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Jude took another deep breath. “I am sorry, Sally. I just want to focus on work and settling in here, but thanks for asking.”
Her face tightened. Sally Potter didn’t like being told no. This was the second time she had asked him, and he had already said that he wasn’t interested in going to the dance with her.
But he supposed that Sally Potter wasn’t used to being told no. It wasn’t just the fact that she was pretty. It was also the fact that she was very confident and forward. She probably took a lot of men by surprise with her brazenness.
To his surprise, she started pouting, looking a bit upset. He almost relented. What harm would it do if he accompanied her to a village dance, after all? It didn’t mean that they were about to announce an engagement, did it?
But then he remembered Lenny’s warning about her. Sally Potter was the type of woman who ate men for breakfast and spat them out before lunch. He didn’t want to get tangled up with her. It could make his life here very difficult, and besides, he simply wasn’t interested in her. It would be cruel to encourage her obvious interest in him.
“You know, you shouldn’t admire the lady too much,” she said in a slightly acidic voice. “We all know she is beautiful, but she is very far out of your league, Jude. Surely you must be aware of that.”
He forced himself to laugh. “I do not know what you mean, Sally. Yes, she is beautiful, but I am very well aware of my place. I was only helping her carry her basket. I told you.”
Sally gave him a level stare. There was an awkward silence for a moment. He tried to meet her gaze without flinching, colouring, or revealing anything to portray that he wasn’t quite telling the truth.
“I’m sorry,” he said eventually, in a gentler voice. “I really must get back to work, Sally.”
She tucked a stray auburn curl behind her ear. “So be it.” Her smile widened. “But don’t take too long to tell me if you do change your mind about the dance, Jude. It’s just around the corner!”
Without another word, she took off, swinging the laundry basket. Jude didn’t watch her. He didn’t linger another moment. He really was late now. Barnaby, the head coachman, was probably going to be curt with him. He wanted to make a good first impression, and this was going to mar it. He cursed himself underneath his breath.
As he headed towards the carriage, he glanced up at the grand house. Sally Potter hadn’t been wrong, though he would never admit it to her. HeadmiredLady Evelina a little too much, and it was disturbing his equilibrium.
He sighed heavily. He hadn’t expected any of that to happen. He had just been taking a walk and never intended to run into her. He hadn’t even known she was in the woods. It had been sheer chance.
Jude frowned and thought.Was it chance or was it fate? It seemed like there was some bigger force at work, luring them together against both their wills. She was beautiful and sweet, but I don’t think Lady Evelina wants to get involved with me. Why would she? I am a servant, and she has too much to lose if they formed an entanglement like her reputation and freedom.
A shiver of fear ran through him. This was serious. He could lose his position here, at the very least. But it could be much worse than that. Dukes didn’t take kindly to servants dallying with their daughters. He was playing with fire and knew it.
He must stay away from her for both their sakes. It didn’t matter that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld, or they had a lot of fun together. There was simply far too much at stake. His heart dropped. More was the pity.
***
The next day, Evelina sat in the parlour with Caroline, drinking tea. Papa was in his study, as always, although he had briefly emerged to greet her friend. It was where he spent most of his time nowadays. She had no idea how he passed the time in there. Probably he just stared out the window, lost in the past. She tried to push the thought aside, as it saddened her far too much.
She took a deep breath, trying to focus on her friend, who was gazing around the room in admiration.
“It looks beautiful in here, Evelina,” said Caroline, nodding approvingly. “Very festive with the Christmas greenery.”
Evelina smiled, following her friend’s gaze. She had supervised the placement of all the greenery she had collected yesterday. The ivy, holly and mistletoe was draped around the room, along with precious family Christmas heirlooms that Mama had collected over the years. She had retrieved the box from the attic that contained them yesterday afternoon herself and spent the entire afternoon choosing their place.
The work and attention to detail had paid off. Itdidlook beautiful and festive. She had chosen the parlour to decorate first, as this room had always been the heart of their home. It was where the family had gathered at night to read, play pianoforte, or just enjoy conversation. But it had been a long time since that had happened.
Her heart tightened. Her family was dispersed. Mama was gone forever. Richard was never here. Her father was physically here, but emotionally not here at all. And she was the one trying to piece it all back together, to cling to the remnants of that lost life.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I am pleased with the result!” Her smile faded a little. “It hasn’t had the desired effect with Papa, though. I thought it might rekindle his excitement about Christmas. But he merely smiled sadly when I showed him and walked out of the room.”
Caroline reached forward, patting her arm reassuringly. “You can only try, dearest. You are doing your very best and there is nothing else anyone can ever do.” She paused. “Tell me about the ball. Have you started the preparations yet?”
Evelina nodded. “Yes. I sat down with the steward and the housekeeper and we have made a list of everything that needs to be done. We have started ordering the supplies that will be needed.” She rolled her eyes. “The champagne alone will almost send us bankrupt! So many boxes are needed. Cook is planning the food and will give me a list of it this week so we can order what she requires.”
Caroline laughed. “It sounds like a military operation!”
Evelina laughed as well. “It is! The gardeners are collecting the greenery for the rest of the house today. But I must make sure that we have enough candles and so on.” She paused. “I have agreed to take a part in the village Christmas pantomime as well. The first rehearsal starts tomorrow at the village hall.”
“Goodness,” exclaimed Caroline, arching her eyebrows. “Youarebusy!” She laughed. “I did not know you had a penchant for acting, Evelina.”
“I do not,” said Evelina, smiling widely. “But Miss Burroughs, who had agreed to play the part, withdrew to nurse her sick brother in Brighton. They were desperate, so I agreed to step in to help them. It should be fun.” She shrugged.
