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A fter Ollie had left, and while Evelyn waited for the spare clothing, Evelyn decided to explore the flat.

This was where Mr. Dantes McNab had lived when his artwork had been ruined by fire.

Now he lived with his new wife elsewhere, and everything here had been replaced and was brand new.

Though about the time the pub had reopened, Ollie had mentioned sometimes he or his oldest brother would stay in this flat overnight if they were too tired to make it home.

She supposed that would be changing if it was going to be leased out.

As she did a loop around the room, she came to stop at the fireplace.

Mantels were usually where important personal items were kept and here, she found the tintype of Ollie’s parents that she had restored previously.

It surprised her Mr. Dantes McNab had not taken it with him, but she supposed it belonged to all of the McNabs, so it made sense to leave it in a shared but private space.

Gently, Evelyn allowed one arm through the gap in wool blanket and lifted the photograph to study it closer.

Ollie looked so much like his mother, while his older brothers took after their father.

She wondered what they had been like, and she briefly considered asking Ollie before recalling he’d never known them.

A knock on the door took Evelyn’s attention away from her thoughts and she set the tintype back onto the mantel. When she asked who was at the door, a woman’s voice replied, “It’s Anne Winthrop! And I’ve brought clothes!”

Relieved, Evelyn opened the door to find Lady Litchfield with a mish-mash of clothing draped over one arm.

She bounded in. “I wanted to do my part and since Vivian has clothes that will fit you better than mine, I offered to bring them over. I do have to make it quick, though. A maid is outside waiting for me in the carriage, and I don’t like leaving the children for too long at night.

” She paused, as if realizing how that sounded.

“They’re not alone, of course. Their governess is there, as well as the servants. But I prefer being there with them.”

Evelyn recalled that, several months ago, Ollie had commented Lady Litchfield was married to Vivian’s brother and that was how they knew each other. “What about your husband? Isn’t he there with them?”

Lady Litchfield paled. “Oh! Well, he’s away at the moment.

” She cleared her throat and looked away quickly before laying the garments out one by one over the sofa cushions.

“I brought you a few day dresses, two nightgowns, chemises, bloomers, stockings. The undergarments have yet to be worn. Unfortunately, you’re on your own with shoes, so you may want to make sure the ones you wore today dry out.

” Lady Litchfield then lifted a navy dress to Evelyn’s front.

“The hems and sleeves might be a bit short for you, and the bust a bit roomy. But it’s better than nothing. ”

“Thank you for bringing these to me,” Evelyn said. “I’ve never found a nightgown so appealing as these and cannot wait to pull it on after being caught in the rain.”

Lady Litchfield laughed before resting her fists on her hips. She looked Evelyn over. “Now, I didn’t want to ask earlier, but if you’re betrothed to an earl, you must be from a family I may know?”

Evelyn gave a hesitant nod. “My father is the Baron Cheswick.”

“Oh! I believe my husband and your father have played card games together at White’s.”

“Very likely.”

“We’ve probably seen each other at balls and other events.”

“Yes, probably.” But Evelyn wasn’t thinking about balls and other events. “Forgive me if this is too intrusive but, are you happy?”

The marchioness’s fists fell. “Am I happy? Whatever do you mean?” She released a nervous chuckle.

“I’ve heard stories from Ollie—Mr. McNab.”

Lady Litchfield’s eyebrows lifted.

Evelyn shifted, uncomfortable. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have asked.”

The marchioness stepped forward. “No, it’s quite all right.

Am I happy being married to my husband? No, I’m not.

” She shrugged. “It doesn’t do me any good lying about that to you.

I am sorry to hear your parents put their sights on the Earl of Wellingham, of all people.

I do not much like that man. He seems rather old for you, though, doesn’t he?

It would be one thing if he had a modicum of charm, but he is rather boorish.

And he sneezes at the most obnoxious volume. ”

Evelyn had also made the same observation. “Yes, he does.”

Both women looked at each other with amusement.

Even though Lady Litchfield was older than Evelyn, and a mother with young children, she understood what it was like to be under the thumb of aristocratic men.

Her separation afforded her some freedoms, but she would never be free entirely unless something were to happen to her husband.

In the moment, it helped Evelyn’s mood lift just a bit, knowing that someone out there kind of, sort of, understood.

“So, you and Mr. Ollie McNab are friends?” Lady Litchfield asked casually.

“Yes, I suppose we are. I’m sure you know about the paintings I am restoring for his brother?”

Lady Litchfield nodded.

“Mr. McNab is the one with whom I speak about it. The family contact, I suppose. He comes in to visit every day to see how it’s coming along.”

Lady Litchfield tilted her head and gave Evelyn a curious look over. “He goes in every single day?”

“Yes.” Evelyn wondered why Lady Litchfield was questioning that. “Almost every single day. Not on weekends, of course.”

“No. Of course not.” The marchioness paused. “And you came here when you needed help.”

Evelyn wasn’t sure what Lady Litchfield was trying to understand. “My family would never think to look for me here.”

“Right.” For some strange reason, Lady Litchfield did not seem to believe this reasoning, though for the life of Evelyn, she could not figure out why.

A concerning thought crossed Evelyn’s mind, though. “You’re not going to tell people I’m here?”

The marchioness placed a hand over her heart.

“Heavens, no! Please, do not worry about that. I will say, though, that you must realize this isn’t going to simply go away.

You may have bought yourself more time, but I would hazard a guess your parents will only be more determined to throw you down the aisle when they find you. ”

Evelyn pulled the loosening blanket tight again and sunk into a chair, defeated. “I’m trying not to think about it.”

“Well, I think it’s best to warn you. You will be talked about endlessly.

People will say very unkind things about you, perhaps even to your face.

But it won’t last forever, either. Eventually, parlors and drawing rooms will tire of you and move onto the next scandal.

And there will always be another scandal. ”

The use of the word scandal made Evelyn wince. Up till now, she had been focusing only on running away and finding safety. But now that the dust was settling, it was quite clear that there would be severe repercussions.

“What do you plan on doing?” Lady Litchfield asked in a gentle voice.

Evelyn studied the fire. She only had permission to be at the flat for a few days. But then what? “I suppose leave the country,” she joked. “In truth, I have no idea what I can do. Mr. McNab was asking me the same question not too long ago. I hope I’ll figure it out.”

But when Evelyn looked back up to the marchioness, she noted the woman looked at her with a tight smile.

Not that Evelyn blamed the marchioness. She couldn’t run forever. Eventually, she would have to go home. And she also knew Papa would not give up on her marrying the earl.

Lady Litchfield departed soon after, leaving Evelyn alone once more.

And in this solitude, exhaustion from the relentless anxiety and emotion and all that running through London caught up to her.

She changed into a nightgown that was three inches too short, but it was soft and warm, then went to the washstand behind a screen.

Lady Litchfield had also provided a small cloth bag with lilac-scented soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.

And while Evelyn changed, she overheard Ollie come in, call out that he had left food for her on the counter, and promptly left.

Too exhausted to peek in on the food, Evelyn collapsed into bed instead, hoping to rest for a short moment before eating. After turning on her side, she listened closely and could just barely hear the hum of the pub below. And soon, she was asleep.

*

When the pub closed for the night, Ollie informed his brothers of Evelyn’s fear of being alone and his plan to stay the first night.

Dantes thought it a lark, telling Ollie, “She’s afraid of the dark, but not the pub’s biggest scoundrel?

” Ollie knew Dantes was trying to lighten the mood after all the mistakes Ollie had made earlier, but it only made him feel worse.

Ollie also won a scowl from Victor, and a few sighs, but, surprisingly, his brother made no argument about the “inappropriateness” of Ollie sleeping on the sofa.

And as soon as he was able to, Ollie hurried upstairs and unlocked the door, shutting it behind him as quietly as he could.

The horrid day had taken its toll, and Victor was still furious with him over how much he’d blundered.

Ollie would have to be extra careful and make sure he didn’t fail elsewhere for a long while or he’d irrevocably damage his relationship with his brother.

Somehow, he needed to redeem himself.

The fire he had lit earlier in the flat was now hardly a faint, orange glow. Ollie tiptoed through the flat and peeked into the bedroom to ensure Evelyn was still there.

The woman, to his great relief, was out cold. He shut the door quietly.