“You sound disappointed? Or sad? Perhaps both.” Evelyn surveyed Charlotte as though she were looking for some kind of sign.
“I am simply tired.” Charlotte waved her away and renewed her efforts to look jovial. “Why don’t you tell me about your engagement? I want to hear all about it.”
Evelyn’s face broke into a broad smile, and Charlotte could tell her sister was only too eager to tell her the story.
“Well, you see, this morning I was told I had a visitor, and imagine my surprise when I discovered Michael waiting for me in the drawing room with mother.”
“I can imagine that would have been a rather interesting sight.” Charlotte wondered if her stepmother would be angry later or if she would simply be relieved that Evelyn was engaged.That will be one less of us to worry about, and Lord Belton is from a respectable family, even if he is not quite as illustrious a peer as a duke.
“It was indeed. And I thought I would be in a world of trouble, yet instead, mother permitted us to be alone in the room. And that gave me the biggest clue as to what was about to happen.” Evelyn shook her head as though she could still scarcely believe it. “He asked me to marry him.
“At first, I thought he was joking or perhaps asking me to run away with him to Gretna Green. And while I would not be opposed to such a situation, Philippa would never forgive me. And I knew it would disappoint you. Besides, you had already sacrificed so much so that we might marry legitimately.” Evelyn gestured to Charlotte.
Her cheeks flushed, and she tried to wave away her sister’s words. “I did not really sacrifice anything.”
“Yes, you did! Or at least you were willing to,” Evelyn insisted, gently squeezing Charlotte’s hand. “But anyway, that was when Michael explained to me what the Duke had done. He is with Father just now, asking for his permission.”
“I am surprised you are not listening at the door,” Charlotte teased.
“Philippa is doing that for me. She owes me a favour, and I wanted to tell you the good news myself.” A look of worry crossed Evelyn’s face as she added, “Oh goodness, Father will give his consent will he not? I had not thought of that! Perhaps I should go and talk to him!”
“No, do not do that. I am sure Father will give his consent though he may ask to speak to you first and confirm that this is really what you want.” Charlotte gave her sister’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Of course, it is what I want! I have loved Michael for far too long.” Evelyn snuggled against Charlotte, sighing happily. “Honestly, I am not sure I will survive the reading of the banns. Three weeks seems like an eternity to wait for such happiness.”
“Well, unless Lord Belton can afford a special license, you shall have to.” Charlotte laughed, unable to help feeling a little buoyed by her sister’s good fortune. “Besides, three weeks will go by so fast, you will hardly notice. And you have already waited so long, I would have thought you would be used to it.”
Evelyn swatted at Charlotte good naturedly. “And to think I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Charlotte sighed and leant her head against her sister. “I am glad to be home.”
“I am glad you are home too,” Evelyn agreed. “You will be my maid of honour, won’t you?”
“Of course, I will!” Charlotte turned to look at her sister, surprise clear on her face. “Though I expect Philippa may be a little put out.”
“Philippa will understand. Besides, she can be a bridesmaid.” Evelyn waved a hand and gave Charlotte a mischievous look.
“Did I hear someone talking about me?” Philippa’s head appeared around the door, grinning from ear to ear. “Hello Charlotte, I take it my twin has told you the good news.”
“She has indeed. And why are you not at your post?” Charlotte patted an empty spot on the bed beside her.
Philippa beamed and walked in, carrying a small tray laden with breakfast things before scowling at her twin. “You told her where I was?”
“Well what else was I supposed to do?” Evelyn said defensively, helping herself to one of Charlotte’s pieces of toast. “Did you hear what father said?”
Charlotte took her own piece and settled in to listen to her sisters. In some ways, the normality was comforting. It made it easier not to think of the day before.
“No. Mother discovered me right before Father gave his answer,” Philippa explained.
Evelyn gasped, her eyes wide. “Are you all right? She did not hurt you, did she?”
Charlotte’s mouth went suddenly dry, and she sat up a little straighter but relaxed again a moment later as Philippa said, “Yes. It was the oddest thing — I expected her to be furious, yet she simply shook her head and told me to make myself useful and bring Charlotte some breakfast.”
“Really?” Evelyn sounded gobsmacked.
“Really,” Philippa confirmed.
Perhaps she has truly turned over a new leaf.Charlotte swallowed her mouthful and said, “Mother and I came to an understanding while I was away. Apparently, it is not only us who have felt pressure from society.”
