Page 69 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

“Yes,” Evie said decisively, clambering off the bed. “Rosamund and Kathleen will be here at any moment, and it’s time to complete your dare!”

Aisling groaned and buried her head in the pillow, but Evie grabbed hold of her hands and began tugging. Aisling shrieked, laughing as pillows, counterpane, and her billowing skirts were all deposited in an untidy heap on the floor. “Well, if this is how you treat your guests….” she began, crossing her arms and trying to look annoyed.

“No, not my guests, silly, only my dearest friends,” Evie said, giving her a saucy wink and running out of the door.

“Wait for me!” Aisling yelled, gathering up her skirts and feeling silly and childish, and altogether happy to be in her friend’s company.

Monsieur,

I write this in haste, as the house is in chaos. We are leaving. Papa has taken it into his head that we shall do some travelling, though he won’t tell me where. Last night I was accepting invitations for the coming week and this morning I am told to cancel everything. He’s behaving most oddly and will not tell me where we are going or for how long, but I think we will be absent for some months. I have tried asking Mama, but she just smiles and tells me it's for the best.

I do not understand what is happening. I think they’ve both gone mad. They won't listen to reason. I don't want to travel or miss the season. I am sorry to leave for so long without saying goodbye properly, but they give me no choice. When I get the chance, I will try to write to you again, but I think it may be difficult.

― 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 33

To Dare the Devil

Nic,

Knight has taken his family and left London. I have just received a note from Evie. She knows not where they go or why or for how long. I fear he has discovered my interest in her and seeks to take her from my reach. They will cut her off from me, Nic, I know it. They’ll not see another letter reach me, nor allow us to be within ten miles of each other. I will lose her.

Please, I know I have begged you to keep my feelings to yourself, and this does not change, but I pray you will ask Eliza to discover where they have gone. Surely, she would know where her aunt had disappeared to in such a ramshackle manner?

I do not know how I will endure months without her, brother, when I do not know where she is or if she thinks of me at all.

―Excerpt of a letter from Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen, to his brother, Monsieur Nicolas-Alexandre Demarteau.

Louis,

Eliza is as puzzled as you it appears. I have asked her to discover the reason, but I cannot press the matter without revealing my interest. If you would let me confide in her, I might have better luck, though I hesitate to do so.

Eliza will keep a secret if I insist, but it may sit ill with her. She adores her aunt and uncle and is a friend to her cousin Evie. However, as your happiness is at stake, I will do so if you will allow it.

Why not come and stay with us, brother? Living alone does you no good and we should be delighted to have you here. Remember, I know how much you hate being by yourself, Louis. Please come, even if only for a short while. And lay off the brandy. When Evie comes home, you’ll not want her to discover you’ve become a sot in her absence.

―Excerpt of a letter from Monsieur Nicolas-Alexandre Demarteau to his brother Louis César de Montluc, Comte de Villen.

12th May 1842, Heart’s Folly, Sussex.

“Thank you for coming, Mr Godwin,” Elton said, taking Barnaby’s hat and gloves from him.

“Well, of course. I came as soon as I read your note. I’ve been worried sick these past weeks, wondering where the devil he’d got to.”

Barnaby hurried after Louis’ valet. He’d known something was amiss when Louis had vanished without a word. He’d thought they were friends. Though he knew well enough that most people only tolerated his company, thinking him a fool, he’d thought Louis was different. Yet he’d not heard a word from him for weeks, and being so thoroughly abandoned had hurt until he’d realised that this was not about him. A fine friend he’d been, licking his own wounds when he ought to have known Louis needed him. Except, by then, he’d not known where to look. He’d been here to Heart’s Folly two weeks ago, only to find the place empty.

“Monsieur has been blue devilled for some time and so had been staying with his brother at Mr Demarteau’s insistence,” Elton said, speaking over his shoulder as they hurried up the stairs. “Except something happened two nights ago. He’d been waiting for something, I think. Information. Whatever it was, I don’t think it was what he wanted to hear. We left Mr Demarteau’s home, though he tried to stop us. I cannot say what happened, but it sent him into a pit of despair so deep, I don’t know how to get him out again. He’ll drink himself to death if he keeps this up and… well, sir, I am at my wits’ end, and that’s a fact. I’m only his valet, but you’re his friend. His only friend, as far as I know.”

Barnaby stared at Elton, a little shaken by that. His only friend? That could not be correct, surely? The Comte de Villen was welcomed everywhere, desired by damn near everyone, and yet… and yet now he thought about it, Barnaby could not name a single person Louis truly counted as a friend.

Elton knocked on Louis’ bedroom door, but all was silent. Barnaby watched as the man steeled himself and turned the handle. Though it was late in the afternoon, the curtains were closed, and the room was dark. A figure lay before the empty fireplace and, for a moment, Barnaby’s heart stopped.

“Louis?” He ran forward, kneeling down and only feeling his heart give a kick of relief in his chest when he discovered the still form warm and breathing, and reeking of brandy. Barnaby looked up. “Coffee, please, Elton. Lots of it, and have a bath prepared.”

“At once, sir,” Elton said, with obvious relief, and hurried away.

Barnaby turned back to Louis and patted his cheek. “Louis, wake up, old man. It’s Barnaby. Can’t go about sleeping on the floor where anyone can trip over you. Besides, it’s dashed uncomfortable. Come along, wake up now.”