Still, she said she had been indeed in love with him then.
Well, Aylesbury thought determinedly, if she had fallen once, it stood to reason that she could fall again.
Chapter 9
Today, I was out riding on Carlton Hill when I happened upon Harry leaving Francis’ house.He was so terribly handsome in his riding jacket!And also complimentary of my new habit.The cut of the jacket Eve allowed me to have is far more elegant than anything Abby might have let me have because she considers me a child still.
The way Harry stared at me, I don’t believe he thought I looked like one!
~From the diary of Lady Fiona MacKintosh—Feb 1893
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Hyde Park
London, England
Two days later
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“You’ve been quite rudeto Lord Aylesbury since we arrived in London.I’m surprised at you.”
Fiona arched a brow, casting her sister-in-law a sidelong glance, but Eve did not return her look, nor did her gaze waver as she serenely strolled along at Fiona’s side.The first part of her comment was pure Eve and what Fiona had come to expect from the woman who had taken it upon herself to polish her manners these past several years.
The soft note of reprisal in the words that followed was quite unlike her, though.Eve was generally given to a quiet observation with no condemnation or a trifling commentary that became a valuable lesson.Of course, Fiona wasn’t typically one to outwardly cut a member of the British peerage, either.
“I must confess, I’m surprised it took you so long to mention it.”
“This is the first chance I’ve had to speak with you alone.”
A grin tugged the corner of Fiona’s mouth.They were scarcely alone as they walked side by side on the narrow path that paralleled Rotten Row along the northern shore of the Serpentine, with Fiona pushing an ornate Silver Cross wooden body pram with Lela and Alice within while Eve’s eyes remained glued to Preston who toddled a few yards ahead on Ilona’s hand while his older brother, Laurie, tagged along on their way to picnic in a shady spot near the Tyburn Brook where the children could throw breadcrumbs to the ducks.The children’s nanny followed close behind.
Besides them, the park was riddled with other mothers and nannies doing the same since it was another fine spring morning.The air held a chill from the overnight rain, but the sun shone brightly through the trees, casting random shadows on the graveled walk that wove through the park.
“It wasn’t well done of you at all.”
