“Unusual, to say the least,” he admitted. “For once, I’m glad of the fact that you take no interest or amusement in being seen at these events.”
“Oh? Why is that?” she asked. Evan came into the room and sat in a chair opposite her. She sat up straighter at the haggard appearance her son wore. “Tell me, what’s wrong?”
Evan was careful with what he revealed, taking particular care to avoid any direct mention of a certain well-to-do lady.
“Our stables won three of the six events,” he began, holding up his hand in caution when his mother clapped her hands excitedly, “but there was a problem in the final race. Jacobs ultimately won the race, but at the cost of another of our riders taking a fall.”
“No! Was it serious?”
“Scrapes and bruises, I should think, but the…” Evan stopped short, almost divulging the word “lady” before remembering himself, “rider may have a more lasting ankle injury. I’ll send word tomorrow to find out.”
“You’ll send word?” Evan’s mother spoke in an admonishing, almost accusing tone. “You don’t know yourself from the physician?”
“Why, no. I did carry the person home, though,” he replied, feeling every bit like a schoolboy chastised for not memorizing his lessons.
“You expect these men to risk life and limb to race your horses—for the prestige, of course, as you dare say you do not need the prize money—and you failed to send for a physician after one of them was hurt? I’m rather surprised at you, my son.” Lady Lanercost looked more ashamed than angered, and Evan felt the pinch of her judgment.
“It wouldn’t be… seemly… to send for someone at this hour. I will check on the rider first thing tomorrow and fetch the physician myself if there’s a need. Does that please you, Mother?”
Evan smiled hopefully, and his mother couldn’t help but laugh at his exaggerated efforts to win her affection once again.
“Of course! I could never stay cross with the most perfect son a mother could have!” She smiled, but then asked, “But that cannot be all that’s troubling you. A mother can tell. What is it?”
Evan thought for a moment, unsure of whether or not he wished to unleash his thoughts of Lady Marjorie on his mother. But he wasn’t one to keep her at arm’s length, either. In the most vague terms, he mentioned that he might have some affection for one of the ladies who’d come to dine with them recently.
“But Evan, dear… she is already betrothed,” his mother said kindly, a pang of sympathy for her son in her words.
“I know, Mother. That is why the situation is so unhappy. If it were not already so, I would be the happiest man in the empire. I would need only send my introduction to her father, negotiate the terms like any other business deal…” Evan scoffed at the comparison, but continued, “then it would only be a matter of endless parties and balls before we were wed, beginning a life of undoubtedly the happiest matrimonial bliss that any wedded couple has ever endured, apart from my parents, of course.”
Lady Lanercost suppressed a slight giggle. Her son could be quite a comical person, and all who knew him understood when he was not being serious. There were many who said his doting, humorous ways had kept his mother young all these years. But despite his rather flighty depiction of the business side of marriage, beneath the humor he was truly wounded at the thought of someone he admired being so far out of his reach.
“But I’m afraid it is not to be so,” she added in a caring tone. “The only way she might become eligible to consider your attentions was if there was some reason that caused their engagement to be dissolved. Even then, my boy, you’re but an earl. While the daughter of a marquess might be a considerable rise in station, marrying ‘up’ only to be wedded after a whiff of untoward scandal might do you more harm than good.”
Evan waved off his mother’s concerns. “I care not for one’s station, or scandals for that matter. There is much the people will overlook or forgive when fortunes are involved. Lady Marjorie’s family apparently has none, and what they lack in money I well make up for. The same could be said of titles. I’m rather proud of my family’s history, even if I’m ‘only’ an earl. Whatever I may lack in titles and holdings I more than accomplish at the bank.”
“And what of the Duke, then?” his mother said, trying to guide her son into seeing reason. “This is not a game, these aren’t your horses to be bought, sold, and raced. And for that matter, Lady Marjorie isn’t a horse race to be won, nor the Duke just another rider who might try again the next round. He is a person, one who has already signed contracts to marry the girl.”
“I know all of that, Mother,” Evan said, shrugging in defeat. “And I know that nothing could ever come of these hopes I have. I’ll just have to content myself with dying a lonely old man after a lifetime of accompanying you to balls and discussing the weather over tea!”
“Don’t be silly!” his mother said, although she laughed at his jest. “The right opportunity will come along, and you’ll be glad of it when it does. Just don’t spend so much time in thought for what you cannot have and miss the chance to seize upon that which you can.”
“Truer words have never been spoken, My Lady Mother.” Evan stood up, bowed slightly, and added, “I assure you, my first love will always be for you and the wisdom you share each day. Goodnight, Mother.”
Chapter 20
“Is it done?” Charles asked the shadowy figure in the alley. The man only replied with a laugh. “What do you find so amusing?”
“Nothin’, I s’ppose. But yeah, the dirty deed is done. In front a’ the whole event and everything. The screamin’ were the best part, those well-to-do prissies were sure they was about to see a bloodbath!” Thomas replied with a laugh. “But now there’s somethin’ else ya got to know.”
“Oh? And what is that?” Charles replied in a disinterested tone. He was already looking around for someone else to speak with so he could get away from this petty criminal.
“Ya haven’t paid me my money,” Thomas reminded him, his voice becoming more menacing. “And I always get what’s mine, even if it was once yers.”
“You’ll get paid, I assure you! This plan must unfold before I can reap the rewards.”
“Unlike you rich lot, I don’t have the time to wait for me plans to ‘unfold.’ I gots debts of me own to pay right now, so I expect payment on delivery. You got your shenanigans, now I get paid or I start taking it for meself.”
“I said, you’ll get paid. You have my word,” Charles said, trying to keep his nerves calm. How did he ever end up associated with the likes of this man?
