Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

" M rs. Higgins, what brings you out at this hour?"

Evelina quickened her steps forward from where she stood at the carriage, and inquired, her voice tinged with concern as she observed the weariness etched on the housekeeper's face.

"Miss Baflour, welcome home. I hope today's lesson went well." Mrs. Higgins offered a smile, despite her burdened gaze. And when the older lady realized Evelina's shock, she winked at her. Nothing could escape Mrs. Higgins after all.

"It did, thank you for asking. Now, is everything all right? You look a tad…" Evelina trailed off.

"And when do I not look this way, Miss?" Mrs. Higgins' chuckles were light, yet they spoke to her exhaustion.

Evelina offered a sympathetic smile and sighed.

"Well, I am out because His Lordship has ordered me to buy more supplies for the house. Better yet, supplies for himself."

Evelina's brow furrowed in consternation, a mix of sympathy and frustration clouding her features. Her father's selfishness never ceased to amaze her.

"But the sun is set, is that safe? Does he not know the time?" She felt anger and annoyance bubbling slowly in her system.

"He has been in his study most of the day, as usual, and the windows are shut, despite my pleas and suggestions. So, perhaps he does not?"

Evelina shook her head at Mrs. Higgins' attempt to come to her father's defense. "I believe you mentioned it nevertheless, did you not?" she scoffed.

Mrs. Higgins hesitated, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes. "Miss, His Lordship is in a sour mood today—please tread carefully."

Evelina huffed and looked in the direction of the house. The Viscount's frequent presence in the house of late was a result of his being banned from multiple clubs due to his ever-expanding debts.

The man was home more often than not. And, to top it all off, with his forced sobriety, he was crankier than ever. Everyone knew well to stay out of his path.

The housekeeper's voice, heavy and desperate with concern, pulled Evelina from her thoughts. "Please, Miss. He is in one of his worst moods, especially now. He might purposely go out of his way to engage with you. Considering…" she trailed off.

As quiet fell between them, Evelina's gaze lingered on Mrs. Higgins, her brows raised in inquiry for further insight.

"Considering what?" she prompted. She took note of how the woman was unable to hold eye contact for more than a few seconds.

For a moment, Mrs. Higgins seemed about to divulge more, but then she decided against it.

"It's only the current situation. It would serve the household better if you do not argue with your father this time." She heaved a resigned sigh. "I shall take my leave now, Miss, before it's too late."

"Indeed, you should hurry. Please be careful and get back safely. Thank you, Mrs. Higgins, for your honesty and warning," Evelina said, her voice laced with a mix of gratitude and apprehension.As the woman turned to leave with a smile, Evelina's gaze followed her, "And I shall heed your advice and approach the Viscount cautiously," she assured, doing her best to keep from her tone betraying the unease she felt at the prospect of facing her father's somber mood.

With a final nod of acknowledgment to the woman's departing figure, she made a turn to head inside at last.

Her mind was full of questions, and she had a feeling something had happened, considering the housekeeper's behavior. Still, she reassured herself if necessary, she would find out eventually, or question on Mrs. Higgins' return. She made for the drawing room, where she caught sight of her sister sitting quietly on a chair.

"Ah, Louisa. Buried in your books as always, I see. I'm surprised to find you here and not in the gardens, however. Do not tell me there's been another hornet disturbance?" she playfully remarked.

The ride from Dunmore House had been dreary for the most part. But she had decided to keep her composure till she stepped into Elderglen Manor and went up to her chambers. There was no need to worry her sisters.

However, the smile on her face faltered, and her brow rose slightly as Louisa slowly got up from her seat to greet her. "Sister, I am glad you're back. I hope you had a pleasant day."

Her response was subdued, lacking her usual vivacity.

She raised her head to meet Evelina's eyes, a shadow of concern clouding her features. "I have been waiting for you, actually."

At this point, Evelina's smile vanished. "Sister, what troubles you? Why this solemn air?"

"I…" Louisa hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the staircase before returning to her. "I… I don't quite know how to say this."

Evelina's brow furrowed, a knot of apprehension forming in her stomach. "But you must tell me. That is why you waited, is it not? Is it Father? What has he done this time?" Her eyes darted towards the stairs as well. "Did he not say he would be staying off the drink for a couple of days to deal with my and Margaret's engagements?"

She bit her lip, struggling to keep her mind from imagining the worst. She wondered if one of her sisters had mistakenly made themselves noticeable in her absence, bringing the Viscount's wrath down on themself.

"It is not wholly about him." Louisa's eyes were downcast as she shook her head slightly. "It is… Margaret, Sister."

Evelina raised an eyebrow in question.

"She needs you, Evelina," Louisa continued. "She's in her room. You're the only one who could get through to her."

Without another word, Evelina nodded and turned towards the staircase, her steps quickening as she ascended, her feet subconsciously making their way in the right direction, the weight of the unknown pressing upon her mind.

A sense of urgency gripped her as her hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway, her concern mounting with each passing second.

Reaching Margaret's door at last, her breath caught in her throat, her hand freezing from automatically pushing the door open as she would.

The sound of stifled sobs seeping through the wood caught her off guard, causing her pulse to quicken. Tentatively, she raised her hand and rapped gently on the door, the abrupt cessation of the cries leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

"Who is it?" Her sister's voice, wavering with vulnerability, called out from within, her attempt to compose herself evident in the clearing of her throat.

"Sister, it is I," Evelina's voice, filled with worry, responded softly, a sense of urgency coloring her words.

The faint sounds of movement inside preceded the creaking of the door as it opened slowly, revealing Margaret's tear-streaked face, a mirror of raw emotion and distress.

"Oh, Margaret…" Evelina's voice faltered as she took in the sight of her sister's anguish, her heart sinking.

At the sound of her sister's gentle words, Margaret's composure shattered once more. Her tears flowed freely as she threw herself into Evelina's waiting arms.

Without hesitation, Evelina enveloped her in a tender embrace, guiding her into the room and closing the door behind them.

She led Margaret to her bed, the softness of the sheets offering a semblance of comfort amidst the tumult of emotions. As her sister wept, her tears soaking her shoulder, a myriad of concerns begun another rage of swirling in her mind.

Despite the torrent of thoughts racing through her, she remained a steady presence, patiently waiting for Margaret to find a stop after fully letting out the storm of her emotions.

Evelina tenderly patted her head gently as she whispered soothingly, "It's all right, dear sister. Everything will be all right. Whatever has happened, it will all work out."

The rhythmic gesture of reassurance accompanied by her calming words sought to provide a lifeline of comfort in such distress, and not just for Margaret however.

Gradually, Margaret's sobs died down, turning into sniffles. When she finally lifted her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, Evelina delicately brushed away the remnants of her sorrow, smiling softly at her.

Leaning in, Evelina asked, "Tell me, Sister, what troubles your heart so?"

Margaret sniffled repeatedly, her gaze heavy with defeat and reluctance, betrayed a heavy weight as she hesitated, sniffling repeatedly.

Evelina's unwavering gaze remained on her, her voice softening even further with a blend of reassurance and insistence. "You know you can confide in me, Sister. I'm here for you, always."

Margaret's eyes welled with tears again, and for the shortest moment, her lips parted. But she faltered once more, shaking her head and squeezing her eyes shut to keep the tears at bay.

Evelina's heart clenched with further worry, the ominous silence between them serving only as a canvas for her fears to paint the darkest of scenarios.

Her voice trembled with urgency as she implored, "Margaret, please, we can face this together. Whatever it is, we will find a way."

Margaret's eyes, clouded with uncertainty, met her gaze as she shook her head once more, yet murmuring softly at last, "I don't think so." A moment of silence hung in the air, broken only by her hesitant sniffles before she nodded in resignation. "In truth, this seems to be the only path."

"Sister, we have been through a lot. There is nothing we cannot overcome." Evelina paused, dreading her next words. "Did you argue with Father? What did he ask you to do this time?" Her heart raced with dread when her sister didn't respond. "What is it, Margaret? Tell me, please."

Margaret's lips remained sealed as the seconds ticked by. Then, she shifted her eyes to the window. "It truly does not matter whether I say it now or not," she whispered. She let out an empty chuckle that sent a shiver down Evelina's spine. "You will know soon enough."

Evelina had only witnessed her younger sister this way once—closed up, almost embarrassed to share, her eyes empty and her tone defeated. Their father had come home, drunk as a wheelbarrow, and while Evelina had been tending to young Penelope, he had mistaken Margaret for a barman. He had struck her a couple of times, and the next day he had blamed her for it.

Evelina's eyes were blazing with anger. She studied her sister as her mind imagined the worst. "Did Father?—"

"No, sister. He hasn't done anything. It's exactly just that." Margaret's gaze returned to her, seeming to realize her train of thought going haywire. "Now I think of it, I guess you may just hear it from me directly."

Silence filled the room once more. Then, she let out a sigh before she confessed, "The Earl of Oakwood has proposed to me. He is in urgent need of a wife, and I am his next option."

Evelina's heart sank at the mention of the Earl's name. Yet, as her sister's statement registered fully, she felt the color drain from her face.

"The Earl of Oakwood?" she gasped, her mind struggling to grasp her sister's situation. Her jaw dropped in disbelief. "When did this happen? How?"

Margaret, her expression tinged with sorrow, offered a small smile. "It occurred this morning while you were at work, of course."

"B-But, I do not—How?" Evelina rose to her feet as the weight of the revelation pressed down on her. "But Lord Oakwood showed interest in me, not you. I do not understand. He wasn't your burden to bear. How could Father agree to this?"

She paced the room, her mind racing. "Is this because of the incident with the Duke at the dinner? But that was not your fault!" She furrowed her brow. "It does not make sense. And if things with the Duke had ended, why foist the Earl on you instead of me, as planned?"

The pieces of the puzzle refused to align, leaving her grappling with the facts. "Do not tell me he did this to punish me. He is certainly not blind—he knows what sort of a man the Earl is. He only likes him for his money." She shook her head, incredulous. "The Earl is enough punishment. So why would he?—"

"No, you misunderstand," Margaret shook her head as well. Her voice quivered as she recounted the unsettling turn of events, "It wasn't Father's plan. The Earl arrived, claming of dire need to see me."

She drew in a deep breath, seeming to struggle in reliving the moment, After I was called in, right in Father's office, he declared his intention to marry me, stating the reason being you not showing much interest."

Evelina's horror deepened as she absorbed the cruel reality unfolding before her and realization dawned on her.

It's my fault? It's all my fault… What have I done?

Tears welled up in Margaret's eyes as she continued. "Father didn't object. He seemed pleased, in fact. I w-was—there was nothing I could do. I was powerless, Sister." Her voice dropped to a sorrowful whisper. "Father shook the Earl's hand, sealing my fate. Then the man left, without saying a single word to me."

The silence that followed echoed the complexity of her situation.

Evelina knew she should speak, yet did not know what to say. It was as if her system shut off.

You've just damned your sister, Evelina. How could you?

"But it is all right." Margaret's attempt to cloak her anguish in a humorous, light tone was evident as her voice cracked. "Perhaps this is my penance for entertaining gossip and romantic notions so often,"

Through tears and laughter intermingled, she confessed, "As you know, I have always yearned for true love, a genuine connection."

She choked on her forced laughter. "It was a naive wish, was it not? I'm old enough to know how rare it is to find love in our society." She shook her head. "Yet, I let myself dream. I let myself be delusional."

Her lips wobbled as she fought back her tears. "The Earl was not romantic at all, Evelina. He did not even bother to look at me. It was as though I did not exist. It was the farthest thing from romance, from any sort of love at all. I?—"

She broke off, bursting into sobs.

Evelina's heart ached at the sight of her sister's sorrow, her own eyes tearing up. She held her close as she whispered to her, "You were not being delusional, Sister. You deserve that—you deserve true love. My dear, I am so sorry." Her voice broke. "I am so, so sorry."

At that moment, her determination flickered to life, a spark of defiance ignited within her. She sniffled loudly, taking a deep breath as she regained her composure.

"I will fix this, Margaret. You will not have to marry the Earl. Not at all," she whispered in her sister's ears, hugging her sister tighter.

Margaret lifted her tear-streaked face once more. "It's too late, Evelina. Father has already accepted his proposal."

Evelina's resolve only strengthened upon hearing that. "There is always a way, dear sister. Do not lose hope." With a gentle touch, she wiped away Margaret's tears, her eyes reflecting her unwavering determination. "I will speak to Father. I will make things right."

Margaret's sobs gradually ebbed, her words of reassurance filled the room

"Stop crying, dear sister. Trust me, everything will be all right. I give you my word—I will fix everything."

After hugging her sister once more, Evelina exited the room, her steps purposeful and quick as she made her way towards her father's study, as per Margaret's guidance.

Her heart raced the moment she stopped before the door, the weight of her decision heavy on her shoulders. With a deep breath, she knocked on the door, the sound echoing through the silent hallway like a foreboding drumbeat.

"Who is it? Did I not say I do not want to see anyone until dinner?"

Not even the annoyance in her father's voice could dissuade her at this point.

"Father, it is I, Evelina," she spoke confidently.

A brief silence ensued, but then she heard him call out, "Come in."

She pushed open the door, her steps resolute as she crossed the threshold into the room.

"Good evening, Father," she began, her voice rang out, resolute and clear. "I have come to tell you that will marry Lord Oakwood in Margaret's stead."

The words hung in the air, seeming to increase the already existing tension in the study. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by Evelina's own ragged breaths from her hurry to meet him.

The Viscount's expression went through multiple changes, before disapproval overtook his face as he regarded her, before he raised an eyebrow and clucked his tongue. "I must say, I did not expect such selfishness from you, Evelina. Stealing your sister's betrothed…"

"The Earl desired me , Father. I won't let Margaret be a mere replacement, unappreciated and undervalued," Evelina asserted, her voice sharp, yet measured in the right enough tone to not give him a call to find issue as she countered back immediately. "She's better than me. She is younger—she deserves more than I do. I will marry the Earl, as was initially intended. There is no reason to involve Margaret."

James's laughter filled the room, a bitter sound that cut through the tense atmosphere like a blade. "After being so rude to him, what makes you think he still desires you, you mindless, naive girl? His words dripped with disdain, his disappointment evident in his tone as he spat, "You should have been on your knees, begging for his favor from the start. Yet, you acted out, as you always do, believing you were above it all."

His lip curled. "Well, here is a reminder, little girl. The world does not revolve around you, and you are not special, do you hear me?"

Evelina stood silent, her heart heavy with sorrow and resignation. The weight of her father's words bore down on her, a crushing realization of the terrible dynamics of their relationship.

She understood that his resentment resulted from her assuming his responsibilities in the household. Coupled with his withdrawals, his outbursts were explainable. Despite this, his words were too cutting.

Do not cry, do not let yourself shed a tear. You knew this would happen. You expected this…

As her father's reproach lingered in the air, her thoughts turned to the true depth of the sacrifice she was making. She could not help but think of him once more.

Gabriel, the man who had stolen her heart, was an unattainable dream, a love she was not even supposed to long for.

The idea of love at all, a glimmer of hope she'd felt despite what had happened earlier that day, now felt like a cruel illusion, a notion forever out of reach.

But she pushed through the pain, determined to convince her father.

"Perhaps Margaret would be able to find a better suitor than the Earl. Someone wealthier, like the Duke of Dunmore." The words felt like acid on her tongue.

Why would you suggest him? Why?

She forced a smile. "Just like you wanted from the start. Perhaps all hope is not lost in that aspect?—"

"Be quiet, girl."

At the harsh admonishment, Evelina hung her head, emptiness filling her.

Her father scoffed. "I'll send a note to the Earl to inquire if he still wishes for your hand." His words were the final blow to her already wounded spirit. "After all, he might be happier with the arrangement."

This was what you wanted… Do not cry. Don't let those tears drop. Do not…

"But you must apologize as well, in person. Find an excuse, let him know you did not mean to turn down his advances."

The room fell silent once more as James watched her, seeming to await a turn he could use against her once more.

However, Evelina was too broken for such. She nodded meekly. "Thank you, Father. I will do as you say."