Twenty-four

Eveline

Shortly after my arrival, I was shown straightaway into the parlor by a butler I was unacquainted with. “Is Mrs. Dunlap still employed here?” I asked.

He nodded with tight lips and a scowl. “Please, have a seat, someone will be with you shortly.”

The drawing room had not changed one smidgeon since I stood here last, though everything seemed so much larger to me back then. And much like the hundred times before, I was drawn to the family portraits that covered the entire east wall. While I faintly recalled the many ancestors displayed, it was always Lord and Lady Tichborne’s life size portraits from years ago that captured my attention. Handsome and young, the images showed a side of the earl I had been privileged to witness on occasion, and more so than even Zachary had. The parents’ frames were placed beside one another and, whether this revealed Lady Tichborne’s humor, I did not know, for they appeared to be gazing at one another lovingly.

As I studied the paintings through adult eyes, it was quite clear where Zachary received his sharp looks. Then a wide smile spread across my lips as I spied the portraits of two young boys each flanking a side of a parent. One child infinitely happier than the other, even immortalized in paint. I ran my hand along the raised canvas and Zachary’s smile. Even at ten, he had a countenance to admire.

“Honourable Eveline Brown?” Lord Frederick entered the parlor first, though I had specifically asked for Zachary. “My goodness…” The eldest son paused and stared. His eyes scanned me from head to foot, eyeing me quite opposite from the indifference I had grown accustomed to from him. And, though I had relinquished my pelisse at the front door, I remained silently grateful for the thick traveling dress I wore, for it covered my body significantly more than my gowns. “Might I say,” he continued, “you are certainly no longer that wild child from Ashton Hall.” I cringed a bit at his truthful depiction of me. “You have grown into quite a lovely woman.”

I curtsied prettily. I had not lost all of my training and comportment. “Thank you. It’s Mrs. Turner, now.”

“Oh, you’ve married.”

“And widowed,” I added.

While Frederick and Zachary possessed many similar features, the younger brother certainly claimed most of the more attractive ones. Frederick and I never really spent any time together and, at six years my senior, he effectively evaded me at any neighborhood dinners and social gatherings. He always seemed to be searching for something more, something that might help him rise above in life, and the daughter of a baron was certainly not the forward step he was looking for. Not that I minded his neglect, for I surely had comparable feelings for him.

I wondered now why he hadn’t yet married. As the heir to an earldom, he would be quite sought after, even if only for his status.

“I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your husband,” he said. “You have my deepest condolences.”

“Thank you. And what of your father? I heard of his failing health and came to see how I can be of assistance.”

“Assistance?” He arched a brow in a way that made me question my offer.

“Your father was good to me, Frederick. Kind.”

His arms crossed over his chest defiantly. “He was many things, Mrs. Turner, but kind was not one of them.”

“He was to me,” I mumbled.

“I’m sorry to inform you then, he passed two nights ago. His burial was this morning.”

I took note of the black band on his arm just now, having missed it when he entered. My fingers quivered as I held my palm over my mouth. “I’m so sorry to hear this.” My heart cracked open for Zachary, for I knew what such a loss felt like. And now, the last person in his family who ever cared for him was gone.

“It is what it is,” Frederick said with a coldness to his tone. “He’s been ill for a long time, and I have maintained the duties of the earldom for years. It is only official now.”

I held back my gasp. That was all this was? A means to an end? “But you will miss him, won’t you?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “He has not been himself for quite some time. The man I knew died a long time ago.”

I looked down at my fidgeting hands.

“Where do you reside, Eveline?”

“I live in London, but I am at a house party at Gottling Hall.”

“Oh, yes, where Zachary was after I finally tracked him down.”

I wondered just how hard he tried. Zachary was truly only ever at three places—Hunter’s, Lucas’, or Jaxon’s.

“Are you returning to the house party tonight?” he inquired.

“I uh, well,” I stuttered. “It was a significant journey, I hoped to stay the night here before I begin the return trip in the morning. If that meets your approval, my lord.”

The door flew open, and Zach came charging through. Coatless and with windblown hair, he appeared ruggedly handsome. Standing just inside the parlor, his eyes darted right to me and my insides nearly melted from his gaze.

“For heaven’s sake, Zachary,” Frederick remarked. “Can you not behave properly at any given moment?”

Zach ignored his brother’s ridicule and stared at me, most likely waiting for permission to approach. I smiled wide and he rushed over, taking me fully into his arms.

The same headiness from before clouded my mind as he tightened his embrace.

He drew back long enough to see my face. “Evie, what are you doing here?”

“Evie?” I heard Frederick’s retort from behind, though I never took my eyes off Zach’s face. “Are you two…”

“No,” I said at the same time Zachary said yes . Only his voice was louder. I peered into his eyes. They were glistening.

“Yes, we are,” he announced and kept his eyes locked on mine.

I took a deep breath and placed a hand on his jaw. “Frederick told me your father passed. I’m so sorry.” He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch. “I should have come the moment I received your note, though it was delayed a day. I should have been here for you.”

After Zachary opened his eyes again, he turned his head just enough to confirm his brother had departed the room. Leaning forward, he rewarded me with a sweet, long kiss that threaded through my limbs, down my body, and out my toes.

“Mmmm,” I whispered against his lips before he pulled away. “I find this welcome most agreeable.”

He leaned his forehead against mine. “I have missed you so much,” he whispered. Then he kissed my jaw, brushing his lips across my neck, causing the earlier chills to return. “I want nothing more than to please you, Evie,” he said softly. “And I hope to spend the rest of my life finding ways to do just that.”

I didn’t have much time to relish those words when we were interrupted, though Zach made no effort to release me.

“Lord Zachary?” The butler appeared. “Mr. Harris and Mr. Barclay are with Lord Frederick in the study. Your brother has requested your attendance.” He cleared his voice. “Pardon me, the Earl of Tichborne has requested your attendance.”

“Thank you, Drake.” Zachary shook his head. “Certainly, Frederick would waste no time in claiming the title. Father was only buried this morning.”

I squeezed his hand. “Don’t let Frederick vex you. He is the same he’s always been and now you will no longer have to deal with it if you choose not to.”

His smile ticked upward halfway, and he ran his thumb tenderly across my bottom lip. “I still cannot believe you are here. It means so much to me that you made the journey.”

I shivered to his touch. “I only wish I could have consoled you at the time your father passed. That is something nobody should face alone.”

He kissed my cheek, then forehead. “I do not deserve you.” He released his hold on me. “Please don’t return to Gottling so soon, I will have a room made up for you. And we can visit Cornelius,” he said as a boyish grin emerged.

My heart leaped. I knew coming back here would invoke an insurmountable number of memories and sensibilities but to visit the old oak with Zachary, I could not ask for anything better. “I will stay as long as you will have me.”

His smile now stretched across his face. “Then you will never leave.”

I laughed.

He kissed my hand before he turned toward the door. “I have much to say.”

After he departed, I meandered around the side of the parlor I had not yet explored before Lord Frederick arrived to greet me… I mean, Lord Tichborne . I chuckled at the demands Zach’s brother couldn’t wait to put into action. Thankfully, Zach would no longer be tied to this place more than he wished.

Despite the outdated styles, the room represented the late earl’s propensity for cleanliness and not one dust mite could be found. I recalled how much weight the earl placed on propriety in the home, which is why he and Zachary were at odds after Zach’s mother’s death. Mrs. Dunlap often said Lady Tichborne was the one who maintained the cheerful countenance, which died when she did. Then, out of grief, Zachary’s father became unfeeling and cold to the young boys. I did not lie when I said he had been kind to me, for Zach himself informed me that was the only time he ever saw his father’s warmth appear.

“Eveline?” Mrs. Dunlap entered the room and clapped her hands joyously. “It has been an age, child.” She rushed over and squeezed me tight like I was eleven again. Stepping back, she examined me. “My goodness, doll, how unfair of me to even suggest you are a child. What a lovely woman you have grown into. But how on God’s good earth did that happen?” She laughed deeply and loudly.

I laughed with her. “Miracles do exist, Mrs. Dunlap.”

She reached for my hands and patted them. “I was pleased to hear from Lord Zachary that you will be staying for a spell.” She leaned in and tried to whisper. “This place could use someone with your spirit. It has been a tomb for far too long.”

“I’m so sorry about the earl’s passing. That must be heartbreaking for you all.”

She lowered her head. “Yes, though I wager this is best. He suffered for quite some time.”

“And I’m sorry for Zach and Frederick,” I added.

Her brows furrowed, but she said nothing about that. “Here, let me escort you to your bedchamber so you can rest before dinner. Cook will be so pleased to be feeding an additional mouth tonight.”

“Has Frederick been here while his father was sick?”

She mumbled, “Unfortunately.”

I narrowed my eyes but did not question her further. She took me up to the guest wing and into a beautiful rose room. “Oh, this is simply lovely!” I exclaimed, running my hand over the red and gold décor.

“Lord Zachary insisted you receive the best.” She winked. “And I heartily agree.” She swiftly pointed out a few features in the room and then, before she departed, she said she would have John, a footman, bring up my trunk.

“Oh, I only have a valise,” I said. I had packed lightly not knowing what I might face here or how long I might be invited to stay.

“No trouble, I will have that brought up. Did you bring an abigail?”

“Yes, I’m certain she is below stairs now.”

“Oh, good, I would not be pleased if you traveled unchaperoned, my dear.”

I chuckled. “I am not a young miss, Mrs. Dunlap. I am married—well, I mean I am widowed, now.”

She turned around and came to my side. “Oh, my ‘pologies, love.”

“I assure you I’m doing fine, thank you.”

She smiled and shook a finger in my direction. “You know, all the staff here had a wager going, I think it was the longest one we ever engaged in.” She laughed heartily.

“Over what?”

“Whether you and Lord Zachary would marry.”

I chuckled and felt my cheeks warm.

She looked at me carefully. “And I think I’m finally going to win.” She laughed again. “I will send your maid up, dear. You will have nothing to concern yourself about. You are like family, please notify me of anything you might need.”

She was still chuckling as she departed the room.

I shook my head. Same old Mrs. Dunlap. Oh, how I’ve missed her. I owned far too many memories of her trying to tame my wild ways and instruct me to behave before my mother caught wind of my indiscretions. It never worked.

I ran a hand along the carved woodwork of the four-poster bed. A beautiful scene emerged sequenced in the Grimm fairy tales. I studied each one with fascination, though I appreciated that the darker parts of the stories were eliminated. I sat down on the edge of the plush cushion, running my hand over the soft velvet coverlet when a light tap sounded on the door.

“Come in.”

Rosie entered and curtsied. “How might I be of assistance, Mrs. Turner?”

I smiled. “Do you know if they put Isis in the stables?”

She nodded. “Yes. Mr. Brown took them to the stables and Joshua promised that he would personally see to her needs.”

“Thank you. Would you mind unpacking and airing out my dresses? I only brought two appropriate enough for dinner, but they will have to do.”

She nodded and went to work.

I walked over to the window that overlooked the gardens and the woods. My eyes flitted past the treetops and out the other side to the pond. If I squinted just enough, I could see Cornelius’ silhouette in the glow of the descending sun.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I squeezed gently, holding the loose and fragmented pieces of my soul together, fearing that if I let go, somehow, the happiness that consumed me might not be real. Was one truly allowed to have this much joy in life?

Glimpsing back at the edifice that played such a substantial role in my childhood, I marveled at the warmth that washed over me, then I pinched my arm to assure myself I wasn’t dreaming. I’m standing in Zachary’s house, overlooking our woods and our pond, where only moments ago, he confessed to wanting to spend the rest of our lives together. How could this not be love? It was the most beautiful feeling in the world.