Page 11

O ne week after the archery contest, Evie and her family entered the Bailey ball.

“Smile, daughter, there is so much to enjoy at these events.”

“Sorry, father.” Evie forced her lips upward.

She’d faked an illness and avoided taking a carriage ride with Lord Cavendish after he’d sent word he would collect her. Prue had answered the door and told him she was in bed with a sore throat. He’d not been happy. This Evie knew as she’d listened.

She’d then had to stay in the house for three days, which if she was honest had been a relief. This polite pretense they were forced to maintain—well, she was forced, her father and sister seemed to actually enjoy society—was stretching her nerves to breaking point.

The words Cavendish had said at the Hugh’s club were constantly inside her head. She would rather live on the streets than be subjected to life with that man, but how did she dissuade him?

“Of course, there is much to enjoy,” Prue said when Evie remained silent.

“Exactly,” Heathcliff Spencer said, beaming. Their father never understood the subtleties of sarcasm, which, unfortunately for him, his daughters excelled at.

“That painting is larger than the wall in our bedroom,” Prue whispered, looking up.

Following her sister’s eyes she took in the artwork. The huge, gilded frame had a gentleman dressed in severe black glaring down his long nose at them. At his side was a spaniel with long floppy ears.

“Clearly the dog was his favorite, as there is no sign of a wife or children,” Prue added.

“I can understand that as most people are fools,” Evie said.

The entrance was lined with servants waiting to take outer clothing and assist in any way they could.

Evie would need to keep her eyes open tonight so there was no possibility of running into Lord Cavendish.

Lord Hamilton was not a problem because they disliked each other, so he’d never seek her out.

But he had stood up for both her identities in small ways, so she could be polite at the very least if she saw him.

Plus, there was that bond they shared of hatred for Lord Cavendish.

“It is the grandest house we have visited so far,” Prue said.

“It is.”

Their father smiled and waved to people he knew. After all, he was a baron and had been in and out of society for years.

“Do you think people wonder why they have never seen us until this season?” Prue asked.

“No. You’re the perfect age for a debutante and I’m old and jaded, and here to chaperone you.”

“But do you think they wonder why you didn’t have a season before, Evie?” she persisted.

“We were in mourning, Prue. They may wonder, but we have an excellent reason to be presented at the same time.” Even if money had a lot to do with it.

“I miss her,” she whispered.

“So do I, but Mother would be proud of us for doing this and taking care of Father,” Evie said squeezing her sister’s fingers.

Their mother had died unexpectedly four years ago, leaving her family reeling with grief and shock. Heathcliff Spencer had loved his wife deeply, as had they, and mourned for her, and Evie believed still did.

What the Spencer sisters hadn’t realized until it was too late was that it had been their mother who had kept the household on track by doing the bookkeeping. Evie often cursed herself over the fact she hadn’t been more aware of what was going on around her.

“Imagine living here?” Prue whispered.

“It’s certainly large,” Evie added.

The walls were pea green, and a line of gold and cream trim ran around the center. The floor was tiled black and white, and the furniture elegant and, she guessed, expensive. A mirror allowed new arrivals to ensure they were just so, and then they were heading to the huge sweeping staircase.

Placing a foot on the first red and gold carpeted step, she took her father’s arm, while Prue stepped to his other side.

This was not about her, she reminded herself. So she could avoid two men and ensure her sister did what was needed to secure a happy future with a man she respected.

They walked behind the other guests, climbing the stairs slowly. The woman before them wore pale gold that seemed to float around her. Hair the color of midnight piled high on her head, with tiny sparkling diamond pins holding it all in place.

Looking down at the skirts of her own dress, Evie wondered if it was too simple?

It was pale rose with bows on the bands of each sleeve.

She looked at Prue. Her dress was cream with an overskirt of sheer apricot that opened at the front with apricot silk binding.

Her sister looked wonderful, and in no way out of place, and that was all that mattered.

“Good evening.”

Evie hadn’t even realized they’d stopped until she heard that greeting and looked at the beautiful woman before her in the gold dress. Of course, she knew who she was, but they’d never conversed.

“Good evening,” Evie said dropping into a deep curtsey. Rising, she studied the stunning woman, who was on the arm of a man who suited her perfectly. Tall, dark, with graying hair, he was chatting with Evie’s father and Prue.

“Are you enjoying the season?” the woman asked.

“Yes, thank you. Very much,” she added.

“It can be excessively boring at times, and wonderful at others. The trick is to find humor in every situation.”

“Is it?”

“Oh yes. Take that old windbag Captain Williams. The end of his nose moves when he talks. I find if I watch that, I can count how many times it twitches until the conversation ends, and it makes him think I’m interested in every word he speaks…which I assure you I am not.”

Evie laughed.

“My name is Dimity,” she said, and her smile, if possible, increased her beauty.

“Evangeline, Miss Spencer,” Evie added.

“Enjoy your evening, Evangeline, and remember humor will make it easier.”

They moved on then. After greeting the hosts, the Spencers walked into the ballroom.

“Do you know who that was?” Prue asked her.

“Who?” Evie looked around.

“The woman you were talking to dressed in gold. That was the Countess of Raine.”

“Of course, I know who she is. I remember names, as my memory is far better than yours.”

Prue waved her words away. “Lord and Lady Raine are two of society’s most popular members.”

“So not everyone who is wealthy is a snob then. Excellent,” Evie said.

“What are you both whispering about?”

“Nothing, Father,” both daughters said together.

“Well, I see some of my friends over there. Come and get me should you require my presence for any reason.” He then wandered off without a backward glance.

“I sometimes wonder if there is anything inside that head of his but an empty space,” Evie said. “Can he not see this is hard on us? Can he not see we could do with his support?”

“If we asked, he would have stayed,” Prue said. “But we have not done so before now, so he thinks we are more than happy being out in society at such an occasion.”

“I know you’re right, but it would not hurt him to be a little more aware,” Evie added.

To their right a group of four young ladies waggled their fingers at Prue. She waved back.

“Come, we will talk with your friends,” Evie said.

They moved closer, and soon Prue was chatting, and Evie had stepped back and out of the group to stand behind.

Not exactly a chaperone but close to it.

She was happy with that. The nuances of society were complex and exhausting.

She was constantly on her guard to ensure she was saying the right words instead of the wrong ones, which were usually what was on the tip of her tongue.

Evie watched the group of chatting young ladies from a safe distance, her eyes doing the occasional sweep of the room, and then returning to them.

This time, on her return glance she found three men had infiltrated their ranks.

One in particular was speaking with Prue, with a smile on his face. Mr. Landon.

It was moments like this she wished she knew more about society and its members, or at the very least had someone close who did.

She had no wish for her sister to fall prey to some man who would not treat her well.

Moving closer so she could overhear what was being said, she caught her sister’s eye.

“Mr. Landon, allow me to introduce you to my sister, Miss Spencer,” Prue said.

The man turned and offered her a smile. He then bowed deeply, and Evie curtseyed.

“I have claimed your sister for her first dance, Miss Spencer, if you will excuse us.”

Prue looked happy about that, and as she knew nothing about Mr. Landon, she couldn’t stop her. So, she nodded and stepped back once again, this time retreating farther to the wall.

She watched Mr. Landon lead her sister to the dance floor. Perhaps her father had heard the man’s name, or could casually ask someone about him?

“Miss Spencer, now you have arrived my night is complete.”

Evie stiffened at the nasal drawl. Damn, she had not seen him coming or she would have hidden. Lord Cavendish had spoken about Evie that night at Hugh’s like she was a horse that needed breaking.

“It is time for our dance, Miss Spencer.”

Looking at her dance card that was empty, she said, “I seem to be busy for this dance, my lord.”

“And yet I wish to dance with you.” He simply took her hand and walked, and she would not make a scene, so allowed it.

“I like you, Miss Spencer,” he whispered, leading her onto the dance floor.

“Thank you, my lord, that is most kind.” She forced the words out of her mouth through a tight smile.

He pulled her too close as the waltz began. Had he known this was the next dance?

“Please observe the correct distance, Lord Cavendish.” He relented, but only slightly, and put a small amount of space between them.

“I’ve decided that this season I will select a wife,” he said.

Dear God, she knew where this conversation was going but did not know how to stop it.

“When I find something or someone that interests me, Evangeline, I watch them closely, and you interested me from the first time I met you.”

Evie was scared. How was she to stop him from courting her? Surely, it would not go well for the Spencer family, in the eyes of society, if she tried. “I did not give you leave to call me, Evangeline, my lord.”

He laughed at that. “But we are to be husband and wife, Evangeline, so there need be no formality between us.”

“But I—”

“I like to know everything there is about the people who will be in my life, Evangeline.”

“I don’t understand why you’re speaking to me like this, Lord Cavendish?” She had to at least try to dissuade him. “I am not here to marry this season, merely watch over my sister.”

“Listen carefully, Evangeline, and I will explain it to you. I have watched foolish men pass you by for younger women. Women who are sweet natured and spoiled. You are neither. You have fire, and that will suit my needs.”

She remained silent, her eyes on those dancing beside them as her mind whirled with thoughts, desperate to find a way out of his plans for her.

“It is time for me to marry, Evangeline, and I’ve decided it will be you.”

“No,” the word came out a hoarse whisper. “I am, of course, honored, my lord.” She recovered quickly as it would not do to make an enemy of this man. “But I have chosen not to marry.”

“Come now, I can give you so much, Evangeline. Further to that I can support your family. Surely that alone will change your mind?”

She looked up at him, and while he wore a polite smile, those eyes were narrowed and the mean glint in them made her shiver.

“I want children, and you are healthy, intelligent, and will suit my needs and care for them. It is the perfect solution for all concerned.”

Her eyes shot left and then right to see if anyone had overheard their conversation.

“Your offer is flattering and extremely generous, Lord Cavendish,” Evie began, swallowing down the fear that clawed at her throat. He was offering her family a chance. Offering her a life she’d never thought to have. Why then would she rather choose one of poverty over one with him?

Think of Prue and father.

“I had hoped you would simply concede, my dear, but I can see I must offer more persuasion,” Lord Cavendish added as he steered her around the floor.

“A rumor reached me before the season started. A rumor about your father losing all his money. I sent someone to investigate, and it turns out the Spencer family are completely without funds. In fact, I’m not sure how you were able to have a season, but one word from me and you would be ruined. ”

“H-how dare you.” She felt the color drain from her face.

“I don’t need your money, my dear. I simply want you to have my children. So, we shall marry, and it will work out well for all concerned.”

“No.” Evie shook her head.

“Yes, and you don’t want to cross me, Evangeline. I can make your family’s life extremely difficult.”

“I have no dowry.” Evie grasped for anything to change his mind.

“Yes, these are not the normal actions of a man such as I,” he bragged. “But I want you and must have you. You have good bloodlines, and I do not need another mistress. I need a wife. Therefore, I am willing to overlook your family’s fall from grace.”

“Please allow me time to think about your offer, my lord,” Evie said as meekly as she could, scrabbling to come up with a way to get out of this mess.

“Of course, but remember, my dear, I am not a patient man. If I think you need further persuasion, I will not hesitate to offer it.”

Evie heard the threat behind those words. She tried to pull from his arms, but his hands gripped her tighter, his fingers crushing hers painfully.

“You and I will have a long and happy life together, my dear, as long as you understand it is I who have all the control.”

He released her when the music finished and then led her back to Prue. She watched him walk away with nausea swirling in her belly.

Dear lord, how could she refuse him?