Lady Lydia had been to call, but Evie was in no mood to be social. Lydia had said, “How dreadful! You know I have never much liked Thaddeus. There was always something about him. Now I do believe that the gossip about him was true.” Evie had no energy to chime in. She was still so very confused about her feelings.
It was so hard to believe that the Duke that she had come to know was not real. He had seemed genuine. Aside from the one kiss, he had not tried to pressure her into any impropriety. She simply did not understand what had changed.
Evie really wanted to send him a letter asking for answers. But she knew it would make no difference. She was no longer there and would not be. It was time to move forward. She had a whole life ahead of her and the season was dying down.
In spite of the fact that she did not feel like being out, it felt especially crucial at that point. She had to become engaged. She simply had to. No longer did she have security if she were not able to find a new home of her own. Her parents were not pressuring her, but that hardly mattered. She had to find her husband.
So she made plans with Lydia to attend some parties. It would be a few days, as she still needed to get herself together. But soon she would be back out, hoping to find a decent gentleman. Or to run into Lord Boyd again.
One afternoon as Evie and her mother sat to lunch, her father came in excitedly. Neither of them had seen him so exuberant, aside from his daughters’ weddings when he had been overcome by drink. They both wondered if he were under the influence. Miss Seymour said, “What is it, dear?”
Mr. Seymour exclaimed, “The most incredible thing happened to me last night. I mean truly incredible.”
“What? What happened?”
“You know I was in town to business. As I was walking about, who should I come upon besides The Duke of Geiser.”
Miss Seymour replied, “Oh dear! What did you do?”
“Oh I went about setting him straight. Told him how disgraceful it was that he had treated Evie in such a way. To my surprise he quite agreed. He said anyway it no longer mattered because his sister was no longer his ward. I said that it served him right. As I went to walk away, he stopped me again and asked, ‘Why have you not petitioned for your writ of summons?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He said that he was familiar with my case and believed that I may still be entitled to my rank.”
Miss Seymour exclaimed, “What? But you lost it.”
“That’s what I said, but he seemed to believe that I may still be able to get my writ of summons. So I visited an old associate from the House of Lords and sure enough he said that I should submit for my writ of summons. That he believed that I would get it.”
Evie queried, “But you were casted out, were you not? I thought it was a decision made by the House of Lords.”
Mr. Seymour replied, “But that’s just it. It seems that the Duke’s father had a hand in it. It was he in his powerful position who pressured the others to deny me my inheritance. But now that he is gone, I may very well be able to convince them to issue me my summons once more. Do you understand what that means? I shall regain my position and status. No longer will we have to distress over my income. We will be returned back to our rightful place.
Evie and her mother stared at each other in disbelief. It seemed too fantastic to be true. All of those years where they lived like simple common folks, all because Wellington had saw to it. It seemed to Evie that Thaddeus was much like his father. Yet, she wondered why he had ventured to help her own. He could have easily withheld such information. Was it possible that he felt some remorse?
It seemed not to matter. If Evie’s father were to regain his position, it would change everything. Not only would they be entitled to all of the wealth and power which Mr. Seymour had been forced to forfeit, but it would put her in a greater station to be wed to a man of rank. She asked him, “How soon might this happen?”
He answered, “Well in truth, I do not believe it shall be sooner than next season. Unless I am able to go before the House of Lords before they go out of session. I find that to be highly unlikely. They have so many important matters to intend. But certainly by next season, I could be once again Baron Roger Seymour. Your Lordship Seymour.”
Her father danced about in utter joy. It became infectious and soon enough Mrs. Seymour laughed along with him. The two of them danced about the room gleefully. Even Evie had to smile. She wondered what Lucy and Hannah would have to say. Lucy would almost certainly be incensed. It would seem that she would have just missed out on the benefits of being the daughter of a Baron. Evie was sure her income might be restored, yet Lucy would lament the husband with whom she could have been bound to, even though she had gained a fondness for Sir Green.
It was as if on the midst of a horrible ordeal, the Seymour family had been granted good news. It was not yet official, but if such powerful members in the House of Lords believe it could happen, then certainly it would.
The following morning, when Evie and her mother had sat at table for breakfast she ventured to ask her a question she had never dared before. Evie said, “Mother, may I ask you a highly personal question?”
“Sure, what is it, dear?”
“When Father lost his title, why did you not go? Surely you have more than enough grounds for divorce.”
“Oh, but people so harshly judge those who divorce, even those of position.”
“But were you not judged for the loss of title?”
“In truth, I have never truly lost my title. His actions were his own and my family remains who they are.”
“So why did you stay?”
“In part, it was to do with my vows. I made vows to be with your father until death do us part. So it had to be so. Also, I must confess that my reasons were less logical and more emotional. It is true that your father and I were intended, however, once he and I became acquainted I took to him easily. By the time we were married and had you girls, I would not have left him for anything in this world.”
Evie was surprised at the earnestness of her mother’s expression. She had never before heard her mother speak in such a manner about her father. In truth, she had been sure that her mother had a great fondness for her father. It was evident through the years. But Evie had thought that her mother had simply been stuck with him. It would never had occurred to her that her motive was love.
Evie thought of this as she continued to contemplate her future. Would she ever experience what her mother felt? She did not know. She could only hope. She deeply, sincerely hoped.
Chapter 35
In the aftermath of his firing Evie, Thaddeus had contemplated a great deal. He thought seriously about his future and direction in which he was going. He felt it was time to behave as a man and determine who he was to be and how he was to live. Up until that point, he had simply done exactly what was asked of him or purposefully did the opposite. His life had never been his own.
Finding himself without any family in Wellington Manor made him aware that he needed to make some decisions. Either he should be forfeiting his position or commit himself fully to it. So he decided to seek the counsel of his most trusted friend.
Thaddeus took the trip out to Martin’s home. The two men met in Martin’s study to discuss Thaddeus’ future. Martin said, “So now that you have made a costly mistake, you should like to right yourself?”
“Correct.”
“I must say it is admirable, if not a little late will you seek to make amends?”
“At some point, yes.”
“How do you expect to proceed without amends?”
“I do not believe it is my right to ask forgiveness.”
“Not even of Grace.”
“The time will come for me to face her. I have sent her letters of apology. She has made no reply. I shall not intrude upon her new home. When the time comes, I hope that she will find it in her heart to forgive me.”
“And Evie.”
“I have even less rights when it comes to her. If she were to ha
te me for all of my days, surely it would be deserved.”
“I see. So what are your options?”
“Either I grant stewardship to Stephen or marry Lady Teresa and live a righteous life.”
“You could also become a member of clergy should you seek total redemption,” Martin chuckled.
Thaddeus replied, “You laugh, but perhaps so.”
“Alright, so in my humble opinion, granting stewardship to Stephen is not the thing to do. You must know that he would only do all of the things in which your father did.”
“Yes, probably.”
“So I suppose that leaves marriage to Lady Teresa. Lord Fitzgerald shall be thrilled.”
Thaddeus said, thoughtfully, “Ought I to ruin the life of another woman? It seems that I am cursed. Or perhaps cursed with my own foolishness.”
“Thaddeus, you must cease the self-pity. You do yourself nor anybody else service with that. You want to do better, then do so. Be a better man. Learn from your mistakes and never look back.”
“It is not that simple.”
“The noble things hardly ever are. You have tried to do the simple things so far, where has that gotten you?”
Thaddeus considered his words. Martin was right. He had tried to do the simple and easy thing his whole life. It was time that he take full responsibility. If he were to be the Duke of Geiser, he needed to handle his responsibilities with dignity and forego any notion of finding contentment in leisurely giving up any and all such integrity. That was the only way to be a man far greater than his father had been.
Still, though, Thaddeus was not sure about Teresa. It was not that she was not a fine woman, he was simply not sure that they would make a good match. He felt as if Teresa had fixated on him only because her parents had mentioned him as a potential mate. He would like to find something in her different. More like what he had found in Abigail. What he had lost in Evie. Time would tell whether he were ready to become a man worthy of a lady of such stature.
Chapter 36
Evie made her return to the social scene. She attended balls, house parties, and even spent some time about the Derby. She was able to spend some time in the company of Lord Boyd. She also had some interactions with Sir Drake. She felt as if she were drawing nearer to some kind of decision in regards to her future.
She spent her time at home reading and rediscovering her love for music. She was more apt to pass some afternoons in her home engaged in one of those activities. One such afternoon as she sat out on the terrace with a book, her father came out to find her excitedly. She said, “Hello, Father! Reclaimed your title already?”
“Oh, no! Not yet! However, I am guaranteed to do so. I have spoken with even more Lords who agree. No, this is about you. I received a visit at my offices in London. It was from a gentleman by the name of Sir Simon Drake. He came forward to inquire about your hand.”
Evie could hardly believe it. She would have thought that it would be Lord Boyd who had asked for her hand. She had spent some time in the company of Sir Drake, but she had not known to what extent his intentions were. It seemed that she knew now.
She asked her father, anxiously, “What answer did you give him?”
“None. I told him I would think it over.”
“Oh, good.”
“What would you have liked for me to say?”
“I do not know.”
“You do. What is it?”
“It’s just…It’s just that I rather thought that it would be someone else.”
“Any gentleman in particular?”
“Yes…Lord Henry Boyd.”
“Ah! Lord Boyd. Yes, he is a rather fine gentleman. I should quite like if he were to ask for your hand. He is a man of status, wealth, and reason. A good combination, indeed.”
“I believe so.”
“So you should like me to wait for him to ask for your hand?”
“I do not want to turn away Sir Drake. He has also become a good acquaintance.”
“You just do not want to choose one before the other has had the opportunity to come forward?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. I shall stall him for as long as I can. Perhaps I will have him out to dinner. Hopefully by then, Lord Boyd will have come around.”
Although it was not quite the one she had anticipated, Evie now had been asked, at least indirectly, to be wed. It seemed not that the question was no longer if, but which. She truly hoped that Lord Boyd would come forward. She felt more inclined towards him, but options would be good.
Following the initial anxiety, Evie allowed herself to become excited. Even after the debacle with Thaddeus, she would be alright after all. She went to speak with her mother. She asked, “Did Father, tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Sir Simon Drake asked for my hand.”
Her mother leapt up in excitement. She said, “Oh! Is my final daughter to be wed?”
“Mother, wait! Father did not give his blessing.”
Mrs. Seymour sat back down, disappointed. She said, “Why ever not?”
“He wanted to talk to me first.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I asked him to stall.”
“Ah, you are anticipating another proposal.”
“Perhaps.”
“Is it Lord Boyd?”
“Yes it is.”
“I see. Then perhaps you made the right choice. I am sure Sir Drake is quite fine, but Lord Boyd is of greater position.”
“Yes and we get on so well.”
“That is great, dear. I must say, though, I am quite excited that a gentleman has stepped forward for your hand. I had not doubted it would happen, but now that it has, I am better at ease.”
“As am I.”
“Soon you shall be married. You will either be Lady Drake or Lady Boyd.”
Evie could hardly bear to think of it. She dared not hope too high. She suddenly realized that perhaps Thaddeus had done her a service. He was right, she would have been leaving soon to be betrothed. It would be better if she had already gone.
She sent word by letter to her sisters. She was so excited she could not keep it to herself. Initially, she considered remaining inside and not going to any more parties. Then she realized that she may miss opportunities to see Lord Boyd. Sure enough, at the next ball in which she attended Lord Boyd was present. When he saw her, he approached her immediately, saying, “Good evening, Miss Evie. You are a vision of beauty.”
“Thank you, Lord Boyd. You are quite handsome yourself.”
“I am glad to have met you here. Would you like to dance?”
“Yes, please.”
The two of them went out on the dancefloor. They fell into step with the other couples. Like Sir Drake, Lord Boyd was quite a fine dancer. She enjoyed their turn very much. At the close of the song, Lord Boyd hesitated. Evie perked up. To dance once, hardly meant anything, but to dance twice, meant that the couple was intended. She thought for a moment that he was going to draw her into a second dance. However, he simply put his arm out to lead her off of the floor.
As the two partook in some wine, Lord Boyd said, “Will you be remaining in town this evening?”
“Oh no! I shall be returning home. It shall be quite the journey.”
“I understand.”
“Will you be staying in town?”
“Oh yes? I have taken up an apartment. I have some business of great importance in which I must attend.”
Evie thought there may be some hint in that. The rest of the evening carried out pleasantly. She was not ready when it was time to say goodbye. However, he bowed to her and kissed her lightly upon the hand. She felt butterflies in her belly. She was very glad she had not seen Sir Drake. It would have been quite awkward.
By the time Evie reached home and laid down for a nap, she was awakened to great excitement. When she went into the front room to see what the noise was about, she found her parents in quite an uproar. When they saw her come in her fathe
r announced, “It’s happened! Lord Boyd has asked for your hand.”
Evie was thrilled and began to dance about with her parents. So many weeks she had hoped that Lord Boyd would seek her hand and it had finally come to fruition. She was positively beside herself. Her father said, “I also told him I must deliberate, but you should want me to go back and grant him my blessing, correct?”
Evie stopped in her tracks. Was that what she wanted? Sure she had wanted him to ask for her hand, but she was not sure she was ready to give it. It was a very odd. She looked at her father and said, “I do not know.” Both of her parents stopped. Her father said, “Whatever do you mean? I thought this was what you wanted.”
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