Page 62 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

Yes, damn him to hell, it did, but he didn’t need someone to underline the point for him.

“You wish to marry, Barnaby?”

“Oh, yes,” Barnaby said, his face lighting up. “Like the idea of a little wife to toddle home to. Someone what’s pleased to see me… well, assuming I choose right, and she is pleased to see me. Though at the rate I’m going, it ain’t going to happen. I just don’t have a knack with the ladies. Not like you, though I suppose with a physiognomy like yours, you don’t even need a knack. They throw themselves in your path.”

Louis laughed bitterly and shook his head. “Non, ce n’est pas vrai. Women might be easy. The right woman is not easy at all,” he muttered, folding his arms and trying to keep his gaze from the far end of the table where Evie sat.

“Well,” Barnaby said, impressed by this observation. “If you can’t manage it, what hope is there for the rest of us poor blighters?”

Monsieur,

I was sorry not to get the chance to speak with you at the Lane-Fox wedding. Papa was breathing down my neck, though, so I thought I had best be a little circumspect. I had hoped your heroics might change his mind about you, but I have just endured a lecture about wicked men and their wiles, which I believe was supposed to put me on my guard in your company. Can you believe it? The trouble is, Papa was a wicked man before he married and knows how enticing they can be. The poor dear is terrified I will get myself in a fix. I have tried to reassure him, but he does not trust you or your motives and will not be reassured. Mama is more reasonable, at least, though even she warns me to have a care for my reputation.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to get letters to you, but I have enlisted one of the footmen. He has been with us since he was a boy and I trust him to retrieve your letters and to send mine. He is well compensated for the risk he takes, naturally, but I wish I did not have to rely on such underhand measures.

Oh, you’ll never guess. I had my first proposal of marriage yesterday! Mr Cooper, of whom I spoke to you, asked to speak to Papa. It surprised me that Papa agreed to it, except I believe he knew I would turn the fellow down and thought I ought to speak to him myself. Honestly, it was mortifying. The poor man blushed and stammered so. I don’t know which of us was the most embarrassed. I almost accepted him just to make it stop.

I think I let him down gently. I hope he doesn’t hate me now, but I only told him the truth, though I fear that I might have left him room to hope, which may not have been a kindness. I am far from ready to think of marrying anyone, though. I want to have some fun before I tie myself to a husband and a household. Goodness, how flighty I sound, but you know that is not what I mean. I just don’t want things to change. Not yet.

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

Chapter 28

An Enchanting Dare

Louis,

Paris grows dull in your absence. I am bored and in need of distraction. Will you not return for a visit and see how your protégé goes on before he does something rash? My empire needs little of me, save for some growling and posturing on the rare occasion people forget with whom they deal. Our foes are all vanquished, on this side of La Manche, at least. I think I shall cross that narrow body of water and see what trouble I can stir up, for life is dull and I shall grow prematurely fat and old if I do not keep my wits and my weapons sharp. I should like to see the ladies gasp and whisper behind their fans. Will I spoil your newly shined and pretty reputation if I come? You think it is a joke, perhaps, but I will make good on my promise one day. I should like to see the place that was my birthright.

Do you think there are any remaining that would cut my throat for my father’s crimes? My own are of little consequence across the channel, I think. My late, unlamented father’s legacy is such I think I should sleep with one eye open on English soil. I believe I shall look forward to it.

Damn you, Louis, it is late, and I grow maudlin like a boy without his pa. You were always wise far beyond your years and I need your instincts and your surety to guide me straight, for my path becomes increasingly tangled. I do not truly wish to cause you trouble, but I miss you, and your too kind-hearted brother as well. I miss the days when we caused mayhem together. You are the only family I have known, and I wish to be reunited. Shall you come to visit me soon? Or shall I do something dreadful to demand your attention, like the wicked spoilt boy I know too well how to play?

―Excerpt of a letter to Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen, from Wulfric ‘Wolf’ De Vere.

Cher Monsieur,

Have you been invited to Trevick? I hope so, for it seems an age since I saw you last. I bumped into Mr Godwin—quite literally—last week at a garden party. He nearly knocked me off my feet, though he was so mortified I could not be cross with him. I believe he was flustered as he was in pursuit of Lady Millicent, and she had a bevy of admirers about her, all demanding her attention. Personally, I thought none of them could hold a candle to Mr Godwin for he is such a kind man and so sweet natured. He looked very fine. Your hand at work, it appears. He sang your praises most enthusiastically. Indeed, I believe he has put you on a pedestal and means to do all in his power to make you proud of him.

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

30th June 1841, Heart’s Folly, Sussex.

Louis sighed and folded the letter, putting it back in the pile before taking up another. He poured himself another drink and sat back, letter in hand, rereading, though he knew well enough what it said.

Oh, you’ll never guess. I had my first proposal of marriage yesterday! Mr Cooper, of whom I spoke to you, asked to speak to Papa. It surprised me that Papa agreed to it, except I believe he knew I would turn the fellow down and thought I ought to speak to him myself. Honestly, it was mortifying. The poor man blushed and stammered so. I don’t know which of us was the most embarrassed. I almost accepted him just to make it stop.

I think I let him down gently. I hope he doesn’t hate me now, but I only told him the truth, though I fear that I might have left him room to hope, which may not have been a kindness. I am far from ready to think of marrying anyone, though. I want to have some fun before I tie myself to a husband and a household. Goodness, how flighty I sound, but you know that is not what I mean. I just don’t want things to change. Not yet.

He stared at the words, wondering if he ought to be pleased by them or to despair. She did not want things to change. What did she mean by that? It was obvious she was not ready to marry. He wasn’t a fool, and he meant to give her the time she needed, but….

Anxiety gnawed at his heart. Did she mean she did not wish for him to stop being her friend, because if she married another, their friendship would be over? Any husband would forbid her from such a close relationship with a man like him, even if he could bear to see her again if she married someone else. Jamais! Never! That would never happen. If she did not marry him…. Fear made his guts clench, twisting into a knot and making him want to retch. He would have to go away, far away, and… and he did not know what. It wouldn’t matter where he went or what happened to him if he couldn’t keep Evie in his life. It would all be over. His one hope for the future snuffed out.

Merde.

He sat with his head in his hands, staring down at the words she had written without seeing them.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”