"How?"
"You are trying to reason with him."
"He is a Blackwood. Reason should work."
"He is six weeks old."
"He should learn."
She laughed. Nathaniel handed the baby back. The crying stopped almost immediately. Nathaniel stared.
"I am offended."
Evelyn smiled. "He prefers me."
"He has poor judgment."
"He has excellent judgment."
Nathaniel lay beside them. The baby slept between them. For the first time, he understood what his mother had meant years ago: he had forgotten that a wife would have to live with him; now he could not imagine wanting anyone else there.
The peace lasted until Sebastian made his final move. He did not attack Nathaniel directly; he attacked Evelyn.
A letter arrived one morning with no signature. It claimed that Evelyn's marriage was invalid because Nathaniel had never intended a permanent union. She read it twice, then carried it to Nathaniel. He read it once.
"Who sent this?"
"You know."
"Yes."
She sat opposite him. "What does it mean?"
"It means Sebastian is desperate."
"That is not an answer."
"No, it is a threat."
"What can he do?"
"He can attempt to challenge the marriage."
"Can he?"
"Not successfully."
"Then why are you worried?"
Nathaniel looked at the letter. "Because he knows where to strike."
Evelyn was silent. Then she asked, "At me?"
"Yes."
She nodded. "Then we stop letting him choose the battlefield."
Nathaniel looked at her. "What do you suggest?"
"We go to London."
"You just gave birth."
"I am aware."
"You should rest."
"I have rested for three weeks. That is enough."
"It is not."
She raised an eyebrow. "You seem rather my doctor."
"I am becoming your husband."
"That sounds worse."
He smiled despite himself.
They went to London two weeks later. Their son remained at Blackwood with Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Mercer. Evelyn disliked leaving him; Nathaniel noticed.
"You are worried."
"Yes."
"He is safe."
"I agree."
"You trust my mother?"
"I do."
"Then trust me, too."
She looked at him. "I do."
The simple answer affected him more than she realized.