Page 64 of A Rogue to Reform

“I hope that means that awful woman will be out of our lives for now,” Felicity exclaimed. “I just cannot, however, picture her and Mr. Hollenbeck together.”

Hannah nodded. “He is smitten.”

As they rode toward Felicity and Evan’s home, she caught sight of Evan’s horse. It was tethered at a coffee shop that was popular for business meetings and such. Her eyes bulged when Evan and Sorcha walked out of the establishment.

Sorcha leaned in and touched his forearm. Evan did not seem to mind; he nodded in agreement about something she said.

“Stop!” Felicity exclaimed, hitting the top of the carriage with her parasol. The coachman slowly brought the carriage to the side of the road.

“What is it?” Hannah said, but then quieted and peered out the window with Felicity.

They watched as Evan walked Sorcha to her carriage, and then right there in plain daylight, she hugged him.

The coachman came to the door. “Is something the matter, Mrs. Macleod?”

Felicity ignored him, watching as Evan mounted and headed in the direction of his workplace. “Take us to Macleod Industries. I must speak to my husband.”

The coachman looked in the direction of the coffee shop and nodded. Obviously, Ana’s husband had also seen Evan. “Yes, of course, Madam.”

They arrived just as Evan was dismounting. He turned at the sound of the carriage and smiled when noticing Felicity climb down. She’d not bothered to wait for the door to be opened for her.

“What has you in such a hurry…” He stopped talking because she slapped him hard across the face.

Her hand stung from the contact, and still she wanted to slap him again. Unfortunately, he caught her hand when she tried.

“What are you doing?” He looked genuinely perplexed.

“How dare you?” Felicity exclaimed as Hannah rushed to them only to stop a few feet away, unsure what to do.

Her gaze focused on the bright red mark her hand had left, the coloring giving her only a bit of satisfaction.

“Felicity, I will not stand for such public displays—”

This time, she kicked him. “Public display?” she screamed. “You did not seem to mind the public display just now at the coffee shop.”

He stilled. “Oh that.”

“Do not come home tonight. I mean it, Evan. You best not come near me tonight.” Felicity snatched her hand away and turned toward the carriage.

“It was nothing, Felicity. She was—”

“Stop it, do not make excuses.” She was too angry to think clearly. All she wished at the moment was to get away from him. “I do not care to hear what that woman wanted. After all the rumors of her and you, how could you allow her to touch you in such a familiar manner in public? How could you do that to me?”

Her chest constricted and breathing became almost impossible.

“I best take her home,” Hannah said, putting one arm around her, the other keeping Evan back. “Please. Give her some time.”

“Felicity,” Evan called out, but she shook her head and rushed back to the carriage. There was nothing he could say or do that would repair what people were in all probability murmuring about at the moment.

That he’d returned to his lover so soon after marrying. Whether it was true or not, the damage would linger. Not only had they hugged in public, but in all probability, lingered over coffee. A bitter drink she hated and now would detest forever.

Unable to see past the tears or hear because of how hard her heart thundered, Felicity wasn’t aware where they went. Obviously, Hannah had spoken to the coachman because they traveled at a quick clip.

Moments later, they pulled up to her parents’ home and Hannah held her by the arm as they went to the front door and past a surprised Gerard.

“I will alert your mother,” he said, seeming to note her distress.

“What happened?” Her mother hurried into the sitting room and Hannah proceeded to tell her.