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Evelina had been busy trying to stop her eyes from watering at the strong, musky scent that had followed them out of the fragrance shop. By the time she succeeded in blinking away the tears, Mother was already leading Diana and their lady’s maids across the cobblestone street to speak to Jerome and his companions.
“Lord Wilmore,” Mother said. “What a pleasant surprise, crossing paths with you while out on the town!”
Evelina caught up. She did a small curtsy for the sake of propriety. “Indeed, it is. Good day to you, Lord Wilmore.”
Jerome seemed equally as surprised to see them. He was dressed for business, and was accompanied by another distinguished-looking young gentleman. “Good day to you, Lady Talbot. Lady Evelina. Lady Diana.” He nodded his head at each of them in turn, then gestured to his companion. “May I introduce the Marquess of Langwin, Gerard Russell.”
Greetings were exchanged all around once more. Jerome subsequently launched into another monologue of flattery toward Evelina’s mother.
Evelina, however, found herself studying Gerard. He had a sharp, observant glint to his eyes that suggested a hawk-like shrewdness. His attention was directed primarily toward Jerome, but he must have felt Evelina’s stare, because his gaze shifted over to hers.
They looked at each other.
He smiled, his face suddenly transformed by calculated humility.
Evelina fought the urge to shiver. She managed a wobbly smile back, inexplicably unnerved. There was nothing obviously wrong with Gerard. He seemed perfectly polite. Yet that humble look on his face had a certain uncanniness to it.
He’s likely just impatient, Evelina thought.If he and Jerome do business together and have an agenda to keep, I can understand why he might not be particularly forthcoming to a social distraction like this.
“Mother,” Evelina cut into the conversation, “forgive my interruption, but I cannot help but guess that these gentlemen are out and about on business. We would be loath to continue monopolizing their time.”
“It’s no matter,” Jerome said.
“It has been a pleasure meeting you all,” said Gerard, subtly confirming the conversation’s end. “I do hope our paths cross again.”
“Very well,” said Mother reluctantly, “a good day to you both.”
The two parties went their separate ways. As they walked, Mother gushed to Evelina and Diana over Jerome’s apparent chivalry. Evelina nodded along. Internally, however, she felt more exhausted than ever at the prospect of enduring Jerome’s company for the duration of the Season, especially now that she had met a gentleman of true intrigue to compare him to.
Then there was Gerard.
Oddly, Evelina was certain there was something familiar about him. It had to do with the shape of his face, the angle of his jaw…
Had they possibly met before?
