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

however, couldn’t stand her and Evie wasn’t far behind in her low opinion of Lady Mary.
    â€œSis, how’ve you been keeping?” Matt asked, bestowing a brotherly kiss on Evie’s cheek. “I see you’ve found Wolf and Captain Gilbride.”
    â€œIt was kind of you to invite them down,” Evie said politely. “What luck that you ran into them at your club.”
    A puzzled frown creased Matt’s pleasant, round face. “Seemed more like Wolf hunting me down, actually. Oh, I say,” he said with a laugh. “That’s rather a fun joke, don’t you think? Wolf hunting me down? Get it?”
    Eden pinched the space between her eyebrows while Captain Gilbride peered at Matt with a bemused expression. Will, however, directed a rather baleful stare at her brother, which struck Evie as odd. He knew as well as anyone that Matt had a ponderous sense of humor, so why should it surprise him now?
    â€œYes, dear, I’m sure we all appreciated your little joke,” Evie said. “But what do you mean Wolf hunted you—”
    â€œGood Lord,” Captain Gilbride said, whipping a pocket watch from his waistcoat. “Surely it must be past time to change for dinner.”
    Drat. Evie cast a nervous glance at the house. In the shock of seeing Will, she’d forgotten about dinner.
    â€œConfound it,” Matt exclaimed. “Mamma expressly sent me out to look for you. She wanted to see you before dinner, Evie. And she looked rather put out, if you want to know the truth. What have you done to rile the old girl up now?”
    Her cheeks burning with embarrassment, Evie glanced at Will, but he simply regarded her with a quiet sympathy that looked too much like pity. “I haven’t done anything, as far as I know, but one never knows.”
    â€œDon’t worry about Mamma,” Eden said. “I’ll take care of her. But we’d better all get back to the house or there will surely be a scene.”
    â€œThat sounds amusing,” Captain Gilbride commented sardonically.
    â€œTrust me, it wouldn’t be,” Will replied.
    Evie was almost tempted to laugh. Much had changed in the last ten years, but one thing still had the power to unite them all—fear of Lady Reese.
    Her impulse to laugh died when Will stepped forward, as if ready to take her arm and escort her back to the house. She had an alarming sense that if she touched him, she might just faint from sheer nerves.
    Fortunately, her sister turned her back on Captain Gilbride, who was politely asking if he could escort her to the house. Instead, Eden slipped her hand in the crook of Will’s arm. When he responded with a startled look, she flashed him a grin.
    â€œCome along, Wolf,” Eden said. “I’m dying to hear all about your adventures.” She cast a saucy glance at Gilbride, who looked slightly taken aback by her rebuff. “I’m sure you and the captain got up to all kinds of trouble over there.”
    Chattering gaily, Eden pulled Will across the lawn. Captain Gilbride, looking peeved, trailed in their wake.
    Taking Matt’s arm, Evie started to follow at a slower pace.
    â€œLooks like Edie’s up to her old tricks.” Matt’s pleasant, rather stolid features registered his disapproval. “She’ll have those two at sixes and sevens before nightfall.”
    Evie frowned. “She’s just teasing Will, that’s all.”
    â€œHope so for your sake, Sis. We all know how you feel about Will. Wouldn’t be very sporting of Edie to try and cut you out.”
    She went light-headed at the possibility of Eden falling in love with Will. What a dreadful development that would turn out to be.
    Then she remembered it didn’t matter, because she didn’t love Will anymore. “Don’t be silly. There hasn’t been anything between us for a very long time.”
    â€œWell, that’s good to hear. You know how