Page 38 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

“What else?”

She hesitated, and Louis waited patiently for her answer. “Not to heed others’ opinions of me when my friends like me as I am. And to be more confident, which is perhaps the same thing. I began at the Christmas ball, and you were right, you know. I had a marvellous time, though it was all because of that gown. It made me feel so much more at ease. Silly, isn’t it?”

Louis shook his head. “Not silly at all. Clothes are a kind of armour. Knowing you are dressed correctly and well puts you at ease.”

She gave him a speculative look. “Surely, you do not need such armour, Louis. You would look handsome wearing rags and, you know it.”

He quirked a dark eyebrow at her. “I am far too vain to appear anything less than perfectly attired. Besides which, Elton would likely cast himself into the Thames if I did such a reprehensible thing. He considers himself an artist, you see, and me, his canvas.”

“How tiring for you, and you know you’re not the least bit vain, so don’t give me that.”

“Oh, but I am,” he insisted. “More than you realise.”

She frowned at him, uncertain of his words, which held a private note. “You liked your Christmas present?” she asked him, changing the subject.

“You know I did,” he said, touching a finger to the large blue sapphire pin winking in his cravat. “Though you ought not to have bought it for me.”

Evie shrugged. “I know, but I could not help myself. I had never seen a stone the exact colour of your eyes before, and it called to me. I was there to buy a gift for Jules and pretended it was for him. Mama was too busy with her gifts to notice.”

“I suppose I ought to give you a gift too,” he said, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Evie gasped, glaring at him. “Oh, you wretch! You waited until now when you knew I was bursting with anticipation.”

“Did you really think I had not bought you a gift? How cruel you must think me.”

“You are cruel for teasing me so!” she reproached him, tugging him out of the alcove. “May I have it now, Louis? Please!”

He laughed and nodded. “I hid it in the library. Go and look among the novels and see what you can find.”

With a little cry of excitement, Evie picked up her skirts and ran.

Monsieur,

I never managed a moment alone with you after Christmas day, so I could not tell you how very much I loved your gift, or should I say ‘gifts’? I cannot imagine how you contrived such a thing, but I am more grateful than you can imagine. They are simply stunning, and I swear I shall do them justice. You have just made my resolution to be braver a good deal easier, my dear friend.

I hope I shall see you at Lady Cavendish’s New Year’s Ball, for then you may see for yourself.

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

Dearest Evie,

I am happy! Ridiculously happy. The kind where I can’t stop smiling for no reason. I’m certain I must be revolting company to anyone but Rochford. As we are currently inseparable, I suppose that is not a problem, though, is it?

I will not blame you if you are making retching sounds at this moment. It is nauseating, I know, but all the same, I hope you find someone who makes you feel this way one day, Evie, dear. For it is the most marvellous sensation, to be married to a good man in whom you can put your trust and give your whole heart.

You must find someone very special to be worthy of you, though, my dear friend.

―Excerpt of a letter from Her Grace, Georgina Seymour, The Duchess of Rochford (daughter of Ruth and Gordon Anderson, The Earl and Countess of Morven) to Miss Evie Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight).

Chapter 19

Just a Little Daring

31st December 1840, Axton House, Piccadilly, London.

“Stop fretting. I’m sure he’ll come.”

Viv sent her brother an indignant glance. “I’m not fretting,” she objected, a statement he greeted with a pitying expression. “Much,” she amended, for honesty’s sake, because she had no secrets from Ash. How could she when they seemed to know what the other was thinking so often? They were very close, and though Viv had friends she trusted implicitly, her twin was always the first person she turned to when she needed a confidant.