As Evie made to walk up the stairs, she was startled by a sound to the left on the pathway. At first she suspected that some animal were scuttling by, but the sound had come from something larger than some scampering creature. She was able to make out a sizable silhouette. Her breath caught in her chest as it began to move near her. She was unsure whether she would make it to the door in time.
She had heard about some tramps and drunkards who turned up on the estates of men of repute with criminal intent. She hoped that if it were some scoundrel that they would carry on with their business and leave her quite alone. Yet they seemed to be moving fairly slowly for someone with malicious intent. All the same she picked up her skirts and began to move up the stairs. In her frenzy she missed a step and tumbled to her hands and knees. As she went to pick herself up she felt hands on her and let out a terrified scream that she hoped would call someone to her…
Chapter 11
Thaddeus had been on the grounds, just preparing to take a stroll when the coach had pulled up. He barely registered it at first, caught up in the thoughts of a most frustrating evening. He had returned home early, thinking that he might take up some reading in his study. The night had stood in a pleasing air, so he decided to walk about for a bit.
When he saw Evie moving towards the steps, he had decided to turn back to greet her. The next thing he knew she was moving quickly up the steps, as if she had seen a ghost. Then he saw her stumble, so he moved quickly to catch her fall. As his hands grasped her arm, she let out a scream. Thaddeus froze, unsettled by the sound. Once the scream had died in her throat he said, “It is me.”
Evie’s eyes settled on his face and relaxed. Even in the twilight he could see the blush passing across her face. She cleared her throat and said, “Excuse me. I thought you may be some stranger.”
“Understandable. I am sorry to have startled you.”
“Oh no! I was being silly.”
“Did you enjoy your evening? You dined with family, correct?” he asked.
“I am sorry to say that the evening was not very enjoyable at all. I was not familiar with the family members with whom we visited and I am afraid that we shall remain estranged.”
“I am sorry to hear it. I am well aware that family is not always pleasant.”
“Unfortunately true. Were you out for a stroll?”
“Yes, I had just begun my walk. You may join me if you like.”
Thaddeus perceived Evie’s hesitation. He too was uncertain. It had been all he could do to keep his head in such close proximity to Evie, they had not moved apart. His hands remained on her arm and he was catchy heavy whiffs of her scent. It was quite heady. He insured that his hands did not tremble. After a few moments, Evie fully regained her footing and said, “Yes, that would be lovely.”
The two of them turned and walked back down the steps. They then regained the path and began to follow it. For the first few minutes neither of them spoke. All that could be heard were the faint chirps of nearby insects, the stirring of the lake on the other side, and the rustling of their feet upon the cobblestones. Finally Evie offered, “Early evening for you, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is. Unfortunately you are not the only one who did not have a pleasant evening.”
“I am sorry.”
“No, it is probably my own fault. It seems that my reputation had begun to precede me. I am sure that you have heard the rumblings,” he stated.
Evie replied, “There has been some talk. I am not so naïve as to believe it all.”
“It can have the ring of accuracy at times.”
“Oh. Well I am sure you are doing the best you can given the circumstances.”
“Others are not so assured. It seems that I am either to regain a bride or risk falling into ill-repute.”
Evie sneered and said, “It is just idle prattle. I am sure once they have found some worthier subject the people will move on. There is always some new scandal upon the horizon.”
Thaddeus replied, “You may be right.”
“I heard plenty of such gossip today. None of which included you,” she said, moving a lock of hair behind her ear nervously.
He responded, “I am quite relieved to hear it.”
“I know what it is like to be the topic of conversation in such a way. It does not pay to give it much mind.”
“It is hard to believe that any such talk would have spread about you.”
“Not quite the same as that about you, but somewhat similar.”
“Do you mind sharing?”
“Well, my family has been at the center of some great scandal before. On occasion when those around us have no worthier topic, it arises again.”
“Perhaps it is an attribute to my nature, but I do not believe I have ever heard such talk of any Seymours.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“I did think, though, that the Seymour was a far better fixed family.”
“In general that is quite true. However, we have had the misfortune to falter in our position.”
“Your father is a merchant, is he not?”
“He is now, yes.”
“When I was younger I had hoped to reject all manner of title and become a seaman.”
“Why ever would you wish to do that?”
“Being a Duke is quite dull. It is all appearances and meaningless rites. I wanted to do something that I actually enjoyed. Commoners may be of lesser means, but they seem to me to be more free.”
It occurred to Thaddeus what he was saying and he immediately stopped. The only people who had ever heard of his desires for the sea were Martin, Abigail, and the few occasions when he had threatened his father with as much. He was not sure what made him think to tell Evie. Perhaps it was her position in regard to his. She had shared with him some somewhat delicate information. It had opened a channel of conversation in which he rarely found himself with anyone.
It was certainly a change from his earlier exchanged. He had hoped that his evening would involve the pleasant company of Marianne. The two had been corresponding for some time and he believed that she would prove quite the companion. Instead, he had found her quite immovable, stuck on the more formal procedures of courting. She had designs on becoming his next wife and would not think of any intimacy without such assurances. He had taken his leave as quickly as he could.
Walking beside Evie felt much different. He did not believe that she had any designs upon him, in spite of the wordless communication that had on occasion shared. He could not help, but to admire her. The moonlight did something wondrous to her beauty, adding to the natural glow that existed at all times. He had often thought of the softness of her skin and could still feel the delicate touch of it on his hands from when he had grabbed her arm.
They lapsed into silence as they passed through the outer edge of the garden. He got the sense that she too was away in thought. He suddenly realized how much he still didn’t know about her. In truth, their conversation had been shallow at best. Outside of the necessary small talk and discussions about Grace, he couldn’t say that they had exchanged very much information. It was the first outside of the most basic talk that she had spoken of her family. He wondered what scandal there was in her family. If she were related to the Seymours he was familiar with it must have been something major to cause them to lose their space. That family was full of Barons, even perhaps a Duke. He would not be so forward as to pry any further. He was, however, curious about Evie.
So he asked, “Has your family always lived by the countryside?”
“Since I was a girl. A cousin passed who had never had any children. He and my father were close so he left one of his homes to us. We have been there ever since.”
“I see.”
“Has this always been your home?”
“For many years, yes. I did not intend to stay here, but once my parents passed away, it made more sense to move into their home. Abigail and I had not found our permanent home yet and we decided there was no need to u
proot Grace. I have offered for Cornelius to take it over, but he does not feel it proper, as I am eldest.”
“You do have certain rights to it. It is expected that it would become your home.”
“Expected, yes. When I was younger I was so happy to be away from here. Now I am back.”
“I’ll never know what that’s like. Not only am I not the eldest, but as a woman I shall go wherever my husband takes me.”
“I suppose I’ve never considered it in those terms. As the eldest male, I would think it would be better not to have the responsibility.”
“There are challenges in both ways. I would think it more difficult not to be able to take responsibility for yourself.”
“That does explain why women behave in the way they do. There is a lot of pressure to be married, for more practical reasons.”
Evie nodded. Thaddeus got the sense that Evie may understand more than he knew. She was of the age where most young women were being courted for marriage. It was hard for him to conceive her having any problems, but her family’s lack of rank would certainly present difficulties. It would not be long before his own sister was to be courted. His parents had their own ideas about whom Grace should marry. His mother’s concerns were to do with status in society. His father’s concerns were to do more with business. It would have been much like a merger.
Thaddeus had already decided to stay out of it as much as was possible. He would not allow his sister to wed anyone unsuitable. However, it would be to her to make the choice. He could hardly stand to think of it. It brought him back to the inevitability of his own future marriage. He was pulled from his thoughts by Evie saying, “These are lovely grounds, although I can understand wanting to choose a home of your own. What kind of home would it be?”
“First, I would like a more modern home, more modest. I would want a home for my family and I, not just for display for others. Homes like this are difficult to heat, even more difficult to feel like home.”
“I understand your meaning. Our home is much smaller than this, but it’s ours. It feels too small at time, but we were closer to each other. I’d like that for my own children. Not to be so far away from me. I’d like a beautiful garden, perhaps a pond. I do not want to feel swallowed up in the estate. That likely won't prove to be a problem. I am sure my husband will be of more meager means. I only hope he'll heed my suggestions.”
Thaddeus realized the last person he had spoken to of his preferred home was Abigail. In some ways, Evie reminded him of her. Yet, she was not the same. At this point in conversation, the path had wound its way back to the front of the house. The two made their way up the steps and into the entryway. Once inside, Evie turned to Thaddeus and said, “Thank you for allowing me to accompany you on your walk.”
“You are welcome.”
There was a moment of hesitation and then Evie took leave to her room. Thaddeus walked into his study as he had earlier planned and picked up his intended book. He tried to read, but found that his mind remained on Evie.
It was not simply a carnal attraction that drew him to her. More than that, it was the way he felt in her presence. Placid, more himself than he was otherwise allowed to be. He understood that to be fine reason for his openness with her. In her kindness and open mind, he found comfort the likes of which he had not known since Abigail had died. Yet it brought him unease.
Surely there could be nothing between him and Evie. Not only because of the regular complications of fraternization with a member of his staff. Evie was in no way proper for him to consider courting. It sickened him to think like his father, but he must maintain a certain level of rank in his match.
However, no matter how much logic he applied he could hardly resist his desire to be near her. Whether he simply watched her at table or actually made contact. It would take a great deal more distraction to put her out of his mind. He only hope he could forget the feel of her skin on his.
Chapter 12
As the summer began to roll in, Grace decided that she would like to go into town to visit one of the more fashionable dress shops. Thaddeus was not particularly happy about it and Evie tended to agree. She had hardly been into the city, but from what she heard it was not a very pleasant place. It seemed to be a draw for society’s dregs and the stench of it was well-known. Yet, Grace insisted and Thaddeus relented, under the conditions that they take their leave before the sun began to dip.
Even though Evie did have some concern, she was curious to explore the city and see its happenings. She had only been to the theatre on a few occasions, each time with her family and straight back home afterward. She had no time prior to roam amongst the shops and look into the overall scene.
In the past, London had a reputation for being somewhat foul, yet more recently it seemed that it was becoming more fashionable to be involved in society there. Grace was going along primarily as a companion. Grace would like her opinion on some of the styles of the day. Evie had only seen the latest fashions on certain occasions, but she felt that she was of adequate tastes to assist her.
Evie welcomed the change in scenery. She had been in a state of confusion following her stroll with Thaddeus. He had opened up to her more and their conversation brought about even more understanding of him. It seemed that he did not revel in his life as a Duke and would rather have lived a life of less responsibility. It had never before occurred to Evie that any person would be unhappy which such a lofty position. From her perspective, Dukes had it all: status, wealth, and any other thing they might desire.
However, the revelation made it more clear to her why it was that The Duke dealt in such scandalous relations with women. It was perhaps his rebellion against his duties, which he had never wanted to begin with. Having lost his wife and parents, it made sense that he would feel less obligated to appearances. She did hope that he would at some point settle himself down and find a wife. She could not imagine who that woman might be.
After breakfast one morning, she and Grace readied themselves and took the journey toward the town. It would be days before they reached London and she was in great anticipation. Evie wondered if they would find themselves in congestion. It did not take very long for her to find her question answered; indeed they did. The coaches sat lined up, barely able to move. They were able to make their way inside and find a place along the streets to disembark.
There were so many people out and about, Evie had never seen so many people in her life. She felt like a small child full of wonder as she turned her head to and fro trying to take in all of the sights. Although there were some vagabonds and other unsightly people about, there were also many wealthy, fashionable people about.
Grace knew exactly what shop she would most like to visit. It was the shop in which one of her friends had gotten a most wonderful frock. It was that gown that had inspired the entire trip. Grace did not want that exact one, but she would like a dress from the shopkeeper who made it. So they walked about as different people about the streets tried to sell them their wares.
They were not walking long before Grace grabbed ahold of Evie’s hand and pulled her into the lineman draper's shop. The shop was bustling with people, mostly footmen and other servants there on behave of their mistress. The linen draper was franticly moving here and there while the helpers also tried to keep up. There were cushions to be sat upon and Grace and Evie were able to secure some for themselves.
About the walls, there were different high quality fabrics, all giving the air of luxury and riches. Grace pointed out some material of interest to her. They were of brilliant colors, but not at all gaudy. Grace said, “I still feel as if I dress like a little girl. I need more grown up attire.”
Evie replied, “I think you dress quite lovely. Simple and elegant. Not too showy. It suits you well.”
“You’re supposed to say that. I need to be in fashion.”
Evie could not argue with her there. A few years ago, she had similar desires to be in keeping with the other young ladies around her
. Unfortunately for her, she did not have the means for too fine clothing. Her dresses were pretty in a more modest way. It was only when she could find a good dressmaker, usually in the homes of one of her friends that she was able to dress above her means.
It took some time, but Grace was able to get the attention of the shopkeeper and begin to make her requests. Once it was made clear who would be settling the account, Grace was able to choose some material. The foot man who had been chosen to come along began to take up the fabrics in which Grace chose.
There was some material in particular that was extraordinarily pretty. It was of a royal blue color. Grace looked it over and said, “Evie, this would look wonderful on you.”
Regency Diaries of Seduction Collection: A Regency Historical Romance Box Set Page 9
