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Chapter Four
Evelina jolted in surprise. She’d thought herself alone, but as it turned out, this was not the case. Before her stood a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman with light-blond hair and eyes the color of honey.
She answered without taking a moment to think through her words, “I’m running from my lady’s maid.”
The handsome stranger blinked, then laughed. It was a warm, full sound, like the pull of a bow against a deep-toned stringed instrument. “Fancy that, considering it seems as though I’m running away myself.”
There was a brief moment before the stranger responded when Evelina had balked at her own words, ashamed at her unbecoming honesty. Thankfully, it seemed as though he did not plan to judge her for it.
“What, then, has you heading for the hills?” Evelina asked, surprised at her own ease.
“I hadn’t planned to go as far as any hills, though if you see any, I would gladly consider it,” said the gentleman, still laughing. More sincerely, he added, “I’d merely hoped to find a moment to collect myself before seeking out my brother.”
“Do the two of you not get along?”
“Oh, no, we get along fine.” He looked over her shoulder toward the party. The musicians seemed to be nearly done with their break, though Evelina could not help but believe that their music would not sound half as nice as the gentleman’s laugh. “I’ve…well, I’ve recently taken on some advanced responsibilities in our family, and he has been invaluable assisting in the transition. Even so—” his voice trailed off, and a troubled expression took over his face.
“It sounds as though you are under a good deal of pressure,” Evelina noted.
“That is the very least of it.” The gentleman’s eyes had a faraway look, now, as though he was focusing on some scene playing out within his own head rather than the one unfolding in the present. Then, suddenly, his gaze sharpened. “I apologize. I’ve been going on about myself. Pray tell, why are you fleeing your lady’s maid?”
There was an air of jest to the question. Even though Evelina was certain she would be in trouble if she stayed here much longer—especially in the unchaperoned company of an unknown gentleman—this was the least stilted interaction she’d had in days. “Unfortunately, I found myself caught up in a conversation that left much to be desired.”
“Oh? With whom, if you don’t mind my asking?”
Evelina almost told the gentlemanexactlywho the conversation had been with—poor, brown nosing Jerome—but did not truly wish to spread hurtful gossip. “The question of who is of no import,” she said. “Though I should revise my previous statement. It was more of a monologue on the part of the other party, rather than a conversation.”
The gentleman laughed again, more full bellied than before. “My Lady, it does appear as though we have had exactly the same evening!”
Evelina’s smile widened. “In that we have both sought solace away from the crowd?”
“That, and we have both left conversations with much to be desired, only to seek shelter at the far edge of the festivities.” He turned his honey eyes skyward. “Quite frankly, I haven’t the faintest idea how I am to make it through the remainder of the Season with my wits intact.”
The reality of Evelina’s situation came back to her, a heavy weight settling once more across her shoulders.
The gentleman apparently noticed, for the jest slipped from his face, replaced by concern. “Have I said something to offend you?”
“No, no,” said Evelina. She sighed. It truly was time for her to depart and return to Matilda, before her absence spawned inconvenient gossip. “I just—well, to be quite frank with you, this is the most honest conversation I’ve had with anyone in quite some time, my own family included, despite the love I hold for them. It saddens me to think the frivolity of thetonis all I have to look forward to the rest of my life.”
The gentleman was silent for a long moment. When Evelina looked up once more to gauge his reaction, she found herself taken by his contemplative expression. His thick brows pinched together, and his eyes were serious in a way that suggested he was out to settle some great, high-stakes dilemma, rather than acting as the impromptu confidant of a silly young girl who was put off by courtship rituals.
“If you could converse about anything,” the gentleman said at last. “Anything in the world, pray tell—what would it be?”
Evelina’s mouth popped open in surprise.
No one has ever asked me that before. This gentleman truly does set himself apart from the crowd, in more ways than simply seeking out solace on the edges of the garden, as I have.
“Well,” she said, after giving it some thought. “I suppose I should like to be asked to share my opinions.”
“Regarding what?”
“Anything, really, as no one ever seems to,” said Evelina, hoping she sounded matter-of-fact as opposed to bitter. “Though if I was being completely honest, I would quite enjoy being included in conversations regarding business. My father is in shipping, you know, and I’ve gathered a great deal of insight over the years, purely by shadowing his endeavors. I’d like to think I may have some worthwhile knowledge to offer to those of similar interest.”
Admittedly, a part of Evelina expected the stranger to pooh-pooh her comment. To respond the same way most men did, with something along the lines of,Business! Bah! What could a woman possibly contribute to the conversation, besides serving as a sweet distraction?
She was not expecting the gentleman’s eyes to brighten even further. “Oh? Do you know anything of the textile trade in the Far East?”
Stunned, it took Evelina a moment to find her words. “Well, I am aware that royal blue cloth is in short supply, courtesy of a regional drought that has devastated the berry crop necessary to give the dye its hue.”
