Eve’s heart hitched with sadness. As much as she might have wished for Kilsyth, she knew it was impossible, yet she couldn’t imagine wanting anyone else and therefore, she was destined to be alone. “At least we have something to help make our life a bit more comfortable.” She held out her hand to Cait. “And, we have each other.”
“Yes,” her sister smiled sadly. “But I have a feeling that you’ll make a grand match.”
Why had she told her sister about Kilsyth? Cait had now gotten it into her head that the two should be a match no matter how much Eve had tried to discourage her.
“I’ll be a spinster in Cornwall,” Eve insisted. “I also think I prefer it that way.”
“Eve Doyle, how can you say such a thing?”
“It’s what you plan,” Eve argued back.
“Because I have little choice. You have more options. You could return to London—,”
“—No!” Eve cut her off. She would not go back to Kilsyth. She would not put her heart at further risk of being broken. Eve was little more than a ward, secretary, maid and someone used to win wagers, or perhaps advise on bets at Ascot. That was all she had ever been to Kilsyth and all that she’d remain.
“Did it ever occur to you that you may not have a choice,” Cait said after a moment. “He is your guardian and could order you back to London.”
For two years Kilsyth did have that power. However… “He is probably glad to be rid of me,” Eve suggested. As much as it hurt to think that he’d be happy she was gone, it was better than holding on to any hope that he’d miss her. It also made it easier to decide what to do with the rest of her life without her guardian ordering her about...except, he didn’t always order. He didn’t exactly ask, either. He simply told her what he required or what he needed and she did it, for the most part. He was her teacher, and instructor.
Besides, it was his way—gruff and without artifice, and she rather admired that about him. She’d much rather have that than flowery or overly polite speech.
They’d dealt honestly with one another, even though he could aggravate her to no end. He was still an honorable gentleman.
Eve shook her head. If she continued to think about Kilsyth, she’d never recover her heart.
“There is one matter that we must attend to, however,” Cait said after a moment.
“What would that be?”
“We haven’t anything appropriate for mourning.”
“Nor any funds to purchase the proper attire,” Eve reminded her sister. They should mourn their brother. But, had he followed in their father’s footsteps, she and Cait would be in Ireland and would have the funds for proper clothing. And, they probably wouldn’t have needed them because her brother wouldn’t be dead. He was the one who had brought them all to this and even though it might be cruel to think poor of the dead, he had wagered her in a game of chance. Had she been lost to anyone else…
Eve didn’t even want to consider where she’d be right now, or what she’d be required to do for her newguardian.
It’s not a thought that would have occurred to her when they still lived in Cork, but having spent the good part of a year in Covent Garden, she had learned quickly what could happen to misses without the protection of a male relative. If Brendan had lost her to anyone else, these last weeks could have turned out much differently and she could very well be ruined. Thank goodness it had been Kilsyth who had made the wager.
Chapter 22
“It’s the mummy and the curse,” Sophia heard Abigail wail from inside the sitting room.
They hadn’t been back at the school above half an hour and waited in the corridor with Rosemary and Eliza for their turn to be chastised by Mrs. Wiggons.
“It’s not fair that they aren’t in trouble,” Eliza grumbled.
“Victoria and Olivia?” Sophia questioned. “It was their brother’s manor. They are allowed to be there.”
“It still isn’t fair,” she argued again.
“It has to be the curse. Oh, why did we follow them?” Abigail cried again.
Sophia looked over at Eliza, who rolled her eyes.
“Do you think it’s a curse?” Rosemary whispered.
“No, of course not,” Eliza answered. “There are no such things as curses.”
Sophia’s eyes widened and she stared at her friend. “Are you feeling unwell?”
