by Wilde, Tanya
“Evelyn!” Her friends said in unison, laughing.
“I for one have no interest in your brother or marriage,” Belle said with a lift of her chin but continued, “Although I have no intention of staying virtuous for the rest of my life.”
“Ye gods Belle, only you would put it like that.”
Belle looked confused. “How else should I put it?”
“Oh I don’t know,” Jo mused. “How about, even though I have no interest in marriage I will not spend my life alone.”
“That’s just ridiculous.”
“Well, if you are considering my brother as a candidate for an affair I would rather not know,” Evelyn said with a pull of her face.
“Your brother?” Belle laughed. “Heavens no! If I choose a lover it will be man passionate and full of fire. He would be not only handsome but will present a challenge. Your brother is no challenge at all.”
“Is that so?” A masculine voice answered.
All three women turned in their seats to find Westfield standing in the doorway, a fierce scowl on his face.
“Simon,” Evelyn said alarmed. “How long have you been standing there?”
His eyes never strayed from Belle as he answered, “Long enough to know that silly girls talk about silly things.”
Belle waved his comment aside with a flick of her hand, but Evelyn narrowed her eyes on her brother. Silly girls, silly woman phases. The man had no sense at all.
“I came to inform you I will be out for a while,” he said glancing at Evelyn briefly, before his gaze settled back on Belle.
“Very well,” she said uncertain at the tension in the air now. Then just as suddenly as he’d appeared, he turned and left.
“Well that was awkward,” Jo trailed off with eyes as big as saucers.
Belle snorted.
“Well,” Evelyn began, not certain what to say. “That will certainly put him in a foul mood for the rest of the evening.”
“Do you think he heard anything else?” Jo asked a touch alarmed.
Evelyn shook her head. No, he would not have been unable to resist a jibe, or leave for that matter.
“Are you sure it was wise to involve Wesley?” Belle asked Jo as she picked up a biscuit, seemingly unconcerned about her brother and his remark.
“I don’t see why not, no one would suspect him helping us,” Jo murmured and Evelyn knew instantly who she referred to as ‘no one.’
“It’s not a secret that we all are good friends,” Evelyn pointed out.
“The great Viscount Weatherly involved in illegal activities,” Jo snorted. “No one would believe it.”
“Whether they believe it or not, they would have to prove it first, which would be impossible.”
Evelyn glanced slightly toward her left, where, through the half open door, she heard her brother’s footsteps. Jo followed her direction, each one of them having gone silent at the voice of her brother. They waited until they heard the door slam in the distance, signaling his departure, before they started to speak again.
“We should be more careful of speaking freely,” Evelyn murmured.
“I agree,” Jo responded with a nod.
Belle nodded too.
They all knew what was at stake.
“But, they would have to catch us first,” Belle said smiling.
Jo chuckled.
Evelyn managed a chuckle of her own although she really didn’t feel like laughing. She liked their optimism, but she didn’t share it. She would like to cry, weep, sleep and never wake up. But that would never do. The men were so determined to find out what they were up to that they had been forced to meet at unholy hours of the morning in secret. One morning in particular, Evelyn had opened her door to find her brother sitting against the wall across from her bedroom, asleep. The secret meetings stopped. They were now only speaking in code to Wesley.
A slight ripple of something peculiar stirred in Evelyn’s consciousness. A disorder of events, righting itself in her memory. Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. As if observing a poorly acted scene at the opera, events unfolded in her mind.
The ridiculous wager of Lord Harry.
Her maid’s sudden illness.
Her carriage breaking down.
Her footman’s disappearance.
The shot that caused her horse to rear.
Damien’s appearance.
Simon not calling her out on her actions.
The reunion of the three men.
Like a lightning bolt striking the top of a tree Evelyn was hit with absolute realization, leaving her breathless and shocked. It had all been planned, from the very beginning.
“Evelyn?” Jo said worriedly.
“Are you all right?” Belle asked, a frown marring her beautiful features.
Evelyn glanced at her friends, then at the burning sensation on her legs. She had dropped her tea onto her lap. She jumped up, patting wildly at the wet stain spreading across her skirts. Her gaze flickered to the concerned faces of her friends.
“They planned it all along.”
“Who planned what?” Belle asked.
“My brother and his two… the lot of them,” she whispered dazed.
Taking Evelyn’s hand in hers, Jo asked, “What did they plan?”
“Everything.”
Belle frowned. “Wait, are you suggesting they are behind you meeting Grey and being compromised?”
Jo shook her head. “They could not have known she’d be compromised, but they would have wagered on the outcome,” Jo said, realization dawning.
Evelyn nodded. Yes, they could not have known whether she and Matthew would be attracted toward one another, but they had enough knowledge of both of them to take the chance. It was a grand diabolical plan, a plan that, if Evelyn hadn’t been so preoccupied with Matthew, would have seen a mile away. It was also the reason the plan had worked so brilliantly, because by the time realization dawned, it was too late.
Betrayal pierced her like tiny daggers stabbing into her heart.
Evelyn suspected there was more to her realization than just the obvious, like the reason her brother felt the need to act so devious to get her a husband, plotting and scheming behind her back.
“Everything makes sense now,” Evelyn whispered, looking down at her shaking hands. “Why Simon didn’t explode when Brahm brought me back home, why he didn’t act on anything I did.”
“I can’t believe they would stoop so low,” Jo said as she slumped back in her chair.
“I can,” Belle echoed.
“And I, the predictable Evelyn Tremaine, played into their hands like the fool I am, just as they must have expected I would.”
Jo paused. She looked at Belle. “They could not have anticipated your attraction to Grey.”
Evelyn shook her head. “They didn’t need to. They planned the setting to perfection, their timing perfect.”
“I remember that day,” Belle put in, turning her head in thought. “It rained heavily.”
“Yes,” Jo nodded her agreement. “I remember thinking you were crazy to travel to Bath in that weather.”
“That's my point,” Evelyn interjected. “It was planned to perfection.”
“Do you think Lord Grey was in on it?” Belle asked with a nervous glance at Evelyn, probably scared she would burst into tears. She certainly felt like she was about to crack open. Had Matthew known?
“I’m not certain, he seemed furious at the sight of Damien.”
Jo glared at the door. “We ought to teach them a lesson,” she said, disgusted at the entire male population.
“What a brilliant idea,” Belle responded.
Evelyn paused, collecting her thoughts. Yes, they deserved to be taught a lesson. “How do you suppose we accomplish that?”
She was met with two sly smiles.
Belle leaned forward and looked around; as if afraid someone might overhear her even though no one but them occupied the room. “You elope with Wes
ley.”
“What?” Good heavens, not this again. “I can’t marry Wesley.”
This was met with loud chuckles, and Jo finally said, “It won’t come to that. It only needs to look as though you’ve eloped with Wesley.”
“It’s perfect,” Jo continued smiling. “Your brother and Grey will give chase and it will serve as a valuable lesson to the both of them.”
Evelyn blinked, it might work. At the very least it would be fun. But it would accomplish nothing but a few hours of sport. They would still expect her to marry Matthew. It would be the final death blow to her freedom. Oh bother! Who was she kidding? Freedom was just a word she clung to. It had died with the introduction of the Earl into her life.
“And when is this elopement supposed to take place,” Evelyn asked resigned.
“A few days after the speculation of Madeleine Loveday’s disappearance has died down,” Belle responded, rather confidently.
“The speculation is never going to die down,” Evelyn contradicted.
Jo gave a slight nod. “No, but at least until the worst is over,” she said, shooting Evelyn a huge smile. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“Let us first survive the evening before we think about taking on the next big thing,” Evelyn murmured.
“But are you going to be fine?” Belle pressed once more.
Evelyn honestly did not know. She did however know that it seemed less and less likely that her dreams to travel the world would not come true and more and more likely that she would wed Matthew. Her lack of surprise led her to believe that even while she fought hard to cling to her freedom, deep down she knew from the start she’d fought a losing battle.
“I’ll be fine,” Evelyn murmured, wondering if it were true.
Walter cleared his throat in the doorway. “Madam, there is a-”
A woman Evelyn did not recognize sailed passed him, interrupting his introduction. Tall and lean, she displayed an air of elegance and sophistication, but on closer inspection the beauty and gracefulness that would have held any man and envious woman captive, was ruined by the malicious tilt of her mouth and coldness of her gaze, reminding Evelyn of a bitter winter night.
Slowly Evelyn stood, her friends flowing suit.
Shrewd eyes raked over Evelyn, taking in everything from the wet tea stain on her skirts to the messy hair that was pinned loosely together on her head.
“You are the reason the Earl of Grey returned to society? You.”
Evelyn stiffened. So this was the infamous Charlotte. Her eyes narrowed on her high forehead. Evelyn could tell this woman was used to intimidating women she deemed of lesser strength.
Evelyn wasn’t one of those women.
“I am to take then you are the reason the Earl left society?” Evelyn shot back.
Charlotte looked taken aback, but only for a mere moment before true hatred shone in her too big eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Jo stepped in and asked scathingly.
Charlotte spared her friend only the briefest of glances, before sauntering further into the room, her eyes on Evelyn.
“Why, I wanted to meet the woman who has ensnared my Earl, of course.”
“He’s not your Earl,” Jo remarked rudely.
Charlotte ignored her, her eyes never straying from Evelyn. “How did a plain, simple minded, boring little bookworm like you, captivate a man like that?”
Evelyn’s temper sparked, but she managed to rein it in. She took a purposeful step closer, lifting the corner of her lips only slightly. She saw the flash of uncertainty enter Charlotte’s eyes.
“I may be plain, but never will I be simple minded or boring.”
Charlotte gave a mirthless laugh. “Ah yes, there’s the spirit that would stir his interest. But let me be clear, girl, you will never have what it takes to keep him by your side.”
“Neither did you.”
Charlotte tilted her head. “What makes you think he has left my side?”
Evelyn’s mask slipped and Charlotte’s hawkish eyes did not miss it. She went in for the death blow.
“Where do you think I have been all this time while he was in the country,” she licked her lips at the implication, “and why do you think I am here now?”
Evelyn paled. It was a lie. It had to be. Matthew would never betray her like that.
Charlotte’s eyes glinted in pleasure. “It is true I had an affair, but make no mistake, he never left me, not in the way it matters.”
Evelyn wanted to be sick. No, she wanted to scream and then be sick, however, she settled for a simple, “Get out.”
The harlot’s eyes widened at her forceful tone.
“Get out, or I will drag you out by your hair and kick you down the stairs myself.”
The mental image brought a smile to her face.
“My, but aren’t you feisty one,” the harlot purred.
Belle and Jo took a step forward, straightening their shoulders, ready for battle.
The harlot lifted an elegant brow. “I shall go. I can see I am not welcome.”
“You never were,” Evelyn said in a soft threatening voice.
Charlotte chuckled, but turned to leave, “I hope I will see you at the Carrington Ball, little girl. It is said to be a spectacular evening.”
With those parting words she left, and Evelyn sank down to the ground, numb.
Chapter 17
The Carrington Ball was a huge crush and Evelyn and her friends observed the splendor of the crowd beside their usual potted plant. They were keeping a watchful eye for the arrival of the Earl of Grey and his former paramour, Charlotte. Her limbs were still numb from their encounter earlier that day, but she refused to let that woman get the better of her.
“I have decided to stay behind,” Belle whispered.
Evelyn and Jo whipped their heads her way.
“What?” Evelyn whispered back furiously, “We need you!”
“No, you don’t, you’ve got this in hand,” Belle replied, her voice barely audible above the orchestra playing.
Jo and Evelyn frowned at her.
Belle grabbed their hands. “Listen, if I stay behind I can help divert attention when Madeleine’s father learns she’s gone. I can help so suspicion does not fall on us. Besides, Lady Stockbridge will be attending with her lover in one of my gowns, while Lord Stockbridge is in attendance! I cannot miss that!”
“You’re supposed to keep an eye on the men,” Jo protested. “Much less be aware that Lady Stockbridge has a lover and find satisfaction in the whole disgraceful situation!”
Belle rubbed her hands together in glee. “Oh, as though you wouldn’t like to see that old lecherous hound be made a fool.”
“I pretend not to enjoy it.”
“Look, I’ve got the situation well in hand,” Belle explained patiently. “If you succeed in causing the most dramatic scene the ton has ever seen, then we won’t have any difficulty.”
Jo let out an exasperated breath. “You’re impossible.”
“I know.”
“I haven’t even met Lady Stockbridge yet,” Evelyn cut in.
“Neither have I,” Jo added.
“Don’t look now, but lover beau is heading this way, quite determined I might add.”
Evelyn looked at Belle. “Matthew is heading this way. He is here?”
“No,” Belle said with a sly smile, “The other lover beau.”
“Damn,” Jo muttered. “What does St. Aldwyn want now?”
And then they noticed it. A sudden buzz that filled the entire ballroom, people stopping to gawk at a sight they couldn’t see yet.
“Matthew?” Evelyn asked wide eyed.
Jo shook her head.
“Lady Stockbridge perhaps?” Evelyn asked, now curious.
“No,” Belle whispered back.
“How do you know?” Jo asked.
“I have it on good authority she won’t be arriving until later,” Belle said, craning her neck to see what the fuss was all about.
“What authority?” Jo asked skeptically.
“The lady herself of course, she wants to make an entrance with her lover. Apparently she rekindled an old flame, and she plans to flaunt him tonight in front of her husband and make quite the scene.”
“No doubt.”
“She told you that?” Evelyn asked surprised.
“Well no, she told the seamstress who in turn told me. I’ve never met the woman.”
“It’s her,” Evelyn said suddenly, “she’s here.”
“Lady Stockbridge?” Jo asked.
“No.”
“Yes.”
Evelyn and Belle said at the same time.
“Which is it?” Jo asked annoyed, not recognizing the woman lavishly dressed in one of Madam De La Frey’s scandalous gowns.
“Charlotte.”
“Lady Stockbridge.”
They both said at the same time again, staring at each other in horror as the realization struck.
Charlotte was Lady Stockbridge.
Matthew was her old lover. Her new lover? Had Matthew always been her lover?
Her husband was in attendance. Evelyn was in attendance.
Evelyn clutched her stomach. This was going to be the scandal of the decade, the scandal of a lifetime.
“Oh. My,” Belle said horrified with a few other expletives not fit for ladies ears. “I never once met Lady Stockbridge, I only recognized my gown.”
Both Evelyn and Belle stared at Charlotte, Lady Stockbridge in utter horror. She sauntered through the crowd hanging on the arm of none other than the Earl of Grey, flaunting their obvious relationship. The buzzing of the crowd grew as ladies tittered behind their fans, stealing glancing in Evelyn’s direction, some with pity and some with interest. By tomorrow word would have spread and she would be the talk of the town, gossip mongers relishing in her supposed humiliation.
And even though Evelyn had known Charlotte would be in attendance tonight, this was not how she imagined it would be. Deep down, she never truly believed Matthew would still be involved with the harpy, mostly because he had hounded her tirelessly, courting her. She had believed she would be immune to the sight of them together. Oh how wrong she had been! Her heart felt heavy in her chest.
