Page 41 of A Rogue to Reform

Arms intertwined, they did so, and indeed, the fresh air helped a bit. Before long, they heard voices as the first guests arrived.

Miles walked out to where they stood. He greeted each one with a polite bow of his head.

“My lord, I am surprised that you accepted our invitation,” Felicity told him with a smile. “Everyone has heard about your reluctance to ever marry.”

The lord was quite handsome, with deep dimples when he smiled and sparkling grey eyes. “I had to come. You are one of my dearest friend’s sister. I must ensure whoever attempts to court you is worthy.”

“Not another one,” Felicity groaned. “At this rate, I will have more guardians than suitors.”

Hannah giggled. “I do not have to fear such encumberments.”

“I would not be so quick to think that, Miss Kerr,” Miles told her friend. “You are Felicity’s close friend, and therefore, we will also ensure your suitors are of good standing.”

“Oh dear,” Hannah said, her eyes rounding. She looked to Felicity in question.

“If my brother put you up to this, I must insist the lot of you do not interfere, or I will ask you to leave. Hannah requires a suitor.”

“And what of you?” Miles asked, giving her a knowing look. Felicity looked to Hannah. Had Evan said something to his friend?

Henry Campbell suddenly walked out into the garden. “Ladies.” A stark contrast to the lord, Henry was of a slenderer build. Felicity would describe him as beautiful, with long lashes, straight eyebrows, and clear blue eyes. Although he was quite masculine, it was curious that a man so attractive did not seem to be aware of it. Where Grant, Evan, and Miles used their looks to attract women, Henry seemed bothered by his.

“I must warn you,” Miles said to his friend. “Miss Felicity has stated that if any of us interfere tonight, we will be thrown out.”

Henry met her gaze for a moment and then looked to Hannah, whose cheeks brightened. “I promise to be on my best behavior.”

Her mother appeared at the French doors, motioning for them to come inside. Once there, Felicity realized quite a few people had arrived. Two young women would join her and Hannah that night. One was Ivy Ross, Calum’s sister, the other Louisa Kent, a young widow with a cheerful disposition and money of her own, who came as support for Felicity.

Miles, Henry, Grant, and Calum were the men present. That left only a couple more who were missing. Neither of the Macleod brothers had yet to arrive.

When the door opened, Richard Macleod appeared. He looked different than Felicity remembered. Although attractive, he looked so much older than she’d thought him to be. Then again, he was five years older than Evan, which meant he was thirty-nine.

After greeting her parents, he walked directly to her. “It has been a long time, Felicity. It is nice to see you.”

He had a deep voice, and despite meeting her gaze, she felt as if he did not wish to be there.

“It has been years, Richard,” Felicity replied. “I hear you spend most of your time working. Do you not like to socialize?”

When his lips curved, he looked more like the man she remembered.

“Allow me to introduce you to my friends whom you may not know.” She walked with him to where Ivy and Louisa stood and introduced them. Louisa’s expression turned to one of shock, and after a soft greeting, she walked away.

“You know each other?” Felicity asked.

Richard looked in the direction in which Louisa had gone. “Yes. We met once. I am unsure why she was surprised to see me. Perhaps has me confused with someone else.”

“It could be,” Felicity said, but it was obvious something had indeed occurred between Richard and Louisa.

After introducing Richard to Hannah, he spoke to them for a few moments and then went to speak to her father. It seemed they’d worked on several projects together, which did not surprise Felicity. She wondered if her father would come to have a working relationship with Evan as well.

Hopefully his working would mean it would be easier for her father to accept that indeed he had changed. Or was making an effort at least.

When the dinner bell rang, she went to the adjoining sitting room to search out Evan. It was getting late and he’d yet to arrive. Something was wrong.

She hurried to find Grant and pulled him away from Henry and Calum. “I have something to ask you.”

“What is it, sister,” Grant said. “We have to go to the dining room.”

“Why is Evan not here?”