Page 62 of To Dare the Devil

“Yes, Max,” she replied sweetly, and he smiled as he heard the teasing note in her voice before she let herself out of his room and did as he asked.

Chapter 20

Darling,

I will be with you again soon. I have missed you so much.

I am happy the children have had such a wonderful time. Morven’s sons seem fine young men and I am pleased Evie seems taken with Muir. I pray something comes from it. Do you think her attachment is strong enough to make her forget the comte? I had feared there was no hope, for she has been so listless of late, but your last letter relieves my mind that I did the right thing.

Helena, I know you think me too hard, but I cannot think of my darling girl married to such a man. Perhaps that makes me the worst kind of hypocrite but even my past was nothing compared to what I have discovered. I know not all rumours ought to be believed, but I already knew his past was complicated, to say the least. He has been a thief, a circus performer, and owns the most notorious club in Paris, this alone ought to be enough to colour my opinion of such a match for our innocent girl. To discover just how murky the waters are is of grave concern. He is dangerous, my love, far more so than his brother. I do not believe he would ever hurt Evie, but he will draw her into his world and that I cannot allow. We must keep them apart. I would do anything to save her from hurt, but this friendship ought never to have been allowed. It is inappropriate and if the man himself cannot see it, that alone must prove he is not a suitable companion for her.

―Excerpt of a letter from Mr Gabriel Knight to his wife, Lady Helena Knight.

19th June 1842, Church Street, Isleworth, London.

It was almost dinnertime when they arrived at Kathy’s parents’ house. Max dithered on the doorstep, glancing at her with such obvious anxiety Kathy took his hand.

“All will be well, Max. We’ll make them see.”

He turned away from the front door, taking her a few steps from it and shaking his head. “What about Grace and Beatrice? I can’t tell them myself, for that would be a betrayal when I have sworn to never tell a soul. But your father and Grace’s father are close friends. Few people know the baby isn’t Sterling’s, but her parents do, and she looks like me. What if they guess? I don’t want to cause them any more upset.”

Kathy squeezed his hand tighter, unable to pretend that wasn’t a possibility. “Then we shall face that when it happens. Max, I love you. Let us take it one day at a time, and this is the first step.”

He took a deep breath and nodded, and walked up to the front door, giving a sharp rap.

Kathy’s heart sank as the door opened, and instead of the housekeeper or a maid, her brother loomed over them. His expression darkened as he stared at Max.

“What the hell is he doing here?” he demanded of Kathy, and then noted the fact they were holding hands. His furious gaze swerved back to Max. “Vane. If you’ve laid a finger on her, so help me—”

Impatient now, Kathy marched up to her brother and shoved at his chest. “Do get out of the way, Hart, and stop snarling. I know you’re trying to protect me but it’s terribly tiresome and we need to speak to Mama and Papa.”

Shoving at Hart was akin to shoving a brick wall. He’d not budge if he didn’t want to, and he didn’t want to.

“Hart!” Kathy said, glaring at him. “We’re getting married and Max needs to speak to Papa.”

“Like hell you are,” Hart growled, moving now but only to step between them as if Kathy needed protection from Max, which might have been touching if her brother wasn’t such a great, overbearing lummox.

“Hartley, what is going on here?”

Everyone looked around as their mother descended the stairs. She was still a beautiful woman, slender and elegant, and, Kathy hoped, the voice of reason.

“Oh, Mama, do stop Hart from being a brute. Lord Vane has come to speak to you and Papa, and Hart won’t let him in.”

“Because he’s a damned libertine, and he’s no business asking you to marry him,” Hart said angrily. “And I don’t need to speak to our parents to know that’s the truth. Father will only say the same thing, I’m just saving him the trouble.”

Mama’s eyes flashed with interest as she stared between Kathy and Max, and then at Hart. Much to Kathy’s relief, she took Hart’s arm, patting it gently. “Hart. I appreciate your protective nature as always, but I think we owe Lord Vane the courtesy of listening to him if he wishes to propose to our daughter.”

“Ma, you don’t understand. He’s—”

“A very bad man,” Mama said with a wry smile. “Yes, I’m not a complete nincompoop and I do occasionally read the scandal sheets. Now run along and ask Mrs Jones if she would delay dinner, please.”

Kathy smirked at her brother, who only glowered and stalked off, muttering under his breath.

“Well, my lord,” Mama said, regarding him with interest. “You have set the cat among the pigeons, and we’ve not even got to Mr de Beauvoir yet. Come along then and let us see what you’re made of.”

“Thank you, Mrs de Beauvoir. I appreciate the opportunity to make my case.”

“You’re not on trial,” Kathy said, trying to soothe him as she took his arm and escorted him to Papa’s study.”