Afaint rap on the door captured Padua’s attention. She opened it to find Eva standing there.
“I hope I am not disturbing you,” Eva said. “I am Eva Fitzallen. I wanted to meet you, and welcome you to Merrywood.”
“That is kind of you. Won’t you come in?”
Eva made herself comfortable on a chair. She had removed her bonnet and pelisse and swathed herself in a long Venetian shawl. “Ives said you did not choose to join us today when we arrived. I hope you do not worry about interfering.”
“It was a family time. My presence would have only added a pause now and then.”
“Perhaps so. Actually, mine does, too, when the three of them get together. They are obligated to be on their good behavior. Left alone, they are much like boys tumbling down a hill.”
“Still, you do know them. My acquaintance even with Ives is recent, and not deep.”
Eva’s eyebrows rose the tiniest fraction. “Is there any way I can make your stay more comfortable? Anything I can tell you about the family?”
“Since you are kind enough to offer—I was surprised to hear your name is Fitzallen.”
“Ahhh. Ives did not explain. That was careless. Gareth is a bastard. His mother was not the duchess, but the duke’s longtime mistress. I suppose you surmised that during the last few minutes since I arrived, however.”
“There was one more brother, was there not?”
“Percy. He was the eldest, and the last duke. He died unexpectedly in the spring. I am not speaking out of turn if I inform you that there are those who suspect Lance of having a hand in that. You are sure to hear allusions to it when they talk, and if you go anywhere in the county it is common gossip. There is nothing to it, of course, but these things have a way of lingering on.”
“It is a complicated family.”
“No more than mine was. And perhaps yours too? I will not ask why Ives brought you here. Not for the grand seduction his brothers suspect, I think. He hardlyneeds to transport a woman to Merrywood for that, and I expect this house is the least convenient place for it.”
“No, I am not here for that.”He brought me here because my father is in prison and the authorities think I am an accomplice. She wondered how this sweet woman would react to hearing that.
“All the same, should he turn his mind in that direction, you must let me know. If you want it to stop, that is. Otherwise, feel free to hold your own counsel.”
Well, that was blunt.
Eva looked Padua over from head to toe. “I hope you will forgive me for being forward, but—Ives said he expected you to avoid our company. You are free to do so. However—perhaps I am assuming too much because not long ago I would have reacted this way—I hope you are not thinking you will be uncomfortable because you do not have an appropriate wardrobe.”
Padua could not believe how quickly Eva guessed that part. “I told Ives I did not, that I would appear out of place and worse than a poor relative. I do not mind my circumstances normally, but I do not visit a house like this normally either.”
“What did Ives say to that?”
“He said no one would care.”
“The point is thatyouwill care. Just as if he entered one of his clubs dressed like a rustic, he would care. Men like Ives make high-minded claims that such things do not matter, but they expect women to appear fashionable and well turned out anyway. They haveknown nothing else in their lives except women with wealth, after all.” She narrowed her eyes on Padua. “We will see what we can do. Your height will complicate it. I cannot just lend you some of my wardrobe right out of the trunk. However, the servants here know how to ply a needle to make alterations, so perhaps we can come up with a few ensembles so you are more comfortable at dinners at least.”
“I do not know what to say.” She really didn’t. Eva’s thoughtfulness touched her. “You guessed right away too.”
Eva took Padua’s hand and clasped it in her own. “When I met Gareth, I had one chair left in my house. I had not had a new dress in six years. I did not mind my circumstances either, normally. But there were times when I felt them keenly.” She pushed herself to her feet. “Now I must rest, the way I claimed I would. Gareth will scold if I spend the whole afternoon chatting, although I would not mind doing so.”
***
Padua wore her yellow muslin to dinner again. Thanks to Eva’s perception and reassurance, she did not feel too out of place. She remained an observer for the most part, however. This was a family reunion still, and the members of that family had a lot to say to each other.
After the meal Eva removed herself. Padua followed her out of the dining room.
“I am going to retire,” Eva said once they were alone. “Why don’t you take advantage of the library. At dinneryou expressed a strong interest in the towns we visited on our tour. I am sure there are books here with engravings of the views. I know that there is one with drawings showing the compositions of the art to be seen, including the paintings by Giotto in the town that is your namesake.”
“My mother told me about those. I will look for that book.”
“I will show you where it is.”
