“Yes. He was livid. I have never seen him so angry. He said you were never to cross his threshold. Why does he hate you so much?”
“Because my father tried to convince him he should cease hunting dragons,” he finally said.
“He hates your father so much because of that?”
“Your uncle has strong feelings about dragons. After all, your grandfather was killed by one.”
“So was yours,” she quickly rejoined.
He gave her a surprised smile. “So you picked up on that. Yes, my grandfather was killed by the same dragon, but neither my father nor I believe that they should be hunted and killed like vermin. Your uncle, however, has nursed his grudge for a very long time, and his animosity towards my family has grown with the passage of time.” He turned to watch the approaching palace. “Perhaps, given your Uncle’s reaction, you are more inclined to refuse my offer?”
“No,” she said thoughtfully. “My uncle is not an easy man, and he has done little to endear himself to me.”
“So what do you say?”
She sighed. “I was wrong to say you’re not a respectable gentleman. You are behaving most properly.”
He smiled grimly. “Do not make the mistake of thinking me better than I am, Evelyn. As you rightly pointed out, my behavior was most improper. I should warn you that if you choose to marry me, I am not like other men. I have little use for insincerity. I will not escort you around town, nor trail after you at the market. I will not flatter you with compliments, nor engage in meaningless conversation. I will, however, treat you as an equal, with the utmost respect and regard. I will never raise my hand to you, and will not force you to do things you do not wish to do.”
Her eyes widened at his words.
“Having seen your mother, I thought you might actually prefer to marry me than the alternative of returning home with her. The choice, however, is completely yours.”
“This is a lot to take in,” she whispered. “I’m not sure –”
“If you need time to consider it, I am happy to wait, but I promised your mother an answer tomorrow, so I cannot wait long.”
“How do I reach you?”
“Send your reply to Drake House, Brownlow Road.”
“Very well.”
They were nearing the palace, and Evelyn looked anxiously towards the bank, her eyes searching. Her gaze alighted on her mother and Suzanna, and she gave a small sigh of relief to see that Mother’s attention was on a small pavilion where chairs had been arrayed, and was not watching the river at all. They reached the dock and Xavier helped Evelyn step off.
“I’ll await your reply then,” he said.
Evelyn turned to him with a smile. “Thank you. I will not keep you waiting long.”
He watched as Evelyn hurried towards the others, then slipped between the bushes and headed behind the castle. He had done the right thing, he told himself. If Evelyn accepted his offer, it would not be the end of the world. He would still continue his life as he had before. He lifted his eyes to the hills as he continued walking and hastened his pace, eager to feel the wind beneath his wings.
Evelyn barely noticed her surroundings as she headed towards Mother and Suzanna. She had been so certain that Xavier would refuse Mother’s suggestion of marriage out of hand that she could not get her head around the fact that he was prepared to contemplate the union. It was clear he had no feelings for her, beyond friendly regard. Her own feelings, she was honest enough to admit, were a little more tangled. She did not love him, but her affection for him was growing. Apart from his good looks, she enjoyed his company. Of course, he had made it plain that she should not expect a great deal of his attention, and that he would continue his life as before. The only reason he was considering the marriage was to save her from Mother. She considered that for a moment: would Mother be so cruel as to drag her daughter’s name into the mud? Evelyn didn’t think so, but she knew, as Xavier had suggested, that Mother could make her life very difficult. And if she didn’t marry Xavier, she would certainly insist she marry the next man who came along. A man who might not be as pleasant as Xavier.
The fact that Xavier was wealthy was an added bonus. She had never hankered after wealth or riches, and her only expectations of a husband were that he had enough to provide a comfortable life, but the prospect of never having to be concerned about money had a certain appeal. And why not – if she couldn’t marry for love, then why not marry for wealth?
She was distracted throughout the long afternoon, and although she suspected Suzanna had an inkling of what had passed between her and Xavier, she made no mention of it. That evening, when Mother drew out the fabric she had purchased that day for a wedding gown, Evelyn gave no argument. The idea of being seen as a victim in need of rescuing piqued her pride; but on the other hand, Xavier had treated her with respect. The fact that there was no-one else he had considered for a wife eased her discomfort somewhat. She was quite certain he wouldn’t offer to marry her if he considered the idea abhorrent. Perhaps the suggestion was not quite so ludicrous after all.
Chapter 20
It was mid-morning when a note arrived at Drake House for Xavier. Dirt and sweat marred the once-clean sheet, but Xavier could still smell Evelyn’s lingering fragrance on the paper. He brought it to his nose, and caught the faintest whiff of anticipation in her scent. He unfolded the sheet and read the single word written with a delicate hand: Yes.
Laying the sheet aside, he wandered to the window and leaned against the casement as he stared through the uneven glass. His mind was not on the street beyond, but on the implications of her reply.
“You have an answer?” Aaron asked as he stepped into the room. He picked up the note and nodded as he read the response.
“Callaway knows my identity,” Xavier said. “Despite the mother’s insistence, he will do what he can to prevent this marriage.”
“Probably. We will see how resourceful Madam Talbot is.” He walked over to the window. “He only knows who you are, not what you are.”
“He knows that we can take human form. If he suspects Lydia, then he will also suspect me. Even if Madam Talbot convinces him to allow the marriage to go forward, he will take extra precautions when I’m around. This whole marriage may be an exercise in futility.”
“Even if he suspects, he does not know the extent of your abilities. Furthermore, he cannot guard his study day and night. When he leaves, you will have a chance to search his papers. Between you and Robin, we will discover his plans.”
“We still have to overcome the first hurdle. Madam Talbot must secure his cooperation.”
“A woman like that is hard to resist,” Aaron said. “If she does not convince him with her eloquence, she will surely wear him down with her words. Eventually he will capitulate, just to keep her quiet!”
“Are you certain you want her in our family?”
“Oh, I’m confident you’ll find a way to deal with her,” Aaron said with a grin. “Now, let’s send for the good lady and inform her how we have molded you to our will.”
Xavier scowled as Aaron called for a maid.
“We need a carriage brought around from the stables,” Aaron told her, “and a note delivered across town.” She scurried from the room as Aaron reached for a sheet of paper and a quill from the desk and composed a short letter. He dried the ink with a warm breath, and by the time the maid returned with a message that the carriage was awaiting instructions, it was folded and sealed, ready for delivery.
The carriage returned to the house one hour later, carrying an irritable Madam Talbot. Without waiting to be announced, she marched across the hall and stepped into the parlor where Aaron and Xavier were waiting.
“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.
Aaron, who had risen at her entry, cocked an eyebrow. “Of what, Madam?”
“Your imperious note summoning me to attend you!”
“My apologies, Madam. I thought you were desirous of hearing our response to your p
roposal.”
“Then you should have attended me!”
Aaron sighed. “Then perhaps, Madam, we should just drop this entire matter.”
She paled slightly. “Well, I suppose you were good enough to send a carriage.” Xavier turned away to hide his look of wry amusement.
“Then let us proceed,” Aaron said. He gestured to Xavier.
“After due consideration,” Xavier began, “I have decided to accept your proposal. However, I do have some stipulations.”
“That is rather presumptuous, considering it was your ungentlemanly behaviour that led us to this.”
“However that may be, I will not agree to this marriage unless you agree to my terms. First of all, the nuptials will be conducted forthwith. We will make the necessary arrangements and send you notice of the details.”
“But – we don’t have a gown ready yet! And there is the wedding feast to be arranged!”
“I do not require my bride to be clothed in a new gown, and we will attend to the other matters.”
“But –”
“If you want this marriage to take place, then I insist.” She glanced at Aaron, who was watching her impassively, then nodded unhappily. “Furthermore,” Xavier continued, “we will spend the first few weeks of married life in Callaway’s house.”
Agnes paled. “This is not possible,” she breathed. “My uncle will never agree.”
“Then I’m afraid these negotiations are over.”
She turned to Aaron. “Surely you see he isn’t in a position to make demands.”
“Actually, Madam, I am in full concurrence.”
“You don’t understand,” she said. “For reasons beyond my comprehension, Callaway has developed an intense dislike for your nephew. He has stated that he is never to cross his threshold again.”
“Nevertheless, that is his condition.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she turned back to Xavier. “Why would you want to live with a man who hates you? Are you planning revenge against my uncle, and using my daughter as a tool in your plan?”
“You have a vivid imagination, Madam,” Xavier said flatly. “Your daughter has not met my family, and our acquaintance has been brief. Are you so unfeeling that you would insist she be removed to unfamiliar surroundings to live amongst strangers?”
“Well!” she huffed. She turned to the window and tapped her nails on the casement. Xavier watched her for a moment.
“You do understand that if you cannot agree to this, there will be no marriage.”
“Very well. I will do what I can to convince Callaway. But I cannot guarantee that I will be successful.”
“You are a very resourceful woman, Madam,” Aaron said. “I have no doubt your uncle will soon come to his senses on this matter.”
Agnes preened slightly at his words, and Xavier swallowed his cynical amusement. “If you can convince your uncle, the marriage will be concluded tomorrow afternoon. We will send you notice of the time. Now, the carriage is waiting to return you home.” He gestured to the door, and Agnes left the room with a slightly bewildered expression. Xavier closed the door firmly behind her.
“I realize there is another reason you cannot remain here once the marriage is concluded,” Aaron said.
“What’s that?”
“None of us would survive if that woman decides she needs to regularly visit her daughter!”
“Thank you, Grandfather,” Xavier said dryly as Aaron laughed.
Evelyn had heard the clatter of the carriage as it pulled away, and then heard it return an hour later. She watched from the parlor window as Mother stepped out. She had left the house with a haughty air, her expression imperious as she ignored the outstretched hand of the footman, but she returned with a look of deep consideration. Evelyn frowned as she watched Mother enter the house. She had spent a restless night considering Xavier’s proposal, and had still not been certain when she awoke that morning that she was making the right decision – but she knew Xavier awaited a reply, and on an impulse, she had written her single-word response and given it to Nan when she entered the room a moment later.
As Nan took the note and headed down the stairs, the knowledge that the decision was now out of her hands had given her a sense of relief. Her future was now in the hands of fate.
Her attention returned to Mother as she walked from the carriage to the house. Nothing in her bearing suggested jubilation. The front door opened and Mother’s footsteps could be heard crossing the hall and heading to the study.
“What is it?” Suzanna asked, but Evelyn held up a hand to silence her before tiptoeing down the stairs. A loud crash came from behind the study door, followed by a bellow.
“No!”
“Please, Uncle, hear me out.” Mother’s voice was louder now. “Your argument is with his father, not him.”
“My argument is with his entire family! They are dangerous! Not to be trusted!”
“It will just be for a few weeks, Uncle.” Mother’s voice was placating. “You can tolerate a few weeks.”
“She will not marry that boy!”
“Evelyn does not need your permission, Uncle.” Mother’s voice had regained her usual haughty tone. “As her parent, my consent is all that is needed.”
“Fine! Then take your daughter and leave my house.”
“Your house, Uncle? I took the liberty of asking a solicitor to look into your affairs.”
“You did what?” Uncle’s yelling was even louder than before.
“It seems that you have mortgaged this house to the hilt, Uncle.” Mother’s voice was smug. “Your heir, my son, will be landed with your debts.” There was a moment of silence. “The solicitor was unable to find much about Seaton, but it seems he has some familial connection to a family named Drake. Perhaps you’ve heard of them? Word is that they are extremely wealthy.”
“My financial affairs have no bearing on this matter, Agnes,” Uncle shouted. “I will not allow Xavier Seaton to step into my house again.”
“Perhaps your creditors would be interested to know your affairs.”
Evelyn drew in a shocked breath as the house fell silent; it was as though the walls were waiting for Uncle to reply.
“You are a vile, malicious woman, Agnes,” Uncle said. Evelyn had to strain to hear his next words. “I told my nephew not to marry you, but he refused to listen to sense.”
“You will step aside in this matter?”
“What choice do you give me?” he asked bitterly.
The door opened and Evelyn quickly retreated from the hall to linger on the stairs, but Mother’s words were clear. “I knew you would listen to reason, Uncle,” she said. The study door closed behind her with a soft click, and Evelyn hurried to the parlor. Mother entered a short while later.
“I thought I would find you here,” Mother said, and Evelyn could not ignore the gleam in her eye. “Master Seaton has recognized that it is his duty to take you to wife. You will be married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes. He is eager to have the matter concluded as soon as possible. And he insists that you live here, for a few weeks, at least.” Mother ignored Evelyn’s look of shock. “Now, we must get your gown ready, and your hair needs to be washed and oiled.” She looked at Suzanna. “You can sew, I suppose.”
“Of course.”
“Good. With the three of us working, we should manage.” Mother stepped into the passage and clapped her hands. Nan appeared a moment later. “You will stop what you’re doing and come to my daughter’s chambers. We must prepare for a wedding.” She turned back to Evelyn. “Come now, daughter, there’s not a moment to lose.”
“Where will the ceremony be?” Evelyn asked as she followed Mother to her chamber.
“Master Seaton and his family will attend to those matters.” She stopped and turned to face Evelyn. “I must say, you are taking this rather well. I expected you to be angry.”
“Since I have no say in this matter, Mother, it seems bett
er to give in with resignation than fight the inevitable.”
Mother’s eyes narrowed suspiciously as she considered Evelyn’s response. “You think I’m heartless, but I’m doing this for you,” she finally said. “I, too, was given no choice when your father offered for me, but our union was a success.”
Evelyn bit off a sharp retort. Mother had come from a well-to-do family and her connections had brought Father many opportunities, but he had stayed well out of his wife’s way, spending long hours in his office. Perhaps death, Evelyn thought wryly, was his final means of escaping his wife’s demanding ways and critical tongue. As they entered her chambers, Evelyn glanced around the room. Tonight would be her last night as a single woman. She reached for the fabric for the gown and spread it over the bed as she began to cut the first of the sleeves.
Chapter 21
Evelyn stood below the front steps of a small stone church tucked down a narrow lane, glad for the shadows that protected her from the summer heat. The hot temperatures had still not relented, and there were concerns that the scarcity of summer rains would prevent the crops from growing. Robin stood at her side, while Mother and Suzanna stood a short distance behind. Uncle, of course, had refused to attend. On the small church porch the priest paced impatiently, tapping his prayer book as he did so, waiting for the groom to arrive. As tradition dictated, he would marry the couple outside the doorway before serving them a private nuptial mass within the holy confines of the church.
Evelyn smoothed her hands over her gown, striving for a calmness she did not feel. The gown had been cut wide across the shoulders and molded around her body, falling in draping folds to her feet, while the silver belt hugging her hips hung almost as long. Silver embroidery, finely stitched by Suzanna, decorated the neck and hem lines. The final stitches had been completed as Nan dressed her hair, pinning it in place with the silver hairpins Mother purchased at the market. The final curl had just been tucked in place when a carriage, sent by the Seatons, arrived to carry the small party to the church.
At the top of the stairs the priest ceased his pacing and beckoned to Robin with an annoyed expression. A small drip hung from his bulbous nose and Evelyn looked away, resisting the sudden urge to laugh. Robin started up the stairs, but before he reached the top the clattering of footsteps in the lane behind made him pause, his foot hanging in midair.
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