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“It is probably better that we did not receive invitations, for I would have had to decline. Our presence would have excited too much dreadful speculation after the debacle of you being found together,” Mamma said, lowering her knitting needles with a heavy sigh. “I am at a loss to understand why we were not sent an invitation.”
Evie pretended to be engrossed in her knitting. Her mother had asked for her company, and she was now sorely regretting agreeing to that request.
“Evie, have you no opinion on the matter?”
She lowered her arms. “I do not care that we were not invited.”
“It is outrageous, that’s what it is. I’ve been reading the papers and Wellington is now saying Westfall is a war hero, and without his skills and dedication, England would have suffered more for it. Now all everyone is talking about is his philanthropic spirit. I just cannot credit it. It seems as if someone is actively restoring his reputation. Outrageous, if you ask me, as there are no redeemable qualities in that one.”
Evie sighed. “Mamma, the ton simply did not want to know about his efforts. They were mentioned several times by those who stood by Lord Westfall, but it seems scurrilous reports were more celebrated.”
“Pah!” her mother snapped with a wave of her hand.
A knock sounded, and her mother bid entrance. Their butler walked in. “Her Grace, the Duchess of Wolverton, has called.”
“What a delightful surprise,” Evie said while her mother harrumphed. She had never quite forgiven Adel for “stealing” the D
uke of Wolverton and his massive wealth from under their noses.
Evie launched to her feet as Adel entered. Her mother stood and curtsied. “Your Grace.”
Adel gave a graceful nod of her head. “Lady Gladstone, thank you for receiving my unexpected call.”
She turned to Evie, and they hugged.
“Oh, Evie, I am quite happy to see you looking so well.”
Evie smiled. “I’m fully recovered.”
Her friend searched her face with a worried frown. “Are you?”
“Yes…yes, I believe I am.”
It was clear Adel did not believe her assurance. They sat beside each other on the sofa, and her mother resumed her knitting.
“Evie, Lady Gladstone, I confess I came here on a special mission for a friend.” Adel went into her small silken purse and withdrew a sealed pale cream piece of paper. She handed it to Evie with a tentative smile.
Evie gripped the paper and pried it open, not liking the anxiety swirling through her.
Evie,
The elegant and bold familiar scrawl leaped from the pages, and her traitorous heart trembled.
I humbly ask you to do me the great honor of attending me at Belleview Park tonight at eight. I’ve sent a carriage for your convenience.
Your servant, Richard
Even when he had written to her during the war, he had been a man of few words, but this…this was ridiculous.
“No,” she said, letting the paper flutter to the small walnut table.
“What is it?” her mother asked sharply, leaning over to pick it up.
“This is beyond the pale,” she gasped. “Evie cannot prepare for a ball with so little time. No dress has been ordered—”
“Mamma, I will not go,” Evie said firmly, standing. “If you will ex…excuse me.” Then she hurried from the parlor to the outside gardens, tilting her face to the last rays of sunshine disappearing behind the clouds. Intolerable tears burned the back of her throat. What was he thinking, sending her such an invitation, as if all was well between them? Two weeks of awful silence and now this? Why had he even sent it so late? Was it that she had been a mere afterthought? Oh, why do I torment myself with these useless questions?
Leaves crunched behind her, and she lurched around. “Oh, Papa.”
