“Father?”
They were departing for Lady Lancaster’s, and when they had opened the front door, it was to find Lord Stratford standing there.
“Evelyn, I, ah, thought you were going out,” he said, appearing rather chagrined.
“Yes,” she said slowly. “So what brings you—oh.”
“Lord Stratford,” came a dignified voice behind them. “How good of you to come. At Asher and Evelyn’s surprised glances, the dowager duchess continued, “Lord Stratford was coming to discuss potential family events for future dates.”
“I see,” Asher said before they continued down the stairs. “What do you make of that?” he asked Evelyn as he held his arm out toward her.
“I don’t know,” she said. “But I suppose if anything is to come of it, we shall find out soon.”
Lady Lancaster lived not far, in a quaint townhouse just off Grosvenor Square. Asher had appeared surprised when Evelyn had asked if they could walk, as it was only a few minutes away, but had agreed. Before her marriage, Evelyn had preferred towalk from one place to another, but Asher’s mother had told her that it was not particularly fitting for a duchess.
Evelyn was inclined to disagree and had decided it was time she was the one to decide just what was fitting for her life.
Lady Lancaster greeted Evelyn when she walked in before realizing that Asher had accompanied her.
“Your grace! I am so glad to have you join us. Congratulations on your recent marriage. Evelyn — that is, your grace — I was very happily surprised at the news.”
“Thank you, Lady Lancaster,” Evelyn said with a smile. “And between us, Evelyn is just fine. We’ve been friends for quite some time.”
Lady Lancaster only nodded with a smile, her eyes flitting between Evelyn and Asher. In her mid-forties, Lady Lancaster was clever, observant, and impeccably polite. She loved to create an atmosphere for intelligent conversation, although Evelyn was well aware that scandal had a way of drifting in regardless of her intentions — one couldn’t help society’s interests.
Lady Lancaster’s front drawing room had been transformed for the evening, the tall windows draped in pale silk, shutters half-closed against the dusk beyond. Dozens of candles reflected in mirrors, casting warm, flattering light, while chairs were arranged in small conversation clusters rather than rows.
“Do you know many people here?” Asher whispered in Evelyn’s ear, his breath on her skin causing a shiver to run down her back. “I only recognize a handful of matrons who were busy pursuing me for the past couple of seasons.”
“Well, they are harmless to you now,” Evelyn said, not looking at him, for she was still slightly sore that he had ignored her all day. “I am familiar with many of the young ladies who also often frequent these salons, while a few of the gentlemen here are also known for their intelligence and discretion.”
“Should I be insulted that I have never before been invited?” Asher asked, lifting a brow, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Would you have come?”
“No.”
“Well, there you have it. Ah, there’s Verity. Who is that she’s with?”
It wasn’t common for Evelyn not to know all of Verity’s acquaintances, but she was already glad she had come. This was her world, one of ideas, logic, and observation.
“Verity, how lovely to see you,” she said when they approached.
“You as well,” Verity said, looking as lovely as ever despite the rather drab, plain gown she wore, which she always did to prevent the attention of others. “I’d like to introduce Miss Seraphina Vale. She is Lord Eastclere’s ward.”
A ward. Interesting, for Evelyn had never met her before, but she was striking, her elegantly styled hair nearly black, her eyes an unusually bright green. She couldn’t help but take a quick peek at Asher to see if he had noticed her.
“Miss Vale, it is good to see you again,” he said, surprising Evelyn before leaning in to speak into Evelyn’s ear. “If you’ll excuse me, I see an old friend from school,” he said before inclining his head and leaving the women.
“You must be from the country for us to have never met before,” Evelyn said to Miss Vale. “Lovely to meet you.”
“Yes, something like that, your grace,” Seraphina said with a closed-lipped smile, her eyes dancing between Evelyn and Asher, likely understanding Evelyn’s question. “I am friends with Lady Thalia.”
Evelyn nodded, grateful for the explanation, although not wanting to appear as if she had been jealous, even for a moment.
Verity looked over her shoulder before turning back around and whispering, “Lady Norwood seems particularly interested inour conversation, so we’d best be moving on, although I would love to spend more time with you tonight, Evelyn.”
At that, they moved off, and Lady Lancaster called them all to attention before reading a snippet from a newly translated Greek text, one about how information was spread during the time of the Greeks, particularly the widespread acceptance of Greek mythology.
