A knock at the door made her start.
“Who is it?” she called, rising at once.
“Your Grace? You have a visitor. Miss Harwick. Shall I show her in?”
“Please do!” Evelyn replied, her spirits lifting. Of all the people she might have expected, Lucy’s arrival seemed a small miracle. Joy filled her heart, and she hastily pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, keenly aware of how tired and dishevelled she must look. Lucy swept into the room.
“Evelyn!” she cried, her voice pitched high with relief and excitement. She hurried forward and embraced her so enthusiastically that Evelyn nearly lost her balance.
“Lucy,” Evelyn answered more softly, returning the embrace. Even the familiar scent of her floral perfume steadied her—a reminder of a simpler world, before she had known anything of love’s confusion.
“It is so very good to see you. I hope you will forgive my calling without notice,” Lucy said in a rush. “Papa wished to visit a friend at a nearby hunting lodge, and I simply could not resist begging him to bring me along! He will return for me within the hour. I hope that does not inconvenience you?” she added, seeming at last to notice Evelyn’s distraction.
“No. No, not in the least. I am delighted to see you. I just…” Evelyn broke off, a sob escaping as she covered her face. In the warmth of Lucy’s concern, she could hide her misery no longer. She had been holding herself together all day, and now exhaustion overwhelmed her.
“Evelyn, dearest!” Lucy drew her close again, her tone full of worry. “What has happened?” She guided Evelyn to a chair, closed the door, and seated herself opposite. “Tell me—what is the matter?”
“Oh, Lucy,” Evelyn whispered, wiping her cheeks. “I do not understand any of this. I wish I did. I am so terribly confused. I scarcely know how to describe what I feel.”
Lucy waited, her expression gentle and patient. At length, Evelyn continued.
“Sebastian seems so affectionate and loving sometimes. So...” she blushed, wanting to say “passionate”, but she felt too shy. It was the right word—he had seemed passionate to her ever since they met. Even then, he had looked at her for a moment in a way that had seemed full of desire. But she could not quite bring herself to be that explicit with Lucy. “So admiring,” she finished instead. “But then today...well, he disappeared. I have not seen him since early this morning.” Heat crept back into her face. Early that morning he had still been beside her in thebedchamber. Ruthlessly, she pushed the memory aside. “He told no one where he meant to go.”
Lucy frowned thoughtfully. “Perhaps it was urgent business? If he did not inform anyone, perhaps he had no time.”
“Perhaps,” Evelyn echoed, though the uncertainty gnawed at her. She could not bear the thought that he had fled from her.
“There are so many harmless explanations,” Lucy said kindly, her pale eyes wide with optimism. “We must not assume the worst. You know how absurd assumptions can be—consider the nonsense that appeared in that dreadful scandal sheet.” She laughed lightly.
Evelyn inclined her head. “True.” Those events felt like a different lifetime now.
“So we shall not leap to conclusions,” Lucy said. “He will surely return before dinner, and then you may learn precisely where he has been. I am convinced it is something absolutely innocuous and silly.”
“I hope so,” Evelyn murmured.
Lucy fell silent. Another knock interrupted them.
“Come in,” Evelyn called, expecting the butler with the tea tray. Instead, Lord Nicholas stepped inside. His gaze landed on Lucy and widened.
“Miss Harwick!” he exclaimed. Colour rose in his cheeks as he bowed. “What a pleasure to find you here.”
“My lord. I suppose it should not surprise me to findyouhere,” Lucy replied with a teasing grin. “It is your home, after all.”
“So it is,” Lord Nicholas agreed, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Did you wish to speak with Evelyn?” Lucy asked, her expression unreadable.
He shook his head. “I merely wondered who was inside,” he explained, then added quickly, “my apologies for the intrusion.”
“It is no intrusion,” Lucy said quickly, her cheeks pinking.
“I am glad to hear it,” he said warmly, his gaze lingering a moment longer than propriety allowed. Evelyn nearly smiled; the awkward delight in Lucy’s face was unmistakable. She herself had felt that same fluttering self-consciousness in Sebastian’s presence, and the thought pierced her heart.
The conversation had moved on by the time Evelyn gathered her senses again.
“Are you fond of riding?” Lucy was asking.
“Excessively,” Lord Nicholas replied, grinning. “We are fortunate to have an excellent stable here at Brentfield. Should you ever wish to ride, you are welcome to visit. I am certain my brother would be delighted. Anything that pleases Evelyn, after all, contributes to his own happiness.” He smiled fondly at Evelyn.
