AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Indeed, it will,” smiled Caroline. “I will make certain that my family will attend to see your stage debut. What is the story this year?”
“Cinderella,” said Evelina, laughing. “And I am playing the cinder girl.”
“It will be wonderful,” said Caroline warmly. “I love how you have thrown yourself into the Christmas season, Evelina.” She hesitated. “Will it extend to attending a few society Christmas events as well? There is a full calendar coming up.”
Evelina hesitated. She didn’t want to commit to society events. She was too busy with the village celebrations and planning the Christmas Eve ball.
“Perhaps,” she said vaguely, waving a hand in the air. “I am uncertain. Iamvery busy, dearest.”
Caroline pursed her lips but didn’t say anything. This was an old issue between them, after all. Her dear friend was always trying to push her to accept society events, and she was always refusing.
There was an awkward silence. Caroline sipped her tea. Evelina got up, walking to the window, gazing out.
Her heart flipped. Jude was in the driveway, washing the carriage with a large broom and rag. Despite the chilly weather, he had taken off his jacket and was dressed in just a white shirt and trousers. She could see his muscles rippling beneath the shirt as he threw a bucket of water over the carriage before getting the rag and washing in large, circular motions.
The sight transfixed Evelina. Something was stirring in the pit of her belly. At that moment, he looked up and saw her.
Their eyes locked in a magnetic field, just like in the woods.
Hastily, Evelina stepped away. Her heart was thumping painfully and her mouth was dry. Quickly, she sat back down again, picking up her teacup, trying to steady the slight shakiness of her hand.
“Evelina?” Caroline was looking at her with concern. “Are you well?”
“Perfectly,” said Evelina, taking a deep breath. She took a long sip of the tea, trying not to meet her friend’s eye.
She wished she could confide in Caroline about her sudden, inexplicable attraction towards the handsome new coachman, but she couldn’t. Her friend wouldn’t understand. In fact, she would be appalled. Ladies weren’t meant to look at the servants in that way. It was taboo.
Her face reddened. Shemuststop thinking about him like this. But how?
Chapter 9
Evelina stepped out of the carriage, trying her hardest not to look at Jude, who was standing there opening the door for her. She felt her cheeks grow pink.
“Thank you,” she mumbled.
She surged ahead to the village hall, determined not to look back at him. She must try her best not to be drawn into conversation with him today, or any day from now on. That special time together in the woods must remain an aberration. And she was sure he probably felt the same way–after all, no good could come of indulging in this attraction for him either.
Evelina bit her lip, but it was hard. So hard. It was as if there truly was a magnetic field between them. She gritted her teeth. She had no experience with things like this, but surely it must fade soon? It couldn’t continue like this forever, could it?
She took a deep breath, pushing the disturbing thoughts aside as she entered the hall. She stopped short, taking in the scene before her.
Several people were milling around the stage and sitting in chairs, drinking cups of tea. She suddenly felt shy. She had never acted in a play before. And this was a mixture of people from all the social echelons of the village of Charingworth. However, she knew she was the highest ranked among them, as the daughter of a duke. Would she fit in?
She bit her lip. Mama had always supported the Christmas pantomime, but had never acted in one. Her benevolence had been limited to supplying props and costumes and support. Evelina didn’t know if she had done the right thing by agreeing to actually being in the play. Would she just make people feel uncomfortable with her presence?
At that moment, as she hovered uncertainly in the doorway, the vicar spotted her. He put down his cup of tea and rushed over to her, beaming widely.
“My Lady,” he cried, bowing hastily, looking overjoyed. “You came! You really are committed to being our Cinderella this year?”
Evelina smiled. She liked Reverend Basingstoke very much. He was a small, portly man with a balding pate, twinkling eyes and a friendly smile. More importantly, he was a pillar of the local community and actively engaged in everything within it. Rev. Basingstoke took his role very seriously indeed, even to the point of running the Christmas pantomime.
“I am committed,” said Evelina, taking a deep breath. “But I cannot promise that I shall give a remarkable performance, Reverend. I have never acted in a play before.” She took a deep breath. “Perhaps I should not take the leading role? You could give it to someone more experienced. I can take any supporting role you like.”
“Nonsense,” said the Reverend briskly. “You are the star of the district and so must be the star of the show! It is not hard, milady. I wouldn’t dream of casting you in a lesser role.”
Evelina smiled weakly. She had expected he would say that. It was a straightforward thing for the vicar. The most highly ranked lady must take the leading role, even if there were more experienced players within the ranks. Some of these people acted in the Christmas pantomime every year.
“Come and say hello to the others,” said the Reverend, leading her to the group.
