Page 32 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

“Oh, nothing, just… nothing,” Georgie said as Evie choked on her chocolate.

“Evie,” Georgie said, her voice firm. “Would you care to accompany us this afternoon? Rochford has suggested we go for a ride together.

Evie dimpled, looking smug and pleased and as if butter wouldn’t melt. “Oh, Georgie, how lovely. I would be delighted to.”

They managed to get through the rest of breakfast without incident, at least, and Georgie watched in astonished awe as Rochford put away a vast plate of food in a remarkably short space of time. She supposed a man that size must need feeding a proportionate amount, but was still a little staggered. Jules just groaned and cursed him, demanding he take his sausages and bacon elsewhere. Rochford ignored him. Once he’d finished his coffee, he turned back to Georgie.

“I shall be waiting at one thirty. Does that suit you, ladies?” Rochford asked them.

“Perfect,” Evie said, nodding.

“Thank you, yes,” Georgie agreed.

Rochford nodded and got up, promising to see them later, his gaze lingering on Georgie for long enough to make her colour rise.

“Georgie!” Evie whispered across the table, but Georgie hushed her, aware Nic, Eliza, and Jules were still present.

“I think I shall have a lie down,” Jules said, massaging his temples. “If you don’t see me at dinner, don’t worry. I’ve probably died.”

“Right you are,” Eliza said, with all the cheerful unconcern of a sibling.

“Everybody is so cruel to me,” Jules grumbled and levered himself to his feet.

“I suppose no one has seen my brother?” Nic asked, grim-faced.

“Not since I woke, but he was in a worse state than me when I gave up. That was about five o’clock this morning, so he’s probably dead in a ditch. Devil’s got a stronger constitution than I have if he isn’t,” Jules added with a sigh, dragging himself out of the room.

“Sounds about right,” Nic muttered before kissing Eliza’s cheek. “I’d best go check on him.”

Evie frowned, her expression concerned as she watched Nic go.

“He’ll find him, don’t fret,” Eliza said kindly, noting Evie’s anxiety. “He’ll just be nursing a hangover no doubt.”

Evie nodded with relief and now the men had gone, both women turned their attention to Georgie.

Chapter 17

The Mistletoe Dare

Dearest Evie,

You were no sorrier than I was to miss the ball. The event of the season and I was stuck in bed with a red nose, looking like a three-day-old cadaver. And I had to endure Nani Maa scolding me for not wrapping up warmly enough and feeding me one of her disgusting concoctions. The devil of it is, I think it’s working. I’m not admitting that to her, though, not for a thousand pounds. She’s far too smug as it is.

Ash tells me it was a wonderful event, and that there was much talk about Rochford and Georgie. Tell me everything! And don’t you dare leave out the bit where you danced twice with the Comte de Villen. Georgie won’t be the only one setting the gossip mill alight if you don’t have a care.

―Excerpt of a letter to Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) from Miss Vivien Ashton (daughter of Silas and Aashini Anson, The Viscount and Viscountess Cavendish).

15th December 1840, Beverwyck, London.

Nic rapped on door of his brother’s room and waited for his valet, Elton, to answer.

“Monsieur Demarteau,” the valet said, stepping back to let him in.

“Where is he?”

“Still abed, sir.”

“I would like a word,” Nic said, watching the valet’s face tense. “That bad, eh?”