The Elusive Lady Winston (Regency Rendezvous Book 5) Read online

  “Of course, my lady.”

  The room, of course, was not as hot but those thoughts of Evan compared to a statue of Adonis, well, they would surely land her in hell.

  Her housekeeper set the tray on the table near her, then opened the window.

  “Are you certain you are well, mistress? I can summon the doctor.”

  “I will be fine. Go on and retire for the evening, Madeline. I can see to closing the window and cleaning my dishes before I retire for the night.”

  Betha left her in peace and Eliza paced the room by the window trying to take as much air in as she could without having to go outdoors in the dark.

  He would pick her up for the ball and, the unfortunate thing is, she left all her beautiful new gowns at Mary's townhouse thinking she would never wear them again, much less in the country. For a life that was supposed to be remarkably quiet and humble that impossible man followed her to the country and is complicating matters by the day.

  Eliza knew in her heart she desired him as much as he did of her, yet she could not for the life of her understand why he would concern himself with her whilst still looking for a husband for his sister. Yes, he acknowledged the affair with Lady Amelia was wrong and yes, he cared not for what trouble she tried to stir. The fact remained he had plenty to deal with already. Seeking her out would get him no further ahead, or would it?

  She closed the window and then picked up her tea and carried it to her room. What she needed was a good night’s rest and could worry about what to wear for Friday in the morning.

  * * *

  Breakfast came and went the next morning and Eliza was still undecided on her situation for the ball. Truth of the matter was, that she had no intention of attending, but it was obvious that Evan’s mind was set.

  She had already written to Annabelle inquiring as to how she fared after the horrible display and she had already written to Mary apologizing for leaving so hastily without an explanation.

  She would have her manservant take it town on the morrow, in the meanwhile, the weather appeared fine and a good walk on the hills was in order.

  “Where are you off to, mistress?”

  “Only out for a walk. I will not be long.”

  Eliza strapped on a bonnet and headed out on the pathway toward the creek. There was a lovely abandoned barn on the property that she loved sitting by and reading her favorite books. The sun was bright and the breeze minimal meaning she could just lay back and enjoy the beauty and grace of this beautiful countryside.

  She picked daisies and buttercups the entire way and found a lovely patch of green to rest at. There was nothing more beautiful than this moment. This is the reason why she loved the country so much. Eliza had much to be thankful for even despite her lack of station, however, none of that mattered any longer. She would amuse Evan with this last whim and he could return to his life and carry on as if they had never met. It would do them both well if they did not see each other again after the assembly.

  * * *

  “Evan, I hardly see why you needed me to come with you to the modiste. I trust your judgement for gowns,” Annabelle pleaded as if she were inconvenienced.

  “I would like to not only make amends for ruining your evening the other night, after that scuffle I had with Dodds and Hubert, but I would like to buy a lovely and respectable gown for Eliza,” Evan said. “There is a country assembly I want to take her to in Devonshire and thought you might offer some assistance in picking out some ideas.”

  His sister tapped him on the arm and smiled. The modiste had been watching them for a while and he hoped his sister would help offer some additional insight instead of a dressmaker attempting to pawn off a far too extravagant item not meant for country assemblies.

  “I see. So, am I to understand you are courting Lady Winston, brother?”

  “I suppose in a way without her truly knowing. I do have grand plans however, we will take this in steps to not overwhelm the poor lady.”

  The modiste approached.

  “Monsieur, mademoiselle, how can I be of assistance?”

  “I would like to have a dress made for my sister made and I am looking for a dress to give as a gift to a customer of yours. Do you remember Lady Winston by chance?”

  “Oui, monsieur.”

  “I need a gown made that is suitable for a country ball. Nothing too bold, of course, but something befitting her station.”

  “Of course, monsieur. I have some lovely gowns here if you and your sister will come and see for yourself.”

  His sister let out a squeal and turned to him. “Are you sure you and Lady Winston are nothing more than friends?”

  The question made him cross, though he suspected his feelings were more than obvious. “I could probably ask you the same of Emberly. The two of you have been friendly at every outing you both have attended together.”

  She tsked. “I will not deny that I find your friend appealing and he makes for wonderful company. However, the question at hand is about you and not I.”

  “What if I were to admit to you that I do fancy the lady, what then?”

  “Then you must court her and irritate Mama even more by making Lady Winston your countess.”

  He chuckled. Even the modiste looked up from the dresses.

  “Apologies for the delay, madam.”

  They were seated at her desk when she slid a few designs before them whilst she had her assistant pull a few assembled designs.

  The first gown was positively divine then another, which seemed more age appropriate for Annabelle, caught his eye. “Madam, do you think that would fit my sister?”

  She nodded with a smile. “I think so. Mademoiselle, would you care to try the gown on? Eloise will assist you.”

  “I would love to try it on. Oh, Evan, you are truly the best brother ever.”

  The moment his sister disappeared from the office Evan pointed at the first gown.

  “That is the one! When can it be modified and packaged? I need this gown immediately.”

  The woman raised a brow and winked. “It had already been made for her, only she did not choose it the last time she was in.”

  “Perfect! Do you have anything elegant to sleep in as well that might fit her?”

  “Oui, monsieur, I will wrap everything right away so your sister does not see.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  With a grin, he leaned back in the seat and waited for his sister to grace her presence with the new gown. A few more minutes later and the girl came dashing out of another room and twirled about.

  “Oh, Evan! This gown is gorgeous; I do hope he will love it…” She stopped and gasped.

  Now it was his turn to question his sister. What game was she playing at? Was it possible this entire time Emberly had his eye on his sister? Or was it the other way around? Did his own sister push that rogue Wickham away so that she finally had a chance at his friend? He would address this matter when they returned home. He dared not to risk damaging her reputation further by discussing this in a dressmaker’s shop, of all places.

  “The gown looks lovely, Annabelle. I will purchase that one, as well. Now run along and change as I have several engagements this afternoon I cannot be late for.”

  She ran off with haste. Evan could have sworn he saw a touch of disappointment on her face. The way she frowned and her blue eyes misty. Did she honestly think he would have embarrassed her so? If there was anything he was positive of, he inherited their father’s sensibility. Their mother, on the other hand, cared not for an ounce of humility. There was no end to her manner in disgracing and degrading her staff and children and, on occasion, their father. It was not until he took on the responsibilities of the estate did he realize how much his father had been pushed into drinking and into the arms of a mistress. While two wrongs never made anything right there was much to be learned from the past.

  Evan knew Amelia was married, but the temptation of lying with another’s wife was all a game. A foolish one he reg
retted sorely. Her antics would get her no further than in a brothel if she kept her harassment up. The woman was clearly unfit to run a household much less maintain a reputation commanding respectability.

  He waited patiently at the counter for his sister to return the gown to the modiste for wrapping.

  A small part of him was eager to see what Eliza would think of the gown when it was delivered and another part could not wait for him to undress her.

  If there was anything he was certain of, after the ball they were going to pass a threshold there was no return. He would ensure he was the only man she thought of day in and out.

  Pulling him right out of his thoughts, Annabelle rushed to his side. “Oh, brother, you have made me the happiest of girls.”

  “Hang on to that for bit, dear, I am sure you will change your mind sooner or later.”

  “Never. I wish though that you would take me along to that country assembly.”

  “Another time. I promise you shall see Eliza again. Very soon, in fact.”

  The modiste passed him the wrapped bundles and walked to the door. He looked back and winked at the modiste. If all went well he would be hiring her for more than just a silly gown; there would be many more gowns, night rails and wrappers.

  * * *

  Once he and his sister were seated in the carriage and it lurched into motion, Evan said, “Annabelle, do you wish to elaborate on who you hoped would love your gown?”

  She paled and fiddled with her skirt. “Not particularly, however, if you must know…”

  “I must.” The corner of his lip twitched creating the oddest of sensations rippling in his cheek.

  “Andrew. Evan, but I suspect you already knew.”

  He nodded and kept silent.

  “Please Evan, I do not want you so cross with me. I really do like him and even though he has not offered, I would not reject him.”

  Perhaps the answer to this whole scandal had been beneath their noses the entire time. He would have to set some time aside to discuss with Emberly a new kind of proposition that might even be appreciated by his own family. It was all in the manner of approach. His friend enjoyed a merry chase when it came to women, and his sister would no doubt keep him busy. In turn, he loved entertaining as much as his sister, so in that they were perfectly matched.

  “If, and only if, an arrangement can be agreed upon between Emberly and I regarding marriage, you will not give either one of us a difficult time of the matter.”

  She shook her head and smiled. His sister relaxed and then stared out the window.

  “I always knew Wickham chased skirts, but thought he would change once I… I had no idea he would disgrace us all.”

  “The disgrace is his alone to bear,” Evan said. “Soon enough, you will be Viscountess and will have married above Wickham’s station. It is just as well he ran of.”

  Now that Evan had a plan, he hoped his oldest friend would agree to an arrangement. Considering the man had no qualms with carrying on affairs with more than one demi rep, convincing Emberly this was the right thing to do would be a greater challenge than convincing the lovely Eliza in becoming his countess. Such delicate work and limited time. What on earth was he going to do if neither agreed to his proposals? It would be the greatest scandal of them all and he hoped it would not come down to that sorry state of affairs. He would have failed in his duties miserably.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eliza, for the life of God and country, could not settle her nerves in seeing the earl on Friday. Whatever possessed her to accept his invitation of attending the assembly with him was beyond her and comprehension. What if Amelia follow him to Devonshire? Sir William Barnaby was a respected man in these parts. To dishonor him by deliberately sabotaging his ball with some sort of nonsense was inconceivable. Perhaps it was her nerves that made her unsteady, or was it her new-found feelings for the earl that left her breathless? Her sudden need for that man was indescribable.

  “Mistress, this just arrived for you. The driver did not stay long and only said that his master wishes you well.” Her housekeeper passed her a neatly wrapped bundle.

  She unwound the ribbon and pulled the paper about to reveal a lovely bundle of fabric adorned in lace and, upon closer inspection, the gown looked like the one she declined to purchase at the modiste shop when Mary initially took her.

  Eliza pulled out the gown with her housekeeper’s assistance. She could not deny the gown was exquisite in every possible way but for a public assembly, good Lord! What on earth was the man thinking?

  “My lady, this gown is divine. You will be the talk of the assembly.”

  “They will be talking, but I hardly see any good coming of it.”

  That’s when they both noticed another bundle sitting on the small table near the door.

  She wrinkled her nose wondering what it could possibly be. There was no second part to this ensemble.

  “Bertha, spread this gown out on my bed while I see what this other package is. I have a terrible feeling about it.”

  “It might not be so terrible, my lady. The earl seems to have a penchant for surprising you. Perhaps it is a little something silkier and for when no one else is around” her housekeeper added with a girlish giggle.

  “He would not dare.”

  “Of course, he would. He is a man of means and is probably accustomed to getting what he wants. There is no shame in accepting a gift from a man you already adore and you are entitled to keep your own company as well. You are not an unmarried miss.”

  Her housekeeper left her to contemplate the package. Evan was certainly full of surprises and she was not sure how or what this next one was.

  She unwrapped the package to reveal, what had to be, the thinnest and most revealing night rail and wrapper.

  Her housekeeper gasped from the door. “I daresay, my lady, that is the most scandalous shred of muslin I have ever seen.”

  “It must be silk,” Eliza said. “This could hardly be the fashion now, can it?”

  “The style certainly appears to be French. I think your earl has other plans for you, my lady, if you do not mind my saying so.”

  It certainly appeared Evan had his own plans about their evening together, though she couldn’t imagine what was traipsing through his mind. She supposed all would be revealed on Friday, yet she suspected her nerves would finally get the best of her.

  However, the knowledge he did indeed follow her to the country and wanted her to accompany him to the assembly spoke volumes of his interest. Mary’s scandal, of course, would find a way into the town’s gossip mongers’ lips, one did not have to guess that the scandal was a well-kept secret. Absolutely no one had the foresight to see the affair had been ongoing for many years.

  She wondered what would happen if Annabelle did not find a husband. Evan could only protect her for so long. The ton could be cruel, even to those within society ranks. Annabelle was a lovely young woman, vibrant, and passionate.

  Eliza did notice there was something brewing between her and Evan’s friend, the viscount. She would use their time alone on Friday to discuss the matter with him. Perhaps the answer had been in front of him the entire time. That gave her a brilliant idea in helping bring the earl’s sister and the viscount together quite naturally.

  She sat down in a chair near the window and called out for her housekeeper.

  She appeared in the doorway. “Yes, my lady.”

  “Would you fetch me my writing box, please? I will also need James to deliver it personally as it is of great importance.”

  “Yes, madam. I will let him know so that he can prepare for his travel.”

  Eliza thought a charity picnic for the orphans at the vicarage would be smart way for Annabelle and the viscount to spend time with each other in a public way. The picnic, of course, was a way to distract society from the current talk of her former intended running off and her being ruined. One could say it would also distract the ton from what Lady Amelia was spewing about the earl, too.
At least, she hoped this picnic would help more than just the orphans.

  The children needed new clothes and provisions to help them succeed once they moved on. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins did not have a very large farm, either, so to feed that many mouths was a tremendous strain. Those children deserved a fair chance at success, even if their station primed them for roles of service.

  She would confer with Evan, of course, if he would agree to hosting the picnic and while she did not think he would object to the idea, one never really knew the answer unless they asked.

  How she desired matching Annabelle with the viscount and Evan on approving such a match.

  * * *

  Evan waited in his library, patiently. Annabelle prattled on endlessly about the horrid things she had overheard at the ball. From Lady Amelia setting her cap at being the new Countess of Chisholm to Haversham’s announcement. Then the countless speculations of what lie in between he and Lady Winston; was she his lover or was he courting her?

  Not that any of the speculation mattered, for it was no one’s concern. Yet, something miraculous had happened in all that had since transpired. Society seemed to have moved beyond the scandal of his sister’s ruination. Though, with Amelia’s assistance, if she did not have her way she was bound to stir the scandal up again one way or another.

  “Annabelle, if you are done, can you go and see what cook has planned for dinner?” he asked. “I have a guest arriving any time now and he will be staying on for dinner.”

  “Of course, brother. Who have you invited to dine with us?”

  “Emberly.”

  She smiled and turned away quickly. He thought he even saw her skip as she left the room. His sister; how he hoped she would be happy with the arrangement he was going to make. He would even add to her dowry that their father had already set aside. A small property on their land and he would add an additional ten thousand to the twenty thousand his father had drawn up.

  Evan hardly thought Emberly would turn Annabelle down, but he hoped the man would take care of his sister and remain loyal to her. He feared his own sister would not be able to handle some of his most favorable past times, historically speaking.