Page 14 of Murder at Madame Chambon's
“All that is important is that your father has given his blessing, and we have drawn up the terms of the contract with only a minor point of contention.”He contoured her face with his soft, tender fingers and Evelina felt something warm within her come to life.She wondered if this was what Kitty had been trying to tell her, for it was certainly like a thawing within herself towards his lordship.He kissed the tip of her nose and she arched forward as he said, “There is just one … little … clause on which we need to agree.”
Evelina wasn’t listening.“I’m very much looking forward to meeting your mother… tomorrow?”she said, feeling happy and relieved.
“There’s plenty of time for that.Friends first and I see some of mine beckoning me over.Would you care to join me?”Placing her hand on his forearm, he led her towards a small group of elegantly attired ladies and gentleman near the piano.Three men were talking politics while the two women fanned themselves as they gazed about the ballroom.In their beautiful ballgowns they looked like Evelina had always aspired to look: beautiful, confident.And rich.
“Ladies.Gentlemen,” Lord Dunstable began, “Allow me to introduce to Miss Evelina Tarot.”
Smiling, Evelina nodded to Lady Blaine and Mrs.Gringle.She blushed prettily as Lords Belton and Grainger sent her approving looks through their eye pieces.
And then she felt a strange lurch before something in her heart cavity seemed to thud to her feet and she had to stifle her gasp as the third man, introduced as Lord Bellingham, turned to face her properly.
For it was William.
Her rescuer, William.
Chapter7
Evelina didn’t know how she managed to contain her shock, but she must have, for Lord Dunstable had continued to speak in that even, equitable tone that made him seem so consummately at ease in any environment.
William, whose eyebrows had risen above a flare of recognition, also kept any surprise contained as Lord Dunstable made the introductions.
“Why, Dunstable, you dark horse, this is very unexpected,” remarked Lord Blaine with a look that demanded satisfaction.But Dunstable merely smiled and said, “What arrangements have you made for Scotland?I’m not sure I will be in the country this August.”
The ladies tittered and Lady Blaine said, “That’s very cryptic, Dunstable.”
As Evelina listened, some of the shock drained away.Lord Bellingham was no doubt safely married and unobtainable, so any disappointment she’d felt at not having properly made his acquaintance before she accepted Lord Dunstable was ill founded.Besides, she was not a lovelorn miss inclined to palpitations.
So as Lord Bellingham continued to talk with the rest of the gathering, while Evelina quietly listened, for she was the only unmarried woman amongst them and they were all seasoned society matrons a few years older, she tempered her feelings.
Dunstable had asked her opinion on ideas for a wedding tour.He’d spoken of the home in which they would live, his large estate in Cornwall.He’d solicited her opinion on what would make an ancient Queen Anne manor house a place she would feel comfortable.What flowers might she like in the garden, and what colored papers upon the walls?
He was the perfect catch.Yes, Bellingham was no doubt married.For a split second, she’d allowed herself to be swayed by foolish daydreams.
“I’m sure Evelina would enjoy that.”
She jerked her head up at her name and tried to appear as if she’d been following the conversation.
Lord Dunstable smiled.“You weren’t paying attention, were you, my dear?Bellingham is leading an expedition to the zoo tomorrow with his daughter and his sister and niece.He thought we might like to join him.I have a cousin, Clara, who is very fond of the zoo.She and her older sister, Victoria, could act as chaperones…” He sent her a contemplative look.“That way, Lady Perry’s services would not be required.Would you like that?”
Evelina nodded.Lord Dunstable was ever concerned to ensure that she was in accord with his wishes.
And his words had just confirmed that Lord Bellingham was married with a child.
Slowly her heart rate returned to normal and she could look at Lord Bellingham without the spasm of mixed emotions that had made their introduction so uncomfortable for her.
A trip to the London zoo the following afternoon would be delightful, she concurred.
The weather,however, was not delightful.Though it had started sunny and bright, dark clouds soon covered the sun, though the rain held off.
Evelina’s short time in London had encompassed little more than the local environs, so the Zoological Gardens were an added thrill.She tried to ignore the pleasure that would be augmented by Lord Bellingham’s company.No doubt he would bring his wife when he met them there, for certainly a man so handsome could not still be single.
So, at mid-morning, Lord Dunstable arrived in his carriage at Lady Perry’s townhouse, his second cousins already ensconced when he helped Evelina into the equipage.
Though they chatted amiably after introductions, it was only when they were outdoors that Evelina observed what an odd-assorted pair they were.At sixteen, Lady Clara was still a young girl, her skirts not yet full length and her chestnut brown hair still in braids.She chattered happily while her plain, pale-faced sister, Lady Victoria, a good ten years older, was firm, to the point of bossy, though she failed to dampen Lady Clara’s irrepressible spirits.Clearly there was affection between them but, Dunstable explained briefly during a moment alone, their mother had died three years previously and Lady Victoria had assumed the role of Clara’s guardian with almost fervent ardor.
Lady Victoria’s educational efforts, however, allowed Lord Dunstable closer proximity to Evelina, as the older cousin was at continual pains to ensure Lady Clara behaved decorously and ‘not run’ when she became excited.
“My dear cousin Victoria cannot abide disorder,” remarked Dunstable with an eye-roll as the two young women walked ahead of them.“And what about you, my dear Miss Tarot?Are you adept at book-keeping and all those skills required by a young lady of your station to manage a household?I’ve heard you have a steady head on your shoulders.”
