‘No. I am not mad.’ Evelyn turned her gaze on Doctor Birch. ‘I have never been mad.’
‘You will stop this ridiculous plan right now. I will speak to Mawgan and soothe the waters. Persuade him to change his mind. Vennor has taken advantage of you. Seduced you. Yes, that is what he has done. Mawgan will have to forgive you.’
‘I do not want him to. I asked him to divorce me. It will be easier—’
‘Easier?’ Her father kicked his chair out of the way. ‘Have you any idea what a divorce will do to our family name?’
‘It will help sell a few papers then all will be forgotten.’
‘Our name will be splashed on every paper in town. The scandal will never be forgotten.’
‘I do not care if it means I can spend the rest of my life with Drake.’
‘That upstart! If he thinks he can worm his way into my family—’
‘He wants to marry medespitemy family!’ shouted Evelyn.
For a moment her father was lost for words. The silence did not last long.
‘And what is that supposed to mean?’ he blasted.
Dare she tell him what she really thought and felt? Yes, she would dare!
‘You have spent your life protecting the family’s inheritance and name, Father, but it has come at the cost of the very people that you profess to love.’
‘Mind your tongue, girl,’ warned her father. Evelyn would not.
‘You had very little to do with me before Nicholas’s death. When I became the sole heir, you were quick to conclude that I was not up to the task.’ Evelyn tilted her head as she studied her father. ‘But I should not be surprised. You have always felt that a woman is not capable of owning property.’
‘And your behaviour today does not convince me otherwise.’ He turned to Doctor Birch. ‘I am sorry you have had to witness this today. I trust it will go no further.’
Doctor Birch nodded in agreement, infuriating Evelyn. She would not allow her feelings and needs to be brushed under the carpet.
‘You had no desire to hear my side of the story when I was a child. Rather than listen to my cries for help, you were quick to condemn me. How could you stand by and watch your daughter undergo the Rest Cure? I did not have hysteria. I was pleading for help. While I was being robbed of my childhood, your main concern was who would take over Carrack House and lands. Itdid not matter who I wanted to marry. You had made up your mind it would be Mawgan.’
‘And now you are married and it cannot be undone. You made your choice.’
‘What choice did I have?’
Her father thumped the leg of the upturned table. ‘You had every choice!’
‘I had no choice at all!’ Evelyn shouted back. She pointed at Doctor Birch. ‘You preferred to be taken in by that charlatan.’
Doctor Birch stood, tugging his waistcoat down in his anger. ‘I will not stay here to be insulted.’
‘Stay or go, it will not stop me saying what I have longed to say,’ retorted Evelyn.
‘Which is what, exactly?’ the doctor challenged.
‘What are your tonics made from, Doctor Birch?’
‘I’m not listening to this,’ said the doctor as he attempted to leave. He found his escape blocked. Sir Robert and Lady Pendragon, too shocked by their daughter’s recent accusation, felt unable to move. In front of him lay a carpet of broken crockery.
‘In my opinion, the cure rates of your tonics are very poor,’ pressed Evelyn.
Doctor Birch attempted to pick his way through the broken cups and saucers on the grass. ‘I am leaving,’ he muttered.
‘Then I will follow you, Doctor Birch. Iwillbe heard! Your administration of the Rest Cure on me was barbaric and far too long for a child. You look surprised that I should know this,’ observed Evelyn. ‘I often wondered where my life went wrong. When a husband prefers to spend his time in other people’s company rather than his wife’s, there is much time spare for reading and research on the subject.’ Doctor Birch gave her a nervous glance. ‘The Rest Cure is not for children, Doctor Birch, and it should not last the length of time you ordered me toendure it.’ Evelyn stood in his way, forcing him to halt. ‘You must have earned a pretty sum from your visits. You are a charlatan.’
