Clara’s curiosity however, seemed to have already been piqued by the situation. She paused momentarily and Evelina could see her contemplation on her face.
Please, do not question any further.
Causing much gratitude, the countess seemed to come to the decision of not pressing any further. Instead, she easily redirected the conversation with a light-hearted remark, “Oh, but the pleasure is all mine,” redirecting the conversation.
Noting her father’s watchful gaze and eager to steer the conversation away from uncomfortable territory, Evelina smoothly transitioned, “We are indeed honored by your presence, but I must say, I’m in truth surprised you’d choose to do this for us.”
“Ah, well, I’m quite the expert in organizing events, weddings included,” Clara’s smile was genuine as she responded, “and having no children of my own to plan for, why won’t I offer aidto such darling girls lacking as I am,” her belly laughter echoed once more, “in the opposite manner, of course.”
Evelina smiled warmly, “Thank you, you are too kind.”
“Too kind, you think? But you are yet to see the extent I have gone,” the woman’s laughter echoed the room again, “Evie, my dear, I brought a few of my staff to assist us,” she grinned widely, “After all, noble bride needs nothing short of a full house to help her prepare.”
Ever excitable, Clara clapped her hands in delight, prompting Evelina’s brows to raise in question.
A gasp escaped her lips as at sudden movement, she shifted her gaze to the door to find a line of male and female servants standing by, each carrying various items in their hands.
The sight left Evelina momentarily speechless, her sisters’ expressions and exclamations of astonishment, excitement, and relief reflecting the words that hung in her throat. She couldn’t help but laugh at their animated reactions before returning her gaze to the Countess.
“You are too kind, my lady. Truly you didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” she expressed her gratitude at last, her voice tinged with warmth and appreciation.
Clara, with a wave of her hand and a dismissive smile, interjected, “Nonsense, my dear. It is a pleasure to assist you in any way I can. Consider it a gift from one friend to another.”
The two exchanged a warm smile that was quickly interrupted by the Viscount.
James, eager to shower her with exaggerated praise, exclaimed, “Oh, my lady, you are truly a gem! Your kindness towards my daughters is unmatched, we have certainly never received such attention before! Aren’t you thankful, girls?”
His effusive compliments continued, passing the border of being comically excessive.
“My lord, how you flatter me so! I fear your words may inflate my ego beyond repair. Honestly, I can feel my chest swelling, enough!” Amused by James’ flattery, Clara deftly deflected his exaggerated praise with a touch of humor, “for I fear it might explode!”
Her playful response elicited a round of laughter from the younger girls, and she winked at them accordingly.
“I don’t believe I have formally asked you still.” Turning her attention to Evelina once again, with a eagerness in her eye, she inquired, “Would you permit me to join in and assist with the wedding preparations from this very moment?”
She pursed her lips, “Don’t feel pressured to say yes. Trust me, you can tell me no and I shall be on my merry way with my meddling antics.”
Evelina’s brows raised in slight surprise as she came to the realization she was hearing a genuine laughter leave her lips for the first time in a while. She felt grateful for the intervention and the lightness brought to the situation as she exchanged a knowing look with Margaret.
With a sigh of relief, she turned back to Clara, expressing, “Your presence is just what we need at the moment, my lady. Please, join us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Faster, driver! Go faster!”
At last, Gabriel’s carriage thundered through the grand gates of the Elderglen estate, the sound of hooves striking the cobblestones echoed in the air, announcing his arrival with a sense of urgency and determination.
The tension in his chest was gripping, his heart felt tight, a mix of nerves and resolve propelling him forward into Evelina’s estate on the very eve of her wedding.
It had been a few days since he’d had the conversation with Theodore, the pivotal moment that now led him to this critical juncture. He started off with expecting he’d have enough time.
However, his carefully laid plans of gradual courtship and continuous heartfelt confessions and gifts crumbled in the face of the abrupt revelation of Evelina’s close nuptials.
“Father, what time would we be leaving to be present for Miss Balfour ’s wedding tomorrow?”
At first, Gabriel had been excited that his daughter sought him out to speak to him that morning, as she’d returned to keeping to herself for a while. But his joy was short lived in face of the indescribable shock that filled him at her sudden question.
While Eliza begged for them to be in attendance, and expressed her desire to see her lady one last time, he struggled with the thought of the grimy earl likely being the one to arrange the wedding on such short notice.
