Evie made her way home immediately to celebrate. Upon arrival she found her parents in bliss. They were to successfully marry off their eldest daughter. They would have hoped that she would find someone of higher rank, yet given their circumstances they were quite satisfied.
Hannah appeared to be sufficiently pleased. She had said before, “I should be happy to marry Mr. Townshend. He is as decent a husband as one could hope to find.” While she had not been swept away by him, her future was secured. No longer would she have to bear the concern of courtship. By the end of the season she would be Mrs. Leonard Townshend.
As happy as Evie was for her sister's good fortune, she felt somewhat somber at the prospect of distance between she and her sister. It had been difficult enough to negotiate her move to Wellington Manor. Evie knew she would visit her sister, yet things would change with Hannah becoming a wife. Soon she would have a home to manage, followed by children. Gone were the days of playfulness about the house amongst the sisters.
The Townshend family would be hosting a party to celebrate the couple. Plans were to be made post haste for the union. In a few week's time, they would gather at chapel for the ceremony. The simple affair would be limited to only the two immediate families, after which the newly wed Mr. and Mrs. Townshend would take their honeymoon before settling into their new home.
Evie tried not to be envious of her sister. She was truly happy for her, yet she could not help but to feel some envy. Hannah had done it, she was engaged. It seemed that they had only just laid upon Evie's bed distressed at their lack of prospects. Well, no longer. One of the Seymour girls was to be married. It was an auspicious occasion.
While back in her family home, Evie was reminded of her parents discussing a widower who had inquired about her hand. She took no notice of her parents. She understood what they were attempting to do, however, she had not come to the point of desperation. Her sister's engagement stirred up a hope in her about her own. It should only be a matter of time.
She thought vaguely of Sir Simon, of whom she had one additional occasion to see since the ball. He had been far more talkative the second time, as they sat about the home of one of Lady Isabella’s cousins. He had been charming, yet sincere. She did not see him being fresh with any other young ladies in attendance. He had been attentive, yet maintained his manners. Evie found that she liked him quite a bit.
He had not yet signaled at any greater intentions, yet she felt that his continued attempts to better acquaint himself with her bore some indication that he might have greater designs in mind. Evie had found herself in proximity to other interested gentlemen, yet did not feel as if any were so taken that they might seek out her hand. However, with each social occasion she felt her chances growing.
As far as her sister Lucy was concerned, she remained in a game of cat and mouse with Lord Oliver. Evie was quite sure that Lucy was the cat and Lord Oliver the mouse. He humored her and would often single her out, but Evie also saw him engaging with other ladies. Ladies of higher rank, than her own sister. She shrunk at the stars that danced in Lucy’s eyes whenever she spoke of Lord Oliver, which had become quite frequently. She was oft to be saying, “Lord Oliver said…” or “Lord Oliver has been to…”. All Evie could do was shake her head despairingly and hope that some other gentleman might come along to seek out her sister.
On the day that Mr. Seymour returned, having agreed upon the articles of engagement with Mr. Townshend’s family, he came bearing other news as well. Apparently some distant relation was inquiring after Lucy. Sir Donald Green, a distant cousin, was a recent widower. He had apparently encountered Lucy about some gathering and found her to be quite charming. He had asked about of her lineage and was led back to my father.
Sir Green was in his early thirties and had lost both his wife and child in childbirth. He was a Baronet and quite prosperous for a man of his position. Their father was overjoyed that Sir Green was seeking out Lucy. He said, “Ah! I may yet be signing for another daughter quite soon.”
Lucy balked at the idea, saying, “Father, you are not acquainted with this man. How could you so easily agree to sell me off to him?”
“Not sell, dear. Not sell. And I have made no decisions. He has only sent along a letter. We have not had occasion to meet. I am not so awful a father that I would give my daughter away to the first man who inquires. I only said that it sounded promising. Should things check out, you could be a Baronetess. Just think of it. Dame Lucy.”
Lucy frowned in disgust. It was not only that Sir Green was a stranger, Evie knew. She would likely find any man that was not Lord Oliver undesirable. Later on when the sisters were alone, Evie ventured, “Lucy, supposed that this Sir Green is a handsome fellow? It might do you well to consider his offer.”
Lucy fired back, “Absolutely not! What use have I of some distant relation, devastated by loss? He could be no proper match for me.”
“But Lucy, be reasonable. Such an offer as this is not so easy to come by. It would not profit you to dismiss it so easily.”
“If you think it so fine an offer, then perhaps you should offer up yourself.”
“Now, Lucy, there is no need to take such a tone. I was only saying that an offer from Sir Green is at least imminent. You could meet with him and give him a chance. I should not like to see you toss it aside in hopes that some other loftier proposal may be in your future.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes at Evie. It seemed that she had caught the insinuation and was not fond of it. She got to her feet and stalked from the room. Hannah let out a soft chuckle. She said, “I do not know why you tried. You should know Lucy better than that.”
Evie protested, “But you know what I said is true. Lord Oliver is not likely to seek her hand in marriage. Why can she not see that?”
“Because she does not want to. Per usual, Lucy has made up her mind and we’ll all not be likely to change it. I fear she shall not give up until Lord Oliver has found another.”
Evie knew it was true, but did not like to think of it. She knew what Lucy would suffer if she had to go through that. The same despair she had felt in the wake of Lord Charles. She would like to prevent it, but knew that she would likely be unable to. Being of such stubborn mind and strong will, Lucy would have to find out the painful way that her fantasies were not to be.
Evie turned back to Hannah saying, “Well, it is official. In a few weeks, you shall be married. How do you feel?”
“I cannot be sure. I suppose I am excited. Really, I am quite ready to have it over with.”
“Do you think you will be happy on your wedding day?”
“Oh yes. It is the day that every girl dreams of until it comes. I did not know who I might eventually end up with. Now I know. I had feared for much worse. Mr. Townshend is a gentleman and I believe we shall be quite content.”
“Are you nervous to be a wife?”
“I am. I am not entirely sure what to expect. We have been given proper breeding and I have watched mother, but what if I do something wrong? We shall have a modest staff, which will be a great help, but I only hope that I will make an adequate wife.”
“Oh,Hannah! You shall make an exceptional wife. You are intelligent and kind. Loving and well-mannered. Every bit as good as any woman of nobility. Mr. Townshend is a very fortunate fellow.”
Hannah smiled in appreciation at her sister’s words. Evie knew them to be true. Hannah had always been such a wonderful older sister. She always helped Evie, whether at her lessons, or just when she needed something about the house. Hannah would make an excellent wife and exceptional mother. Evie would certainly be proud to see her blossom. The two embraced, exchanging wordless expressions of affection.
It came time for Evie to take her leave. The next time she returned to her family it would be to see her sister be wed. She lamented having to go, wishing she could spend the remaining weeks with Hannah before she was to become Mrs. Townshend. They made plans to spend time at Lady Lydia’s and in the city. As the coach pulled
away from the Seymour residence, Evie thought of how quickly things were changing.
Up until that point the future had been something to plan for. It seemed that it was rapidly becoming a present to be faced. She thought about the time when she would be anticipating her own nuptials. She had no idea to whom she would be wed, but she hoped it would be someone to whom she could not wait to marry.
Evie knew that it custom to marry along the lines of status and security. She would like those things as well, but it was of great import to her that she should have a husband that she was fond of. She could not stand the idea of a sharing a home with someone that she had no intimate feelings for. It seemed like such an improper way to live. How could someone be happy that way?
She had not grown up with horribly snobbish parents who took little interest in her personally. Perhaps when she were younger and her father still bore his title, there had been some distance. She was too young to recall those times. She only knew of her family in their modest country home, tightknit and providing great warmth. She knew that no matter what status she might marry into that she should want to be intimately acquainted with her own children. She could not imagine giving birth to little creatures only to cast them off to her staff and speak to them primarily in reproach of any improper behavior.
That was not the future that she saw for herself. She wished to be happy. She wanted to travel. She would like nice things, but it should not be so important as the people she had around her. She would like a home where she could invite her family and they could play cards, music, and talk raucously of the current affairs of the day. She would like a husband who she could talk to, much like she was able to talk to Thaddeus.
She stopped just short of those thoughts. Could she really imagine herself being married to a man like Thaddeus? Sure, by Lady Grace’s recounts he seemed to be a decent husband. He cared for Abigail as few other Dukes might have. Yet, it seemed too fantastic to imagine that she would wed a man who was both high in ranking and also kind. Although, she would not characterize Thaddeus as kind. He was not cruel or pretentious, but also not kind.
She wondered why in her thoughts of a future husband she had found herself thinking of Thaddeus. Certainly he was not to be her future husband. She doubted very much that she would have any relation with the Duke whatsoever once she had quit Wellington Manor. She might have some occasion to see him about. She certainly hoped to continue a relationship with Lady Grace.
Perhaps in the future Evie would receive invitation to celebrate Lady Grace’s marriage. It was not likely, but possible. If that were to happen she would likely appear with her husband, whoever he may be. She would see Thaddeus there, perhaps himself again wed. They might greet one another, speaking politely and inquiring into each other’s wellbeing. She wondered if it would be as it was now, that spark just beneath the veil of politeness. She somehow doubted it. No, they would carry on about the place, greeting others and reveling in the beauty of Lady Grace, as she took her place beside her groom.
Until then, Evie’s future was uncertain, yet rapidly approaching. Whatever she was to become, wherever she would end up, it would not be long before she found herself there. She prayed that it would be in contentment, yet she could not be sure. She felt sure that by next season she would be a woman of different position and name.
Chapter 19
Thaddeus found himself in the midst of a great deal of trouble. It seemed that Lord Benedict Fitzgerald had gone about insisting that Thaddeus had attempted to force himself upon his daughter. His daughter was intended for another in the House of Lords and they were both outraged at his actions.
Word quickly began to spread about the incidence, with various alternatives in the details. A number of people had noted Thaddeus's drunkenness and credited it for his aggression. It was being said that following the death of his wife had become savage, turning to drink and violence. Stories of his gambling and frequent stays in London added to this impression.
Thaddeus immediately denied the accusations, swearing that he had merely stumbled into Lady Teresa, mistakenly damaging her dress. Lord Fitzgerald would hear none of it and continued to insist in Thaddeus's impropriety. Thaddeus began to receive correspondence from associates withdrawing long-held alliances in business. The Wellington holdings were now in jeopardy of being diminished.
Lord Cornelius and other family members and friends insisted that Thaddeus would never do such a thing. Lady Teresa also denied that it had taken place, greatly overcome by her involvement in the scandal. She became so overwhelmed that she journeyed to the seaside for refuge.
Thaddeus did not return to London. He remained at Wellington Manor, withdrawing from the outside world entirely. He became stricken by the talk surrounding him. His reputation as a philanderer was one thing, but the more recent rumors proved to be far more sinister. He was very angry, but knew not what to do.
Lord Martin came to call saying, “It shall pass.”
Thaddeus fired back, “Not quickly enough. This has been a disaster. I wish to throttle Lord Fitzgerald for what he has done to my name.”
“I thought you never cared about your name.”
“I do not care about idle gossip and frivolities. This has caused great embarrassment. Grace has gone away as this has caused unpleasantness for her as well.”
“I will say, chap, that you have been about recklessly. The gambling, the drinking, the women. It was only a matter of time before some great trouble found you.”
Thaddeus answered, incredulously, “Are you suggesting that this is deserved.”
“Absolutely not. I am saying that you call about such chaos when you act impulsively. I understand that you have been suffering, but you are not a young man anymore. Your behavior shall not be so easily forgiven. You must be mindful. Otherwise, scoundrels like Lord Fitzgerald may move to sully your name. You forget, your loss is the next ruthless scallywag's gain.”
Thaddeus wanted to protest, but he knew it to be true. He thought about all of the times his own father had spread lies about other lords in order to scandalized them and overtake their position. He had not considered as much when he had begun playing about London. The reason he had so often avoided it before was because these sorts looked for any opportunity to besmirch the family names of other more powerful lords.
Thaddeus considered traveling away from it all, but did not wish to give people any more reason to determine him guilty. He knew he would not be brought before the House of Lords for such an allegation, yet the whole ordeal was frustrating. He was sure no other ladies would want to come near him. It seemed useless to venture out at all.
Thaddeus set out on the terrace one morning looking over the grounds when he was joined by Evie. She had not had very much to say on the subject and he was not sure of her feelings. As she approached she said, “Do you mind if I have a seat?”
“No, I do not.”
She sat down on a chair diagonal to him, leaning back. She asked, “I know this may be silly question, but how are you feeling?”
“Things have been difficult, obviously.”
“I can imagine. What a horrible rumor to start. It is unfortunate that it has gained as many ears as it has. Unfortunately, that is what is done at gatherings; the smearing of names for entertainment.”
Thaddeus looked to Evie in appreciation. It seemed that she was on his side. He had not had the occasion to discuss with her what had happened. Yet somehow she did not believe what had been said. He said, “I am grateful to you for your support and belief.”
“Oh, I never believed the talk for a minute. I know that you are a proper gentleman and would never stoop so low as to take advantage of a woman, no matter how much you may drink.”
“I only wish that that confidence was shared by others.”
“It is not that people believe it in as much that it is the popular talk of the day. Once something else has gone on, they will move on to it.”
“But what of my reputation to follow? I know I
have stated before that I have no interest in the thoughts of others, yet something like this could be damaging not only to myself, but my family.”
“As I have stated, I do not believe it shall carry on. You are, after all a noble gentleman. Your position shall remain and the idle chatter shall cease.”
“I feel that perhaps it is time that I rethink my priorities. It shall not be long before Grace is put upon to find a husband. I should not like for my behaviors to cause her any difficulties.”
“Reputation can be so fickle. In some cases, that is. In other more serious matters, these things can impact a life. I do not believe that this is such an occasion.”
Thaddeus took this to be an allusion to Evie’s family. He was aware that they had been at one time of rank and had since fallen to barely middle class. He had not been so reckless as to gamble with his family future, although it was no small loss to find your acquaintances turning from you. He knew that with the proper social calls and perhaps a well-thrown party that he would be easily back into good account with them all. It would take an effort and although he did not look forward to making it, it would be very necessary.
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