Page 4 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

“Oh!” Her face brightened when he held out the parasol. “I thought I’d lost it for good. Thank you.”

“It’s scuffed but still functional.”

“Much like me,” she said, accepting his offering and tipping her head to study him. “That was quick thinking, what you did with your walking stick. I would venture to say you’ve had some training.”

He hesitated. “I studied fencing at university,” he lied. “Today, I was lucky.”

“I’m impressed nonetheless. Thank you once again for your assistance.”

He sketched a bow. “We are far from home and must look out for one another.”

“Indeed.”

As the last of the Clara-Rose’s passengers filtered past, the rowboat returned with the shipmaster at the bow. He should go if he wanted to speak with the captain before he lost him in the crowd, but his feet were rooted to the dock.

The gentleman with them nudged the willowy blonde. “We should go.”

“What brings you to Athens?” Jonathan blurted.

Evangeline laughed, sending a wave of heat crashing over him.

“Forgive me,” he mumbled. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

She shook her head, still smiling. “Don’t be sorry. It’s refreshing to meet a gentleman who is direct. A rare and pleasant surprise.”

He blinked, unable to meet her eyes as he stammered another lie. “I…I’m not usually this socially clumsy.”

She waved off his apology with a delicate flick of her fingers. “None of us are etiquette instructors, and as you pointed out, we’re far from home. Shall I perform formal introductions?”

“I would be honored.”

She gestured toward the couple. “Please allow me to present my sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Xavier Vistoire. Regina and Xavier are traveling for their honeymoon.”

They exchanged greetings, though Regina Vistoire’s response was weak. She appeared to have wilted in the aftermath of the excitement and was sagging against her husband. Bluish circles marred the pale skin beneath her eyes.

“Oh! And I’m Evangeline Darlington.”

As she continued to talk about their journey, her voice faded into the background. Darlington… Why did that name sound familiar?

“I wonder if I might impose upon you once more, sir.” She reached into her reticule and extracted a letter with a broken seal. “You said you read Greek?”

He nodded.

“Splendid. Would you be so kind as to translate this address? We’ve come to surprise our uncle.”

Jonathan glanced at the envelope, his eyes widening as he read the name scrawled across it. Now he recognized the women. He looked up, his gaze flickering back and forth between them.

Hellfire and all that is unholy! He was staring at Evangeline and Regina Darlington, the Earl of Wedmore’s nieces.

Jonathan’s target was still alive.

Two

The gentleman’s gaze shuttered, but he blinked, and his eyes cleared, locking on her. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Darlington.”

He bowed over Evangeline’s hand, allowing her a moment to study him without his piercing turquoise gaze assessing her in return.

There was evidence of distraction in the haphazard style of his hair, as if he’d dragged his fingers through it. He held his hat, apparently having forgotten to put it on again after the scuffle with the thief.