Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

Days went by without incident, and the party at Fernsby Hall continued to enjoy themselves seemingly unaware of the two changes that had occurred amongst them. Evangeline, recovered from her scare which she now thought had been a silly overreaction, had taken a step back in her hostessing duties, Georgie feeling better for longer stretches of time each day. The other change was Basil's quieted behavior.

Perhaps it was only noticeable to Evangeline, whose mind kept Basil continually in the forefront. But gone were his random shouts of laughter, the harebrained wagers, and the wild, jovial light in his eyes when seeking entertainment. Still as pleasant as ever, but in a more subdued manner. Evangeline wondered if something else had happened besides the boating incident that made him so. Had he received bad news in the post? Was he coming down with something?

An inquiry about Miss Thomas and Mr. Barry only gave the good news that the wedding would take place as soon as the banns were read. When Evangeline expressed admiration for his actions, he only waved her off, saying there were scores of other men more decent than he who would have done the same thing. Evangeline was not so sure but said no more on the matter.

"Something is amiss," she said to him during a walk in the garden, twirling her parasol with nervous fingers (a plain white one, her lime green one being at the bottom of the lake). "You cannot hide from me, Puck. I know you too well. Out with it. Have you received ill news?"

Basil shook his head and offered a smile, though with effort. "Nothing at all, my lady Titania."

She arched a brow. "I do not believe you. Is it—is there something I have done?"

He reared his head back. "You? You can't think?—"

He looked about the garden then took her arm and guided her off the path and into a little corner hidden by tall, flowering shrubs and hedges.

"Basil," she protested. "What are you about?—"

Basil stopped her words with a kiss, encasing her face between his hands. He pressed another against her mouth before pulling back, his eyes asking permission to go on.

A pull, warm and ardent lit within her, the longing of being in his arms again overwhelming. She slid her hand up and grasped his shoulder, pulling him back to her.

Basil needed no further invitation. He dipped his head and met her eager lips with his own, kissing her with a hunger that had never played a part in their wagers, not even in the study. She returned his kisses in kind, a need igniting in her that she had never felt before. He released her face only to wrap his arms around her, pressing her tight against him. This was a mistake, for her parasol poked him right in the eye. He threw out a curse .

"Oh, I am sorry," she said.

"Give me that thing."

Grabbing the offending accessory, he tossed it aside, ignoring her admonition to have a care, before proceeding with his former pursuit. She did not understand the sudden urgency in him, but her own desire kept pace. His lips moved down, trailing kisses along her jawline. Then, with a thrust of his nose he pushed her head up, exposing her neck. Her breath came in ragged gasps as he kept on, her skin catching fire with each touch of his lips.

Only when a little moan escaped her did Basil rein himself in. Coming back to her lips, the kisses came slower, softer, until at last they stood, forehead to forehead as they caught their breath.

He would ask her to marry him again. How could he not, after this? His next words would proclaim his love, his real love for her. And what would she say? Her senses were in disarray. She could not think. She only knew if she had the power, she would make this moment last for a very, very long time.

"So sweet," Basil murmured. He placed a quick, achingly soft kiss on her lips again. "I knew I would enjoy this, but I'd no notion it would be so sweet."

His words filled an emptiness in her heart she had not known was there. She curled her fingers through his hair and pulled his lips back down to hers. There was no urgency in their kisses now, each content to bask in the tenderness of the touch.

"You did nothing," Basil said at last.

"Hmm?"

"To answer your question, you've done nothing wrong."

"But there is something worrying you."

He reached and hand up and stroked her cheek with his thumb. She closed her eyes and pressed his hand closer with her own.

"Do not fret over me," he said. "I am not worth the trouble, don't you know? We have been here too long. You go now. I will follow in a few minutes."

He bent down to retrieve her parasol. Would he kneel? Of course he would kneel…

He straightened and handed the parasol to her.

Confusion and disappointment welled up in her. She stared at him a moment before he again urged her toward the house. "They will be missing you before they miss me," he said. Then he turned and walked deeper into the garden.

Evangeline could not think of anything to do but obey his instructions and walked back to the house. Several deep breaths and the absence of Basil's intoxicating presence cleared her head enough to know that she did not know which she wanted more: for Basil to ask again, or for him to keep a greater distance. For if he asked her again, even in jest, she did not know but what she might say yes. That she might, might , actually be in love with him. True, earnest, love.

Entering the house, she made her way to the stairs to go up and change. Sir Michael and Mr. Stratham were coming down just as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "Good day to you, Lady Ramsbury," Sir Michael said. "Delightful day for walking, is it not?"

Evangeline caught the mischievous tone immediately. Was he laughing at her? "Indeed," she replied.

"Ah, but your parasol," Mr. Stratham said, pointing to it. "It has been soiled. But no wonder, eh? Walking in the garden, one never knows when a parasol might get horribly in the way."

The two men continued down the stairs, their chuckling ill-concealed. Evangeline watched them as a painful blush crept up her neck and into her face. She moved up the stairs. The only thing she could do with dignity was not respond, not look back, and continue on her way in silence, as if she had not heard them, but mortification clung to her like a wet cloth.

They had been seen. Basil had been right, all those years ago.

No one is that discreet.

On the second-to-last day of the house party, Evangeline walked down the gallery at the front of the house trying to sort out her feelings for the thousandth time. In the past two days since the episode in the garden, there had been no opportunity for any private conversation with Basil. He was hardly at the estate at all, usually out with Fernsby on what Georgie said, with a shrug, was a matter of business. Evangeline could not decide if this was indeed the case or if Basil was purposefully avoiding her.

The great windows of the gallery, lined with rich draperies, gave a full view of the park and entrance to Fernsby Hall lands. She saw a black dot along the lane leading up to the house.

Not a lone rider who so surprised her like last time. A chaise and pair on its way to the house. She stopped and contented herself with watching its progress, wondering who it might be. She knew of no one they were expecting, and it was too late in the day for morning callers from the neighborhood.

When the chaise was nearly to the house, a head popped out of the carriage window before disappearing back into it. The quick glimpse was enough for Evangeline to give a start. An instant later she gathered her skirts in one hand and took off down hall and down the stairs at a run.

Throwing the front doors open herself, she reached the bottom steps to the drive just as the chaise pulled up. A hasty pardon behind her made her give way to a footman, who stepped up and opened the chaise door. An instant later, the face of an old woman, so dear to Evangeline, appeared.

"Haney," Evangeline cried. "What has happened? Why have you brought—oh, my darling sweetheart!"

Before Haney could step out of the carriage, little Adele jumped down with arms outstretched toward her mother, her bright blond curls flying everywhere. "Mama! Mama!" she cried with trembling lips.

Evangeline caught her up in in her arms. It was no large step for her to join Adele in her emotion. In short order, tears of her own soon stung her eyes. Oh, how much she had missed her little girl!

"Adele, ma chérie , what are you doing here? Are you hurt? Are you ill?"

Evangeline looked her daughter all over. Besides a red, tear-streaked face and overly large eyes, she looked to be in one piece.

Adele closed the distance between them and hugged her tight again. "I missed you so much," she said on a fresh sob.

"If you please, m'lady," Haney said behind them. "I've a letter from Mrs. Bretton explaining, but one of her little ones came down with scarlet fever, so being so close to the end of our visit, she sent all our charges back to Amsbrook early with Miss Pitt. All expect Miss Adele. I beg your pardon for bringing her to you without word beforehand, but she worked herself up into such a state pinin' for you that we decided there was naught to be done but to bring her straight to you, for Miss Adele would not go back to Amsbrook knowing you wasn't there."

Evangeline pressed her cheek against the top of Adele's head. She was not surprised. Through her letters, her sister had informed her that, while they had done everything they could for Adele's entertainment, the little girl had been homesick nearly every day. Evangeline had experienced plenty of qualms over the thought of not only leaving her younger children at Amsbrook while she helped Georgie, but to send them all to her sister's house when they had not ever been separated from her for more than a few days at a time. She examined her daughter again for any sign of illness but could not tell what might be fever or simply tears.

"Are the boys well?" she asked Haney. "Did they get homesick?"

"Oh, no. They never complained about wanting to leave. But they had several boys to play with over there. Little Miss Adele here hadn't no one her age."

Evangeline nodded. So far, her younger sister had only produced a gaggle of boys. Adele would have had a hard time finding someone to play with.

"Now I just wish to go home," Adele sniffled.

It was tempting. Now that she knew her three younger boys were back at Amsbrook, part of Evangeline wished to fly back home at once. But the party at Fernsby Hall would break up in only two days, and she trusted the governess Miss Pitt to keep her sons in hand.

Evangeline held Adele at arm's length. "My dear, I am ever so happy to see you, and am sorry that you've had such a time while I have been away, but you see, we cannot go home just yet, for—" she leaned in close, the conspiratorial light in her eye instantly catching Adele' s attention— "I am on a mission here. A mission to make everyone comfortable and happy. I am a hostess. Do you remember what that is?"

Adele nodded. "Ettie says that's when you are in charge of everything."

Evangeline laughed. "Very nearly. But my mission here is not complete. And do you know something? You have cousins here as well, and they are just about your age."

"Boys?" Adele asked with a pouting lip.

"One boy, and one girl, Margaret. Should you like to meet them, or have tea with me first?"

"Tea!" Adele said, clapping her hands. "Please."

Evangeline hugged her once more before rising. "Then tea you shall have. And you may dry your eyes before you meet your cousins."

"And Haney may have tea with us, mayn't she?"

Haney shook her head to decline the offer, but Evangeline said, "Of course, for she must be thanked for bringing you to me. I must also hear news of your brothers, and shall I read you the latest letter Charlotte and Ettie sent me."

They entered the house. The hall had been vacant of any other people, but now Evangeline heard boots clicking against the marble floor.

"I say, what's all this commotion?"

Basil entered from the billiard room, stick in hand, an airy curiosity about him.

She moved a step to the side to reveal Adele. "I have had the most delightful parcel delivered to me. My daughter."

Basil's eyes lighted on Adele. The carefree interest in his face disappeared and he stopped in his tracks. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out. He simply stared at Adele, who stared back at him with round, brown eyes.

"That," he said blankly, "is your daughter? "

A sliver of disappointment slid over Evangeline's heart. She reminded herself that not everyone was partial to children. She should not expect Basil to share her happiness at seeing Adele. Over the years he had never shown an interest in her children, or any children for that matter. Her eldest, Henry, he had met once or twice, but the others…perhaps a chance meeting in the park, if at all?

Basil and Adele continued their undeclared staring competition, Adele sliding her hand into Evangeline's for reassurance. Evangeline inwardly shook her thoughts away. There was nothing to do but move on. "Yes, my youngest, Lady Adele. Adele, this is Mr. Morley."

Neither Basil nor Adele moved. He looked as if he were in a trance.

"Make you curtsy, Adele," Evangeline encouraged.

Adele broke out of the spell she was under and dipped halfway into a curtsy, only to pop up again, release Evangeline's hand, and do it without help. "How do you do?" she asked in a small voice, glancing back up at Basil, waiting for his approval.

Her motions caused Basil to shake his head, recovering himself. Clearing his throat, he stepped up to mother and daughter and bowed deeply in front of Adele. "How do you do, little miss?" he replied in a voice that did not sound like his own.

He put his hand out and with a little encouragement from Evangeline, Adele placed her own mittened hand into his. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance," he said, raising her hand and bowing over it.

His action set Adele blushing adorably, hiding her face in Evangeline's skirts. Leave it to Basil to charm his way into even the littlest woman's heart. If his eyes had held their usual mischievous twinkle, Adele might have been lost forever, but a wary air hung around him that Evangeline had never seen before.

She put an arm around Adele. "Forgive her for her bashfulness. Adele, Mr. Morley is a friend of mine. He is staying here as well." She looked at Basil, feeling the need to explain. "She became homesick, you see. And my sons have been sent back to Amsbrook on account of illness at my sister's."

Basil, finally looking at her and not her daughter, nodded in understanding. "Does this mean you will leave immediately?"

"No. The house is breaking up in only two days. I shall stay, of course. Only now I have a little fairy to play with, isn't that right, ma petite ?"

Adele, her face half hidden between the folds of Evangeline's gown, beamed up at her and nodded.

Evangeline looked to the footman, who was bringing the baggage from the chaise inside. "Take Hanes and Lady Adele up to the ladies' saloon and send for some tea. They are tired after their journey. Then have Lady Adele's luggage taken to the nursery and see Hanes suitably settled as well."

"Very good, my lady."

Evangeline looked back to Basil and had the opportunity to study him. He was staring at Adele again, pensive. Looking at her from head to foot, but finally coming to rest on the bright blonde curls peeping out of her little bonnet.

"Come, chérie ," she said to Adele, taking her little hand in hers. "Please excuse us, Mr. Morley."

Basil looked from Adele up to her, blinking away a sort of daze. "Of course. It was lovely to meet you, Lady Adele."

He bowed to Adele again, who this time did not have to be prompted to curtsy back, though she could not meet his eye. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Morley."

One side of Basil's mouth lifted, but whether it was a smile or a grimace, Evangeline was not sure. Was he so put out having to speak to a child? With all his antics and pursuits of anything amusing or adventurous, Evangeline had known instinctually over the years that he could be a favorite with children. Only, he had never been one to engage with them, would keep his distance, even. She had never seen him willingly enter into conversation or play with any child.

But Basil was giving her a parting nod. "E," he said in farewell before turning sharply and going back to the billiard room.

Evangeline stared after him, a new shock pulsing through her. She must have been mistaken. He was incapable of it. He was too flippant, too frivolous a man to be affected by such an emotion.

She had to have been mistaken.

Basil, with tears in his eyes?

Impossible.