A Taste of Seduction by Bronwen Evans

Author:Bronwen Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2016-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Hadley made London as night fell, frustration growing with every long stride from his trusty stead. He rode directly to Christian’s house and fairly flew out of the saddle and up the front steps. He entered Christian’s study to find his friend sitting alone, a bottle of whiskey open on the table.

Hadley approached slowly, his heart still pounding. “You have found him?”

“No. He bloody well should have told us what he was up to regarding his investigation of Victoria. Perhaps he would not be missing if he had.”

Hadley ran a weary hand over his face. “I knew.”

Christian’s eyebrows rose. “Care to tell me why you two decided not to share his plans?”

Hadley flopped into a chair. “We did not think you would condone his actions. The women, your wives, seem to think Isobel is innocent, and so by association they thought Victoria must be innocent as well. Only when they had read the journals did they realize Arend was right—it is Victoria. By then he’d already confronted Victoria, and…”

A glass slammed on the desk. “And now he is missing. For all we know, dead.”

Hadley flinched. “He’s too clever to die, and too mean to boot.”

Christian shook his head. “I don’t know what to do. I have no idea where he is, and then you disappeared and I thought…”

Hadley jerked his head up. “You thought I was taken too? I’ve been at Lathero.”

“So I have heard. With Lady Evangeline. Serena tells me you two are courting.”

Christian filled Hadley’s glass with whiskey. After he’d gulped some of the fiery brew he admitted, “Not exactly. I may still have to marry Claire.”

Christian sighed and pushed back his chair. “It’s as my wife said, then. Marrying Claire would be a huge mistake because you don’t love her. From what I have seen and heard, I’d say you still love Evangeline.”

Hadley didn’t even hesitate. “I do, But life isn’t always fair.”

“Then I suggest you fix whatever it is that keeps you from following your heart. Life is short, my friend, and can be very lonely.”

“If we are through discussing my private affairs, what are we going to do about Arend and Victoria?”

Christian rose and walked around his desk to perch on the corner. “Go home. Get some sleep. You look like you’re about to drop. I need you fighting fit tomorrow.”

“But—”

“We will all meet here first thing tomorrow morning to plan our next move. Racing off without a solid plan won’t do Arend any good and may put more of us in danger.”

“When was he last seen?”

“Two nights ago at Lady Seaton’s ball.”

That was after Hadley had left for Lathero. “Were Victoria and Isobel there?”

Christian nodded.

Hadley was worried. “He wouldn’t have been stupid enough to try to capture her on his own, would he?” At Christian’s smirk, he rolled his eyes. “Silly me. Of course he would. Damn him. I should not have gone to Lathero.”

“Arend doesn’t need you protecting him every hour of the day. He should have had patience and waited for us.

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