Chapter Thirty-Seven
Eve tried to speak to her father when he returned home.She knew from snatches of conversation between Charles and Adelaide that a meeting had been conducted at Strathmore House that morning.As she left the breakfast room, she heard Freddie’s name mentioned but thought better of trying to press her father for more information.Her quiet encouragement of Freddie to seek Will’s advice about the Bachelor Boardappeared to have borne fruit.
Not long after Charles arrived home from the meeting, he headed into his study.Adelaide soon joined him, and the door was closed behind them.
The only person who could give Eve further information on the secret meeting was the very person she had plans to go and see.
A modiste fitting for Caroline gave Eve the perfect opportunity to be out of the house.Caroline was delighted when Eve offered to come with her in place of their mother.Her humor was tested though when Eve asked she drop her off in Grosvenor Square and then pick her up on the way home.
“Are you sure about this?I know he has been doing good work with Hattie at the soup kitchen, but you mustn’t forget this is the man who broke your heart,” cautioned Caroline.
The Saunders town carriage was making the short journey up New Bond Street to Oxford Street where the family dressmaker was situated.It was a quick side trip to Grosvenor Square.
Rather than start another of their old arguments, Eve found herself comforted by Caroline’s advice.In putting aside their many differences they had discovered the other was not so different from them self.
“I visited him at St John’s with Hattie.He told me things that made sense of a lot of what happened between us.He truly regrets what he did to me,” replied Eve.
“And you still love him,” said Caroline.
Eve had mulled that very same notion over and over in her head since she had heard of Freddie’s work with the poor.After their first meeting, and reading the note from Osmont Firebrace, she had done her best to convince herself she was well and truly over Freddie.
“Yes, I think I do.Lord knows I have tried to hate him, but to no avail.The fact is I cannot move on with my life until I know he does not want me.I went to St John’s alone and spoke with him,” said Eve.
Caroline nodded.“What did he say?”
“That he is sorry for what he did, and he knows he has lost the greatest love of his life.”
Caroline’s eyes grew wide.She leant across the short space between the seats of the carriage and took a hold of Eve’s hand.“He really told you that he loved you?Oh, Eve.What can I do to help?”
Eve hadn’t considered that anyone, apart from perhaps Hattie and Will, would want to help her and Freddie reunite.She had expected to be on her own when it came to winning over her parents, Caroline, and Francis.
“If you can keep my secret for a little while longer that would be lovely.I want to be able to spend time with Freddie and get to know the real man.The whole time we were together before, he was playing a game to join a secret society.He is no longer in the game,” replied Eve.
She wanted to confide in Caroline about the Bachelor Board but Caroline had her limits.Star-crossed lovers she could understand and place her heart and soul behind.But Eve did not want to expose Caroline to the truth of what men such as Osmont Firebrace did in the shadows of society.If thetonhad to have darkness, then it also needed the light beautiful girls such as Caroline gave it.
Her sister kept her word, and Eve was soon standing out the front of Rosemount House watching as the Saunders town carriage turned the corner into Duke Street.
She nervously bit down on her bottom lip as she walked up the steps which led to the front door.Rosemount House was a classic Portland stone mansion.There were at least three others in Grosvenor Square that had the same portico front, and color scheme.The only feature to distinguish it from the other houses was the Rosemount family crest, which sat in gold and black above the door.A single black boar on a gold shield with a series of small black stars around the outside proclaimed the Rosemount family heritage.
She remembered imagining how the crest would look on the hem of her wedding gown when she was certain Freddie was about to propose.How once she had been so certain her future place was secure within the Rosemount family.
Her hand was reaching out for the door knocker when she suddenly remembered she was an unmarried miss who was about to enter the house of a young man whom she knew full well had no servants.A ripple of thrill raced down her spine.
“You are a wicked girl, Evelyn Saunders,” she muttered.
Quickly leaving the front of the house, she made for the servants’ entrance.She knocked on the door and waited.
The sound of a dog barking within was quickly drowned out by the call of its master.“Zeus, silence!”
She held her breath.
Freddie opened the door, his hand firmly gripping the collar of the giant Irish wolfhound.“Eve?”
“The one and only,” she replied.
Upon seeing Eve, the dog leapt high, and Freddie lost his grip.Zeus bounded over to his former mistress and placed some worshipful slobber all over her gloves.Eve gave him a welcoming rub behind the ears while Freddie stood close by with hands on hips.
“Who is Zeus?”she asked.
