Read Online An Unlikely Alliance by Rachel van Dyken - Free Book Online

to attend the Worthington's Valentine Ball
tonight."
    Evelyn sighed. "I dislike balls."
    "And I dislike wind, but it doesn't mean I
sit and pout about it."
    "I'm not—"
    "You were, don't deny it. No pouting. Just
think of it as another one of our spying adventures."
    "Our adventures?"
    Royce grew suddenly nervous and cleared his
throat. "Yes. Well, I… I was hoping we could attend together." Long
awkward pause. "As a couple. After all, this is your first
Valentine's Day in New York, is it not?"
    Evelyn blinked, making the silence deadly to
his self-esteem. How many times had she blinked before
answering?
    "That would be lovely."
    "Brilliant!" Royce realized he hadn't been
breathing and would have probably passed out had she not answered
when she did. "Shall we conclude our breakfast and find a
comfortable hiding place outside whilst we wait?"
    Evelyn eyed him speculatively, and then
grinned. "Agreed, but…" she pointed at him, "if you touch my warm
chocolate this morning, or my pastry, I'm kicking you out."
    "My dear, I wouldn't dream of it. I even
took the liberty of having the pastry heated up for you. Seems you
took awhile to better yourself, though I must admit you looked
ravishing earlier this morning. No matter. I had the cook take it
back while you finished your morning rituals."
    "Saints be praised," she mumbled, sipping
her warm chocolate with a look of absolute ecstasy.
    "Wish you would look at me like that," he
muttered, reaching for his own pastry.
    "Pardon?" Evelyn peered up at him, all
clear-eyed and beautiful.
    "Nothing." He reached for his napkin and
became captivated again as she daintily ate her morning meal.
    The words lovesick, ridiculous, fool,
floated around in his head throughout the morning, but he didn't
mind. Not with Evelyn in the room. She had a way of making
everything brighter—happier. The connection with her was more than
just physical. It was as if by sharing the same air, he was able to
feel more like himself, something he hadn't felt since his father
died.

Chapter Eleven
     
    They sauntered to the back of the large
house and sat beneath a tree hidden from the rest of the outside
area, where the makeshift tent was already set up for her father
and Royce's mother. They had a basket of food and a bottle of wine.
Royce also insisted on bringing playing cards, so he could teach
her how to play the civilized game of whist.
    "Whist? However are we going to keep an eye
on them, if we're playing games the entire time?" Evelyn put her
hands on her hips, drawing Royce's eyes down the long slender line
of her body.
    "I…" He was a complete blank.
    "You what?" she invited.
    Royce wasn't sure what had come over him,
but in the morning light with the sun beaming down on Evelyn's
face, he was certain he had never seen a more beautiful woman in
his life. "That is to say, I think if they try to make a run for
it, we'll notice."
    Evelyn seemed satisfied with his response
and sat on the blanket, exhaling loudly. "So, when are they
coming?"
    "Right about now." Royce pointed across the
lawn to both of their parents, slowly approaching hand in hand.
They laughed as they settled beneath the tent and smiled
sickeningly at one another whilst a servant poured wine for
them.
    Not wanting to be outdone, Royce pulled out
his own bottle of wine and poured glasses for Evelyn and him. When
he was finished, he took out a deck of cards and began shuffling.
He yawned once, suddenly realizing how utterly exhausted he felt.
Shaking the tiredness from his head, he rubbed his eyes and took a
healthy gulp of wine.
    "You're tired." Evelyn shifted towards
him.
    "Maybe." Shrugging, he put down his wine and
leaned against the tree.
    "Why don't you close your eyes for a bit?
I'll keep watch."
    Royce rolled his eyes. "And go down in
history for the worse adventure partner ever? No, that's okay. I'll
stay awake."
    "Suit yourself."
     
    ****
     
    Minutes later Royce was asleep. Evelyn
watched as his eyes became gradually heavier and