Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Collection: 7 Delightful Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Stories (Regency Collections Book 6)

by Arietta Richmond

  Mary was not exactly a social butterfly, but she did not lack for friends.

  Though some found her sharp wit sometimes difficult to follow, she was well regarded. With this in mind, it came as surprise to Eveline, when at last she clapped eyes on her friend, to find her sitting alone far out in the shadows. Eveline had already circled the field several times, and she guessed that Mary must have purposefully been keeping out of sight. As she approached her, this feeling was confirmed by the lack of surprise on her friend’s face. She felt certain that Mary must have been watching her complete her laps about the place. The realisation added a fresh wave of worry that Mary might not wish to speak with her at all. Nevertheless, Eveline had to try.

  “It’s far colder out here by the hedges. I don’t suppose you could be persuaded to take a sojourn closer to the bonfire with me.”

  Eveline gave a wan smile, uncertain how her friend would respond.

  Mary’s face was hard to read, not least because it was so dark where they were standing. She certainly took her time about replying, and that, in itself, was not a good sign.

  “I am perfectly warm thank you Eveline. Though I am surprised to see you out here at all. I believe that your excuse last year was a severe chill and the year before… what was it again?”

  Eveline sighed.

  “Look, you can be angry with me still, if you wish, but I know you better than that. You would not be talking to me at all if you really wished to end our friendship. Besides, I don’t think that you would have taken the time to offer me your honest counsel yesterday, if you had decided that our friendship had run its course.”

  Eveline heard a derogatory snort from her friend and could see Mary’s hair sway as she shook her head.

  “Well, I never knew someone that could change so much in a day. Until yesterday, you were totally oblivious to what anyone in the village thought of you, including myself. Now, all of sudden you can read me like an open book? That is really not very fair, Eveline.”

  A ripple of relief washed through Eveline at that moment.

  “Well, your words last night were so dire, I had to start improving myself at once. I really couldn’t run the risk of losing my only true ally.” Eveline spoke in the usual semi sarcastic tone which they often used when conversing together. However, something stopped her and her voice took on a more honest and quiet tone. “I really do mean it, Mary. You’ve been my one anchor down the years and I am sorry for having overlooked that, and insulted you while focussing selfishly on my own petty desires and wishes.”

  Mary shook her head and stood up. She closed the gap between herself and Eveline and immediately wrapped her arms about her. It was an intimate embrace, one that instantly assured Eveline that their friendship was still as real and as strong as ever.

  “Don’t put yourself down so much Eveline. I won’t take back any of what I said yesterday, but I was perhaps overly harsh in the delivery. For that, I must apologise.”

  With no one able to see them in the shadowed corner of the field, Eveline continued to embrace her friend as she spoke.

  “I don’t think I would have truly woken up and seen how intolerable I had let myself become, if you had not spoken to me exactly as you did.”

  The two parted from each other and Mary turned to look at the proceedings about them. Eveline tried to follow her gaze, and saw that she was looking over to where Mr Byrd was currently in conversation with Lord Darlington and a large gaggle of women. Eveline could only assume that the women were tailing the Earl about the field, hoping for their chance to attract his attention.

  “I know that you are probably here to make a point to me, but are you sure you wish to be here, my dear.” Mary’s voice was flecked with concern. “Mr Byrd, as I understand, is still planning on making his proposal to you. While I am still eager to see you take up better relations with our neighbours, I am not sure that shackling yourself to that man is the best way about it. He really is far too simple for you.”

  Eveline laughed and shook her head. She studied the Earl for a moment, eyes narrowing as she tried to discern what his game was.

  “Lord Darlington has promised to settle that matter for me, himself. Though, for the life of me, I do not know how he intends to do so.”

  Mary turned to face Eveline and, even in the dark, her surprise was evident.

  “You managed to enlist the help of Lord Darlington? I must admit that I am impressed. You must have really taken my words to heart to have won around both he and I, in the same day.”

  Eveline laughed.

  “I am just fortunate that the gentleman is a caring and understanding man as well as brutally honest… not unlike someone else I know.”

  Mary’s lips curled into a proud smile at the compliment.

  “He will never be as marvellous as I am.” She brushed back her hair and took a deep breath. “Well then,” she announced in a louder voice. “If you are happy to leave your fate with the Earl, should we enjoy the festival together? You have let me down for two years now, so you owe me your attention.”

  Eveline smiled and linked arms with her friend.

  “Lead the way, dear. I have forgotten which are the best games to play, and stories to hear.”

  For the next few hours, Eveline laughed, smiled and felt an enjoyment and love of life that had been lacking from her life for so long. She ate roasted nuts, enjoyed a hog roast donated to the festival by one of the local land owners. She watched as Mary threw nuts into the fire to try and discern her own future. According to the whims of the fire, there was no romance to look forward to in her year ahead. Eveline mocked her mercilessly for that.

  From time to time, Eveline’s eyes wandered over to Lord Darlington, curious to know just what he was saying to Mr. Byrd. As the hours went by, she noticed a migration of the women who had accompanied Lord Darlington. Several now seemed to fawn around Mr. Byrd in a way they never had before.

  Just what powers of bewitchment the Earl had used to accomplish this, Eveline could only guess, but when Darlington parted company with Mr Byrd, the man seemed totally ensconced in the company of Miss Elizabeth Burrows. There was a match which Eveline felt would work well. Miss Burrows' character and temperament was very similar to Mr Byrd's, kind and honest, but lacking in any depth of mind.

  With his work seemingly done, Lord Darlington strode across the field, and Eveline realised that he intended to join her and Mary. He doffed his hat with refined elegance and smiled at them both in a way that made Eveline’s heart skip a beat.

  “Miss Thorne, Miss Carter. Can I dare to hope that your wandering together about the bonfire is a sign of reconciliation between you?”

  Eveline was about to answer, but Mary immediately took control of the conversation.

  “Oh heavens, do not concern yourself with us. I must know at once what sorcery you used on Mr. Byrd, to so easily alter his heart. Are you some sorcerer?”

  Lord Darlington laughed and scratched the back of his head.

  “Nothing so fancy. I just used the powers I had under my control to turn the fates in my favour.”

  “But how ever did you accomplish it?”

  Eveline was happy to have had the matter sorted, but was as keen as her friend to know the secret.

  Darlington shrugged casually, as if it was no great feat. “All the women who have been following me about since my arrival in Old Bridge know, in their hearts, that they are unlikely to win my favour. When I suggested to them that I will be taking my leave the day after All Soul’s Day, I think that they all came to the realisation that I was a lost cause. Then, all I had to do was strike while the iron was hot. By talking highly of Mr. Byrd’s character and passing on subtle compliments about him and his business, I think that a fair few of the women found their hearts drifting toward him.” He gave a roguish smile. “After all, the good opinion of an Earl is worth a lot in and of itself.”

  Mary frowned and she pursed her lip as she took in his words.

  “Well that m
ight explain the attention Mr. Byrd received, but however did you convince him to abandon his course of proposing to Eveline? He seemed so serious in that endeavour.”

  Darlington's grin grew wider too.

  “Oh, that was easy. I just pointed out all of Miss Carter’s many personality flaws and Mr. Byrd was grateful to have his eyes opened to her truly abysmal character.”

  Eveline’s lips grew thin and her cheeks puffed up in annoyance. Mary laughed and nudged her shoulder playfully.

  “That sounds about right.”

  The two laughed for a moment, but soon Lord Darlington turned serious again.

  “In truth though, I merely played a little on the man’s superstitious mind. Once I had discerned his liking for one young lady amongst the group, I had him play a little game.”

  “Oh, a game of divination?”

  Mary was thoroughly intrigued. The Earl nodded.

  “I took Mr Byrd aside, after some time with the young women and asked him man to man if he had his eye on any girl, or thoughts of settling down. He said that he had, but admitted that he was uncertain if it was the right course. I inferred that his time with the other young women had awoken him to the possibility that there might be someone he might prefer to you, Miss Carter, and I then suggested that we perform a divination, on this most auspicious of nights, to see what guidance the spirits could give us.” Darlington sounded quite dramatic now, and Eveline could tell that he was proud of his accomplishment. “I gave him a chestnut and told him to throw it into the bonfire in the usual manner. If it burned intensely, it was a sign that he should follow the course he had set for himself… but if not...”

  “But how could you know. You surely didn’t leave it up to fate?”

  Mary sensed a trick and she waited eagerly to hear the final secret.

  “Well, you said that Mr. Byrd was not exactly perceptive. He was so caught in his own inner conflict, that he didn’t seem to notice that the nut I had handed him was merely a rounded rock which I had painted brown.”

  Eveline’s eyes widened and Mary began to laugh hysterically.

  “Really, you were able to fool him with something so insultingly simple?”

  Neither woman could believe it. Lord Darlington took a deep breath and shrugged his shoulders once more.

  “The plain fact of the matter is that Mr Byrd wanted a particular answer. He did not really pay heed to the divination, all he cared was that it gave him the answer he wished for. When I handed him the ‘nut’ his eyes and mind were elsewhere, fretting over what answer the flames would give him.”

  “So, what happened then?”

  Mary was like an excitable child hearing some captivating ghost story.

  “Well, he saw that the thing did not burn, and asked to try again, declaring that he was thinking of another woman just recently brought to his mind. This time, of course, I gave him a real nut to throw into the flames, and my, did that nut pop in a blinding flash.” Darlington smiled and looked over to the other side of the field to where Mr. Byrd was now sat in quiet conversation with Miss Elizabeth Burrows. Whether by a trick or not, I believe that the man had the outcome he desired, so I hope that I will not be judged too harshly for the deception I pulled over him.”

  “Well, certainly not by me.” Mary laughed.

  The rest of the evening was spent in pleasant revelry and celebration. Lord Darlington walked about with Mary and Eveline throughout, the three sharing drinks and food and even a dance when one of the locals produced a fiddle. It was a perfect evening, and one that Eveline wished could be repeated for many years to come. For the first time in her life, she could see why the All Hallows tradition had held so long in her little village. It really was a magical night and it would be a shame to see the festival die off, simply because it was not in fashion throughout the rest of the country.

  Chapter Eight

  Despite the joyful feelings and warm memories created on All Hallows night, All Souls Day was not accompanied with such happy feelings. When Eveline awoke, she was hit by a very sudden and overpowering realisation: this was Lord Darlington’s last day in Old Bridge.

  When the man had first arrived, she had convinced herself of the need to court his affections as a means of escaping Old Bridge. However, now her heart had developed feelings for the gentleman, which were all too real, and which made the thought of his leaving even harder to bear. She did not know just what brought forth the feeling inside her. She could not say if it had taken root the night he had escorted her home after her outburst in the Inn, or whether it had grown out of her gratitude to him for sorting out matters with Mr. Byrd. In the end, it did not matter. The plain fact of things was that she had developed a real affection for the gentleman, and now he was to leave. Though Eveline had sworn to see her little village with greater kindness and gratitude, she could not help feeling that her world would be duller for the Earl’s absence.

  A service was held in the parish church to celebrate All Souls’ Day. It was a stuffy uninspiring sort of affair, a completely different kind of affair to the festivities of the previous night. Most of the parishioners, including Mary, yawned throughout the service, or else fell asleep in their pews as the vicar droned on.

  When Eveline glanced in the direction of Lord Darlington though, she noticed how alert he seemed. He did not appear to be paying any great attention to the words of the vicar, but his eyes sparkled with life and Eveline felt certain that he was weighing up some great matter in his mind. When his eyes drifted in her direction, she hastily put her attention forward.

  At the end of the service, Eveline lingered in the graveyard by the side of the chapel. It was, perhaps, an unconventional place for a colloquy, but given the season it seemed somewhat fitting. She loitered there with a bashful blush upon her face. Few seemed to notice her there, but, when the Earl emerged, she could see, from the way that his head turned about, that he was questing for her. When Eveline caught his eye, he began to walk towards her. He had a heavy look about him and Eveline felt instinctively that this was good bye.

  “Miss Carter, it seems that my stay in your pleasant little village is to come to an end.”

  His voice was quiet and muted.

  “So, it seems,” Eveline replied. “I know more than a few women will be sorry to see you leave.”

  She wanted to say that she was foremost amongst that number, but did not.

  “It often seems to be that way. Though, for the first time, I find myself unwilling to part ways with a certain person.”

  Eveline’s eyes widened and her jaw went slack. She knew it was not a becoming look, but she could not help herself.

  “Is this some jest? You are not trying to tease me?”

  Her voice was slightly fractured as she spoke. Darlington gave a slight, sad smile.

  “To some extent, I wish that I was. It would make my leave taking far easier. In my travels in the past, whilst I have made many friends, I have never before found myself reluctant to travel on.”

  “But why?” Eveline stared at him in complete confusion. “In the time that I have known you, I have tried to seduce you to serve my own selfish ends. Then I thrust all of my problems onto you yesterday, having you listen to my issues, then having you solve the problem of Mr. Byrd for me.”

  Lord Darlington shook his head. Calmly he extended his arm for Eveline to take and began to walk with her about the grounds of the churchyard.

  “I will admit, you have selfishly taken up much of the time I intended to spend wandering your charming town. But having the opportunity to discover the real you was well worth it. You are truly kind at heart, that is obvious from how concerned you have been for the happiness of your friend, and even for Mr. Byrd. Beyond that, we share a similar lust for adventure and a wanderer’s spirit. It is a rare thing.”

  Eveline smiled, her cheeks turning redder with each compliment that the Earl gave.

  “Then, what are we to do, my Lord?” She turned to face him with sad eyes. “For my part, I
find myself loath to see you leave Old Bridge... but we still know so little of each other, and I still wish to repair some of the relationships that I have damaged.”

  The two stared at each other in silence, neither seeming to know what to do. The sound of a bird could be heard from the nearby trees. Then just when the quiet seemed set to drive Eveline to madness, Lord Darlington began to speak.

  “You know, it may now be All Souls’ Day, but I believe that some of the magic from All Hallows’ Eve might still linger on the air. Perhaps we could ask the fates for guidance.”

  He seemed to be resisting the urge to smile. Eveline felt nervous in that instant.

  “Please, I beg you, do not toy with me. We neither of us believe in divinations.”

  His smile remained with him. “Well hear me out. We could burn this chestnut and see if it burns bright or dim. If it burns bright I will know I must continue my journeying about the world. If it burns dim, then I will know I should settle here for the winter and spend the season in your company.”

  Eveline was puzzled for a moment, then looked down at the so called ‘nut’ Darlington dug out of his pocket. It was a rock. Eveline’s heart skipped a beat and she had to fight back tears that pooled in the corner of her eyes.

  “So… if that nut does not burn, you will stay here in Old Bridge?”

  “I guarantee it,” Lord Darlington assured.

  Eveline tried to keep her dignity and made a show of appearing indifferent.

  “I suppose we could leave such a decision to fate. After all, it is only a trifling matter.”

  Lord Darlington grinned.

  “Well then let us find a fire and consult the fates.”

  Epilogue

  “Of course, the nut the Earl gave me never burned in the stove. He was as good as his word and remained in Old Bridge the whole winter through. We were married in the spring and celebrated our union with a tour of the continent.” The old woman smiled as her eyes glazed over in a haze of pleasant memories. “Every year we would roam over another corner of the earth as my husband set up new ventures and businesses. Tea in India, coffee from the south Americas, there is not a corner of the world our feet did not touch. My life’s dream of escaping Old Bridge had been realised and yet, any time we returned to England, my first desire was always return to that dear little village where I grew up. If we could help it, we always ensured our presence there for All Hallows’ night.”