CHAPTER8
Eva peered into her looking glass. Besides her face, its reflection showed the chaos in her chamber. Most of her garments lay on her bed, waiting for her to choose the ones she would take to Birmingham. She had been too agitated the past two days to complete the task, and now she would be up half the night getting prepared.
She opened the drawer of her dressing table a crack and eyed the crisp white letter within. It had arrived this morning, delivered by Erasmus. Before she read it, she took the opportunity to ask Erasmus to keep an eye on the house while she and Rebecca were gone. Not that there was anything to steal. She felt better knowing someone would check on occasion, however. With Erasmus working for Mr. Fitzallen, stopping by here would not be inconvenient.
Mr. Fitzallen. She had forced herself to think of him that way ever since she ran from his house. It had been a mistake to allow the informality of first names. One of many mistakes.
He also had retreated into formalities in that letter.
Dear Miss Russell,
Business affairs take me away again for several days. When I return, I will call on you, to speak words that our last meeting demands.
Your servant,
Gareth Fitzallen
She assumed he would call on her to apologize. If that notion produced a foolish pang of disappointment, she could not be blamed. He had disrobed more than her body. He had uncovered yearnings and needs she did not even know existed in her. She rather wished he had not, so she would know some peace again.
She had only to think of that hour with him to shock herself anew. Yet, the long, strict scold she gave herself as she hurried home needed repeating over and over. Left to her own mind’s memories, the wonders and pleasures would have their way and send her into a most inappropriate reverie.
“What are you staring at?” Rebecca now loomed in the reflection, too, right behind her.
“My eyes.” His flatteries needed to be remembered. She must force herself to keep the evidence that he was a lying seducer fresh in her thoughts. Humiliation lay buried in the truth beneath those lies. Was it enough to keep her from believing him in order to be swayed?
Rebecca pulled pins out of Eva’s hair, so her locks fell free. Rebecca picked up the brush. “They are unusual. Changeable. Sometimes green, sometimes blue, other times almost gray. I think it depends on the lighting. And your mood, of course. When you are angry they are definitely green, with golden sparks all but flying out of them.” She worked the brush down Eva’s back. “I have always envied you your eyes.”
“That is ridiculous. You could never want to trade these for yours.”
“A lot you know. Mine are blue in an ordinary way. When yours are blue, they are the color of a perfectly clear pale jewel. But it is the way they change that I envy.”
Eva looked again. Right now in the candlelight, she could not tell what color they were. All she saw were the tiny reflections of the candle’s flames.
“You have not packed,” Rebecca said, while still tending to her hair. “That means you can make room for my gift.”
“Gift? What gift?”
Rebecca set down the brush. “I will be right back.”
A few minutes later Rebecca’s steps sounded on the floorboards. She entered Eva’s room, only nothing of Rebecca could be seen except her feet. The rest of her hid behind a dress that she held high by the shoulders.
A woman would wear such a dress to a dinner party or the theater. Constructed of satin more silver than gray, it bore embellishments of tiny white beads and lace on the neckline and sleeves. A tasteful band of lace decorated the lower skirt.
“Where did you get this?” Eva cried. “It must have cost a fortune.”
“It cost nothing but time.” Rebecca laid it down on the bed. “I used one of Mother’s old dresses and redid it, took another dress for the underskirt, then took the lace off yet another garment. We must fit it once we are in town, but I think it will be close enough.”
“The laces and fabric in that trunk were for your wardrobe, not mine. You were supposed to—”
“I have not slighted myself, Eva. I just used some of what was left for this. If we have a chance to attend an assembly, you cannot go otherwise.”
Eva had not intended to attend such events at all. Rebecca would do better with their cousin at her side, anyway.
She fondled the satin. She embraced Rebecca and gave her a kiss. “It is a wonderful gift.”
“I am glad you like it.” Rebecca smiled impishly. “You will turn every head when you wear it. Why, we will probably find you a suitor before we come home.”
Eva watched her sister leave, then turned to her packing, shaking her head. Sweet Rebecca had it all backward.
