Eveline couldn’t deny the truth of her father’s words, so she simply did not answer him at all.
“You still could have told me. There is precious little that ever happens here as it is; you might at least let me enjoy the few moments of novelty when they come around.”
She looked down at the plate of food her father had put beside her. Faint trails of steam still wafted from its surface. Reluctantly, she picked up a fork and took a bite. It seemed she was hungrier than she wished to be.
Her father’s lip curled as he chewed over his daughter’s words.
“You know, there is something else I have heard in the village which I have been keeping to myself. Perhaps, if we are having a time of sharing, it might be the time to discuss it.”
Eveline popped a lukewarm potato into her mouth before answering.
“Would this be the news about Joshua Byrd?”
“So, you have heard.” Her father leaned forward, eyes seeming to search her out for some sign of her feelings. “Joshua is a very considerate and fine man from one of the most respected families in the village. I know for my part, if he intends to ask for your hand, I will not be one to refuse him.”
“You know he came to the idea while playing a stupid children’s game. Apparently, he divined that I was his destined love while horsing around a bonfire in the fields.”
There was an air of derision in Eveline’s voice and her fork jabbed at her food with a little extra force. Her father smirked and shook his head.
“So, the boy is a little superstitious - so are nearly all of the families and young men here. I hear even Lord Darlington himself seems open to belief in these ancient customs. What matters is that Joshua would not attempting such divinations if he did not like you already.”
Eveline’s resurgent appetite left her as quickly as it had arrived. She let the fork fall, with a clamour, onto the plate. She did not need to be told how good a man Joshua Byrd was, nor how much he really favoured her. Despite her firm feelings on the subject, she could not deny that Joshua was perhaps the most suitable gentleman for her to marry within the village, and a very worthy man. Were she to refuse him, she would likely find no other man willing to approach her in the future - even she knew the men of the community were beginning to distance themselves from her.
Realising that her father was still waiting for a response, and seemed unwilling to let the matter go unanswered, Eveline stood up.
“I do not have an answer regarding Joshua Byrd yet, Father.” She looked at the man in his chair, his dumbfounded expression and quivering lip irritating her. He clearly wanted to push the matter, but was afraid to do so. Though the hour was late, she wished to be away from the house. “May I eat at the Inn tonight father?”
Her father blinked at the question.
“You wish to spend time observing the Earl and competing for his attention along with all of the other young women?”
“No,” Eveline snapped. “I would just like some time to myself to think.”
Her father did not bother to get up. He just shook his head and shrugged like he always did when defeated.
“Take some money from my office then, and do not come home too late.”
~~~~~
For such a small village, the Old Bridge Inn enjoyed a steady crowd of patrons all year round. The advantage of having no competition meant that it was about the only entertainment that the locals could look to of an evening. Even so, as Eveline entered the place she was surprised to see it swollen to near capacity. Men and women alike had made excuses to dine at the Inn that night, and all shot furtive, fascinated glances at the man who sat by the fire in the far corner of the room.
As Eveline took off her cloak and gloves, she studied the way that he sat, reclined and at ease. He was speaking to an elderly gentleman, nodding and appearing to listen to the man with utter sincerity and interest. There seemed to be no sense of that great pride and haughty quality that was so hard to disassociate from rich young men. Lord Darlington seemed to suffer neither from an excess of pride, nor from a sense of moral or social superiority to those around him. He really was a most fascinating creature. Eveline reflected that, if ever an Earl was to overlook a person’s station in life when contemplating marriage, then this man would surely be it.
Of course, there was no approaching him. Lord Darlington seemed completely engrossed in his conversation with the old man and it would be poor manners indeed to force one’s way into the discussion without invitation or real cause. With this in mind, Eveline went to order herself some food and then moved to the table where Mary was sitting.
Mary had noticed Eveline’s entrance, but had seemed queerly unresponsive.
Though the bulk of her attention had been on Lord Darlington, Eveline had noted the lack of a smile on her friend’s face when their eyes met. All that she had received in the way of a greeting was a polite nod. This cool reception was repeated as Eveline moved to the empty chair by Mary’s side.
“Please do not tell me that you are in a mood with me too?” Eveline sighed as she took a seat by her friend. It really did seem like the whole of creation was against her right now. “Between my father fussing over me like a protective hen, Mr. Byrd deciding that I am his destined love and Lord Darlington barely giving me any notice, I don’t think that I could cope with my best friend snubbing me.”
She had hoped that Mary’s cold look would turn to a smile and her dour mood would be revealed as nothing more than a joke. The smile did not materialise, however, and Eveline suddenly felt unsure if she was even welcome to sit down.
“I’m not snubbing you,” Mary said, her voice carrying a seriousness that made Eveline even more uncertain. “That doesn’t mean I’m particularly thrilled to see you right now.”
Eveline felt her bottom lip drop just a little and she looked about, wondering if she should find a different table, or else just leave the Inn altogether.
“I’m not turning you away; sit down will you.” Mary’s words were like those of some governess.
Eveline immediately did as she was told, feeling a deep sense of trepidation for what might follow.
“I feel like I should be apologising to you for something… though honest to goodness I have no idea what I might have done to upset you, Mary. Whatever it was, I promise that it was not intentional.”
Mary gave an unladylike snort in response and took her drink to her mouth. She took a copious swallow then put the cup down and turned to Eveline. She smiled. It was sad, fleeting kind of smile, which suggested some real hurt, and Eveline’s stomach churned to see it.
“I know that you haven’t intentionally tried to hurt me, my dear.”
Mary took a deep breath and then took another long gulp from her drink. Her fingers, wound about the handle, were shaking a little.
“We’ve been friends for years now, Eveline. I still remember your mother gazing at us from the drawing room window as we picked flowers in the garden. I always admired her, your mother. I used to think her the most elegant and refined woman in the world.” Mary chuckled and shot her friend a wry smile, “I might even have been quite jealous of the kind of beauty you would turn into.”
Eveline nodded, her brow furrowed. She did not understand where this was going, so she remained silent.
“I also remember the kinds of things my mother and father would say about her in the privacy of our home.” Mary seemed to struggle against something, but then continued. “I have never told you this before, as I was keen to spare your feelings, especially owing to how young we were when your mother died… still…”
“Please just say it.”
Eveline felt like she knew where Mary was leading the conversation now and she clenched her fists tightly as she awaited the blow.
“Your mother was disliked by the village at large and I even remember at her death few had any real sympathy or sense of loss. Any sympathy that was held, was to your father and you, rather than your mother herself. “
Ev
eline gave a slow nod, all thoughts of the Earl of Darlington forgotten at this serious revelation.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you are turning out just like her, Eveline.” At those words, Mary turned her body fully and took Eveline’s hands in hers, clasping them tightly. “You are my best friend, believe me, and despite what you might think, I have no problem with you wanting to escape Old Bridge someday, and see what more this world has to offer. But you spend your everyday looking down on us, never allowing yourself to enjoy any part of your life here, and you take pains to remind us how mean you think our lives.”
The words stunned Eveline, but she couldn’t doubt their sincerity when she looked in her friend’s eyes life.
“Mary, I would never insult you so, nor say anything against you for having been born and raised here.”
Mary let out a sad chuckle and shook her head.
“You really are blind to yourself, aren’t you dear. You do it all the time. Any time you declare how desperately you want to escape our village, or vow that you would rather die a spinster in London than live out your days here, you are doing so. I know that you might not wish to hear it, but I am content with living out my days, here in this village, where I was born. Should I ever meet a man who will whisk me away to pastures new, I am sure that I will welcome the adventure, but I would always wish to maintain ties to my home. But when you speak of escaping, you always make it abundantly clear that you would never deign to set foot here again. And that is as much an attack against me, my friends, my family and your own father, as it is against Old Bridge itself.”
Eveline’s chest heaved. It was hard to be rebuked so sharply, harder still to think that she had never realised she was wounding her friend for so long. “Mary, I…”
“I’m not looking for an apology, Eveline. I know that you never meant to hurt me, but you badly need to consider how greatly you distance yourself from others. When you spoke so callously of our traditions for All Hallows to Lord Darlington, I think that you may have lost any chance of gaining his regard. You make yourself out to be so grand and puffed up, making fun of him for carving up a turnip to keep Stingy Jack away. I’m sure he doesn’t really believe that a turnip keeps away evil spirits, but neither do half of the villagers here. We keep our traditions alive because they are fun and they bring us together.” Mary paused and shook her head. “I know your mother died of illness, but I’ve always feared, and I think you have too, that Old Bridge killed her. She distanced herself from everyone and everything until she had nothing at all left. You are my best friend, but I fear that, if you continue as you are, the same thing will happen to you in time. You make yourself so unapproachable to everyone that no one will deign to even give you a friendly greeting, for fear of earning a barbed reprisal passed off as wit.”
Eveline’s vision had begun to blur and her eyes stung. She could not remember the last time that she had cried, and she felt a pang of embarrassment as she felt the tell-tale trickle of moisture on her cheek. Her breathing came in hard gasps and she felt an urgent need for air. Though she did not wish to cause a scene, her body rebelled against her. Without even knowing what she was doing, Eveline jumped from her chair and flew past tables, patrons and chairs out into the streets.
Chapter Five
The air was cold with the promise of winter, and Eveline gratefully took in great lungfuls, not heeding the cold burn in her throat as she breathed deeply. It had felt like she had just emerged from under a body of water, like the revelations poured onto her by Mary had threatened to drown her and snuff out her soul entirely. It was a feeling unlike anything she had ever experienced in her life, and she had no desire to feel it again.
Holding her hand over her stomach, she felt the rise and fall of each breath, trying her best to steady the rhythm, to contain the swell and tide of her heart. It was a real struggle. Every few moments, she turned her head back to the Inn, fearful that Mary or another one of the patrons would step out to check on her. Nothing could have been more embarrassing to her mind than to let the locals see her in this childlike state. It was undignified, but even knowing this was not enough to silence the sadness that had taken her over.
Minutes must have elapsed. Eventually, the crying ceased and the well of tears that had remained untapped in Eveline’s heart dried up. It came as a great relief to Eveline, and she tottered on unsteady legs to a nearby wall to sit and recover herself fully. Up above, the moon bathed the village in a soft light. It was quite the sight and Eveline thought it seemed somehow larger than it had been in her life before. Just gazing at it, its surface like some silvered coin, helped lend her the sense of serenity and calm which she so desperately needed in that moment.
The sound of a fox could be heard from somewhere outside the village, its strangled cries sending a shudder through Eveline and she found her arms folding about her chest as she looked out into the dark. For the first time since exiting the Inn, she felt a powerful wish for company. Indeed, as she considered her exit from the Inn, she couldn’t help but feel surprise that no one had followed her out into the streets. Even though she had not wanted anyone to see her bawling like an infant, the realisation that no one had deigned to check on her added weight to Mary’s warning. It seemed that her neighbours really had grown tired of her.
As she turned morose thoughts over in her mind, the sound of the Inn door opening caught her ear, and she looked up. A well-dressed figure walked out into the night, head turning rapidly about. It was Lord Darlington. Eveline felt instinctively that the man was searching for her, and she found herself uncertain about whether she should come out into the light, or shrink back into the shadows. After their disastrous first meeting, and her own shocking exit from a few minutes previous, she could not imagine what kind of impression she had left on the man. Considering that her standing with the Earl could not fall far lower, she decided to come out from the shadows and meet him.
“Miss Carter.” As he spoke her name, Eveline noticed the way he let out sigh. Was it relief? “You left in such a hurry.”
Eveline found herself unaccountably smiling at his simple statement.
“Yes,” she said with a nervous laugh. “It was not my finest moment.”
“Are you well?”
The Earl was as serious as he had been on their first meeting by the river. However, unlike then, Eveline did not sense any disinterest from the man here. She bit her bottom lip and looked down at the ground, rubbing her arms with her hands. She was past trying to lie to the Earl or impress him by pretending to be above it.
“I am not at my best, my Lord.” Her eyes flickered up to meet his and she offered him a weak smile that she hoped might reassure him. “If it will help put your mind at ease though, I think I will be better for this.”
Lord Darlington nodded.
“I understand.” He frowned then and shook his head. “Actually, I do not understand at all. Can I persuade you to come back inside, and to perhaps explain what you mean? I do believe that Miss Mary is fretting rather fiercely over your departure, and the proprietor is still trying to work out if he should finish preparing the meal you ordered or not.”
Eveline felt a blush rise to her cheek and was grateful to the night’s darkness for concealing it.
“No, I don’t think it will do for me to go inside just yet. I have some things that I need to consider privately. It is hard to explain, but I just need time alone.”
She was stunned to find herself actually refusing the Earl’s offer of company. She felt like an entirely different person to the woman who had tried so desperately to earn the man’s attention that morning. Lord Darlington seemed slightly surprised by her declaration too, and his eyes narrowed. It was a most intense gaze, and Eveline felt like he was seeing her for the first time.
“In that case, might I be permitted to walk you to your door? It is not a good hour to be walking alone.”
Eveline bit her bottom lip and actually took some time to consider
his offer, not jumping at it as she might ordinarily have done.
“I thank you, yes. Though I must warn you, I will not make for good company.”
“I understand.” The Earl drew up to her and extended an arm for her to take. “If you need to walk quietly and think, I will be nothing more than a shadow ensuring your safe return home.”
Lord Darlington was as good as his word. Without consideration for himself or expectation to be entertained, he led Eveline through the streets in a respectful silence. In many ways though, that quiet sojourn spoke more of the man’s character than their morning jaunt along the river had done. On that venture, she had learned a lot of academic facts about the gentleman, his history and likes, but Eveline had learned nothing of his goodness and kindness.
When at last he delivered her to her door, Eveline turned and gave a thankful curtsey.
“Thank you for taking the time to deliver me home. I am sorry if I have taken up your time unnecessarily. I will bid you a goodnight now.”
Eveline had just turned to walk up the front path of the property when he spoke up.
“If I may, Miss Carter…”
Eveline turned once more, a quizzical look on her face.
“I know that you expressed a disinterest in the festivities of the season on our earlier walk, but I wonder if you would consider escorting me about the All Hallows festival tomorrow. I have heard many good things about the event, but do not even know which field the festival is to take place in, nor which games are best to play.”
Eveline gave a demure smile and her eyes shyly drifted away from his.
“I fear, my Lord that I would not be the best of guides for such a thing. There are many who could furnish you better with the stories and histories behind the traditions and fortune telling games we play.”
Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Collection: 7 Delightful Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Stories (Regency Collections Book 6) Page 45