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

the most of her thick, honey-colored hair. Unfortunately, Cora’s efforts were wasted as soon as Evie donned her spectacles. Most men never looked beyond those, immediately classifying her as a wallflower.
    Given her tendency to clam up around men the assumption was generally correct. Evie hadn’t a clue how to flirt, giggle, or listen with rapt attention when a young man droned on about his horses, a bet he’d made, or the capital batch of snuff he’d just acquired. True, it sometimes chafed to spend social occasions sitting against the wall with the chaperones and old ladies, but most days she cared not a hoot about any of it, including whether or not her outfit was all the crack. After all, Michael liked her perfectly well as she was, so why should she worry about her looks tonight?
    She knew the answer to that question, but Will Endicott had nothing to do with her life anymore. There was simply no reason to wish for his good opinion, especially since Michael had made it clear he intended to ask her father’s permission to marry her. The only reason he hadn’t done so already was in deference to the objections Mamma would surely make. Michael had suggested that a long, unofficial courtship would give Lady Reese time to know him and recognize how devoted he was to Evie.
    Now that their unofficial courtship had been going on for over a year, Evie thought he’d waited quite long enough. The sooner she and Michael were married, the sooner she could escape from under her mother’s thumb.
    As Cora moved around the bedroom tidying up, Evie contemplated her future as Mrs. Michael Beaumont. They’d planned a quiet, comfortable life with an emphasis on their charitable work. Michael was no more interested in the social activities of the ton than she was, and the fact that he was a Catholic—albeit one from a wealthy aristocratic family—meant that he, too, was something of an outsider like Evie. Those similarities had drawn her to Michael from the first. She was convinced they would have a good life together, and she saw no reason why the fact that she wasn’t wildly in love with him should be an impediment to the success of their marriage.
    Just the opposite was true, as Will’s sudden reappearance today had so amply demonstrated. After only a few minutes in his company, Evie had found herself grappling with a host of strong and decidedly disconcerting emotions. That was not what she wanted. Not anymore. She wanted Michael and the quiet life they would have together, not the fevered, almost desperate love she’d once felt for Will.
    Squelching the sound of mocking laughter in her head, Evie picked up her evening gloves and went to fetch Eden. She’d almost reached the door connecting their rooms when she heard the familiar staccato click of heels in the hallway.
    â€œConfound it,” she muttered, and then pinned what she hoped was a pleasant smile on her face.
    The door opened and her mother swept into the room. “You may go, Cora,” Lady Reese said, barely acknowledging the maid’s quick curtsey.
    Cora slipped out the door but not before giving Evie an encouraging wink. Evie had to choke back a laugh.
    â€œWhat are you snorting about in that unattractive way, Evelyn?” her mother asked. “Ladies do not snort.”
    â€œI just thought of something amusing, that’s all.”
    â€œPlease keep amusing thoughts to yourself. If there’s one thing a man cannot abide, it’s a woman who thinks herself clever. You already have too much of a reputation as a bluestocking as it is, and that is fatal, as you well know.”
    â€œYes, Mamma,” Evie said in a resigned voice.
    She’d heard a variation on this lecture every day for the last ten years, and her resentment had gradually dimmed. Mamma believed such admonitions were part of her maternal duties, and Evie was convinced that she had no idea how wounding her sharp words could