Page 114 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

“And we did a lot of knitting. Auntie insisted we all need baby blankets.”

“A mother’s intuition,” Aunt Beatrice said with a satisfied nod.

Regina smiled and rested her hand on her stomach. Her pregnancy was just beginning to show.

It felt good to be with her sisters and Aunt Beatrice again.

“I really missed you both,” Evangeline said to Sophia and her aunt. “Being separated these past several weeks has me questioning whether I want to be far away for a dig. Perhaps my interests should be directed closer to home.”

“England is rich with history,” Aunt Beatrice said, “and I would love to keep my girls close.”

“Sir Jonathan is an antiquarian,” Regina interjected, “and so are you. I expected you would travel together.”

Evangeline reclined against the seatback, her feet propped on a footstool. “Someday, but I believe all this time abroad has made him weary. He’s ready to set down roots, as am I. When he wants to explore again, I’ll be by his side.”

“Hackberry found him a right gem, aye?”

She and her sisters gasped, whipping around to find a man blocking the doorway—the one who had chased her into the protestors at the market. Her heart sped.

Aunt Beatrice squinted at him. “Is that Lord Dominic?”

The man tossed his head back, cackling and displaying a mouthful of missing and rotted teeth.

Sophia screwed up her face. “Ew,” she said under her breath.

“Never been taken for nobility before.” He sketched a mocking bow. “Call me Lord Wolfe if you like, Miss Allred.”

“How does he know my name?” Aunt Beatrice whispered to Regina, but she didn’t answer. Her gaze was locked on Farrin’s man, mentally assessing for vulnerabilities like Uncle Charles had taught them.

“My husband will be back any moment.” Regina’s voice was strong, commanding.

Wolfe clicked his tongue sympathetically. “Afraid he’s not coming back, sweetheart.”

Color leached from Regina’s face, and she covered her mouth like she was going to be sick.

He was lying. There was no blood on him. Evangeline stood, drawing his attention away from her sister. “What do you want? Our uncle isn’t here.” She scanned the side table for a weapon, but it was clear.

He stepped into the room. A low growl rumbled in Cupid’s chest.

“I watched him leave, yeah? Thought Hackberry and Margrave were smarter than to leave their brides unprotected. Right nice wedding it was. Had a clear view from the doctor’s window.”

Evangeline grabbed a pillow, holding it in front of her like a shield. He sighed, cocking his head and frowning.

“You look just like my little sister. This ain’t what I want, yeah? But I have orders.” He withdrew a short dagger from his jacket. “Now don’t go thinking this is any of your faults.”

Aunt Beatrice snapped her fingers, and Cupid shot off the sofa. Evangeline flung the pillow in his face. The poodle clamped down on Wolfe’s ankle, and he yelped.

“Run!” Evangeline shouted, pointing toward the door leading to Jonathan’s bedchamber.

Sophia and Regina tugged Aunt Beatrice from the sofa.

Wolfe swung the blade at Cupid. The poodle dashed out of reach, and the knife sliced through Wolfe’s trousers, nicking his shin.

“Shite!”

Scrambling around the sofa, Evangeline ran toward the adjoining room with her sisters and aunt. Cupid whipped past to follow Aunt Beatrice.

Evangeline darted into the corridor last. Wolfe barreled through the sitting room doorway, slamming against the bank of windows.