Her aunt snapped her mouth shut and sent her an apologetic glance.
Eve bit her trembling lip and spun on her heel. She refused to shed a single tear in front of him and fled to the safety and comfort of her bedchamber. It was terribly unfair, but she knew she’d never change his mind. How could she possibly marry a man so much older? Especially one who considered her an embarrassment?
Rose entered from the dressing chamber. The maid’s drab brown dress skimmed the floor and hung on her slender frame. She knelt to stoke the fire that had burned to only coals. “Are you well, my lady?”
Eve shook her head. “Father is betrothing me to a man older than him. I know it was foolish to dream of finding love. I admit that I have been fanciful and that my prospects aren’t as good as some debutants.”
Rose scoffed. “The man is a fool. You’re beautiful and from a proper family. Any man should be happy to take you as a wife.”
“You know that isn’t true,” Eve murmured. “Not when…” She shook away the thought. “Even if I have been foolish in my fantasies, is it so terrible to want a man to care for me? One whoisn’t at this moment deciding exactly where to sentence me once he has his spare?”
Rose gasped. “He can’t!”
“On the contrary. As his wife, he may do as he pleases. Even lock me away as my grandfather did to my grandmama.” A lump lodged in her throat, making it hard to swallow. “I wish things were different, Rose. I wishIwas different.”
Rose reached out a hand to stroke her cheek.
Eve felt the cool touch and took comfort from it.
“Run,” Rose said. “Run far away.”
“Where would I go? I have no money. No means.” But oh, how she longed to do just that. To run far away where no one knew her. She could be anyone she wanted. Not the odd, addled daughter of Baron Langley.
“There’s a church half a day’s ride from here. They have been known to give young women sanctuary for variousafflictions.”
The chambermaid seemed to speak with familiarity. Had she once had difficulties? It was impertinent to ask such a question, but she had no fear of Rose gossiping. “Have you sheltered there?”
Rose glanced away. “I was foolish once. I fell in love with a young man who only considered me a dalliance. When I became with child, he sent me away.”
Eve stepped toward her, but Rose waved her off. “If you take your horse before dawn, you could be there by nightfall tomorrow.”
“It’s madness.” Eve’s heart began to pound as the idea took root. “I have no money. Nothing to bargain with.”
“What of your mother’s jewelry?”
“Father keeps it locked away.”
Rose smiled. “Let me do this for you, my lady. I couldn’t have my young man, but I would never rest knowing that you’d been sold to another, never having the chance to find your own love.”
Could she do it? Could she run? Excitement sizzled through her. “You’re certain this church would shelter me?”
Rose nodded. “The friar there has never turned a woman away. He’ll help you find a place to go. Perhaps a family in need of a governess.”
Eve couldn’t marry the viscount. She’d never survive being locked away, and the harsh words he spoke at the ball showed he cared only for his spare and her family’s wealth. Her father believed that a husband had the right to do what he would with his wife. She knew he’d never argue against the man. Especially since he believed she was addled.
Only one choice remained—to run. She smiled, feeling her shoulders relax as the fear faded. “Thank you, Rose.”
The chambermaid squeezed her hand. “Once your father is asleep, I’ll slip a few pieces of your mother’s jewelry out and bring them to you.”
Eve nodded. “I shall make myself ready.”
Rose gave her one last look, then disappeared through the wall as if she’d never been.
Chapter Two
“Another invitation?” Virgilasked as he set a glass of brandy on the table next to Ambrose Grey’s elbow.
Ambrose sat in his favorite chair before the fire in his study, reading the letters he’d set aside from earlier. Outside, the wind howled, and a branch scratched against one of the windowpanes. “Two invitations,” he replied to his butler. “Rothden is requesting my presence for Christmas this year. He seems eager to introduce me to his new bride.” His long-time friend, Gabriel Hawthorne, Earl of Rothden, surprised everyone some months back with a sudden marriage to an unknown woman of no social standing. By the sound of his letter, he was besotted with her.
