I could not argue with her urgency. I even agreed with it. Yet I still did not tell them of my plan to meet him. Instead, I picked up a card, returning us to the game.

•   •   •

Of course, I could not expect an answer from Evan in the first few days. He would have to first read our notice, then write his return and deliver it to be published in the next day’s edition. At least three days, or more with no paper on Sunday, or if he did not see it the first time it was published. The wait was torturous.

Finally, on the fourth morning, I opened the newspaper at the breakfast table and scanned the pages, my searching gaze catching upon the words To RENEGADE.

“Julia, it is here!” I could not contain my smile or the leap of my heart.

She rose from her chair to look over my shoulder. I pointed to the sliver of text and read it aloud. “To RENEGADE. Invitation accepted. LENNOX.”

“Well, that is to the point,” Julia said. She patted my shoulder. “Soon you will know about his association with that club.” She returned to her chair. “And you must tell Lady Hester that you are meeting him. She will want to send a message, I am sure.”

I made a noncommittal sound as I read his words again. Very to the point. A tiny part of me was disappointed, but what did I expect? A love letter at a halfpenny a word?

“Gus!”

I looked up at my sister. “Yes?”

“Why are you refusing to tell Lady Hester and Miss Grant about this meeting?”

I opened my mouth to deny the accusation but met Julia’s stern look. I could not lie to her, or indeed to myself any longer.

The truth, then, to my shame.

“What if Lord Evan decides the only course of action is to take his sister far away from their brother? I do not want to stand in the way of Hester and Miss Grant’s safety, but I do not want Evan to leave either.”

“You thought he was leaving three weeks ago, and you had come to terms with it then,” Julie pointed out.

I looked down at the notice again. To RENEGADE. “I was fooling myself.”

“You are also assuming that will be the plan. Who knows what resources Lord Evan has at his disposal?” She rose from her chair. “Come, let us go upstairs and tell them now.”

Grudgingly, I put down the newspaper and followed her from the room. I did wonder, however, whether she was accompanying me upstairs for moral support or to ensure I finally informed our guests of my imminent meeting with Lord Evan.

•   •   •