“Miss Parsons.” Hugo came to a halt in front of them, bowing courteously. “Lady Evelyn,” he added, almost like an afterthought, when he raised his head again.
Selina crinkled her nose in mild disapproval. “Your Grace. I did not know you would be here today.”
“I did not think Iwouldbehere today, but my sister decided she would like to attend and I could not allow her to come alone,” Hugo replied.
Warmth rushed into Evelyn’s face as she noticed his gaze lingering on her, as if searching for an answer in her expression. There was, perhaps, some pity in his eyes, though she could not look back at him for long enough to be sure.
It was most peculiar, for she had never had such difficulty before. Indeed, she had had no qualms whatsoever about looking into his eyes when she had spoken to him at the opera, but now… Each time she tried, her stomach twisted into knots and she began to sweat, thoroughly flustered.
Because you embarrassed yourself in front of him, you dolt,she scolded herself, as his gaze finally turned back toward Selina, granting Evelyn a moment to catch her breath.
“However, since we both find ourselves in the same place, would you do me the honor of dancing the next set with me?” he asked.
Patting Selina lightly on the arm, Evelyn made her excuses. “I am just going to fetch refreshments. I shall not be long.”
She darted away before Selina could use her as a reason to avoid a dance, and before her face could get any hotter. With her head down and her mind swirling, she hastened away from her friend and Hugo so fast that she did not see the figure standing in the shadow of the manor’s doorway until it was too late.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Astartled shriek went up, and Evelyn grabbed hold of whomever she had knocked into, just in time to stop them from falling over. She heard the slosh of liquid and the splatter as it hit the floor and prayed with all of her might that she had not just caused some powerful duchess or daughter of a duchess to spill a drink all over themselves.
“I am so sorry!” Evelyn gushed. “I did not see you there.”
She pulled the figure forward slightly, bringing them into the light. A beautiful young woman, around the same age as Evelyn, stood before her in wild-eyed surprise. Her dark hair was elegantly styled and studded with pearls, while pale blue eyes remained unblinking as the poor woman recovered from the shock.
“Oh, I am such a goose,” Evelyn lamented, as she searched the woman’s elegant gown for any sign of a stain.
Unfortunately, the dress was a bright white with gold embellishments, lovely against the woman’s complexion, but it would not hide any spillages whatsoever.
“Let me see you,” Evelyn urged, turning the woman around. “If I have stained your dress, you must let me make amends. I was in such a flap; I was not looking where I was going.”
Suddenly, the young woman began to laugh, and as she came back around to face Evelyn, she was smiling widely. “This must be the strangest introduction I have ever had, and I do not even know your name yet. Why, I feel like one of those figures the modiste puts the dresses on, being spun in a circle.”
She had a wonderful laugh, high and sweet and musical.
“Well, if Iwerea modiste, I would be exceptionally grateful for it does not seem as if I have spilled anything on your very fine muslin,” Evelyn said, exhaling a relieved breath.
The woman chuckled and brandished her glass. “I did not have much left, and I do believe I managed to get all of it to fall to the floor. So be careful where you tread; I should hate for either of us to slip. Then again, at least I know that you would catch me. You are exceedingly strong, Miss…?”
“Oh… um… Evelyn. Lady Evelyn Bartlett.”
The woman put out her free hand. “Lady Octavia St. Vincent, but let us dispense with the formalities, now that we have embraced.”
Evelyn finally allowed herself to laugh as she took Octavia’s hand and shook it. “I really am sorry.”
“You are entirely forgiven,” Octavia said, smiling. “It was my own fault for lurking in the doorway, but I am trying to avoid my brother.”
“What a coincidence, for I am also trying to avoid mine,” Evelyn half-lied. Escaping Hugo was her main priority, but escaping Luke too was an added benefit.
Octavia raised an eyebrow, apparently pleased by the declaration. “What is your crime? Mine is pollen. I have a terrible aversion to it in the summer, but I so hate to be cooped up indoors. And why attend a garden party if you are not going to wander in the gardens?”
“That isexactlywhat I just said tomybrother!” Evelyn said, laughing. “Although I was apparently not supposed to be enjoying the view. Instead, I was supposed to be inside where everyone else is. I said to him that surely everyone should beoutside. I mean, the weather is fine, it is not raining, and there is even a dance floor out here.”
“I adore my brother, but I often wonder if these events would be more fun if there were only women present,” Octavia said witha grin. “We could all do as we pleased without worrying about a scolding.”
Evelyn sighed. “Goodness, that sounds like a wondrous thing. Of course, I understand that these occasions are intended for the pursuit of a husband, but could we not just have one or two a Season where it is just ladies enjoying themselves? We could all dance with one another. I think it would be the highlight of the Season, in truth.”
“Ah, well, perhaps that is why they will not permit us,” Octavia said. “They do not want us ladies to realize that we would have a far better time without the gentlemen present.”
