Page 11 of A Rogue to Reform

Hannah, ever so innocent, chose this time to assert her opinion. “I agree with Evan. Despite the early hour, you should be escorted. One never knows.”

Letting out a calming breath, Felicity turned to her friend. “Will it not be worse to be seen walking with a well-known rogue than to walk unescorted?”

“I didn’t think about that.” Hannah looked to Evan and gave a soft shrug. “You do have such a reputation…which, of course, I do not believe to be true.”

Evan let out a husky chuckle. “Thank you so much, Miss Hannah. You are a gem.”

Her eyes rolled so hard Felicity got dizzy. “Hannah, do not be so naïve. Evan deserves every bit of that reputation. He is without a doubt every bit a scoundrel.”

“You wound me,” Evan said, looking anything but.

They continued walking after Hannah entered her house. Evan watched her go. “I wasn’t aware that you and Hannah were such good friends.”

“We are. She is a wonderful person.”

“How is her family faring after what happened?”

Felicity didn’t like discussing her friend, especially as she wasn’t sure how much Evan knew. However, everyone was aware of what had happened to the Kerrs.

“They make do, I suppose. Despite it, Hannah is always in good spirits,” Felicity said then looked up at him. “You would know what being a wastrel is like.”

His jaw tightened. “I do know about making bad decisions. Mister Kerr’s situation was not his fault. Thankfully, I do not have a family that depends on me.”

Instantly, Felicity regretted her brash comment. “I should not have said that. I apologize. You shouldn’t be made to pay with such rude comments for mistakes made when young.”

He nodded. “Apology accepted.”

Walking beside her, Evan seemed without a care. Conversation with him was fluid, and Felicity was curious to know more about him. Despite having known him for many years, it felt as if they’d grown into very different people than when they were young and their families visited often. When two women passed by, he placed a hand on her elbow and steered her around them, immediately removing it. There was something about Evan; the ease of being with him was natural, as if they’d had a close friendship.

“Why are you so interested in the widow?”

His right eyebrow lifted. “She is a beautiful woman.”

The comment, although true, made her cringe. Evan was a single man without commitments and free to do as he chose. Therefore, she could not say that his reply was a lie. There was something he, her brother, and the other two rogues were plotting.

“I have one more question,” Felicity began. “Are you and my brother planning to…”

“We have arrived,” he interrupted, unnecessarily pointing to the front door.

“I am not finished.” Felicity took a step closer and whispered. “Are the four of you planning a heist?”

“A what?” he replied with a chuckle. “What would we be taking?”

“You tell me.” Giving him a pointed look, she waited.

Instead of a reply, he leaned closer and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Enjoy your day, Felicity.”

Rounding her, he continued on his way, whistling.

After tracking him for a few moments, Felicity lifted her skirts and rushed up the stairs. The door opened before she could reach for the knob. Her father scowled down at her and then looked to where Evan turned the corner.

“Why were you walking alone with him?”

“Evan walked me from Hannah’s house after we ran into him outside the ice cream parlor.” She started to walk past, but her father cleared his throat.

Whenever he didn’t believe someone, it was his custom to clear his throat and stare. Felicity turned to face him. “I am telling the truth, Da. Evan Macleod has absolutely no interest in pursuing me.”

“Then why the kiss?”