Alexander-Fyn-Sanguinarian

materialized, bowing low. He was tall and thin, very pale and quite old. “Lord Ravenscroft is a valued patron of this establishment, ma’am. Please pass on my regards to him. Now, how may I serve you?”
    Evangeline repeated her order. “And would you be good enough 72
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    to build up the fire a little more. It is very chilly in here.” If Raven’s name had such an effect on people she might as well use it to her advantage.
    “Certainly, ma’am.” He looked at the maid then gestured to the fire. She threw more logs onto the dying embers and used the poker to set the blaze going while the man went to see to their meal.
    “I’m telling you, pet,”—Mrs. Brackett smiled—“if he was a normal man, not a monster like he is, it would be very nice to be married to him. Money to spend. Just the mention of his name and people seemed pleased to help…anxious to help.”
    “Do you think they are afraid of him and that’s why they jump to when I mention his name?”
    “I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s not a man to go unnoticed even if he weren’t rich and titled, not the way he looks, but what do we care as long as it works to our benefit?”
    Their meal arrived and they tucked in while refining their plan of escape. They had decided to return to London since it had always been home to them both. An enormous grandfather clock to one side of the room chimed out half past one. They had two full hours before Hodder would become concerned and even then he would most likely give them the benefit of the doubt for another quarter of an hour.
    Evangeline lifted the teapot. There was just enough left for another cup each. Pouring the remains of the tepid tea, comfortably full and warmed through, she sighed. “A few days ago life seemed so certain. My dreams were still intact and now look at us, Mrs.
    Brackett, running for our lives from a man we suspect of being the worst kind of monster.”
    “Oh, lamb.” The older woman patted her hand gently. “I know what your dreams are. To fall in love with a nice young gentleman and get married.”
    Evangeline smiled. “Yes, but more than that, to study, to improve myself, to make up for the holes my education. There are places I want to visit abroad, galleries, artworks I want to see. Imagine, Mrs.

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    Brackett, Egypt and the tombs of the ancient pharaohs!”
    The woman nodded dubiously. “But what about gentlemen? You must have had thoughts in that direction. You know my own marriage was short-lived.” She shook her head. “He died young and I never fancied another man afterward.”
    “I know, Mrs. Brackett,” Evangeline said. “I always thought a nice young gentleman of superior intellect would be right for me. A young man with soft eyes and an intelligent brow.”
    “Not like that Raven with his yellow eyes and his hair hanging halfway down his back.”
    Evangeline sighed. “I think he’s quite handsome in an unconventional sort of way, but he looks older than he is, doesn’t he, older than thirty.”
    “He does,” Mrs. Brackett agreed.
    “But Mrs. Brackett, the way he responded to that poor beggar family surprised me. He was very kind and took them in at once.”
    “He probably just did that to fool you, Miss Evie. To make himself look kind.”
    “But they said they were sent by the villagers.” And then there was Munk’s expression when his lordship told her to look after the family. She expected his lordship’s reaction. No, it was definitively not an act for Evangeline’s benefit.
    “I’m sure I don’t know, dear.” Mrs. Brackett tipped back the remains of her tea and struggled to her feet. “Let’s get ourselves off to the bank and then the King’s Arms. That’s where the coach leaves from most frequently, I believe.” They pulled on their coats and straightened their bonnets. Evangeline took money from her reticule and laid it on the table.
    Seeing that they were leaving, the tall, elderly man who had been so solicitous of them throughout their meal came out and bowed low.
    “Ma’am,” he addressed Evangeline, “might I be so presumptuous as to ask if you are the young lady his lordship is to marry?”
    “I am indeed.” She smiled. “In fact I am in York today to order 74
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    my wedding gown.” There was a collective gasp as every person in the room drew in breath at once.
    “Then you are of the blood ?”
    That phrase again—whatever did he mean? “I am indeed. What did you