Page 103 of Impeccable
“This has been a shock for her,” Evie’s father said to the duke. “You should have prepared her.”
Evie stared at Evesham. “How did you find him?”
“I and a few other gentlemen are alerted when noblemen are released from prison. We provide for their transport here and ensure they find any missing family.”
Lucien’s father did this? “Why?”
“I should think it would be obvious. They were treated quite badly by their homeland. We show them how much more dignified the English are.”
Her father chuckled. “The duke is full of bluster. These Englishmen like to reunite families. I have heard stories about them.”
Evie had great difficulty reconciling this information with the man Lucien had told her about for years. There was no way Lucien knew anything about this. Which was a shame, because the duke could find no better partner in such work.
“Lucien has no idea what you do,” she said softly, but with a slight accusatory edge.
The duke shrugged. “I’m new to this. Someone in the group died last year, and I was merely filling in while they searched for someone new.” He cocked his head. “It was Lord Witney, if that interests you.”
Evie squeezed her father’s hand. She had her father back, which was more than a miracle, and it was due to the work done by the father of the man she loved? She could scarcely believe that was possible. Or that it had happened to her. This had to be a dream.
“It definitely interests me since I am to wed his son, Lord Gregory.” She turned to her father and raised one hand to touch his cheek. His skin was dry, and she made a note to provide him with some cream. “Are you real?”
He smiled at her with such love that she nearly lost her legs again. “I am, and I am never letting you leave me again. I’m so sorry, ma fille.”
“I’m sorry about Maman,” she said, tears slipping from her eyes. “I don’t even remember her.”
“What a tragedy.” He pulled her close and hugged her tightly. Evie had never felt such an embrace. It was protection and compassion, and most of all, unconditional love.
She cried for some time, wetting his cravat. When she finally pulled back, she tried to smile. “I’ve watered you quite thoroughly, I’m afraid.”
“Not to worry,” he said in French.
“I want to hear everything,” she said, using French in return.
His eyes shone with pride. “You speak our language! And so beautifully. Does your sister too?”
“Yes. You must meet her. In fact, I am leaving today to travel to her house in Oxfordshire.”
“What about this man you are to marry? Where is he?”
“I am here.” Gregory stood near the duke.
Evie wanted to throw herself into his arms and cry again, but she didn’t want to let her father go. “How long have you been here?” she asked.
“Long enough to see a magnificent reunion. This is your father?”
“I can’t believe it, but yes. Papa—” Evie turned her head toward her father. “May I call you Papa?”
“Oh yes, please.” He wiped a tear from his eye.
“Papa, allow me to present my betrothed, Lord Gregory Blakemore. Gregory, this is my father, Monsieur Henri Avenses. Or perhaps you prefer Henry Aviers,” she said, glancing at her father in question. He only waved his hand in response, as if to say it didn’t matter.
Gregory came forward and extended his hand. “It is my great honor to meet you, sir.”
“I am delighted to meet the man who will make my daughter happy.” Papa looked to her. “He makes you happy?”
“More than I’ve ever been. Will you come with us?”
“I think I must. I can’t keep living on the kindness of men like the duke.” Papa glanced toward Evesham, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back and his gaze fixed toward the windows, as if the scene in the drawing room bored him. More accurately, it likely made him uncomfortable.
