Sixteen

Eveline

After tucking Patrick into bed, I advised Banja to keep a careful eye on him tonight and to particularly watch for any signs of a chill. Though I kept Lucas’ coat tightly wrapped around Patrick on the return boat ride, I feared exposure and illness that tend to follow when one is immersed in water. “It should be I who stays up with him, Banja.”

“No, Ma’am. You rest. You tired, too.” News of the ordeal had reached all corners of the estate by supper and while I spent the entirety of the evening watching Patrick, Banja now insisted I retire to my bedchamber.

“Promise me, please, that you will wake me if you see the slightest trouble.”

“Yes,” Banja answered with a grin, most likely amused over my anxious hovering. However, seeing this playful side of her brought its own element of joy to my heart. This country air seemed to be quite agreeable to her and our growing friendship. And after this afternoon, I recognized one more reason a country home sounded more and more essential. I would teach Patrick how to swim, fish, and row a boat.

While I did not join the others for dinner tonight, for the second night in a row, they all understood my reasons surrounded Patrick’s health and, while that was grounded in truth, I also feared facing two particular men… for polar opposite reasons.

Viscount Glade for his temper and inexcusable behavior toward Patrick, then his refusal to jump in after the child.

And…

Zach. For he didn’t hesitate a moment before he was by our side in the water, making sure we made it safely to the island. While I am a fair swimmer, my dratted dress made the task of holding Patrick above water nearly impossible. I’m not certain how long I may have held out had Zach not arrived when he did. Then, after Jaxon arrived and took Patrick from Zachary’s arms, I still could hardly move with all the fabric strangling my legs and absorbing half the pond.

For a brief moment, I considered tearing the dress from my body. It was Zach’s tender admonishment that helped me not only get to the island safely but also retain my modesty and dignity.

Thinking back on Zachary’s heroic actions hurt my heart. It was infinitely easier being angry with him, or vexed over his arrogance and pride, but this… this Zachary had too much claim on the organ. He took up too much space within me and I had no idea how to contend with that. If I married another, would I ever be at ease? Or would I incessantly woolgather and wish Zachary Collins’ arms were the only ones around me?

Gah!

I strode down the stairs in search of Lucas. Peering into the drawing room where the party listened to Miss Baker play the pianoforte while Lady Victoria sang, I realized I did not wish to enter and interrupt.

“The music might be substantially improved if you were standing inside the parlor.” A low chuckled followed.

I turned around to find Lucas and Helena standing behind me. I clapped my hands together and I smiled. “Just the two I came to see.”

Lucas titled his head. “Truly?”

“Yes.”

“Well, by all means.” Lucas led Helena by one arm and offered me his other as we walked toward the library. Once inside, and after he managed to get a roaring fire started in the hearth, the two of them sat together on the sofa while I took a seat opposite them in a nearby chair.

“Before we speak of whatever it is you wish to speak of…” Lucas laughed at his subtle tongue tie. “First tell us how you are faring.”

“I’m weary.” I smiled. “But exceedingly grateful nothing worse occurred.”

“What about Patrick?” Helena added.

“He is sleeping, but did not seem to have any lingering issues. Banja will alert me if he does.”

Luke inhaled through his nose. “Thank goodness Zach noticed your need right away.” He rested his ankle over the opposite knee. “We had already reached the island. Your scream alerted me, but Zach had already jumped in.”

Without any encouragement on my part, Zach’s striking image easily transpired. Though I could not deny the heat that blazed through my body seeing him all wet and manly, it was his eyes that clutched my heart and squeezed. They were brimming with concern. He feared for us.

“Evie?”

“Yes?”

Lucas arched a playful brow. “What were you thinking just now?”

I shook my head and blew air out of my cheeks through my lips. “Nothing, really.”

He smiled diabolically. He knew precisely what I was thinking.

Helena patted my knee. “You said that you wanted to speak with us.”

“Yes, yes I did.” I toyed with the chain around my neck.

Lucas held his hand up. “Wait, let me guess.”

I grinned. This was a game we often played. A mischievous look consumed his features. “You are about to tell me that you want to be a spinster and live out your life traveling the world.”

“Yes.” I nodded with seriousness. “How did you know?”

Lucas’ face dropped into a frown. “Truly?”

I smiled. “No. Although the spinster part does not sound altogether awful.”

“Naturally, you would tease,” he grumbled.

Helena laughed. “My turn,” she said. “You have no intention of accepting any man’s suit from this house party and would like to return home.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, no!” she cried.

“Well, yes, on both accounts but that is not what I wanted to discuss. I wish to purchase a country home. How would I go about doing that?”

Both their eyes widened simultaneously.

“That’s wonderful, Eveline.” Helena clasped her hands together over her protruding belly. “Where have you considered?”

Lucas followed our conversation intently.

“Well, I haven’t, yet. I only began thinking of it this morning when I saw how much Patrick loves the country. There really is no reason for me to stay in London except for occasional business. Mr. Hanover has things quite well in hand and I know my mother and April would love to be back in the fresh air and open space.”

“What about April having a season in London?” Helena asked.

“Well, yes, that will need to happen, but she needs guidance first. She has too much of me in her.” I laughed. “We might need to start her training out in a country setting so she doesn’t frighten the men away with her brashness.”

“You never did,” Lucas added.

“Did what?”

“Frighten the men away with your brashness.”

I chuckled. “I never really gave men the chance to find out how cheeky I was, or I might have.”

“You never frightened Zachary away.”

My smile faded. I feared my recent thoughts on our best friend might be too transparent.

I composed my thoughts before I spoke. “Luke, I appreciate that you wish for Zachary and I to somehow work through our differences and come together, but please don’t. He has no interest in me in that manner. I am coming to realize such a wish may never come true and I’m accepting that. Every day I feel stronger about who I am as a woman without feeling dependent on a man.”

Helena smiled. “I see it, Eveline.”

Lucas’ mouth pursed before he spoke. “Forgive me, Evie, I only wish to see you both happy and, for me, that means the two of you together. But I will not push, that would be unkind of me.”

I smiled my appreciation.

“Now, we must get to work and find you a place near Greenbriar.” Lucas rose and strode over to the desk and retrieved a parchment, quill, and inkwell. “I will write Mr. Weatherford, my man of business. He is quite good at such tasks so we can begin looking at once.”

“Greenbriar?” I smiled at the suggestion of their country home.

“You didn’t think we would want to see you settled anywhere but close to us, did you?” Helena said as we stood and she embraced me. “But it is entirely your decision.” She kissed me on the cheek.

I hugged Lucas next, then asked, “Are you certain you want to be neighbors again?”

“I would be disappointed if we weren’t.”

Helena agreed, patting her stomach. “Our children should grow up together, Eveline.”

My heart swelled. Now I knew I had made the correct choice to bring this to them.

After saying goodnight, I returned upstairs, but the moment I reached my bedchamber, I hesitated. Maybe I should just check in on Patrick one last time . If I was quiet enough, he and Banja would not even know I was there. However, knowing Banja like I did, she was certainly still awake. She often sat in the rocking chair beside his bed until late into the night. Her love for him made me appreciate her all the more.

With a sole candle in my chamberstick, I took the steps lightly up to the third floor nursery as not to announce my arrival, but before I reached the top step, I froze. Someone else lingered in the nursery doorway.

I quickly blew my candle out and set the chamberstick on the ledge of a nearby hollow in the wall beside an elaborate oriental vase. Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, Zach’s silhouette emerged. I would know his stature anywhere.

“Banja?” he whispered. I heard her voice almost instantly but could not discern her words. Zach continued, “How is Patrick doing?” I strained to hear her reply but, once again, only heard his side of the conversation. “Brilliant,” he responded, “that is very good to hear. Thank you.”

Suddenly, the fear of being discovered lurking in the dark became all too real. I quickly turned around, and attempted to tiptoe down the stairs, but only made it a few steps when the sound of Zach’s Hessian boots reached the top step above me.

“Spying on me, Evie?”

He called me Evie again.

I rotated slowly in his direction and glanced upward where his outline materialized under the frail beams of moonlight that filtered in from the side windows. If it weren’t for that blessed mercy, darkness would have completely consumed us.

Zach descended the few steps to bring himself closer. My heart seemed to thump in precise rhythm to each drop of his heel. Remaining in place was a dangerous game I played, for his delectable bergamot teased my senses as he stopped on the step just below mine, bringing our eyes level.

I gently cleared my throat. “I—I came up to check on Patrick,” I whispered. “I was c—concerned.”

“He’s sleeping,” Zach mumbled now merely a few inches away. Though I could not see all his features clearly, I felt his eyes upon me. I slid both my hands behind my dress and tightly gripped the handrail, thankful he could not see them trembling. I had no willpower when Zach was near.

“Thank you for saving him, Zach.” I licked my lips, swallowing anxiously with a sudden dryness in my mouth. “H—he means everything to me.”

Silence swelled between us.

I held unnaturally still as I watched Zach slowly raise his hand, then stopped breathing when he neared my cheek. I pleaded silently for him touch me. Closing my eyes, I waited to feel the simplest caress.

Nothing .

When I opened my eyes, his hand remained paused midair, then he lowered it, clenching it into a fist as it reached his side. “You’re a wonderful mother, Evie,” he whispered then disappeared down the stairs.