“Oh no. She most certainly should be the one to do that.”
I held her gaze. The gleam in Miss Pryor’s eyes held a secret I’d pay thousands for. It was a gleam of promise—promise that had nothing to do with our summer together and everything to do with the woman who spent a long night watching over me in a cold shepherd’s croft. The most logical assumption would be that Evelyn wanted to make a plan for how to deal with Mrs. Wickerton after Brookhouse’s indiscretion this evening. But would a mere planning meeting make Miss Pryor’s eyes light up like this?
“When did she ask you to do this?”
Her eyes managed to brighten even more. “After the two of you spent the morning trying to outshoot each other. What happened out there? Evelyn came back very ... flustered.”
I swallowed hard. That was before Brookhouse let our secret fly.
My heart stirred and a feeling of almost overwhelming lightness enveloped my frame. The sensation was not new. I’d been trying to control the warmth and nervous energy Evelyn had put in my soul since before I even knew her name. She had haunted me and I’d resisted it. She befriended me and I pushed down every craving that made it clear friendship would never be enough with her. But I no longer had to ignore or suppress my feelings. I was free to savor every catch of her breath and glint in her eye. I was free to dream about a kiss I couldn’t remember. I was free to risk my happiness. For once, the possibility of reward outweighed my need for security. “Tell Miss Blackwell I will meet her tonight.”
The smile that blossomed on her face was full—so much broader than any other smiles she ever gave me before. “I will.”
The moment she was out of my sight, I fell back against the wall and put both hands over my heart. It was pounding so erratically, I wasn’t completely certain it wouldn’t need attention.
I hadn’t been able to stop thinking of Evelyn since I woke up and found her watching over me.
I thought abouther.
Not the life she might give me or how she might fit into my plans.
Just her—the way her skin and hair smelled of citrus. The way her hair tumbled down her back. How casually she held a pistol. Her phantom fingers in my hair and those lips I’d somehow managed to kiss. The way she was so concerned about me and my health, even though I dismissed her worry. She was the one person who’d pleaded for me to stay, and I left her.
I knocked my head against the wall. How could I have been so foolish?
Waiting six years to see Miss Pryor again had seemed like an inconvenient part of my plan, but one I accepted without question.
Waiting an hour or two before having the chance to discover exactly why Evelyn wanted to speak to me privately would be an eternity. As much as I’d tried to convince myself I wanted to take the known course and the easy victory, now that I could honorably choose Miss Blackwell, I found I was very willing to march into this battle with no reserves.
I came to this house party determined to court Miss Pryor, but I’d done almost nothing about it. She hadn’t even noticed my intentions. No one had, except Evelyn.
I was going to pursue Evelyn, and I was going to do it so blatantly there would be no overlooking it. By tomorrow, there wouldn’t be a soul in this house who didn’t know my heart had been captured by Evelyn Blackwell.
27
EVELYN BLACKWELL
With a sigh,I fell down on my bed and gazed at the ceiling.
Blast Lieutenant Brookhouse and his foolish secret. It wasn’t even his. Why hadn’t we stipulated during forfeits that he had to share hisownsecret? If my time with Captain Calder became public knowledge, it could ruin everything for Harriet. And I couldn’t ruin any more happiness for her than I already had.
I had no idea how long I lay there before the maid knocked. I clenched my fists into the bed linens and bade her come in. With a groan I pulled myself out of bed. I usually spoke with Marianne while she readied me for the day or for bed, but tonight I didn’t have the energy. I was quiet and compliant as she unfastened my dress, helped me into my nightrail, and then sat me on the chair in front of the mirror so she could brush and arrange my hair into one long braid.
I stared at my face as her fingers worked through my hair. Hattie had been vibrant tonight. I felt gaunt. I couldn’t bring myself to smile, even though I knew I should be happy for her. No, Iwashappy for her. I’d loved seeing her excitement when she’d spoken about Captain Calder. She deserved that and more.
Marianne finished and bid me good night. I managed a quick good night in return and then fell back onto my bed, staring at a ceiling that was achingly absent of sky.
A scraping sound at my door made me sit up. I hadn’t bothered to blow out my lamp yet, and saw on the floor a small white slip of folded paper.
Someone had sent me a note.
That roused me.
I dashed to it and pulled it open, recognizing Hattie’s handwriting immediately.
Someone will be waiting for you in the library this evening after all is quiet. I won't be so foolish as to pen a name. Have a wonderful time with the best of company.
-H
