Page 27 of A Rogue to Reform

He studied the man for a long moment. “Norman, call the men who patched the roof. Inform them I require them to replace the entire thing. Also, make an inventory of any household items that need to be replaced.”

That Norman was not surprised at the requests meant he’d met with his father. He was probably the one who’d informed him of the amount needed for everything. Evan wondered if his father worried he’d not do the right thing.

Along with his butler, he went downstairs and found Felicity sitting in the parlor. Her hands folded in her lap, she presented a beautiful picture.

“Good morning.” Evan walked closer, stopping at a chair and placing his hand on the back of it. “Is something wrong?”

Her green gaze met his and Evan’s stomach dipped. That a woman had such an effect on a rogue like him was astounding in itself.

“No, nothing is wrong. I came to speak to my brother, but am informed he left with Henry.”

“He did?” Evan turned toward the dining room, which was devoid of any evidence of the earlier meal. “They were just here.”

She looked to the chair he stood behind and her brow furrowed. “Is something wrong with you? You seem to be hiding behind that chair.”

Annoyed she noticed his hesitance, he rounded the chair and sat. “I was about to order tea.”

Just then Rosalie entered with a tray that held a tea pot, cream, and two cups. She smiled at Evan and left.

Felicity busied herself pouring. “I wished to speak to my brother, so that, in turn, he’d speak to you about hosting an event here. It would be a perfect place to allow Hannah the opportunity to meet eligible men to marry.”

“Here?”

She looked about the room, not seeming to notice the need for updates and repairs. “Why not?”

“I hear that you wish to find a suitor as well.” Evan met her gaze, unable to help that his eyes wandered to her pouty pink lips. He cleared his throat. “We cannot host here. The house is about to go through renovations.

“Pity,” Felicity said. “Can they not be put off for just a pair of weeks?”

In truth, it would take that long for anything to start. The last thing he wanted was for people to come there and see how far into disrepair the house had been allowed to fall.

“How about we consider early summer instead? By then the house will be more presentable. It will only be a pair of months.”

Felicity sat back and sipped her tea, then lowering the cup, she let out a sigh. “Why did you kiss me like that last night?”

He’d wondered which of them would bring the subject up. More so, he’d hoped they would ignore it and pretend it never happened. Of course, knowing Felicity, she would ask.

“It felt right in that moment.”

Lowering her gaze, she seemed to consider his reply. “It did feel right, I suppose. However, it was not the proper thing. Neither was you tossing me into the bushes.”

“For that I do apologize. I did not wish to be found alone with you and give gossips fodder.”

Her lovely eyes narrowed. “Or you did not wish for Sorcha to see us?”

The lass was very clever. It was best to be honest with her. “I prefer to kiss you than her.”

“You are a rogue. And did you then, kiss her?”

Evan practically spit out the sip of tea he’d just taken.

“Grant plans to speak to your mother about hosting an event for you and Hannah. Perhaps he is at your house at the moment.”

Giving him a knowing look, Felicity stood, so Evan did as well. They stood awkwardly, as if not sure what to do next. In his mind, he would hug her close, feeling once again the softness of her curves against him.

Felicity let out a sigh. “You and I should not be alone.” It was practically a whisper. The words fell over him like a caress, and he almost closed his eyes.

“Why is that?” Evan took a step closer and peered down at the beauty whose chest lifted and lowered with each breath, mesmerizing him.