Page 66 of Saving a Scoundrel
“He has also taken your place with listening to me practice my weekly sermons. Mr. Evans gives excellent feedback.”
Ellie smiled at Mr. Evans. “You may have the job permanently, Mr. Evans. I’m quite sure you are far more qualified to advise on the subject matter.”
Her father patted her hand. “Now that’s not true. You have given me valuable feedback on many occasions. You will make an excellent partner for our future vicar here.”
“Excuse me?” She twisted in her chair to face her father.
“You did agree that if you came back from London without an offer, you would accept Mr. Evans.”
“But Mr. Evans has not spoken to me of marriage.”
“He and I have spoken about it. That’s what’s important.”
Ellie’s temper rose. She was tired and in no mood for high-handed men. Her father and Mr. Evans had decided. Lucius had decided about their future. When exactly would she have any say in regard to her own life?
She glanced at Mr. Evans, who tugged at his collar and would not meet her gaze.
“I’m sorry that my father has misled you. I cannot marry you. My affections are engaged elsewhere.”
“With whom? Lord Dearborn did not write me about any suitors,” asked her father.
“You see, Lucius Grisham was in town this spring, and we spent a good deal of time together, and well, my feelings for him have not changed. In fact, they have deepened. He loves me, too.”
Her father ran a hand down over his beard. “And where is he? Why hasn’t he come to speak with me about marriage?”
Ellie sighed. “He has a fool-headed idea that he is not good enough for me and has embarked on some plan to get his life in order before we marry. He was impossibly vague about what he is planning. I’m quite cross with him at the moment. But regardless, I still love him.”
Mr. Evans rose. “This should be a private conversation among family. I’ll just be going.” Then he turned and left the dining room.
Her father sent Ellie his most disapproving frown. “That was uncalled for. We could have discussed this privately. Mr. Evans is such a nice young man, and you have dashed his hopes of a future here in Marbury.”
Ellie rose to her feet. “If you hadn’t promised me to him like some piece of chattel, then he wouldn’t be disappointed right now. He can still be your successor if you choose.”
“You are foolish if you think Lucius Grisham will come back for you. I have never known that boy to follow through with anything. I’m sure he has the best of intentions, but I don’t think you should be burning your bridges with Mr. Evans just yet.”
“Excuse me. I need some fresh air.”
Ellie hurried from the room before her father could see the tears swimming in her eyes. His comments had stung. But she refused to give up on Lucius. She did believe that he could create a life for them that was honorable. He was a good man. She just wished he didn’t insist on forging that path by himself. He should want her by his side, so they could go forward together. She burst out into the warm evening air and sucked in a deep breath.
Just ahead of her, Mr. Evans stood with his head tipped back, staring at the last lines of pink that streaked across the sky. She approached him cautiously. “Mr. Evans?”
He swiveled around to face her.
“I am truly sorry that I had to be so blunt. It’s the only way to get my father to hear what I’m saying. But as I just told him, there is no reason you cannot still be his successor. Marrying me is not a prerequisite to taking over from my father when he retires.”
“I do love it here in Marbury. I grew up in London, and the quiet of this place soothes my soul.”
Ellie quirked her lips up into a wry smile. “Having just spent three months in town, I have a better understanding of what you are saying. There is a bustle of noise and movement there at all hours of the day.”
Mr. Evans smiled his agreement.
Ellie realized that it wasn’t so much that he was boring as Susanna had said but just that he was a man that used an economy of words. “Mr. Evans, shall we be friends? Perhaps I can introduce you to some eligible ladies in Marbury. I can let you know who is nice and who are secretly terrible people.”
“I accept your offer of friendship. But no, thank you on the matchmaking. I think I will take my time. Perhaps I will stumble upon love as well.”
“It’s a terrible thing, love.” Ellie frowned. “He’s driving me crazy.”
A deep rasp of a chuckle came from Mr. Evans. It sounded rusty as though he hadn’t laughed in a long time. Then he tipped his hat. “Good evening, Miss Spencer.”
