“I understand,” Evelyn said, trying to glance about Lady Westbury’s ballroom without her companions noticing. In truth, she’d been relieved to read Mr. Sutherby’s note. It had given her a little more time to prepare for the awkward conversation, should he decide to propose. “It gave me an opportunity to spend the afternoon with my aunt.”
Aunt Beatrice had failed to make an appearance at breakfast. Mr. Hartford, having escorted them home from Lord Melbury’s ball, had stayed until the early hours, drinking and playing cards.
“Perhaps I can make amends this evening, Miss Bromwell. The night is warm and clear. A stroll around the gardens would be a welcome diversion.”
Evelyn hesitated. If she missed Alexander’s arrival, she might never find him in the crush. But then she had spent the last two hours watching the door, her heart skipping a beat whenever a new face appeared. She had to accept the possibility that he’d returned to his dilapidated hideaway in the New Forest — his heart, as well as the rusty gates, barred to all intruders.
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“Charlotte will stroll with us, just a few steps ahead,” Mr. Sutherby added with a dandified wave. “And I do need to stretch my legs after being cooped up indoors all day.”
“You are such a considerate brother, Nicholas,” Charlotte beamed. She turned to Evelyn. “I know of no other gentleman so devoted to his family.”
Nor a sister so devoted, Evelyn thought. Charlotte Sutherby’s beauty radiated from her like a beacon. Yet she’d shown no interest in any other gentleman. Securing her brother’s happiness appeared to be Charlotte’s only motivation.
“I shall just go and inform my aunt,” Evelyn said, deciding she would accompany them. It was only right that she should explain her feelings to Mr. Sutherby. He deserved the truth, and she knew of other young ladies who would be only too pleased to be seen on the arm of such a dashing gentleman. “Wait for me near the terrace.”
With one last glance at the empty doorway, Evelyn traipsed about the ballroom in search of her aunt. She spotted her dancing with Mr. Hartwood, exchanged a reassuring smile and made her way to the terrace.
Failing to notice Evelyn’s approach, Charlotte Sutherby’s countenance had changed dramatically. The innocent smile had been abandoned, only to be replaced with the wild look of the Devil. With clenched teeth and a furrowed brow, she grabbed the sleeve of her brother’s coat and grumbled in his ear. Like a naughty child, Mr. Sutherby cast his gaze to the floor and nodded. When her gaze locked with Evelyn’s, her hand grew limp and fell to her side, the irate expression turning soft and serene.
“Ah, Miss Bromwell,” she said, her tone light and airy. “I … I was just complaining to Nicholas, how lax of him not to escort you to your aunt.”
Mr. Sutherby made no comment and forced a smile as he offered his arm. Evelyn placed a hesitant hand in the crook, her fingers barely touching the material.
They followed Charlotte down the steps and out across the illuminated lawn. Evelyn could feel Mr. Sutherby’s assessing gaze, and she shivered as though frozen fingers trailed along the neckline of her gown.
“Is there something you wish to discuss?” Evelyn asked, desperate to bring an end to the matter. Of course, she would need to explain her decision to her aunt, who had already expressed her approval of the match.
“You know me so well, Miss Bromwell, I believe you can read my thoughts. It’s such a comfort when one finds the person who is their match, their intellectual equal. A person who can make life’s journey all the more pleasurable.”
“I do not believe intelligence should be the deciding factor when it comes to matrimony, Mr. Sutherby. We must follow our heart, not our mind. It is the only way to be true to ourselves.” She pictured Alexander Cole’s handsome face, knowing that her soul sang only to his tune.
Mr. Sutherby gave a contemptuous snort. “The heart is a fickle thing, Miss Bromwell. It leaves us prone to indulge in fanciful notions, to dream of a grand passion and a blissful union.”
Evelyn had felt such a passion and would gladly indulge her heart if only given the chance. “I want all of those things. I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Sutherby, but I could not settle for anything less. If I must dream until I am in my dotage, then so be it.”
She felt the gentleman stiffen. There should be no need for him to offer for her now, not when she’d made her position perfectly clear.
As they approached a tall topiary hedge, Charlotte stopped to wait for them. “I hear Lady Westbury has spent a small fortune on an outdoor aviary. Indeed, I believe I can hear them chirping. Perhaps it is through here.”
With some reluctance, Evelyn allowed Mr. Sutherby to escort her through the narrow walkway believing the sooner they pandered to Charlotte’s whims the quicker they could return to the ballroom.
“I’m convinced it is down here,” Charlotte said, running along the gravel path before disappearing around the corner.
When they reached the bottom of the path, Charlotte was nowhere in sight.
“Where on earth has she got to?” Evelyn said. It was not wise for a lady to be lost in the dark on her own.
“Don’t worry about Charlotte,” Mr. Sutherby said. “She can’t be far away. She’ll find her way back to us.”
An uncomfortable sense of foreboding settled in Evelyn’s chest. “Perhaps we should head back the way we came,” she said moving to walk in front.
But Mr. Sutherby grabbed her by her wrist and swung her back around to face him. “Let’s try this way,” he said pulling her further along the path.
Evelyn tried to yank her arm free, but the gentleman was much stronger than she expected. “Mr. Sutherby. Will you please let go of my arm.”
“Don’t play the coy little miss. You have been teasing me from the moment we entered the garden, with all your dreams of a passionate union.” He stopped and pulled her to his chest. “Why wait until your dotage? I am more than happy to indulge you now.”