“How else?Xander is still prevaricating about coming to London.He hates the place and the aristocracy, and he is struggling with all of this change.”
“Can’t say I blame him,” Aunt Lou murmured.
Mama shot her sister a quelling look before asking Evie, “And what did you discover?”
“Oh, Mama,” Evie breathed out.“He is the kindest person I know.Gruff, certainly, and rough.But ever so kind under that tough exterior.He ensures the staff have time off, more than any other household I’ve seen.He keeps his meals simple.The whole household is in awe of him yet comfortable enough that they’ll help him if he stumbles on a certain aspect of ducal etiquette.”
Louisa sighed through a smile, propping her chin in her hand.
Mama glanced at her and allowed herself a small smile also.“I’m starting to see.”
Excited that her family was so enraptured with the idea of romance, Evie was still waxing poetic.“He always checks that I am comfortable.”
“When would he need to worry about that?”Her mother’s voice went sharp.
Evie jolted and slanted a guilty glance at her mother.“When we are reading by candlelight in the evenings, of course.I thought I mentioned that I’ve helped him with Parliamentary correspondence?”
“No, you had not.What is this, then?And how did it come about?”
Evie heaved a sigh of relief at having redirected her mother’s attention and explained, as Mama and Aunt Lou exchanged knowing looks.
Her mother tilted her head and said more than asked, “You’re in love with him.”
Evie burst into noisy tears yet again, nodding as she was unable to form words.
Both ladies leaned forward to rub her back.Her mother said, “Sometimes a strategic retreat is the way to win the war.I think we should move to the inn in town, and you can stay with your aunt.The duke has agreed to wait until after the Season to dissolve the agreement, so we have time to formulate a new battle plan.”
* * * *
The following morning, the ladies sat in a private room at the inn, where Evie shared a sofa with her mother and her aunt lounged across from them.Evie was in a gown she’d brought from London, chafing at the layers of undergarments and restrictions, despite the fineness of the fabrics.
The clothing inspired her mood.She’d cried all her tears at Xander’s.For herself for her stupidity, for Xander’s unwillingness to understand her predicament, and for her broken heart.
Lady Evelyn Allen was ready to plan.
Her mother poured tea for the three of them while fixing Evie with a stern look.“If you were so sure you wanted him as a husband, why did you not admit your ruse?Look at your hands, so rough from all that hard work.It will already take ages to make you presentable again.Why stay and continue to work as a”—she could barely form the words—“as a—servant?”
Evie sighed.The right answer was probably notbecause I was having fun and learning all sorts of intimate activities besides.Choosing more diplomatic words, she answered, “There was always more to learn.”
“And now?”
“Now,” Evie said with an even heavier sigh, “I cannot imagine ever learning enough to want to leave.Xander is compelling.He champions the working class whilst being willing to learn to navigate the clubs and ballrooms of London rather than burning the world down.I considered myself enlightened until I heard his take on some of these laws.He challenges me, he teaches me, and he is open to learning from me.”
When she finished trying to describe her feelings, Aunt Lou began to clap, and her mama had tears in her eyes.
Mama dabbed at her eyes.“Right, then.How do we change his mind on honoring the marriage?”
Evie wrapped an arm around her mother to hug her.Her mother’s acceptance of this whole crazy scheme and offer to help plan their next steps gave her hope.“Thank you, Mama.”
“Perhaps you insist—I mean, invite—His Grace to London and introduce him to society?”Louisa tossed out.
Mama shook her head.“That could damage Evie’s reputation more if he continues on this path of refusing the marriage.”
Evie added her thoughts.“Xander hates London.It might be more than we can hope for to overcome that, especially given his hatred of both ‘nobs’ and the city.”
“Letters, perhaps?Keeping the conversation open?”Mama asked.
“No.”Aunt Lou straightened her spine.“In person is always better.She needs to stay here.”
