An Adventurous Lady

by Valerie King

  Mr. Fuller called out far too loudly, “By Jove and all that’s wonderful, Rotherstone has come. Sir Edgar, too.”

  Several titters followed behind hastily unfurled funs.

  Evelina stood opposite Mr. Fuller in nothing short of shock. Rotherstone had come to the assemblies. She wanted to believe this was a compliment to her, but in truth she knew he had come to be of use to his friend.

  As she watched him exchange pleasantries with Sir Alfred—a remarkable event in itself—Evelina felt much as she had when she first learned she was to inherit Wildings, that a strong wind of change was blowing through her life. She marveled at how much had already happened, that she was at an assembly in Maybridge with her mother and sister, that she was dancing and having a wonderful time and now Rotherstone had come. These were nothing short of miracles in her life. Her arrival at Wildings had made all things new. Jack Stub’s map had captured her fancy completely. And Rotherstone had come. Everything now seemed possible to her.

  When the dance ended, she rejoined her mother, who was sitting in her Bath chair. Lady Monceaux sat beside her. Together, the ladies sipped glasses of port.

  “So, he has come,” Lady Chelwood said as Evelina took up a seat beside her.

  “So it would seem.”

  “Astonishing,” her mother murmured. “And Sir Edgar with him.”

  “You seem to have some influence with Rotherstone,” Lady Monceaux whispered to Evelina.

  “As to that, I do not think his presence here is due to my influence. My sense is that he chose to attend entirely on behalf of Sir Edgar.”

  “Ah,” Lady Monceaux murmured. “That would indicate a graciousness in him quite at odds with Sir Alfred’s opinion of his character. I have often wondered . . .” Her voice trailed off.

  “Perhaps his character has been mistaken all this long while,” Lady Chelwood suggested.

  Evelina had begun to wonder the very same thing.

  Lady Monceaux whispered, “Do but look at Miss Ambers.”

  Evelina glanced in her direction. Like everyone else, her gaze was fixed to the entrance. However, her complexion was quite high, and there was a longing in her expression that was unmistakable. “She must love him,” she said. The ladies murmured their agreement.

  Turning to look at Sir Edgar, she saw that he was presently conversing with Colonel Carfax and Mr. Fuller. Mr. Crookhorn joined them, and very soon all the gentlemen were laughing, Mr. Fuller the loudest, of course.

  “A propitious beginning,” Evelina murmured.

  Euphemia crossed the room to them in that moment. She was beaming as she approached her mother. “Did you see me dance with Mr. Crookhorn? I did not even have to mind my steps.”

  Lady Chelwood took her daughter’s hand. “You performed beautifully, my dear. I was never more proud.”

  Evelina looked up at her sister and smiled. “I would advise you, however, to try to avoid Mr. Fuller if you can. He is wretchedly addicted to drink and will certainly grow less secure in his steps as the evening progresses.”

  “I would have to agree with your sister,” Lady Monceaux added quickly. Since Mr. Fuller in that moment took a glass of wine from a nearby servant, the ladies laughed together.

  Euphemia said, “Lord Rotherstone appears quite handsome this evening. I believe he may be the most elegant gentleman here tonight.”

  As one, the ladies shifted their gazes to the earl, and almost as one, they sighed. Evelina would have been amused had she not realized that one of the sighs had been her own.

  Mia, however, was quite right. She was herself struck with how he looked in formal blacks and whites, his neckcloth tied to perfection, his coat designed so perfectly that it appeared molded to his broad shoulders, the tails of his coat neither flared nor bunched as some were. He quite cast the other men around him in the shade.

  As she watched Rotherstone begin looking about the chamber, her heartbeat quickened. When he found her, his gaze settled on hers and he smiled, if faintly. All the air seemed to leave her chest in that moment. She simply could not breathe.

  “He is indeed a handsome man,” Lady Chelwood murmured, turning to her daughter.

  “Very much so,” Lady Monceaux agreed, also shifting to look at Evelina.

  For herself, she was still struggling for air. “Indeed,” she said, but again a sigh followed. She might have been embarrassed to have made such a display, but for the present her attention was so fixed on Rotherstone that even a blush could not find its way to her cheeks. Even when her mother and Lady Monceaux exchanged a meaningful glance, even when her sister smiled broadly, her complexion remained unchanged.

  After a few minutes, he began making his way toward her. His cousin introduced Rotherstone to several young ladies, and she could see that he was asking as many to dance. She began counting and very soon realized that he would have no dances left for the next hour and, if he continued in this fashion, none at all for the entire evening by the time he reached her. The chamber was horridly filled with ladies desirous of partners. She felt wretchedly panicked and a little sick at heart and all for a silly dance or two. She was a woman grown, but in this moment she felt to be little more than sixteen.

  “You are trembling,” her mother whispered.

  “Am I?” she queried softly. She glanced down at her gloved hands and saw that she was. Meeting her mother’s gaze, she found so sweet an understanding in her eyes that she asked quietly, “Am I lost?”

  Lady Chelwood smiled. “Perhaps. Is he a good man? You have been now in his company several times. Have you yet formed a proper opinion?”

  She shook her head, her gaze reverting to Rotherstone, who was but a few yards away. “I do not think I have.”

  A moment more and he was descending upon them, Colonel Carfax by his side. He greeted Lady Chelwood and Lady Monceaux first. Only after making a few polite observations and queries did he turn to Evelina.

  “The musicians are about to strike the first note.” He extended his hand to her. “You did promise the first set to me, or have you forgotten?”

  Evelina laughed, relief flooding her as she placed her hand in his. “Most certainly I did promise.”

  When she rose and took his arm, he leaned close and whispered, “Your fingers are trembling.”

  “It is the most ridiculous thing,” she said, looking up at him and smiling. How was it just being close to him could cause her heart to beat so rapidly? “My hands always tremble at a ball.”

  “Every ball?” he queried, guiding her to an empty place in the line of dancers.

  “No,” she responded, chuckling. “Just this one.” She left him to stand opposite him. She could see that a quizzical look was in his eye as he watched her. She wondered what his thoughts were.

  * * * * * * * * *

  Rotherstone realized he was all at sea. He had come to the assemblies in order to support his friend as well as to begin establishing himself with his neighbors. What he had not been prepared for, however, was the way he had felt a few minutes earlier when he had caught Lady Evelina’s gaze from across the room. How was it possible that merely looking at a female could cause every muscle in his body to flinch and tighten? From that moment, he had had but one object: to be with her, to dance with her, the sooner the better.

  The entire trip across the ballroom beside his cousin, greeting half a dozen young ladies and requesting their dances, had seemed to require hours of precious time. Every dance he solicited was one less he could ask of Evelina. Every word that fell from his lips was one that would not fall on her ears. When had she become so necessary to his enjoyment?

  He realized the evening would be a struggle. He would be caught between desiring to be with her yet knowing he should not, hoping he might somehow dance three or four sets with her yet knowing if he did he would set every tongue to wagging. Good God, his mind had become a boy’s mind. Worse still, every other thought was about how he could steal her away from the assembly and possess her lips again.

  O
f course, as he stood opposite her waiting for the music to begin, it did not help that she was by far the most beautiful creature in the room. A lovely green gown clung to her exquisite figure, white roses were tucked among her red curls and large pearls adorned her earlobes. Even in London, he had not seen so much beauty combined in one lady.

  The music began, they came together and his arm was about her as they turned to the music. “I would have something of you tonight,” he said in a low voice.

  The music parted them. Together again, he continued, “The first of three demands.”

  He watched the color in her cheeks fade, for he knew he had shocked her. However, since her green eyes glittered like emeralds, he knew she was not offended. The music drew them apart.

  Once more together, she whispered, “What would that be? What do you require?”

  He could only smile in return, for he meant to tease her, to alarm her, to torment her at least so long as her eyes appeared as though fire danced in them. Of course, he wished for nothing less than a kiss from her, but he would not say as much in the middle of a dance.

  Together again, he said, “You must wait until the set is concluded.” He smiled and watched as she offered a playful glare then smiled in return.

  “You mean to torture me,” she murmured.

  “Very much so.”

  The remainder of the set was spent in just this sort of light banter. Nothing could have pleased him more. When the dance drew to a close, he could not remember having laughed so much at a ball.

  He led her from the floor and would have continued his assault on her senses, but he noticed that her attention was caught by something else and that she appeared distressed.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Mama,” she returned.

  Rotherstone glanced at Lady Chelwood and saw that she was leaning forward slightly, her elbow settled on the arm of her Bath chair, her hand resting on her forehead and her fingers shading her eyes. Evelina hurried toward her.

  “Mama,” she said. “What is the matter? Are you in pain? Of course you are. I can see that you are. I knew you should not have come. I knew the assembly would be too much for you. Come. I insist on taking you home this instant.”

  Lady Chelwood lifted her head, her eyes narrowed in what Rotherstone could see was a great deal of pain. “What nonsense is this?” she asked. “I am perfectly well, and I most certainly will not leave the assembly.”

  “Mama, I can see that you are very ill.”

  “Perhaps I have been feeling a twinge here and there, but nothing I cannot manage. Perhaps if you were to bring me another glass of wine.”

  “No, we are leaving. Let me fetch Euphemia.” She turned to do so, but Lady Chelwood caught her hand.

  “I beg you will not,” she whispered urgently, pulling on her daughter’s hand. “Mia has been looking forward to the assemblies for so long you cannot disrupt her pleasure now. I will not allow it. I am her mother and I am yours. You will do as I say, at least in this instance.”

  She spoke forcefully, but it was clear to Rotherstone that in her debilitated state she was unable to withstand her daughter’s overbearing kindness.

  “Mama, we are going. Now. I shall brook no refusal.”

  Rotherstone saw the pinched line of Lady Chelwood’s lips, and he thought he understood. He drew close to Evelina. “You shall not leave,” he whispered in her ear.

  “I most certainly will,” she returned, meeting his gaze firmly.

  He smiled. “No, you shall not.” He turned to Lady Chelwood. “Will you excuse us, my lady?”

  “Of course,” Lady Chelwood said, a little shocked.

  Rotherstone then drew Evelina aside and asked quietly, “Do you recall what I mentioned to you earlier?”

  She searched his eyes, and when enlightenment dawned, that she was obligated to him, an appalled expression overtook her entire face. “You cannot be serious? You would not ask this of me: to jeopardize the health of my parent? You would not be so cruel?” Her words were spoken in a harassed whisper.

  “I believe it is you who are being cruel in your sympathy.”

  Lady Evelina glared at him. “How dare you?” she hissed.

  “I dare because in this circumstance you are wrong. However, to continue debating the matter would only bring an unwanted attention to either of us, so I will only say again that this is my first demand, and you will heed it or I shall happily make it known that you are a woman who will not keep her word.”

  He had struck home on all counts. The fight left her entirely. She was angry; he could see that. “Very well. Have it as you will, but if you think I will not have a word or two for you when next we are in private . . .”

  “I look forward to it, my lady,” he murmured, smiling. “Now, pray tell your mother you have changed your mind.” He guided her back to her parent.

  Lady Chelwood leaned back in her chair. “Whatever is amiss? Why were you quarreling?”

  Evelina said, “Rotherstone refuses to permit me to take you home.”

  Lady Chelwood stared in some wonder at him. He smiled at her in response. “How very kind of you, my lord,” she said, tears touching her eyes. “I . . . I thank you.”

  “You are most welcome.”

  “Only, how did you manage it when she will never listen to me?’

  “Mama,” Evelina said softly, as one wounded.

  Lady Chelwood addressed her daughter. “I know you love me and you wish the best for me, but, my dear, sometimes it is as though you are my master. In truth, I miss my daughter, my friend, and at least a small degree of freedom with which to dictate my course.”

  “But I am always thinking of your health.”

  “I know that, my darling.”

  “But surely . . . Mama, do you truly see me as a tyrant?”

  “At times, yes,” she responded candidly.

  “Oh dear,” Evelina said, dropping into a seat beside her. “It is merely that . . . I detest seeing you in even the smallest amount of pain.”

  “I know that you do, dearest, but this is my cross to bear, not yours. And I cannot bear it well if you cosset me. I know you do not understand, but were I to leave tonight and destroy even a particle of Mia’s happiness, then the pain I am experiencing has seen another victory.”

  Evelina took her mother’s hand gently in hers. “You are the most courageous woman I have ever known. If this is indeed how you feel, I will do better. I promise you that, Mama. I will do very much better.”

  Rotherstone excused himself. “Forgive me, but I am to dance with Miss Rewell. I can see her waving her kerchief to me quite frantically.” He bowed and moved away.

  Evelina watched him go. She was stunned by all that had just inspired. She still held her mother’s hand and felt a responsive squeeze.

  “I am beginning to think,” Lady Chelwood whispered, “that Rotherstone may be an exceptional man. From this moment, you have my leave to love him as much as you wish.”

  Evelina once more looked at her mother. “It is just that it is so unfair that you should suffer, especially now when so much good fortune has come to us.”

  “Pray do not cry, my darling, or you shall reduce me to tears as well. And that will not do in the least.”

  She gave her mother’s hand a squeeze and released it.

  At that moment, a sudden hush came over the assembly. Lady Chelwood murmured, “Do but look, Evie.”

  Sir Edgar was leading Miss Ambers onto the floor. “How tenderly he holds her arm,” Evelina said.

  “I have never seen her smile so sweetly.”

  “It is a love match indeed,” she whispered.

  “So it would seem.”

  When Mr. Crookhorn asked Evelina to go down the next set, the assembly took a more normal course. Evelina danced until her feet ached, as did her sister, Rotherstone fulfilled his obligations to a proper number of the young ladies present and Sir Edgar gave rise to a great deal of speculation when he asked Miss Ambers to go down a sec
ond set. Finally, the assembly ball ended with several groans of disappointment.

  Because of the natural flow of the evening, Evelina did not have another occasion to speak with Rotherstone until it was time to leave. As she gathered several servants to assist her, he begged to be allowed to help Lady Chelwood down the stairs. The servants carried the Bath chair down first, while he supported her arm as she made her way to the stairwell. She moved quite slowly, her pain much in evidence. She was a frail woman, and before she attempted even one stair, he murmured, “Permit me, my lady.” Without allowing for her permission, he gently lifted her into his arms.

  Evelina was behind them and gasped, but much to her surprise her mother merely laughed and said, “So I have come to this,” she said. “Very well. You certainly seem sufficiently strong.”

  “I am,” Rotherstone responded, smiling broadly.

  Evelina trailed behind them, aware that from this moment she would think very differently about both her mother and Rotherstone.

  Once her mother and Euphemia were settled in the barouche and the footmen were struggling to secure the Bath chair to the back of the coach, Evelina drew Rotherstone apart from the coaches, horses and guests. In the dark shadows of the inn, she thanked him for his wondrous kindness to her faintly.

  “You are very welcome. Do I apprehend you do not intend to give me a dressing-down for exacting the demand I did from you earlier this evening?”

  “How could I do so when you must know you have changed our lives for the better tonight?”

  Even in the shadows, she could see that he was greatly struck by her gratitude. For herself, her heart was so full, so warm, that she wanted to give greater expression to her gratitude but was not certain how. “You showed me how blind I was to the deeper needs of my mother, and for that I shall always be grateful.” She did not know what possessed her in that moment, but she took sudden hold of the front of his coat, gripping it tightly. “Thank you, Gage, more than I can ever say.” She then kissed him hard on the lips for a very long moment.