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“Yes, but nothing is particularly right about him either,” Evelina said before she could stop herself.
“He is financially stable,” her father cut in, using his the-matter-is-settled voice. “Besides that, his family is also heavily invested in the shipping industry. His business shall be good for our business. That alone should be reason enough.”
Evelina stood up. “Is that all I am to you, then? I am not allowed to properly learn the business for myself, yet you have no hesitation in pawning me out on its behalf?”
Her father’s face went scarlet. “Evelina, you forget yourself.”
“No, Father, I quite thinkyouare the one who has forgotten me.” Evelina felt tears collecting in her eyes, but she ignored them. She had already dug herself into a deep enough hole, she might as well go all the way.
“The Duke of Elvington’s family is in shipping too, and they are far more prominent in the industry than the Marques of Newhey’s. And before you start in again on how the Russell’s betrayed us, the young Duke was in the Far East through the duration of whatever trouble took place. He had nothing to do with it. I would gladly accept the Duke of Elvington’s offer for my hand for my own sake, as well as to make amends between our business entities, if that truly is your only concern.”
Her father looked so angry he might be sick. Her mother looked completely lost. “What is this about the Duke of Elvington? Is there another marriage proposal I am unaware of? From a duke?”
The more Mother’s confused excitement grew, the more vindicated Evelina felt. This was the proper reaction to her potential courtship with Thomas: awe and anticipation. Not nonsensical pettiness over the past.
“There is no other marriage proposal,” said Father stiffly. “Frankly, Evelina, for all your enthusiasm, I have not heard one word from the young Duke of Elvington regarding a potential courtship between the two of you.”
“Not yet,” Evelina said. “The Duke will come calling soon, I am certain of it.”
Mother’s excitement withered. “So, this is a one-sided affection, then.”
“No, Mother, that’s not what I’ve been saying.” Evelina’s face was wet with tears of anger and frustration. “Have you not listened to a word that’s left my mouth?”
“I have heard you wax poetic about how the Duke of Elvington is apparently interested in your hand,” said Mother. “Yet your Father speaks the truth; neither he nor I have heard any word from the Duke himself in this regard.” Her eyes narrowed as a new thought dawned. “I do certainly hope you are not making up some false fancy purely to avoid pursuing this opportunity with the Marquess of Newhey.”
Evelina felt as though a dagger had been thrust into her stomach. Was this what her parents thought of her? That she was some frivolous child with one-sided affections toward someone unattainable? Or worse, that she was so conniving as to make up her fondness for the Duke of Elvington entirely, just to spurn Jerome?
She took a deep breath. Blinked away her tears. And stood at her full height. “Father. Mother. Believe me about the Duke of Elvington’s intentions or not. In either case, with all due respect, I will not marry the Marquess of Newhey. We are not right for one another.”
Mother, flustered, looked as though she was about to throw some very choice words Evelina’s way.
With one dismissive flick of Father’s hand, she was silenced.
It was only early autumn. Summer was still mostly on the air; none of the flowers had wilted as of yet, and the trees were only just beginning to grow crisp-leafed.
One would not have been able to tell this from the Duke of Alderleaf’s study—the air had gone icy with barely-capped rage.
“Evelina,” said Father calmly, “you will return to your room. You will stay there until my order. Perhaps some time alone will help you come to your senses. In time, you will trust that your Mother and I know best.”
Evelina felt as though her insides were gears that did not quite line up. Long gone was the relaxed sensation of this morning’s fantasies.
“Very well,” she said, hoping her voice did not betray the intensity of her emotion. She was not the only one who could present a cold front. “I shall do as you ask, Father. But while I am ‘coming to my senses,’ I implore you, please, to truly consider the gravity of what you are asking of me.”
Evelina turned and left before either of her parents could add another word. She went straight to her room as instructed; to do anything else would truly be pushing the matter into the realm of the catastrophic. She threw herself back onto her bed and tried to quell the rage that threatened to overflow.
This time, at least, Evelina was not sad. Even if no one believed her, she knew Thomas’ affections were true, and that she was not alone in this matter.
Thomas will come calling soon, and he will set right whatever bad business transpired with Father. We will be together again in no time at all.
