Page 16 of A Rogue to Reform

His mother’s birthday fete at the Macleod estate was a bigger affair than Evan expected. There were three other families in attendance, including Hannah’s and Grant’s. When he, Miles, and Henry entered the room, they were greeted warmly. Grant had opted not to attend, citing another gathering he’d promised to be present for.

“What did you get mother?” his older brother, Richard, asked.

“Earrings,” Evan replied with a bored expression. “Why do you ask?”

His brother, ever the protector, shrugged. “I was prepared to say that my gift was from the both of us.”

Evan studied his brother, who was five years older. Richard had always been the responsible one, working with his father to ensure the family’s shipping company continued being successful. Part of what made him equally aggravating, and admired by Evan, was his penchant for selflessness.

“Thank you.”

His brother smiled at him and gave him a side hug. “It is nice to have you here.”

Despite sitting across the table from Felicity, she ignored him, preferring to keep a running conversation with her friend, Hannah.

“I have not seen you much the last couple days,” Evan said to Henry. “Working hard for the investment?”

His friend’s lips lifted at the corners, but he did not respond as Hannah chose that moment to look across the table at Henry. Their gazes locked for but an instant, but it was enough for Evan to note there was something there.

“Penniless,” he whispered.

“I am aware,” Henry replied. “Now to your question. Yes, I am almost certain to be fully funded well before the deadline.”

“That is good news. My efforts, however, are proceeding slowly.”

“A toast,” his father announced, and began to speak about his mother. The words flowed over Evan as the professions of admiration and love continued. His mother’s eyes misted and she wiped at the corners with a dainty handkerchief, her face aglow with love.

Evan met his mother’s gaze and smiled at her, noting how her expression softened. When he finally glanced away and across the table, Felicity studied him with a quizzical look.

Tearing his eyes from hers, he looked back to his father, who concluded by wishing his wife a happy birthday and everyone joined in.

The love between his parents was palpable. Something he wished for one day. However, due to his present financial circumstance, he could never aspire to a wife. He could barely afford to support himself as things stood.

A rush of something akin to fire traveled up his spine and he straightened in his chair. Once they came up with the money to sponsor the ship, he would be in a perfect position to seek a wife.

He dared a glance toward Felicity.

Not her, of course. Then again, she’d become a beautiful woman, who was intelligent and quite adept at most everything that was required in a wife. At the direction of his thoughts, Evan shook his head. For some inexplicable reason, for the first time, whenever he thought of a woman, he felt lighter, as if the world became a brighter, more interesting place.

Utter foolishness, he chided himself internally. Felicity was his friend’s sister, and whatever he felt was nothing more than a passing fancy.

Besides, Felicity was well aware of what he did, his plan to seduce Sorcha Robertson. A woman like her would never accept a proposal of courtship from a rogue like him.

*

Friday arrived, the sunny day blending into a beautiful evening with just enough breeze to allow one to wear a light coat, or wrap for the women, comfortably.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Murrays’ home, and Evan looked across at Grant, who visibly stiffened.

“When will you give in and have a frank talk with your father?”

His friend shook his head and looked toward the house. “I imagine we will clear things up sooner or later. However, he is stubborn and refuses to meet with me…unless I agree to certain terms.”

“Ah,” Evan said, not adding that Grant was as headstrong as his sire. “Will you do me the favor of retrieving your sister? I do not wish to be punched in the face by the stubborn man.”

“Of course,” his friend replied, his jaw visibly tight.

When Grant reached the door, it was opened by the austere butler, whose face immediately transformed at seeing Grant. The man patted Grant’s shoulder and opened the door wider so that Felicity could walk out.