Gabriel’s determination grew, as though he was reliving the moment. “I went after him. I followed him to his carriage, demanded an audience in his language, and cleared the air.”
His gaze fell to the half-full glass before him, and he suddenly felt sick of the taste of alcohol. His friend’s voice echoed in his ears again, filled with pride.
“The negotiations tested our mettle a bit further, but in the end, because of your determination, we now have permission to transport their goods and ours.”
A chuckle escaped Gabriel’s lips as he pushed his glass across the table. “What are you alluding to? Just say it, my friend. I can sense the implication behind your words.”
His voice held a hint of anticipation, a plea for clarity amid his swirling emotions. In truth, he knew exactly what Theodore was trying to remind him of, yet he needed to hear it.
Theodore’s smile faded an his brows angled in seriousness, giving way to a rare intensity as he leaned in, his gaze unwavering as he uttered the words that lingered unspoken in the air.
“Gabriel, my friend, what I’m trying to say is that you must fight for what you want. Fight for Evelina.” He leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “If not, regret would haunt you forever.” He flicked his wrist. “Who knows? Perhaps this time, you might get a better deal and life-lasting reward than you did in the case of the prince’s adviser.”
As Theodore’s words sank in, realization dawned on Gabriel. “I understand now. Your words are… a beacon in the darkness of uncertainty.”
I will ask Evelina to marry me. I want nothing more. She’s all I want. I won’t let her go.
Gabriel looked at his friend, seeing the knowing smile on his lips, a silent affirmation of the path that lay ahead.
Theodore nodded at him. “You’re not alone in this, Gabriel. You are the first to fall in love in our little group. I am glad to support you.” He wiggled his brows playfully. “If it comes to it, I will even help you elope.”
Gabriel burst into laughter and shook his head, the thought of the task at hand sobering him up.
“There will be no need. Evelina and I shall get married, and we will spend the rest of our lives here.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“This lace is exquisite, but could it truly symbolize happiness when the match itself is ever so bleak?” Evelina winced slightly as her immediate younger sister pondered aloud.
The girls were all gathered in the cozy living room, the area filled with the delicate scent of lavender and streaks of sunlight filling ever corner from the windows.
They surrounded a table strewn with papers, fabric swatches, and sketches, each item a piece of the puzzle that was Evelina’s impending wedding.
With a permanently furrowed brow, Margaret meticulously examined the lace trim of a veil, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns.
“The lace is of little matter sister. I refuse to have the earl’s family seated next to ours. It’s a union forced upon us, not ajoyous occasion,” Louisa chimed in, declaring firmly. “Have you witnessed what his younger brothers are like? There are stories about them from the other ladies our age. An awful bunch, every single one of the lot, I cannot-”
Her eyes darted to Evelina’s momentarily and she paused, “However, it depends on the bride. I mean, they might not be that terrible, perhaps? I suppose… I hope?”
“Do not give our sister false hope, Louisa. It’s but a contracted disease to be married into the Oakwood family,” Margaret scoffed, barely even looking in Evelina’s direction. “That earl, he has always been a man made of nothing but a title and empty promises. Anyone deserves better than that.”
Evelina sighed and shook her head. Doing her best to steady her breath, forcing a light tone as she spoke, “No worries. I’ll make sure to adjust the seating arrangements accordingly. I doubt the earl would pay heed to that.”
“Certainly, he does not seem like a man to pay heed to anything else other than himself.” Margaret’s snide remark elicited a giggle from young Penelope who had been sitting quietly in the corner.
Evelina shot her sister a tired look, but was met with an eye roll as Margaret returned to her lace inspection.
“Do we invite Lady Westington? She always brings such cheer to gatherings,” Alexandra piped up, her eyes darting to catch Evelina’s reaction.
“Why not? We’d certainly be needing all the cheer we can get,” once again, before Evelina could even gather her thoughts, her younger sister drawled in another sardonic tone.
“Margaret..” Louisa eyes narrowed slightly as she nudged her sister in the shoulder in a scolding manner.
“What? Did I say anything incorrect?” Margaret huffed and shrugged her shoulders in feigned innocence.
“Evie, dearest, we must ensure the food reflects your taste as well, even if the marriage doesn’t,” she remarked with a malicious smile, gesturing towards their younger sister, “Come, Pen, let’s crosscheck that list again, we have to be sure-”
“Will you not stop, sister? Just for once?” Unable to bear it any longer, Evelina snapped in exasperation.
