While the girls tried to steady themselves at this information, Evelina did her best to avoid Margaret’s knowing eyes.
“You did what? The Duke? Sister, is that all right?”
“Oh goodness, the ton must not hear of this! Can you imagine it? The things they would say?”
“I guess that does make sense above anything else.” Louisa’s eyes were wide as she spoke. “I considered it. Though it is somewhat… unprecedented, given your station.” She nodded slowly. “Still, I suppose it speaks to the Duke’s good character, for he sheltered you nevertheless.”
Penelope, however, was more concerned among the huffs and short breaths of the others. “But don’t they say that the Duke is a frightening man?”
“Well…” Evelina’s thoughts drifted to the care the Duke had shown her only hours ago, and a smile curved her lips. “I suppose that is why we cannot always believe rumors and assumptions, dear sister. His Grace is a kind man.”
She let out a soft laugh. “He stopped me from staying out in the rain—said it was too risky. He cared for me and gave me a beautiful chamber to rest in for the night—made sure my every need was met.”
Gabriel had woken up to see her off that morning as well. Evelina’s smile widened as she recalled the way he instructed the servants to ensure that she was well-fed before she set off, and the meaningful glances they exchanged before she finally stepped out the door.“Oh…” Margaret breathed.
The word was heavily loaded as it left Margaret’s lips. Evelina snapped herself back to the present, her cheeks flushed as she avoided her sister’s gaze again.
“It seems you think quite highly of His Grace, Evie.”
The tease was subtle but enough to make Evelina’s face flush a deeper shade of red.
“He does seem like a nice man,” Alexandra chimed in.
Evelina was grateful for the distraction. “Indeed, he is. I am grateful. Thanks to him, I had a good night.” She smiled, but then she hesitated. “Still, I cannot say the same for my dear sisters.” A sigh escaped her lips. “Again, I am sorry. I should’ve sent word. But I did not find it right to ask a servant to go out in such terrible weather to deliver my message. I hope you understand, my dears.”
“Of course, we do.” Louisa reached out and took her hands in her owns softly. “As dear, stressed Margaret said, we are simply grateful you are safe and sound.” She finished with a smile.
“Stressed?” Margaret scoffed. Evelina nearly choked on her laughter, watching her sister’s eyes bulge out of their sockets once more. “Honestly, you might as well let all of us know your quarrel with me this morning, won’t you?!”
The sisters burst into fits of giggles. Louisa rolled her eyes in response, that seeming to infuriate Margaret even more.
“Girls! Girls, there you all are!”
The clock struck noon, and the sisters were deep in their conversation until an unwelcome voice shattered the moment.
Their father entered the room, his voice carrying an air of excitement that contrasted sharply with their somber mood.
“Girls, I have excellent news!” he exclaimed, his surprising enthusiasm sounded ominous as he addressed them.
The sisters, caught off guard by his sudden appearance, rose from their seats.
Evelina, masking her irritation beneath a facade of years-long practiced composure, was the only one with the courage to ask, “Papa, good day. What news do you have to share?”
Her tone hid well her disappointment at his ignorance of her absence the night before. She knew better than to have any expectations from him.
Despite being aware of her father’s tendencies and his lack of attention to the affairs of the household, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of hurt at his utter disregard.
Watching his carefree demeanor, his obliviousness to the night she had endured, added to her inner turmoil. She knew her father too well, and yet she couldn’t stop the disappointment from settling in her heart.
“Oh-ho-ho, you lot should be grateful,” James boasted, his words dripping with self-importance. “Especially you two, Evelina and Margaret.” He gestured towards his eldest daughters dismissively. “I will not only increase our family’s standing with my actions, but with my help now, you might actually find husbands!” his tone dripped condescension.
His cackle was like the screech of a carriage wheel against a rock. “Oh, truly, if only I had intervened sooner, you would have found suitors ages ago…” He shook his head and wagged a finger at them. “Yet, I wanted to give you the grace to give it ago yourselves, hoping you would be wise to bear fruition. How wrong I was. You failed, miserably. The Season has begun, and you didn’t even manage to attract a fly!”
Evelina instinctively reached for Margaret’s hand, a silent gesture of support in the face of the man’s arrogance. She could sense her sister’s anger at his belittling remarks simmering beneath the surface, mirroring her own. She could hardly believe her ears.
As he continued to chastise them for their perceived failures, she maintained her outward composure. With a steady grip on Margaret’s hand, she mustered the courage to ask once more, “What is this big news you speak of, Father?”
Finally, James unveiled his grand announcement, rubbing his hands excitedly, ignorant of the discomfort and resentment his words had stirred. “I have invited some important friends over for a feast!” he declared.
