How to Plan a Wedding for a Royal Spy by Vanessa Kelly Page A

moved in Beaumont’s direction, as if looking for support. Beaumont rested a reassuring hand on her arm.
    That made it clear there was some sort of understanding between them, and Will liked that as little as he liked the fact that Evie turned instinctively to Beaumont for protection . . . against him.
    â€œHow did you and Evie meet, Mr. Beaumont? Is your family old friends with the Reese family, as well?”
    â€œI’m afraid we didn’t have that pleasure until a few years ago,” Beaumont said in a haughty tone. For a supposed radical, he could look down his aristocratic nose with the best of them.
    â€œWe met at a lecture at the Royal Society,” Evie added with a forced-looking smile. “We discovered we shared an interest in Celtic history, and Michael was kind enough to loan me a number of books on the subject. That led to discussions of other matters of mutual interest.”
    Evie was interested in Celtic history? That was news to Will.
    â€œAnd a fortunate day it was for me when I decided to attend that lecture,” Michael said warmly, “and for St. Margaret’s, as well. You were the saving of us, Evelyn.”
    A genuine, sweet smile curled her lips, making her look young and shyly pretty. Will’s gut clenched with the knowledge that Beaumont could tease out of hiding the Evie of days gone by, when he couldn’t.
    Focus on the task. “St. Margaret’s?” he asked with polite interest. “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that.”
    â€œIt’s a church and a charity in St. Giles,” Evie replied. “Michael is one of the patrons, and I sometimes help out. I’m sure it’s nothing you’d be interested in, Will.”
    â€œI’m interested in everything you do, Evie,” Will said in a gently chiding tone. “You should know that by now.”
    â€œReally?” she said. “I would have thought the opposite was true, given our history.”
    The unexpected riposte robbed him of speech for a few moments. Beaumont stepped into the conversational breach. “I’m sure you have no interest in our simple little charity, Captain Endicott. Anything we could tell you would surely pale in comparison to your military adventures in the Peninsula, for instance.”
    Will was tempted to grab the blighter by his cravat and pull him up on his toes, but Beaumont’s jab had revealed something important. Evie had clearly talked to Beaumont about him, perhaps even explaining their falling out.
    And now she’d gone back to looking awkward, as if she’d suddenly remembered how much she loathed conflict. “Michael, I’m sure it must be time to go in for dinner. Will you escort me in?”
    Just as Beaumont turned to take her arm, Alec strolled up and smoothly inserted himself between Evie and her swain. “Miss Whitney, how delightful to see you again. I must tell you, I find your family completely charming. Your mother, in particular, has been most welcoming.”
    â€œThat would be a change,” Evie muttered.
    Will finally gave in to his darker angels. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
    â€œNever mind,” she gritted out. “Michael—”
    â€œI don’t believe we’ve met,” Alec said, turning to Beaumont with an expansive smile. “Miss Whitney, will you do the honors?”
    Evie sighed and then performed the most perfunctory of introductions. “The Honorable Michael Beaumont, Captain Gilbride.”
    She stressed the Honorable as if to suggest that Michael was above their touch. She obviously didn’t know that Alec was heir to one of the wealthiest earldoms in Britain. Still, it wasn’t like Evie to indulge in snobbery. It was more evidence of how rattled she was.
    â€œAlec, we were talking about Mr. Beaumont’s charity in London,” Will added. “In St. Giles. It sounds a most worthy cause, which I am sure would