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I disliked when she did that—when she stopped herself from telling me the truth. I knew she did it to spare me, but not knowing what they were thinking or were concerned about only made me feel like a child. Like everyone was permitted to have these discussions except me, even when the topic was of my fate.
“Due to the horrid rains, we cannot go to the park as I planned. But there is still the ball this evening. You shall be a vision, and Evander will be speechless.”
“Does that mean even though he is here, I cannot see him?”
“It is best not to provoke your father further,” she replied, fixing the curls over my shoulder. “And what a shame after all that time to prepare you for the afternoon.”
I did not say more, and eventually, she left me to sit by the window. It felt like ages had gone by before Evander finally stepped out of my home, and the moment he did, he glanced up. I did not look away from him this time, so I could see his faint smile. What did that mean? Was it good or bad? How did the discussion with my father go? I did not know. He merely smiled and walked away.
I rose from the bench and rushed to the door, stepping into the hall just as my father came out of his study.
“Tell your mother that I am going to the club to see Sir Larson,” he stated as the butler met him at the door with letters.
“Papa—”
“Tell her not to worry. I shall make it back before the ball.”
“Papa!” I said firmly, causing him to look at me.
“Not now, my dear. I must go.” The expression on his face left no room for disagreement, so I nodded, watching him leave.
I very much disliked all of this.
This was my life.
And since they would not allow me to participate in the conversation, I would have to take control of the situation…or at the very least try. I did not want to lose any more chances. I no longer wished to wait for…for others to decide what they believed was best for me.
Tonight, I would not just be silent and wait, I would act.
15
Evander
There was no place I detested more than a ball—actually, that was not true. I loathed being in the presence of my late father, Datura, and her offspring more, but balls were a close second, as they were filled with mothers desperately searching to find a match for their daughters. They paraded their daughters before me, and their daughters were all too willing, thinking me senseless enough to fall for their charms and antics of fainting on cue, fortuitously bumping into me, or dropping their fan or napkin before me. Even the fathers partook in the sport, though not so heavy-handedly. Their method was to categorize this whole ordeal as a business prospect. Take my daughter, and in exchange, you shall get this much dowry or access to this bank, or inherit this much land. It was all quite revolting, that they could sell off their daughters or believe me so avaricious and craven as to accept such offers. Balls were nothing but a façade created for the sole purpose of marrying and marrying well.
But such was society, and society had to go on. Thus, the balls had to go on, and I needed to do my part. This was complicated because I was here to seek a match for my sister. I glanced over at her as she hummed to herself, watching everyone else dance.
“You do not wish to accept a partner?” I asked, for she had refused two already.
“I do not like anyone here,” she whispered.
“How do you know when you have not spoken to anyone?” I questioned.
“The same way you know there is no other person for you but Aphrodite,” she teased, smiling at me slightly. “Just like you, I will know instantly when I have met my match.”
That was not true, though she did not know, nor could she ever, that I had spent time searching—well, not so much searching but exploring females—before Godmother came with her letter.
“At this rate, you will not find anyone this season. Is that your wish?” I whispered. “If you do find one who catches your eye, I shall do my best to make it possible for you, Verity, should they be appropriate, of course.”
“I did not come here for my season but yours,” she replied, lifting her wine to her lips.
“Mine?”
“Surely you have seen all my efforts?” She leaned in closer. “I heard that Aphrodite was returning this season and, thus, pressed you to come immediately. Otherwise I am sure you might have delayed longer.”
I stared at her, not altogether surprised, as I had seen her antics before. “How on earth did you hear talk from London while we were in Everely?”
She grinned and did not reply.
