he was friendless, lying on the ground in front of the prince’s cousins, an earl, and a seething Eaton?

Lord Greyson climbed onto his feet and pulled his shoulders back. “Oh, the secrets I have on each and every one of you.”

“Humph,” Evan grunted as he pulled his arm back and pummeled the marquess’s nose. Then, his jaw. And violent stars above! First, one cheek, then the other.

Whimpering, Greyson crumpled to the ground and folded into a ball. Evan crouched down to the defeated man’s level.

“Mayhap, you should reconsider your threats.”

“Fine. You win, Eaton. I am done. Done with you and Lady Katrina. And finished with Wellspring.”

Stars, Evan was heroic and brave and a million wonderful things.