Page 55 of The Rake Desires the Diamond

Understandable. Justine’s inn was one of the finest on the coast. People of ways and means flocked to it. But their plan was utter rubbish. Dressing like a female and allowing Greyson to paw at him did not appeal to Evan—not even the part of him that loved Falstaffian pranks. This one bloody well made him cringe. And what if he went through with it, and the constable could not be bothered to lock Greyson up? The marquess had just attacked two innocent groundskeepers andgotten away with it. Did anyone care if an aristocratic man mistreated females? Probably not. Evan rubbed at the pang in his chest.

No wonder his sister had devoted her life to both women’s and workers’ rights. Damn, he was proud of Georgie. Brilliant and innovative, the duchess was unstoppable.

Evan paced, eventually halting in front of Harrington. “Perhaps we should think up an alternate plan.”

“I think it is a bloody good idea,” his host declared.

Only because he wasn’t the one who had to don a wig and a frock.

“I agree with Eaton. We should probably keep thinking,” Wellspring said. “I think Operation Fake Lass is quite risky.”

Thereupon came a collective sigh, then silence. Evan retraced his trek from the door to the bay window at least a half-dozen times.

“I believe we are finished with this farce,” Justine said again. “Please, all of you, let it die. I think Greyson has been humiliated and threatened sufficiently.”

“And I believe Evan has already put a stop to his nonsense,” Katrina said.

Although Evan wanted to believe this, trusting the shite-fuck might be an error indeed.

Poor Katrina. If the girl didn’t stop gnawing on her bottom lip, there would be nothing left for him to kiss. That simply wouldn’t do. He halted his frantic movement to comfort her. Before Evan could lower himself to sit beside her, Harrington dashed across the room, knocked him to the side, and stole his seat.

Unbelievable. These monumental problems and Harrington still saw Evan’s attraction to Katrina as the problem.

Katrina, oh Katrina. How brave she had been standing up to Greyson. And how mistaken Evan had been to ever think she was a self-centered brat. She was hell-on-carriage-wheels feisty. A force to be reckoned with. A champion for those she cared about. The woman was exceedingly intrepid. And, damn, if that wasn’t an aphrodisiac. As if Evan needed any more reasons to find her desirable. He should and would do whatever it took to protect her, including shoving his ego into his boots. This all needed to stop.

“I agree with Justine,” Evan said. “I believe Greyson has been thwarted.”Please let it be so,he prayed in silence.

“I agree, and I would like to see my new nephew,” Katrina announced. “Do you think I might visit Hockley Castle soon?”

What a pleasant change of topic.

“I am sure William will be delighted to have family surrounding him. I shall go with you,” Harrington said. “Although they are at Trent Castle. According to yesterday’s missive, Georgiana wanted to have the baby there.”

Of course, she did. Although she loved her new life, like Evan, her roots grew deep within the grounds of their childhood home. Besides, Grandmother probably insisted.

“Rosebud, would you care to travel to Trent with me?” Harrington asked his wife.

Her gaze slid to Buttons. “But I have company.”

“I shall be heading to my London home in two days,” Wellspring said. “I have asked Robert to travel with me. I have offered him a job as my valet. That is if you can spare him.”

Valet, Evan’s big toe. He schooled his chuckle.

“Is that what you would like, Buttons?” Harrington asked.

“Yes, my lord. If you feel that you can do without me at Rosa House?”

“We shall miss you. You have been an exemplary employee, but you have my permission and blessings,” Harrington said. “Eaton, I assume you would like to travel with us?”

Evan nodded his agreement.

“’Tis settled,” Harrington declared. “The Greyson debacle is behind us. After Springy and Buttons head to London, the four of us shall travel to Trent Castle.”

Despite wanting to see his family and new nephew, Evan hated to leave Brighton and Katrina. But since he’d be traveling with her, he could show her his lovely home—the extensive gardens, his special spot by the lake, and the quaint town. Every minute with her was precious.

Harrington’s butler, his proper butler, Lester—not Robert Dickens, who was currently offering Evan a scrumptious-looking pastry—entered the room and approached Harrington. “Sir, you have a visitor. A gentleman by the name of Charles Taylor. I believe he is a solicitor.”

“Lord Greyson is not with him?”