Page 16 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

If I were a better man, I would not allow you this friendship, but you have the right of it as usual. I need your honesty, and I value it above all things, certainly too much to do the right thing and stop tainting you with my company.

You do vex me, beyond bearing at times, but it is only my conscience pricking at me and I have been ignoring that for so many years it is not so difficult to pretend I do not hear it at all. So, you must be my conscience now, and I rely upon you to scold and chastise and tell me what a wicked creature I am instead of merely watching and doing your best to keep me from danger. I ought to have strength enough to be a good man for Agatha’s sake, for she deserves a guardian who will help keep her from trouble, not give her examples of just how to revel in one’s own dark side.

For God’s sake, Evie, stop me from turning into the reprehensible fellow I fear I am becoming. I disgust myself and perhaps if I saw disgust in your eyes too, I might find the strength to change my ways. Why do you not despise me as you ought, for you are strong and moral and know right from wrong? Why do you accept me as I am and not judge me as I deserve to be judged? And now I become maudlin for I have drunk too much, and the past seems to press down upon me this night until I feel I am the only living thing alive in this empty place I inhabit.

God, but now I must consign this miserable self-pitying scrawl to the fire, for I should rather die than have you pity me too.

―Excerpt of a letter from Louis César de Montluc, the Comte de Villen—never sent.

Dear Miss Knight,

I won a prize for the best essay in the school competition! I even beat the older girls. I never thought I would ever win anything in my life, and certainly not anything for writing. I am so happy I could burst. There is going to be a prize giving next week and Monsieur Le Comte has promised to attend. Please, will you come too? Please, please, say you can.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Agatha Smith to Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight).

Chapter 9

Dare to Risk it All

Louis,

I will not take no for an answer, I’m afraid. You are family now. Your brother and Eliza will be with us for Christmas, so I insist you come and stay, too. You must bring Agatha as well, naturally, as she is most entertaining and ought not miss out on the festivities.

We shall be a merry party and not the least bit dull, I promise.

I expect to see you without fail.

―Excerpt of a letter from Prudence Adolphus, Her Grace the Duchess of Bedwin, to Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen.

Monsieur le Comte,

For heaven's sake, don’t be difficult. You cannot spend Christmas alone. Surely you want to see your brother, and if that is not incentive enough, I will be there too.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Evie Knight (Daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) to Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen.

Monsieur le Comte,

Please, please, please, may we go?

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Agatha Smith to Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen.

Miss Knight,

I am being bullied on all sides by merciless females. Very well. I surrender, if only to get a moment's peace!

―Excerpt of a letter from Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen to Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight).

Monsieur Le Comte,

I am so pleased you have finally seen reason and are spending Christmas at Beverwyck. When I saw Aggie, she was beside herself with excitement.

I confess I am looking forward to it as well. I have bought you the most perfect present. Now, don’t scold me. I know it is inappropriate but if you don’t tell, no one will know, and I have concluded that behaving all the time is not good for one’s soul. Of course, there are limits which you seem determined to push to the utmost, but I shall scold you in person, for I know you prefer it. One cannot deliver a truly successful set down by post.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) to Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen.

Monsieur Le Comte,

I should very much like for you to feel at home when you come for Christmas. Tell me, are there any traditions or recipes from your country of origin that you would like to share with us? Something for which you have fond memories, perhaps? Do, please, let me know.