She also knew that Lord Cavendish and others had attended the same school as Anthony and his friends, and after what happened there they loathed each other.
“Will you talk to me about what took place in that garden, Evie?” Prue asked suddenly.
“No, it is done with. I wasn’t harmed, and the less said about it, the better.”
“You cannot shut everything you have no wish to discuss away in that large brain of yours, Evie. Sometimes it helps tospeak on matters that upset you, or they fester like that sore I once had on my knee.”
“Charming.”
Prue turned and started walking backward so they faced each other.
“You think things will hurt or upset me, so you don’t discuss them.”
“You will trip if you keep that up,” Evie said.
“Then I shall trip, and it is not up to you to save me.”
“Prue—”
“I mean it. I am not the only Spencer daughter. There is another.”
“I know, me,” Evie said in a tone that should warn her sister to shut up. It didn’t work.
“Exactly, and since mother’s passing you have taken on the responsibility for Father and me, but you don’t need to. I can look after myself and help with him.”
“Of course I need to,” Evie scoffed, feeling just a little offended that her actions were being hurled back in her face with a lack of appreciation that stung.
“Do you think I am incapable, then? That my only strength is to smile sweetly and catch a husband?” Prue asked.
They had both stopped now and were glaring at each other in the street where anyone could see them. Neither Spencer sister cared.
“Someone had to take charge and ensure there was enough money to feed and house us,” Evie snapped. “I was the oldest, and on the shelf as far as society is concerned, therefore—”
“Says you,” Prue said in that annoying tone only a younger sibling could have, that got right under an older sibling’s skin with far more ease than it should have.
“Don’t be childish,” Evie snapped. “I was the one to do it. I am good with figures—”
“I am equally as good,” Prue snapped back. “But you assumed the mantle of—”
“Prue,” Evie gritted out. “I did not sleep well, and it has been a trying few days. If you wish to have an argument that lasts longer than five minutes, can we postpone it until tomorrow? If not, then prepare for me to lose my temper.”
“Even when we argue, you are taking control.”
“Do you think I wanted this?” The words exploded out of Evie. “Wanted Mother to die, and Father to be hopeless with money and send us destitute?” She turned and walked away from Prue, then back again. “And another thing—”
“Oh goodie, there is another thing,” her sister said, brows drawn together in an angry line like a set of drapes keeping out the cold on a winter’s night.
“I want a better life for you!”
“I want a better life for you!” Prue yelled right back in her face. “Don’t be a bloody saint and sacrifice your hopes and dreams for me, Evie!”
Evie actually staggered back a step at those words and pressed a hand to her chest as if she could stop the pain.
“I want you and Father to be happy, warm, and safe. If that is being a saint, then I am guilty.” Her voice was cold. “Now it is time to return, as Mr. Landon will arrive shortly.”
“Don’t take that pious tone with me, Evangeline Elizabeth,” Prue seethed. “It is always your way to end an argument on your terms. Well, not in this case. I am correct, and I will have my say.”
Evie turned and walked away.
