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

Mamma feels about him.”
    Their mother had only tolerated Will’s presence because his guardian, Mr. Philip Endicott, was a wealthy member of the local gentry from a distinguished family. Her father thought the world of Mr. Endicott and had always welcomed Will to Maywood Manor. Will’s true parentage was never spoken of, but that didn’t mean her mother wasn’t fully aware of it. To Mamma, just as damning as Will’s illegitimate status was his lack of financial prospects. According to Lady Reese’s social barometer, for all the royal blood that ran through his veins Will had nothing to recommend him as a potential suitor.
    Not that Evie had ever cared about his prospects. She would have happily left her quiet comfortable life in the country and followed Will behind the drum in order to be with him.
    Unfortunately, Will had never called upon her to make that sacrifice. “You needn’t worry. I’m sure Will’s not here for any reason other than a simple visit to old friends.”
    Matt gave a noncommittal grunt. “If you say so, but he seemed fairly keen about wrangling an invitation from me.”
    They were about to mount the shallow marble steps that led up to the back terrace, but Evie held him back. “Then you weren’t joking about Wolf hunting you down?”
    â€œBut it was . . . oh, I see what you mean,” he said with a slow grin. “You mean I wasn’t joking about the fact that he was insistent about coming down to the old pile.”
    â€œYes, that’s what I mean,” she said, stifling a sigh. Matt was not the sharpest pin in the box, but he was a kind and affectionate brother.
    â€œHe was certainly keen on it, I’ll say that. I was already out the door when he came dashing after me. Said he heard we were having a jolly house party and would like the chance to come visit with everyone.”
    â€œHe actually said jolly? ”
    Matt pursed his lips, obviously thinking hard. “Yes, he did. In fact, Sis, he was so blasted adamant that I was convinced he wanted to come courting, if you see what I mean.”
    She pressed a hand to her bodice, hating the instinctive flutter of hope in her chest. “Yes, I do see what you mean.”
    But why would Will even consider trying to rekindle their old relationship? What could possibly have sparked an interest in something that had lain dormant—if not lifeless—for years?
    â€œI don’t suppose he’s heard about you and Michael Beaumont has he?” Matt asked.
    Michael.
    Evie’s silly flight of fancy crashed back to earth. She could almost imagine the stone of the terrace cracking under her feet with the force of the impact as she was brought down by the fell hand of guilt.
    â€œNo, I don’t suppose he has heard,” she said. “After all, why would he?”

Chapter Four
    â€œThere, miss, I think that’s done it,” murmured Cora around the hairpins still in her mouth. Evie waited patiently as the maid inspected her coiffure, resisting the impulse to fiddle with the pins and ribbons that held her thick ringlets in place.
    Cora, lady’s maid to both Evie and Edie, gave a final nod of approval. “Don’t you be yanking away at those pins and ribbons, Miss Evie. That hair of yours is so heavy you’ll bring the entire thing down.”
    Evie spun around on the low stool at her dressing table. “But I haven’t even touched it!”
    Cora snorted knowingly, as was to be expected from a servant who’d been looking after her charge for years. “You’re thinking about it, though. But it looks perfectly lovely just the way it is, so don’t you go messing about with it.”
    Evie eyed the arrangement of apricot-colored ribbons interwoven through her hair that made the locks fall in artful disarray around her temples and neck. Because the ribbons matched her gown, the effect was both tasteful and pretty, making