Rising from the bed, she straightened her hair and pinched some color into her wan cheeks before joining Suzanna on the stairs.
“Are you all right?” Suzanna asked softly.
“Xavier said he’d send an answer in two days.”
Suzanna frowned but remained silent as they entered the hall. Mother was already seated at a table, and Uncle arrived a few moments later. Mother gave him a gracious smile.
“I believe Cook has made a fine meal for tonight,” she said. Uncle scowled, clearly not pleased at Mother appropriating his kitchen. Meals in the Callaway household were usually plain and simple.
Mother shook a large linen napkin over her lap. “I went to see that boy’s family today. Well, his mother and his uncle. Master Seaton wasn’t there.”
Uncle’s face paled. “What did you say?” he demanded.
“That I went to visit them today, only the father wasn’t there.”
“I got that, you nitwit. What was the name?”
Mother scowled. “I’m not a nitwit, Uncle.”
“The name, Agnes,” he growled.
She heaved a large sigh before answering. “Seaton.”
He slammed his palms on the table as they all drew back in horror. “Seaton? His name is Seaton?” He looked first at Suzanna, then brought his gaze to rest on Evelyn. “Did you know this?”
“I, er –”
“Because I clearly recall him introducing himself as Jackson.”
“He uses our name for business dealings,” Suzanna hastily cut in. Her hands shook slightly.
“What’s the matter, Uncle?” Mother asked.
“What’s the man’s first name?” Uncle demanded.
“Xavier.”
“The father, you idiot!”
“I, er, I don’t know,” Mother stammered. “His wife is Lydia.”
“Lydia Seaton!” Uncle pushed himself from the table and rose to his feet with a humorless snort. “You wish to marry my niece into Lleland Seaton’s family!” He spun around to face Evelyn. “That boy is never to cross my threshold again. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Uncle.”
With a growl of anger he swept his arm across the table, knocking the dishes closest to him onto the floor, then stormed from the room.
Evelyn and Suzanna stared at each other in shock.
“What was that about?” Mother said.
“My uncle Lleland said that he and your uncle once had a misunderstanding,” Suzanna said. “Something about hunting, I think.”
“Hunting? That display was about hunting?” She grabbed her glass of wine and drained the contents, before rising and following Uncle from the room.
“It appears my cousin had good reason to keep his true identity hidden from your uncle,” Suzanna said.
“Yes, but what could it possibly be about? I’ve never seen Uncle so angry. And Mother is right – there must be more to the story than just hunting.”
“People hold grudges for all kinds of reasons, Evelyn.”
“But to hate the son so much because of the father? That doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t remember what my uncle was like before he married Aunt Lydia, but both my mother and my grandmother said he was a completely different person afterward. If your uncle knew mine before that time, then maybe your uncle resented the change.”
“Maybe,” Evelyn said doubtfully. She remembered the way Uncle had watched Xavier when he joined them for supper. Had he recognized something of his father in him?
“Let’s retire to the parlor and read for a while,” Suzanna suggested. “It may help to take your mind off all that’s happened today.”
But try as she might, Evelyn found she could not concentrate on the story that Suzanna began reading. Instead, her mind flitted between Mother’s demand that Xavier marry her and Uncle’s reaction to his name. Suzanna finally laid the book aside and gave Evelyn a sympathetic smile. “Why don’t you retire early? I’m sure things will seem much clearer after a good night’s rest.”
Evelyn nodded gratefully and hurried to her chamber. Suzanna had already moved some of her belongings into Evelyn’s room, and Evelyn was glad for a few moments of privacy before her roommate appeared. She climbed into the bed and pulled the covers to her chin, hoping she could manage a few hours of sleep at least.
Evelyn was alone in the bed when she awoke the following morning, and she lay still, her mind replaying the previous day’s events, until the sound of voices below her window brought her to her feet. She peeked through the shutter to see Robin talking to Suzanna, his face close to hers. Suzanna nodded and Robin turned away.
She returned to the bed and snuggled beneath the quilts, but finally gave up the idea of more sleep when Nan entered the room. She crossed over to the window and threw open the shutters.
“Whew, early morning and already so hot,” she said. “Your uncle remained in his study all night,” she added as she pulled a gown from Evelyn’s chest of garments.
Evelyn sighed. She’d hoped that Uncle had recovered from his anger of the evening before; but if he had stayed in his study all night, perhaps that was wishful thinking. She waited while Nan pinned her hair, then headed downstairs to the dining room. Suzanna was at the table, but there was no sign of either Uncle or Mother.
“I heard you talking to your brother earlier this morning,” Evelyn said as she helped herself to a bunch of grapes.
Suzanna leaned closer and lowered her voice. “He brought a message from Xavier. He wants to talk to you.”
“What does –”
She stopped as Mother breezed into the room. She smiled at her daughter.
“Ah, there you are. I think we will go to the market this morning. It is not often I have the opportunity to shop in the city.”
Evelyn shot Suzanna a frustrated look. “Of course, Mother.”
“Good. Be ready to leave as soon we’re done eating. Where is your uncle?”
“I haven’t seen him, Mother. He often takes his meals in the study.”
“Hmm. Well, I certainly hope he has recovered from last night’s tantrum. I have never seen such a temper! But I’m sure he will recognize the sense of my plan once he’s had a chance to calm down.” Evelyn took a spoonful of eel pie as Mother continued. “We must make you a new gown for your wedding, Evelyn. We’ll look for fabric while we’re out.”
Evelyn swallowed her mouthful, suppressing her annoyance. “Mother, you are being precipitous. Master Seaton is hardly likely to agree to this plan any more than I do.”
“We’ll see about that.” She eyed her daughter narrowly. “You will do as I say, Evelyn. Do not for a moment think you can escape these nuptials.”
“Would you have me marry someone I barely know, Mother?”
“You kiss men you barely know, daughter? You certainly did nothing to turn away his advances. Are you so wanton?”
“I’ve been wondering, Mother. How did you find me beneath the trees?”
Mother smiled, but remained silent, and Evelyn drew in a startled breath.
“You were spying on me!”
“I saw you leave the house and followed you. Events could not have played out any better if I had orchestrated them myself.”
“How could you?”
Mother’s smile hardened. “I am doing what any loving mother would do, Evelyn. A good marriage is essential to ensuring your future. You may not like my methods, but it is in your best interests.”
Evelyn laid down her fork and rose from the table. “I need some air.”
“Be ready to leave in half an hour,” Mother called as Evelyn left the room. She crossed the kitchen and stepped into the courtyard, breathing in deeply. She was well aware that Mother always got her own way, but was horrified at the lengths to which she would go. The idea of spending even a few moments in her company seemed more than she could tolerate, but she knew that Mother would not be put off. She paced the courtyard while she slowly gained mastery over her emotions, until she felt herself re
ady to face her parent once more. She re-entered the house and headed to the hall, where Mother was already waiting.
“I was about to send the maid to find you,” she said. “Let’s go.”
Suzanna hurried down the stairs, cloak over her arm. “I’ll join you,” she said. Evelyn sent her a grateful look, ignoring Mother’s frown of disapproval, and linked her arm through Suzanna’s as they left the house, Mother a few paces ahead.
“Perhaps she’ll grow weary and decide to go home,” Suzanna said.
“I doubt it,” Evelyn replied with a snort. “She is a very determined woman.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes. “I don’t know my cousin very well,” Suzanna said, “but I doubt he will agree to this plan.”
“And what of your aunt and uncle. Will they agree?”
“Xavier hardly needs his parents’ approval or permission. He’s a grown man.”
“How old is he?”
“Twenty-eight years.”
Evelyn looked at Suzanna in surprise. “But he looks so much younger.”
“It must be the mountain air, because my aunt and uncle don’t look much older than him. It definitely does not run in the family, since the rest of us” – she swept a hand over her figure – “do not have the same advantages.”
“Hmm.” Evelyn thought about this for a moment. At that age, Xavier would most certainly not be pushed into a marriage he did not desire, and she had no doubt this was a marriage he did not desire.
The fabric merchant stalls were clustered at the far end of the market, and it was there that Mother first headed. With an equanimity that Evelyn would not have thought possible only a few minutes before, she examined the bolts of fabric on the table, nodding in agreement as Mother pointed out the finer cloth, with its superior weave and high-quality dyes. Mother was determined that a gown should be made in the traditional marriage color of blue, and she moved from table to table, examining those she deemed worthy of consideration, and scoffing at those whose quality did not meet her standards. She finally settled on a light blue that reminded Evelyn of Xavier’s eyes. She smiled a little grimly at the thought – the fabric would be perfect if she was actually going to marry Xavier, but once he sent his regrets, it would be put away until another marriage was planned for another day.
Once the purchase was paid for and instructions for delivery carefully noted, Mother turned towards the stalls of fine silver accessories, where she selected an intricately wrought belt, designed to sit on the hips, and a set of hairpins decorated with tiny flowers. She turned to Evelyn with a smile of satisfaction. “Well, daughter, I believe we are set. We can start designing and cutting your gown as soon as we return home. The maid can help with the sewing. Now let’s go.”
“Why don’t you go ahead, Mother,” Evelyn said. “I’m not quite ready to return indoors.”
Mother’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Where do you intend to go?”
“Nowhere in particular, Mother. I just have further need of exercise and fresh air.”
“We’ll walk to the river,” Suzanna suggested. “You always enjoy watching the ferries.”
“Then I’ll join you,” Mother said.
Evelyn managed the semblance of a smile. “Of course, Mother.”
She turned with Suzanna towards the river, and Mother fell apace. It was true that Evelyn loved to watch the activity on the river as watercraft carried passengers to various points upstream. She had seen many noble ladies and gentlemen cross the river on the way to the palace, and she wondered what it would be like to live in that sparkling edifice which loomed beside the water.
They reached the river, and found a place on the bank near the dock to watch the proceedings.
“Have you ever taken a ferry, Madam?” Suzanna asked Mother.
“I have not.” She watched as a couple carefully stepped onto a boat, the woman grasping her husband’s hand tightly as it rocked beneath them. “It doesn’t look very safe.”
“It is quite safe, I assure you. The ferrymen are very skilled at keeping their passengers afloat. And once you’re on the water, the ferryman can move at extraordinary speeds. Why don’t we take a ride?”
Mother turned to Suzanna with a startled look. “Why would we do that?”
“We can go see the palace. As a child, my father used to take us there often. Members of the public are allowed to stroll the gardens.”
Mother watched the river for a few moments before nodding. “Very well. It is many years since I last saw the palace.”
She headed to the dock, Suzanna and Evelyn on her heel. Evelyn cast Suzanna a questioning look, but she just smiled. It did not take long for one of the long vessels to pull up beside them. For a moment Evelyn thought Mother would refuse to step on, but Mother straightened her back and cautiously lowered her foot, raising her hands to steady herself as the boat rocked. Suzanna followed as soon as she was settled, but before Evelyn had a chance to board, a man darted in front of her and stepped onto the ferry, taking the last spot.
“Hey!” Evelyn called out, but the ferryman was already pushing his pole into the river, moving the boat away from the dock. Mother looked at Evelyn in concern, but Suzanna just waved her hand.
“Take the next one,” she called out.
Recognizing that she had no other option, Evelyn looked down the river as another ferry came into view. By the time it drew up next to the dock, the ferry carrying Mother and Suzanna was already too far to be seen clearly. Evelyn waited as the passengers disembarked, then carefully stepped onto the rocking craft. A hand at her elbow made her turn in surprise, and she drew in a breath when she saw Xavier standing beside her.
Chapter 19
“Mistress, what a surprise.”
Xavier tightened his hold on Evelyn’s arm as the ferry rocked beneath them. Her eyes flew to the quickly disappearing craft that carried Madam Talbot and Suzanna.
“You planned this all along, didn’t you?” she asked suspiciously.
“It seemed the perfect way to separate you from your mother.”
Xavier said a word to the ferryman as Evelyn carefully sat down, and the ferry pushed off without waiting for another passenger.
“She won’t be happy when she sees you on the other side,” Evelyn pointed out.
“Then hopefully she won’t see me,” he replied.
“How old are you, Xavier?”
“Twenty-eight. Why?”
“So you really don’t need your parents’ approval to tell my mother her idea is ludicrous.”
“I don’t,” he said cautiously, “but that’s what I wanted to speak to you about.”
She looked at him in astonishment. “Surely you’re not seriously giving this consideration.”
“Well, perhaps the idea has some merit.”
“We both know the kiss meant nothing, Xavier, and neither of us wish to be bullied into marriage.” She narrowed her eyes. “Why the sudden change of heart?”
“As you know, your mother came to visit me and my parents yesterday. She is under the assumption that my parents still have some influence over my actions. However, she made it quite clear that this affair would tarnish your name if I decided not to marry you.”
“The only one who saw us together was her,” Evelyn retorted.
Xavier watched her carefully. “And yet she still insisted your reputation would be damaged.”
“Oh. I see.” Evelyn watched the water flowing past the boat. “She was spying on us.”
Xavier smiled wryly. “I did wonder at the timing. But the truth remains that my actions created this predicament we find ourselves in, and I will take responsibility for what happened. I will not force you into marriage – but what do you think she will do if we don’t?”
She turned to him with a sudden burst of anger. “You are a cad! No respectable man would have kissed me like that.”
He lifted one eyebrow. “Then I suppose I’m not a respectable man.”
Her anger died as quickly as it
had flared, and she dropped her head into her hands. “What a to-do.” Her long blond curls fell around her face, and Xavier resisted the urge to reach out and touch them. He had already caused enough trouble by following his curious nature, he thought ruefully.
“I may not be a respectable gentleman, Evelyn,” he said, “but my family is wealthy, and you will be well taken care of.”
“But you don’t love me,” she whispered.
“Many people marry without love, and still manage to be happy. The choice is yours. Tell me you have no interest in marrying me, and I will ensure your mother drops the matter.”
“Tell me, Xavier, is there someone that you do love?” She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “A mistress, perhaps?”
“I have no-one. And should you choose to marry me, I promise you I will remain faithful.”
“But you may still meet someone.”
“That is hardly likely! Marriage has, until now, been the furthest thing from my mind, and as soon as my business matters are concluded in the city, I plan to return to the mountains.”
“And should we marry, will I have a say in this matter?”
He leaned back on his hands. “If you choose not to come with me, I will arrange a house here in the city where you can live.”
Regret bloomed in the air, and he frowned in surprise. “Does the prospect of me as a wife fill you with such dismay?” Evelyn said sharply, catching his expression.
He forced himself to smile. “Of course not.”
“My uncle hates you, you know.”
He dropped his hand into the water and watched as the sparks leaping from his fingers were immediately quenched. “Your mother gave him my name?”
“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.”
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