CHAPTER FIFTY
Dinner with the Glaas family was insightful. Evylin’s eldest sisters, Euna and Albina, arrived with their brood of daughters, seven between the pair, while Dolia and her young husband, Devaan, joined as well. The house was full of feminine chatter.
Euna was notably dubious of Deckard at first. She nearly glared at him with suspicion, making pointed remarks about his taking Evylin away without even bothering to meet the whole family first or inviting her sisters to their wedding. Swiftly, Deckard apologized, assuring her it was not meant as a slight. He lied mildly, swearing that his love for her sister drove him to forget his reason, determined to marry her regardless of the cost.
Under his manifold charms, Euna softened. From then on, she began to sing his praises to her daughters, aged twelve all the way to four, coaching them to find husbands so devoted.
The dining room was bursting with guests. There wasn’t enough room for them all at the main table, so they squeezed a secondary table in from Devaan and Dolia’s house just down the road. It made the room almost impossible to maneuver, but the splendid meal of mutton sausage, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables, smothered in butter and herbs and served with a fine vintage of Setshire wine, made it all worthwhile.
At the head table, Lawton insisted that Deckard take the seat of honor he’d been given last time, with Evylin sitting on his right and Thom on his left. They squeezed Laurisa, Euna, Albina, Vayden, and Isla into the remaining seats. At the other table, Ethenn, Ilain, Brea, Rafferty, Calyn, Dolia, and Devaan were clumped together, the children having been sent to the kitchen to share their meal.
Calyn had specially requested Brea’s presence at her table, seeming to have decided she’d become her special friend, as they were to share a room together that night.
The meal was pleasant, and they readily found their way into the parlor for easier conversation. Card tables were drawn out for games of Crooks and Crowns, and tea was served. While Whickam Village was just as small as Deckard’s home village of Stocburrough, with Lawton as a magistrate, their homelife was quite different from his family’s. The house was finer, the manners more precise, and the overall air more refined. Deckard had little cause to wonder why Evylin liked the more extravagant, luxurious things in life. Her childhood home was a constant attempt at replicating those fancier indulgences.
As the night wore on, the party slowly began to split apart. Ilain excused herself early, stating that she wasn’t feeling at her best. Ethenn remained to play cards with Rafferty and Brea at the far end of the room, but Calyn hopped up to usher Ilain to their lodging for the night.
“Right this way, Mrs. Loxley,” she said cheerily.
Ilain’s expression pinched in an odd manner, but she followed the girl with a gracious, “Thank you.”
From there, the others slowly drifted off to their own rest. Euna and Albina took their daughters home, bidding Evylin a fond farewell as they would not likely see her the next day. Dolia also requested Devaan take her home.
“I’m always overtired these days,” she said with a wink.
Evylin didn’t appear to understand the pointed comment. “What do you mean?” she asked.
Dolia giggled, glanced at the far end of the room where the men were distracted by their cards, then lowered her voice to say, “I’m with child.”
“Oh!” Evylin exclaimed, then laughed at her ignorance. “Congratulations to you both.”
Dolia leaned in closer, her voice dipping even lower. “You’ve been married longer than I. Are you expecting too?”
Immediately, Deckard blanched, and Evylin’s laugh grew nervous. “No,” she said with definitive assurance.
Dolia glanced sidelong at Deckard, then tugged Evylin closer, not whispering quite quietly enough for him to avoid hearing as she said, “Try lifting your legs after next time. Mrs. Lyvingston advised me that it helps.”
Evylin pressed her lips together, a blend of agitation and amusement shimmering around her at her sister’s naively inappropriate suggestion. “Thank you, Doli,” she said dryly.
And with that, Dolia and her husband departed with Calyn and Brea in tow.
Deckard and Evylin shared a wry glance. “Don’t try that,” he said.
“It’s an old wives’ tale,” Evylin said. “It doesn’t work.”
“I don’t wish to press our luck.”
With a chuckle, Evylin went off to join the card games.
An hour later, the rest of them departed for the evening. Evylin led Deckard up the stairs, reminding him of his previous stay in the Glaas home. He smiled to himself, watching her skirt swirl around her feet as they ascended to the second floor. He’d been so enamored with her all those months ago. It wasn’t love at first sight but perhaps could be considered interest at first conversation. She was attractive, but so were many otherwomen. However, her wit and candor were what struck him, combined with her openness and authenticity.
Evylin was who she was—and she was charming.
Deckard supposed that was what had drawn him to her. While he worked hard to gain the good opinion of others, Evylin seemed to come by it naturally. He admired that.
Stepping into her old bedroom, Deckard did a quick scan over the space. He’d already visited it earlier when they changed for dinner. The room was simple but nice. The rich brown wooden furnishings were well-made and beautiful. A light blue patterned wallpaper covered the walls, and a medium-sized bed with a cream-colored quilt sat directly across from the door. He’d already perused her collection of novels on the far bookcase, unorganized and haphazardly put away. Many had stains on their cloth and leather bindings.
In fact, much of Evylin’s belongings were in disarray. The wardrobe held many dresses, blouses, and skirts, all nearly falling off their hangers. The chest of drawers could hardly shut.
