Page 19

E velyn sat on the chaise, her legs tucked up beside her, and looked out through the window.

It was a bright, beautiful day, with not a single cloud in sight.

Yet, she felt gloomy. Her father had written again, demanding once more that Nathaniel turn over the funds that had been left to her by her late husband.

He had told her he had written back again, saying things were tied up and it would take some time.

But he did not know how much longer he could hold him off.

The more time passed, the more she understood that her plan had been foolish.

She would never be able to keep the dower house and her funds.

Her father would ruin everything. He would take everything, waste everything, and then force her into another marriage.

And that would be that. That would be her life.

She sat up, pressing her head into her hands while hugging her legs.

“Are you unwell?” Nathaniel asked as he entered.

She looked up at him. “Unwell? You could say that. My father is seeking to take all that is mine and marry me off.”

He sat on the chaise across from her, crossing his legs.

“And I told you some time ago that you should marry. I have presented many gentlemen to you, and none seem to?—”

“Do I want to spend my life with these people? The rest of my life? I’m expected to have an heir with them. Excuse me if I want to be certain. Besides, the gentlemen you’ve been sending me?—”

“—are upstanding and not the sort who would take your funds. They’re the sort who would allow you the freedom you seek. But you’ve chased them all away.”

“I’m not chasing them off,” she said. “I’m narrowing the list.”

“By having your sister Charlotte tell a gentleman at the ball at Lady Harrogate’s last week that you wanted to stab the man with a hairpin?”

Despite herself, she chuckled. “I did not tell her to say that.”

He glared at her. “Or by just telling people that you’ll only dance with them if they can perform the perfect drill? Not a single misstep, or you’ll walk off the dance floor?”

“Oh, aren’t you dramatic?” She smiled. “I shall tell them to stop,” she said. “They were helping me narrow the list, that’s all. But I shall tell them that they’ve done quite enough.”

“I dare say they have. It has become increasingly difficult to find gentlemen willing to come for tea. To court you.”

“Is that so?” she said, although her tone gave away that she already knew it to be true.

“It is. The rumors…” he said, “they’re getting worse and worse. There’s a new one today. Saying that you poisoned my uncle.”

“I heard that one,” she said. “Although I’m uncertain how one would poison someone with a date pit.”

It wasn’t the only rumor that she knew of.

She had heard a great many. Some said that she had poisoned Bertram.

Others said that she had seduced Nathaniel long before any agreement had ever been made—that it had all been a ploy to trick him into marriage.

None of it was true, and yet the rumors swirled.

“These rumors are spilling quicker than a cup of ink,” he said. “You must find somebody.”

She looked at him, and for a second, she wanted to ask him—why not him? Why couldn’t he marry her? They were already living together. People were gossiping about them, so why not?

But she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

The mere fact that he was so very eager to marry her off told her that he felt nothing for her.

Whatever that moment had been—when they almost kissed—it had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

Nothing of consequence. Nothing that mattered.

She didn’t matter, not to him. Perhaps not to anybody.

“Evelyn—”

“No,” she replied, rising to her feet. “You need not worry. All will be well. Has Lady Appleton packed the rest of her belongings yet?”

“She has.”

In that regard, her plan had worked wonderfully.

Lady Appleton had packed all her belongings and was moving out of the dower house to Ireland.

Not permanently at first—just for a trial—but Evelyn knew once she was there, she would love it so much she would want to stay.

And then the dower house, at least, would be hers.

Maybe her father could take everything that belonged to her financially, but she could have the house. Should she broach it with Nathaniel now? No—he did not seem in the mood. He never seemed to be in the mood, especially not today.

She smoothed down her silk skirt. “I’m leaving.”

“Leaving?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “Where are you going?”

“I’m meeting my sisters. We’re going to the Royal Menagerie and, after that, to get sweetmeats.”

“Very well,” he said. “Do you require funds?”

“My purse does not need assistance from yours, thank you,” she said, holding her head high. “As long as my father cannot get his hands on what is mine, I shall be well looked after.”

“He did not call me again,” Charlotte said as they entered the small café on the grounds of the Royal Menagerie.

In the distance, a lion—or perhaps a panther, or some other exotic creature—roared in protest at being locked in and then shut out again.

“Are you quite, quite certain he’s not simply busy?” Marianne asked.

“No,” Charlotte replied. “We had a grand time at the ball. He danced with me twice and said he wished he could dance with me a third time. He promised he would call on me and speak to Aunt Eugenia on my behalf, but he did not. I don’t understand.”

As they entered the café, Evelyn noticed how several people turned to look at them. Feathered fans opened. Whispers spread like perfume. A shiver slid down her spine as she remembered the ballroom and how gossip had swirled around them.

Were they talking about her?

She glanced at her sisters, who had fallen silent and were staring.

“What is it?” she asked. “Is there something on my?—?”

“No, nothing,” Marianne said. “It’s just that… nothing. Let’s take our tea.”

They took a seat by the window. Usually, Evelyn enjoyed this café.

It was for ladies only—the only one of its kind—where young women such as themselves could come without Aunt Eugenia as a chaperone.

Of course, Eugenia was technically there, but she was currently outside chatting with one of her friends.

“So,” Evelyn said, “why do you think Harrison hasn’t responded? He hasn’t called on you.”

“You know why,” Charlotte said quietly. “It doesn’t matter if one has done nothing wrong. If one has a sibling with scandal clinging to her…”

“Lottie,” Marianne hissed. “Charlotte, do not?—”

“It had to be said. It’s exactly as Nathaniel warned: there would be a scandal. And now…”

“I would hardly call it a scandal,” Evelyn replied, shaking her head. “There are rumors, yes, but most are ridiculous. A few scandal sheets, perhaps. But is that truly a scandal? Or a real threat to anyone?”

And yet, as she spoke the words, she knew they weren’t quite true. She felt the way people were still looking at them. Whispering. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she looked down just as the tea was served.

“Perhaps,” Marianne said quietly, “you should stop rejecting gentlemen. If Harrison’s response is anything to go by, we may all suffer for it. I don’t want you to?—”

“I understand,” Evelyn said. “I do. But what would you have me do instead? Marry one of the fools Nathaniel keeps dragging before me?”

“No,” Charlotte said, placing one hand over her sister’s. “Admit that you care for Nathaniel. Admit that he cares for you.”

“He doesn’t,” Evelyn said, pulling her hand away. “Not at all.”

But that, too, was not true.

She remembered the way he touched her when they fenced. The way he had almost kissed her. The way she sometimes caught him watching her in the gardens. Were those signs?

Or was he merely appraising her worth for someone else?

“The way you speak with him—it’s very clear you care,” Marianne said. “And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. We haven’t spent much time with him, but it’s obvious he truly cares for you. You must admit that. You must.”

“I must admit nothing. He’s done nothing but vex me at every turn! Bringing in that ridiculous mental court, starting construction on rooms that did not need it, and somehow always finding me wherever I am!”

“I thought you said that had stopped,” Charlotte interjected.

Evelyn bit her bottom lip. It was true. The annoying, unnecessary work had ended a fortnight ago. Renovations continued elsewhere, but none near her. And now, anything requiring repairs was only handled after checking with her schedule.

Nathaniel had been… considerate.

But that didn’t mean anything.

Or did it?

Sweat broke out along her neck. She rolled her shoulders.

“Excuse me for a moment. I need air,” she said, rising quickly. She stumbled outside before her sisters could respond.

Behind the small café, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She had hoped for a few moments of quiet, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Whispers. Giggles. Growing louder.

“She must know how she’s perceived. How dare she show her face?”

“I’m more surprised she goes outside at all. We all know why she should stay hidden—with a man like that?—”

“Far more attractive than her ancient husband. I’d have poisoned him if he’d been mine.”

The women chuckled, and Evelyn clenched her fists.

Taking a deep breath, she rounded the corner and stepped into their midst.

“Ladies,” she said coolly.

They looked at each other, their faces paling beneath white pearl powder.

She didn’t know them, but there were only so many duchesses and princesses in the realm. Therefore, these women were beneath her in station and were obliged to curtsy.

She tilted her head, puckered her lips, and waited.

“You have grace,” one of them muttered—likely the one who had joked about poisoning her husband.

All three curtsied.

“As your superior,” Evelyn said crisply, “I feel I must remind you of proper decorum. If you’re going to gossip about someone in public, do ensure no one hears you. Especially not the person you’re gossiping about. Especially if they are several ranks above you.”

She turned and walked past them.

A few steps later, she stopped and spun around.

The women were still standing there, as though struck by lightning.

Then Evelyn walked on—past the café door, past her aunt Eugenia, who called after her, and past several curious onlookers—until she reached the exotic gardens, where parrots squawked in their metal cages.

Behind one such cage, she sank to her knees and wept. Wept so hard that her entire body shook.

All she had wanted was to be free.

Now, she was the laughingstock of the ton, and her sisters’ futures might be at stake along with her own.