She fanned herself excitedly, her eyes were wide. “However, he’s doing his best to keep it all quiet.” She leaned closer to her sister and lowered her voice. “Look how his fiancé a couple feet away from him is wearing multiple pearls for just a promenade?”
Evelina, doing her best to keep her composure, stifled a laugh behind her gloved hand. Her elder sister’s instincts kicked in quickly after, and she gently squeezed Margaret’s arm, a silent gesture to temper her exuberance.
Yet, as they continued their stroll, Margaret’s eyes continued to light up with each gentleman they passed, her excitement unbridled.
“And there’s Lord Ashford, rumored to have a secret engagement with none other than the Duke of Greenwich’sdaughter!” she added, her voice barely above a breathless murmur.
Evelina with fond exasperation and sisterly affection, playfully rolled her eyes at her sister’s penchant for drama. She had always admired her sister’s youthful enthusiasm and spirited nature, even if it sometimes led them down the path of scandalous tales and whispered gossip.
Margaret’s eyes continued to sparkle with excitement, her eagerness infectious. “And Sir Reginald…” she whispered. “I heard he’s planning to elope with a young debutante from the countryside!”
“Oh, dear sister, you truly have a frightening talent for uncovering the most hidden scandals,” Evelina remarked with a soft chuckle, doing her best not to glance in Sir Reginald’s direction.
Not nearly ready to stop, Margaret leaned in again and whispered, “Indeed. And have you heard about Lord Sinclair? There are whispers that he’s been seen in the company of a mysterious lady.”
Evelina raised an eyebrow in feigned shock, playing along with the enthusiasm for the tantalizing tales that colored the social circles they moved in.
“Oh, the scandalous Lord Sinclair,” she replied in a hushed tone of her own, laced with mock seriousness. “What ascandalitwould be if the rumors of his clandestine meetings were indeed true.”
Margaret raised a brow and Evelina shook her head and nudged her sister lightly. “That’s quite enough out of you for the afternoon.”
They walked in silence for a moment that quickly felt too long. Sensing her sister’s sudden shift in demeanor, Evelina turned to her sister to find unease stretched across her features, her gaze momentarily averted.
With a quizzical expression and concern evident in her eyes, she asked, “Is something the matter, dear sister?”
In a barely audible whisper and her disturbed expression in place, Margaret confessed, “The Earl of Mestucky won’t stop staring at me.”
Evelina’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she discreetly glanced at the short, stocky man to their left, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “My dear sister, you are indeed a catch. It’s no wonder the gentlemen can’t help but steal glances. Are you truly unaware of your allure?”
Margaret’s shook her head and made a wry expression, admitting, “I don’t mind the staring as long as it’s the handsome ones doing it.”
Evelina’s laughter bubbled forth as she chided good-naturedly, “Lady Margaret Balfour, I am certain I did not guide you to be so fixated on looks.”
Undeterred by her sister’s scolding, Margaret simply shrugged and flashed a wide, mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
Evelina shook her head in mock disapproval, yet she couldn’t help but laugh at her sister’s unabashed candor.
“It appears I’m not the only one being stared at today.”
Evelina’s brow furrowed in confusion at her sister’s sudden statement clouded with mischief, breaking another short silence. She turned to her, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity as she asked, “Whatever do you mean now?”
With a sly smile, Margaret subtly nodded towards their left.
Following her sister’s gaze, Evelina’s eyes landed on the Earl of Batony, who indeed seemed to be staring at her.
Ever aware of her spinsterhood, which often acted as a shield against unwanted attention, she shook her head in disbelief. “The Earl is certainly not staring at me.”
“Even a blind man would be able to feel such a gaze, dear sister,” Margaret stated playfully. “I bet that Lord Batony would try his luck in conversing with you today.”
“As if you met a blind man before,” Evelina snorted, maintaining her composure but unable to resist a witty retort, scoffed playfully at her sister’s words. “Remember, it’s improper for ladies to wager.”
Margaret flashed her a mischievous grin. “I believe I shall take my leave—to give you space to converse with the Earl.”
Before Evelina could respond, Margaret darted across the garden to one of her friends and beckoned her over, seamlessly diverting attention away from her sister.
As the two young ladies engaged in lively conversation, Evelina found herself standing at the center of the path, the only one without a pair.
Suddenly, a stir in the crowd caught her attention, and her heart quickened as she turned to find none other than the Earl of Batony approaching her.
