She stood up abruptly, sending a paper napkin fluttering away on the breeze. Why did her legs shake so much? She made a floundering excuse to leave. She would take the glass cones back to the vendor, she told them as she gathered them in her trembling hands. Feeling guilty for leaving her son with his nanny on their day out, albeit it would be for only a few minutes, she asked him if he was content to continue his counting game. Luckily he was and Evelyn, on legs that now felt as weak as water, hastily walked away.
By the time Evelyn reached the spot where she saw Drake, he was gone. She looked for him in the distance and scrutinised passing figures for any signs of familiarity. Disappointingly, none of them was him. The overwhelming feeling of loss she experienced was as potent as a death and confirmed what she already knew — that she loved him as deeply today as she did the day they were going to elope. Nothing had changed, yet everything had. She returned the glass cones and turned to leave, heartbroken.
Drake stood a little way down the path and blocked her way. Tilly had told her he required a walking stick, but she noticed that he appeared to have no need of one now. He looked as sturdy and virile as she remembered, although he did not move, preferring to watch her intently as she slowly approached. Evelyn had often wondered how much truth was in Tilly’s confession, but as she drew closer and saw the deep scar, the slash of black in his eye and the sadness in his heart reflected in his eyes, she knew that Tilly had spoken the truth. What shouldshe say to him? She need not have worried; it was Drake who spoke first.
‘I waited for you, Evie.’
Her heart heaved inside her chest at the sound of her name on his lips. He had said it so gently, so lovingly. Only Drake could say her name that way.
She knew he was not talking about today. ‘I know. Tilly told me everything.’
‘She told me you married.’
‘I’m sorry. I felt I had no choice.’
‘I understand.’
‘Do you?’
‘You thought I had left you. Your parents wanted to commit you to an asylum. Tilly told me all about it. Of course you had no choice.’
She wanted to cry with relief. She had not realised she needed his forgiveness so much.
‘Are you happy?’ asked Drake.
What could she say? To say no would help no one.
‘Yes . . . very happy.’ She wondered if he could hear the tremble in her voice. ‘Are you?’
‘I am very busy with work.’
Evelyn saw his eyes lift to behind her. She turned to see a young woman approaching. She was smiling at Drake. He is married! Can the pain get any worse?Drake lifted his hat in greeting. The greeting was fleeting and soon over as the woman quickly passed by.
‘She is the wife of the mayor,’ explained Drake. ‘I am not married.’
Even now he could read her thoughts. She had better leave before he undid everything that held her emotions in check.
‘I had better go, Drake.’ She noticed other walkers approaching. ‘Good day, Mr Vennor,’ she added, politely. Sheintended to pass him and continue her walk, but as she drew level, she stopped as her body was unwilling to take the final steps forward.
Drake turned his head to look down at her. Their bodies faced in opposite directions, yet they were so close he had only to whisper to be heard.
‘I still love you, Evie.’
The words were the undoing of her. The people, the vendors, the sea and the harbour around her no longer existed . . . only him. His body, his soul, his power that drove every thought and deed, fed her, energised her and made her brave enough to finally speak the truth. She could hardly breathe from the excitement that flowed through her.
‘And I you.’ Three simple words and everything changed.
‘We need to talk,’ pressed Drake.
‘When?’
‘Now.’
‘Where?’
He looked over her shoulder. ‘Here.’
She felt his firm grip on her arm and before she knew what was happening he was walking her briskly towards a sun shelter. They stepped inside; its elaborate, decorative ironwork provided both shade and protection from prying eyes. Drake drew her closer and wrapped his arms around her as she rested against his chest. Neither spoke. Neither could.
