Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Evangeline reached the front doors and threw them open herself, stepping out onto the shallow steps that stood above the drive.

Basil had just dismounted and was straightening his coat when he looked up. "Why, Lady Ramses, what do you do here? Did you follow me all this way into the country? Couldn't stand to be away from me for so long, I'll warrant. I completely understand, but it is a lovely surprise all the same."

She opened her mouth in incredulity at his greeting. "Did I—? I most certainly did not follow you here, you absurd man. If anything, I could accuse you of following me . And stop calling me by that ridiculous name."

"If you will stop behaving like a queen, I shall stop giving you the royal names you deserve," he replied with maddening gallantry.

‘Lady Ramses' was only the last of a string of preposterous names he had coined for her over the years. He had even slipped into calling her ‘E', which only her most intimate friends and family had leave to use. She could not quite remember when he had started using that nickname, or why she had not snubbed him for such a liberty. She flatly refused to admit she liked it.

She rarely called him Basil and scolded him with his name only when she was at her wit's end over his antics. She had given him back as good as she had gotten, coming up with such titles as Jester and Dogberry, but now was not the time to argue over names.

"Morley, you get right back on that horse, turn around, and do not show yourself for another two days."

Basil's face shifted in surprise. "Well, if you hate it that much, I shall resort back to plain old ‘Lady Ram.' Not half as regal, but?—"

"Basil!" she hissed, calling him to order. "Forget what you call me. We are not prepared for guests until the day after tomorrow. You cannot weasel your way into an invitation and then show up whenever you like."

"Weasel?" he said, his eyes lighting up in a blaze. "And how did I weasel my way here, I should like to know?"

"I have no idea."

"You must have, for how else could you call it weaseling if you do not know?"

Evangeline waved a hand, brushing his words aside. "Oh, never mind. I do not know how you got an invitation or why you are here, but you cannot be. We are not yet ready for guests."

"I wonder, would you turn away any other guest who came early?" he asked, the flame in his eye replaced with curiosity. "Or is this the special treatment you hold in reserve only for your betrothed?"

Evangeline was put out enough to hold back a laugh, but only just. Basil's own chuckle told her that her effort to school her features, to assure him that he was not funny, had failed. "We are not engaged. And mind what you say." She gave a pointed look to the groom who had appeared to hold Basil's horse. There was at least one footman behind her as well, she was sure. Perhaps the butler as well by this time.

Not that it wasn't common knowledge, their little game of wit and banter surrounding the preposterous idea Basil still harbored of their marrying. Evangeline enjoyed the relationship immensely. It did not mean she wished to give servants more to talk about.

There was not another of her friends who could keep up with her wit or who dared to as Basil did. It seemed that he did not regard his place in the world as a younger son with any seriousness and treated everyone as he would an annoying brother or sister. Evangeline liked that about him, but one would have thought seeing her reject every offer of marriage that had come her way in the past three years would have deterred him from pushing his own suit.

Obviously not.

Basil looked around, catching sight of the servants present and gave Evangeline an apologetic grimace. "Beg pardon. They may as well know about it now. Bound to become Mrs. Morley someday, my dear."

Evangeline cocked her head. "Have you convinced the sun to melt away any rocks yet?"

He shook his head dismally. "Alas, no. He is the devil to bargain with, the sun. Hides behind the clouds right in the middle of our negotiations."

He made to advance up the steps, his arms outstretched to take hers in greeting. She raised hers up, palms out formidably. "I am in earnest, Basil. Away with you, this instance."

"Morley! I thought that was you."

Evangeline started at the booming voice behind her and whirled around. Lord Fernsby, a thickset man approaching forty, stepped out the door and down to the drive, brushing past Evangeline. He clasped Basil's hand in a firm shake. "Good to see you, old man."

"Same to you, Fernsby."

"I see Lady Ramsbury has stolen the march on me in welcoming you. I would have come down straightaway if I had known you were here."

Basil tilted his head. "To be fair, I believe I am rather early."

"Indeed, you are," Evangeline murmured in reproof.

Lord Fernsby waved a hand. "But that is no matter. Come in, man, come in. We can surely accommodate an early guest, can we not, Lady Ramsbury?" He said this stepping up to the house but turned around again. "Where is your luggage? Did you bring your own man?"

Basil had the decency to look a little sheepish. "I came ahead of my luggage. The Red Lion will have it delivered here shortly, I expect. As for a valet, no. I am quite alone, but you should have deduced that from my abominably tied cravat."

Lord Fernsby laughed heartily at this. "I see it clearly now. I'll have one of my footmen attend to you with whatever you need while you are here. Came on the mail, did you? That horse from the Red Lion, too? They can take it back when they bring your luggage, I expect. We've horses here for your use. Lady Ramsbury, my wife must have told you that Mr. Morley is a recent addition to the guests, but she assured me his accommodations would be ready."

Evangeline had listened to this carefree exchange with long-suffering resignation. Basil was staying, that much was certain. Men. Thinking nothing of how their willy-nilly whims could affect meticulously laid plans. Still, it was Lord Fernsby's house, and he had made it clear Basil was a welcome addition. It was not as if there had never been an unexpected guest show up early for a house party. And Basil had been right. She would not have refused entry to any other guest if they had come early but would have welcomed them as if their unexpected appearance was just the delightful surprise she had been hoping for.

Such friends as they were, she could push and cajole Basil any way she thought right, for he always took it in good fun, and regardless of his morals, he could apply the proper etiquette in a situation when pressed. She only thought to spare Georgie any anxiety she would feel knowing that guests were already arriving. But there was nothing for it now. Georgie would be all right, for that was why Evangeline had come in the first place, to take the burden away from her young cousin while she was out of sorts.

Evangeline smiled graciously. "Of course, Lord Fernsby. My cousin and I were talking over the matter not half an hour ago. Mr. Morley will be comfortably settled in no time."

Lord Fernsby nodded in thanks. "Excellent. Let us go inside. Morley, you need a drink, I daresay. Come join me in my study."

"Many thanks," Basil replied. Before he followed Lord Fernsby, he took Evangeline's hand and kissed it in farewell. She was not surprised by this in the least, it being a long-standing custom between them by now. "I will part with you for now, my dear. But what are you doing here? Your plans were to remain at Amsbrook, if I heard right."

"I was asked by Lady Fernsby to come and help. She is indisposed and cannot fulfill the duties of hostess as she should like." She narrowed her eyes at him and said out loud the thought that passed through her mind as he and Lord Fernsby had greeted each other. "I did not know you and his lordship were on such friendly terms."

Basil shrugged. "You know me. Can't have too many friends. I wiped him clean one night at the vingt-et-un, but he won it all back and more straight after. We have been great friends since."

"Ah." Evangeline nodded her head. Accepting their existence, she still sometimes marveled at the bonding patterns of the male sex. "Is that why you came to the country early? To escape the debt collectors?"

"No such thing, madame. Had a shocking run of luck of late, but it turned only a fortnight since. I'm back in the flush now, I'll have you know."

"I am glad to hear it. So too will the footman who is waiting on you. Be sure to pay him handsomely for his extra services, will you? A house guest must never be stingy." She pointed a finger at him. "Especially an unexpected one."

Basil grinned and bowed. "As you wish, my lady."

Evangeline watched him saunter off to join Lord Fernsby. She closed her eyes, shaking her head. As charming and amusing as ever, Basil Morley. She ran over the list of guests in her head. She knew at least two of the chaperones of the young ladies invited had aims to contrive engagements for them. Lord and Lady Lyndhurst were bringing their eldest son, who was thought to be a fine catch, if one could overlook a few faults of character. Sir Michael, too, would be sought after, she was sure.

If Basil chose to keep himself in check, all would be well. If a devilish fairy of mischief caught hold of him, she would have her work cut out for her to ensure peace and propriety at Fernsby Hall.

But, all things considered, a part of her was glad to see him again. He had not shown himself about in town as much as was his custom during that year's Season, and she had yet to find out where he had been. Likely gallivanting about the country attending every horrid prize fight or cock fight he caught wind of. Perhaps she did not need to know. Sighing and sending a prayer upward to heaven for the best, she went back to her work.