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In a flurry of adrenalin and pride, Evelina strode past that carriage, and the next, and the next, until she was out on the street proper. The moment she stepped off her family’s property, however, she felt suddenly naked—never in her life had she been out and about without a chaperone.
Yet propriety had already been tossed well out the window, hadn’t it?
Just as Evelina had resigned herself to trekking across London on foot, or else, returning to the party and the fiasco of an engagement that awaited her, a young man and woman appeared near the gates.
“Do pardon us,” said the young woman, a shrewd look on her face. She was dressed in attire that suggested she was someone’s lady’s maid. “But we overheard you are in need of a carriage.”
Before Evelina could respond, the young man took over. “I am a coachman for one of the lesser houses of theton. The two of us could take you where you needed to go…for a price.”
Evelina had dared to hope for just a moment, but now her heart sank. “I haven’t any money on me.”
The young coachman looked to his female counterpart. “We can work out the specifics later,” said the lady’s maid with a quick shrug. “After all, you do seem in quite a state of fluster. Am I wrong to believe time is of the essence?”
Evelina was so relieved, she could have cried. She told them her name, and if they were surprised to hear that the young woman the engagement ball was being thrown for was fleeing her own party, they did not show it. Instead, the young coachman and lady’s maid directed her hastily toward the carriage. She did not know who this belonged to, or whether or not these two were at risk for punishment if they were caught—undoubtedly, but that would be a problem for later, as would the funds. All she cared about was that she was on her way to Thomas.
The carriage ride felt shorter than it actually was. Evelina’s nerves were on fire when they reached their destination, and the coachman helped her down from the carriage. “Good night to you, My Lady,” he said, inclining his head. “My sister and I will seek you out at a later date to arrange compensation.”
“Thank you,” said Evelina, looking between the young man and woman. “You did not have to do this, but you have helped me a great deal this evening.”
With that, the duo departed, and Evelina turned her attentions once more to Elvington Manor. The moon shone down, bright white, a beacon over a new life.
In that moment, Evelina experienced a moment of genuine, perfect clarity. She felt more like herself in this moment, defying all the rules in pursuit of what she knew, deep in her heart, was meant to be her path, than she had in all her previous nineteen years.
The butler answered the door almost immediately after she knocked. He glanced over her shoulder, evidently expecting to see an escort there with her, and appeared surprised to see she was alone.
“Ah,” Evelina began, not having thought this part very far through. “I am Lady Evelina Talbot, daughter of the Duke of Alderleaf. I must request to speak with the Duke of Elvington. It is a matter of great urgency.”
“I’m afraid the Duke is out at the moment,” said the butler, a little stiffly. “He is visiting his brother, across town, and sent word back that we are not to expect his return until morning. You are welcome to return then, underappropriatecalling hours.”
The barb was not lost on Evelina. She was about to protest when a regal figure appeared several feet behind the butler in the foyer.It was the Dowager Duchess of Elvington herself, looking more than a little stunned to see Evelina.
“Your Grace,” Evelina said, curtsying rather clumsily. Her cheeks burned as she righted herself, not have the faintest idea how Thomas’ mother—who she had met all of one time—would react to seeing her alone and flustered like this.
When her surprise calmed, the Dowager Duchess’ expression turned to one of scrutiny. She studied Evelina for a long, long moment. Evelina fought hard against the urge to gnaw at her lip.
“This is the eve of your engagement ball, is it not?” the Dowager Duchess asked at last.
Slowly, shamefully, Evelina nodded.
To her surprise, a small smile appeared on the Dowager Duchess’ face. “Lift up your head, Child. I, too, know what it is like to be young, and swayed by love. Knowing my son, he shall be glad to see you as well.” She turned to the butler. “Have the carriage brought around for Lady Evelina at once.”
