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

offense.
    Eden sprang to her defense. “Mamma, there’s no need to poke up at Evie. I have no desire to go to the ruins, either.” She switched her gaze to Captain Gilbride. “If you want to know the truth, they’re a dead bore, and certainly not the way I want to spend the day.” Her tone clearly indicated she found the captain a dead bore too.
    â€œNo one is interested in your opinion, Eden,” Mamma said in a severe voice. “Evelyn, I will not have you spending the day locked up in the library with Mr. Beaumont, conspiring over that dreary charity of yours. For one, it’s not healthy. For another, I don’t approve of your associating with the type of unsavory and dangerous characters frequenting that part of the city. I’ve been meaning to talk to your father about it for an age, and I intend to do so as soon as possible.”
    Evie could feel Michael stiffen beside her. His reaction was understandable since Mamma’s tone and expression made it clear she considered him one of the unsavory characters lurking around St. Margaret’s.
    â€œMamma, that’s unjust,” she blurted out, her anger on Michael’s behalf pushing her to respond. “Mr. Beaumont and I are doing wonderful work in St. Giles, and it’s unfair to suggest otherwise. And I have no intention of giving up my work, no matter what you or Papa might think.”
    Her mother’s gasp of outrage hissed through the awkward silence that had fallen over the breakfast parlor.
    â€œNow you’ve done it,” Eden murmured under her breath.
    Already regretting her outburst, Evie cast a shamefaced glance at Will and Gilbride. But Will wasn’t paying any attention to her or to Mamma. Instead, he studied Michael with a sort of focused interest, as if Michael’s reaction to the ugly family scene was the only one that mattered.
    â€œWell, this is a pickle,” Gilbride said. “My dear Lady Reese, I do beg your forgiveness. It was foolish of me to assume that the ladies and Mr. Beaumont didn’t already have plans for the day. I’m happy to postpone our outing until a more convenient time.”
    As upset as Evie was, she couldn’t help noticing the captain’s Highland brogue had disappeared—again. More to the point, his smile was so ruefully charming that even Mamma would have trouble withstanding it. Evie added thanking Captain Gilbride to her mental list of things to do that day.
    â€œNot at all, my dear sir,” her mother replied, unbending a bit. “I entirely support your idea to visit the ruins. As soon as I’m finished with my tea, I will instruct my housekeeper to have a picnic lunch made up.” She leveled a stern glance in Evie’s direction, one that said and I’ll deal with you later . “The girls can be ready to go within the hour.”
    Eden let out a dramatic sigh. “Mamma, if Evie and Mr. Beaumont don’t wish to go . . .” She trailed off when their mother’s eyebrows crawled up her forehead.
    â€œI think it a delightful idea,” Michael said in a cheerful voice. “A lovely day such as this is not to be wasted.” He nodded politely across the table to Gilbride. “Thank you for suggesting it, sir. I can’t remember the last time I went on a picnic.”
    Gilbride looked startled but quickly recovered. “Capital! It’s all set, then.”
    Mamma blinked several times, obviously torn between relief that she’d gotten her way and annoyance that it was Michael who’d smoothed things over.
    â€œAre you sure?” Evie whispered to him. “I know how you detest that sort of outing. And we have so much work to do.”
    Michael gave her such a sweet smile that Evie remembered why she was going to marry him. She wasn’t madly in love with him, but no man had ever treated her with such courtesy and consideration. That surely counted a great deal more than passion,