“Can’t say you are high on my list of dinner companions.” He mirrored her tight smile.
Evan focused his attention on Diana instead. “Did you enjoy your time in the country, my lady?”
“Yes, quite,” she replied. “I prefer the country, but I enjoy the company of all my friends at the social events of the season.”
He merely smiled and nodded, unsure what else to say to the lady. She was beautiful and would make an amazing wife to the man luckyenough to win her. Her brother would ensure she made a good match. But given that he had no interest in marriage, particularly to any friend of Marina’s, it left him at a loss for any topic to speak with her about.
Once dinner had finally concluded, freeing him from stilted conversation, he looped his arm with Marina’s as soon as they came to stand. She would appear churlish if she refused him, but she paid him back by gripping his arm much harder than was necessary.
“Are you going to accost me all season, my lord?” she asked. “Surely you are aware I don’t welcome you in my presence.”
“I would hardly consider this accosting you, and to be fair, I didn’t know you would be in attendance tonight.”
She rolled her eyes. “These are my friends.”
“The women, certainly,” he countered, “but I am friends with the gentlemen. Although I suppose you seemed friendly with Matt.” His jaw hurt from how hard he clenched it.
She gripped his arm even tighter. “Who I am friendly with is none of your concern. Matt is quite handsome, though. And kind and honorable. Not that you would know of such things. I could see why you would feel threatened.”
“This conversation isn’t over,” he growled. “None of the gentlemen in my set are for you.”
“Oh, I think it is.” She released his arm and moved toward the ladies.
Evan watched her smile at Matt and clenched his fists at his side. Not that he took any issue with Matt. He was indeed kind and honorable, as Marina said. But he wouldn’t stand by and watch his friend warm to her. Not that the man had any idea of what had occurred between them. None of them did and they never would.
Jude, Marquess of Sandon, caught her attention and whispered something to her. A pang of jealousy, although he wasn’t sure he wished to call it that, coursed through Evan’s body as he witnessed the proximity of the man’s lips to Marina’s ear. Whatever it was, shelaughed without a care in the world and touched her hand to his arm. Jude was his friend, but also the most notorious rake of thetonand Marina was acting all too familiar.
Jude glanced in Evan’s direction, and nodded to him. He resumed his conversation with Marina and Evan brooded over the way the man held her attention. He willed her to look at him so he could get her attention, if only to separate her from Jude.
He would not allow her to be taken in by Jude. Or even Matt.
Evan would crack a tooth if he clenched his jaw any tighter. Their conversation certainly was not over. He would see to it.
Chapter Two
Marina
The next morning,Marina was still reeling from the dinner party. Who did Evan think he was, coming in so high-handed about who she might show an interest in? Her rage toward him, as well as at herself, consumed her to the point of sleeplessness as their conversation played on an endless loop in her mind. There were so many more things she should have said to the intolerable man, all of which would have made his ears bleed.
She sprung from her bed with an exasperated sigh, deciding that she wouldn’t sleep. If seeing that wretched bounder hadn’t been enough, then one of her dearest friends, Diana, thought she might make a match with Evan. Of all ridiculous notions, her friend was set that he would make a practical match for her.
Marina splashed water from the basin after she had plunged a cloth into the cool water with added force. Of all foolish notions to think that anything about Evan Villiers was practical. But her friend would not see reason. She even thought to encourage a kiss with the man so he would be aware of her intentions.
And Marina couldn’t allow that to happen. Evan would just take advantage of Diana and then leave her ruined and miserable. Diana deserved far better than that.
Marina washed her face and then set the cloth aside. She had deserved better, too.
After Millie helped her dress, she took a breakfast tray in her room. With any luck she would be able to avoid her father for the day. She was wound far too tight, and a single word from her father might send her flying over the edge.
Unfortunately, she’d barely finished her toast when Millie appeared again. “Lady Marina, his lordship requests your presence in his study.”
Requests. As if she had any choice in the matter.
She finished her breakfast with agonizing slowness, until she knew she couldn’t keep him waiting any longer. It was her silent victory over her father that she didn’t tend to him immediately.
When she entered his study, her father sat behind his massive oak desk, the very picture of control and authority befitting the Earl of Sidmouth. The morning light streaming through the windows behind him cast his face in shadow, but she could see his frown well enough.
“Marina. Sit.”