The world fell silent. Or it felt so to Evelyn for not a soul stirred. Words died mid-syllable. Forks hung in the air, mid-bite. Everyone within hearing distance (and that was a fair number) stared silently at Mr. Townsend.
Clinging to her composure, Evelyn forced herself to breathe, though her heart thudded painfully as she recalled just how thoroughly correct he was about her feelings. She had been deeply and thoroughly enamored with him. She wished she could vanish into the ether and disappear from the very face of the earth.
Yet she had nothing with which to reproach herself. Yes, she had foolishly thrown herself into loving a man who did not deserve it, but she had comported herself with dignity and hidden the majority of her feelings away. Mr. Townsend had ascertained her heart, but there was nothing overt to condemn her.
Evelyn’s heart pounded in her chest as though staring down a raving animal or something far more perilous than a crowded dining room, but she forced her voice to remain calm and even as she held Mr. Townsend’s gaze with equal firmness.
“You say I who threw myself at you, Mr. Townsend, but I will remind you that I have never once sought you out in public or private. It was you who came to my side during assemblies and parties. It was you who wrote me notes and called on me. It was you who asked me to join you on drives and outings. I never once prodded you to do any of that. So, if anyone is ‘throwing’ themselves at the other, it is you.”
Thank the heavens her voice held steady, for had quivered even the slightest bit, she’d never have managed the speech. But she spoke the words clear and strong, knowing her behavior supported that assertion, and everyone listening in knew it, too—even Mr. Townsend, whose complexion reddened, his mouth hanging agape as he stared at her.
Evelyn did not blink.
Throwing down his napkin, the bounder shot to his feet and stomped away.
“Brava.” Miss Blythe spoke the word so quietly Evelyn wasn’t certain she’d intended it to be heard. The people around her remained held in place, and Evelyn dropped her gaze to her plate, taking another bite, though a slight tremor took hold of her hands.
Yet even as her body reacted to that unpleasant interlude, her heart lightened. Thumping happily, it pumped energy through her, adding to her general shakiness. The others around her eventually turned back to their meals and conversations, and her stiffness faded as their attention shifted away.
Evelyn had given that cad a set-down; one that was far more eloquent and sharp than she would’ve expected in such a tense moment. She hadn’t settled for being another’s plaything. She had defended herself. Evelyn couldn’t comprehend why Mr. Townsend had chosen to toy with her, and she was certain the embarrassment regarding her feelings for him would haunt her for some time. Yet at that moment, Evelyn Finch had every reason to hold her head high.
*
George clenched his fork as his gaze bored into Mr. Townsend’s retreating back. In quick succession, his thoughts conjured up the torments of hell he might unleash upon that blackguard, though not a one was punishment enough for such an outrage. With shaky breaths, he tried to ease the pressure in his chest, but his breathing was more forceful than calming, coming in and out like the labored huffs of a train.
Marian set aside her napkin and rose, going to Evelyn’s side. She said something, though George could not lay hold of it, except to note that it was lighthearted and playing to the audience as though nothing were amiss—the same audience who had witnessed Mr. Townsend’s wretched behavior, hearing every nasty word he’d lobbed at Evelyn, not caring if it tainted her reputation or embarrassed her.
With exaggerated care, George rose from his seat and moved through the crowd, his gaze fixing on Mr. Townsend. Like a hound on the trail of game, instinct pushed him along, carrying him towards his quarry. Then a hand slipped through his arm and nudged him away. George pulled against the hold, only stopping from putting his whole strength behind freeing himself when he realized it was Marian.
“Release me,” he said, forcing himself not to growl and snap at her.
But Marian guided him into a quiet corner of the ballroom that gave them as much privacy as they could have in the gathering. Then, turning to stand in front of him, she forced his gaze to hers.
“Leave it be, George. It will not help your sister.”
It was not the command as much as her use of his given name that calmed him enough to speak.
“I cannot allow him to treat her in such a fashion and do nothing!”
“It will hurt her more if you do.” Marian’s hand rose as though to cup his cheek, but she paused before her fingers made contact, her gaze flicking to those around them. Lowering it once again, she added, “If you confront him, it will only add to the spectacle he created.”
George shook his head. “I shall be quiet about it. No one need know.”
But Marian gave him a look of challenge, and he sighed, his shoulders slumping.
“I know how you feel, George,” she said, her eyes blazing with shared anger and fury. “I want to scream and rail against him. I want to hit him. Bludgeon him. Break his legs. I want to unleash a mighty fury on behalf of Evelyn and every other person who has been treated shabbily by ignorant, self-centered people like him. But for now, I am going to smile and pretend nothing has happened. I will give Evelyn the support and comfort she needs. I will not add to her burden.”
George let out a sharp huff and ground his teeth together. “But I am her brother, and that blackguard belittled her in her own home. I cannot let that stand! I must defend her.”
“She defended herself quite admirably.” Marian gave him a faint smile full of sympathy and understanding, though it did little to ease the ache in his heart. “She handled the situation with dignity and aplomb, batting aside his barbs and giving him quite the blow in return. If people speak of what happened, I am certain it will be with full criticism for him and admiration for her. Do not steal away her victory to soothe your pride.”
George let out another frustrated sigh and stared up at the ceiling as though some answer might come from on high. Surely, he could have the retribution he craved without adding to Evelyn’s burden. But no solution came. All he had was Marian’s guidance, and it was too sensible to cast aside.
“But how…” George’s throat tightened, his gaze dropping as he shook his head. Evelyn’s tears came back to haunt him, reminding him of all the hurt Mr. Townsend had heaped upon her in the past week.
Luckily, Marian needed no further explanation. Her expression warmed, her eyes echoing the sympathetic smile tugging at her lips. “You will continue to love your sister as you have before. Be a listening ear when she needs it. That may not be as satisfying as feeling Mr. Townsend’s nose break beneath your knuckles, but confronting him will only validate that wretched, odious man’s belief that she is heartbroken over him. Be her support, George. There is nothing else you can do to make it right. Evelyn is strong; she will make things right for herself.”
George’s heart expanded as she spoke, chasing away his agony in a warm burst of gratitude for this incredible lady. Marian saw things in such a different manner than him, shining the world in a new light, and he wondered why he had spent so much of his life in darkness.
