Evelyn raised her chin. “You said you passed Alexander and Elliot on the way down to the village. What of Leo?”
The mere mention of his name sent a flurry of excitement coursing through her. “He is waiting at the castle for my return.”
“Is he your prisoner?” Grace asked apprehensively.
“No. He is there of his own free will. But I shall leave it to your husbands to explain. At this time of year, I visit the children at nine and shall be ready to receive you after ten. Until tomorrow.”
Ivana turned and walked solemnly towards her carriage.
What a difference a few days could make to one’s life. She did not like the uncertainty that came with change. But after reuniting with Leo, she knew nothing would ever be the same again. If Elliot proved worthy, Ivana would explain the circumstances to Herr Bruhn and let them take the boy. She would let them take Leo, too. He could not stay in Bavaria. They could not be together as she wished. It crossed her mind to go with him. But she could not travel further than ten miles from the castle.
Nikolai had seen to that.
Nikolai had seen to everything.
Grace stared at the cloaked figure walking along the quiet street. The rain had eased a little, the misty mizzle coating everything in a glistening sheen. The wind whipped Ivana’s golden tresses about her face, but she did not raise her hood. The woman had the inherent beauty of a temptress but certainly not the heart of a devil.
“I am still struggling to absorb all that I have seen and heard this evening.” Grace sighed. “Elliot has a son. I cannot believe it. Though I knew the truth the moment I laid eyes on him.”
“I know.” Evelyn smiled sympathetically. “I cannot believe we have met the golden-haired devil from Bavaria and are still standing to tell the tale. She was not as terrifying as I imagined.”
“No,” Grace replied dreamily. “Despite her confidence and the obvious strength that emanates from her, I think she looks sad, so very sad and lonely.”
They walked towards the tavern.
“Did you see the expression on her face when you asked about Leo?” Grace continued.
“I recall seeing a similar expression on your face,” Evelyn said with a chuckle. “The day we left the apothecary, and you said you would just call around to see Elliot but were gone all afternoon.”
The memory of the time spent in Elliot’s bedchamber came flooding back to warm her cold bones.
“It was rather a special afternoon,” Grace said feeling the heat touch her cheeks. “I don’t know how I am going to find the courage to tell him about the child.”
“All things happen as they are intended to. I am a firm believer in that. You will know what to say when the time comes. I wonder if—” Evelyn stopped abruptly, her attention distracted as Alexander came charging out of the tavern door.
Grace gasped. “I don’t think I have ever seen him look so cross.”
“Leave this to me,” Evelyn whispered. “He is always rather amorous when he is angry.”
“How the hell did you manage to leave your room?” Alexander yelled as he stopped directly in front of them. “Where the hell have you been?”
Evelyn stepped forward and placed her palm on his chest which worked to soothe his ragged breathing. “We’re fine. There is nothing to worry about.” She held her arms open and twirled around. “See. But I am tired and would like to go to our room and lie down.”
A look passed between them. His heated gaze devoured her and she gave a coy smile in response. The passion they shared shone from them like the brightest beacon, and Grace was thankful she could not hear the salacious nature of their thoughts.
“I suspect Elliot is just as angry,” she said, feeling a sudden urge to race to her room, to soothe him, to take him into her eager body in a bid to delay the pain her revelation would cause.
“Angry does not even begin to describe how he feels.” Alexander’s sombre expression did not worry her. She had seen a similar look many times before.
“I should go to him.”
A loud crashing caused them all to jump back as a candlestick came hurtling out of a bedchamber window. It landed with a clunk on the cobbled walkway, along with shards of broken glass.
“Good heavens!” Evelyn gasped as she clutched Alexander’s arm.
A few men came running out of the tavern, tiptoed around the debris as they stared at the strange object on the ground.
“Elliot has completely lost his mind,” Alexander said. “It has taken me the best part of an hour to calm him down and then when he came back to find you’d gone.” He shook his head as though the event was too distressing to recount.