Eliza leaned against the door in a daze. She knew not what had just occurred in the carriage, but somehow knew this was far from the end with Evan. What more could the man possibly want from her? He could not have traveled so far for a bed fellow when he could just as easily find a lover in town. Even more perplexing was how he found her at the rectory. It was no doubt her servants must have sent him that direction but the reason was unknown.

“Oh! My lady, you have returned. I did not expect you so soon. I see that the Earl of Chisholm found you.” Her housekeeper took her cloak from her and hung it up by the door.

“Bertha, am I to understand you told the earl where to find me?”

“Yes, mistress, I did. The weather was terribly bad and I did not want you to walk in that weather or the mud tomorrow. You did, however, neglect to warn me the man was very handsome. I can see how you are so distracted. He possesses such strength.”

She was amazed that her own housekeeper deliberately told him where to find her and suggest he bring her home.

“Can I fix you something to eat, my lady?”

“No, I dined with the vicar and his wife, but I will take some tea by the fire.”

Eliza slowly walked into the parlor and wondered what he must of thought of her small cottage. He was probably unaccustomed to such small confines but the cottage suited her well. She had no need for some grand palace.

She sat in her usual chair and picked up her embroidery. This is what it meant to be home. The blessed silence; no meddling society ladies, vexed ex-lovers or meddling housekeepers. A laugh escaped her lips. Yes, a meddling housekeeper who had no notion of what transpired in that carriage. The man certainly could have gone further but as respectable as he was he did not. That kiss... She would never forget it either. Who knew passion could be so exhilarating?

Her mind then went elsewhere. If Evan kissed like the devil she could only imagine what he must be like behind closed doors. Heat raced to her cheeks and a strange feeling of excitement welled up in her. Why on earth was she thinking of such sinful things? If that weren’t bad enough, she wondered if had the body like one of those Greek statues she saw in a volume of ancient history; well sculpted and endowed.

Eliza let her embroidery fall to the floor. The heat was suddenly quite unbearable.

Bertha entered the room, carrying a tray of tea. “What is the matter, my lady?”

“The room is suddenly quite hot. Would you mind opening a window, please?”

“Of course, my lady.”

The room, of course, was not as hot but those thoughts of Evan compared to a statue of Adonis, well, they would surely land her in hell.

Her housekeeper set the tray on the table near her, then opened the window.

“Are you certain you are well, mistress? I can summon the doctor.”

“I will be fine. Go on and retire for the evening, Madeline. I can see to closing the window and cleaning my dishes before I retire for the night.”

Betha left her in peace and Eliza paced the room by the window trying to take as much air in as she could without having to go outdoors in the dark.

He would pick her up for the ball and, the unfortunate thing is, she left all her beautiful new gowns at Mary's townhouse thinking she would never wear them again, much less in the country. For a life that was supposed to be remarkably quiet and humble that impossible man followed her to the country and is complicating matters by the day.

Eliza knew in her heart she desired him as much as he did of her, yet she could not for the life of her understand why he would concern himself with her whilst still looking for a husband for his sister. Yes, he acknowledged the affair with Lady Amelia was wrong and yes, he cared not for what trouble she tried to stir. The fact remained he had plenty to deal with already. Seeking her out would get him no further ahead, or would it?

She closed the window and then picked up her tea and carried it to her room. What she needed was a good night’s rest and could worry about what to wear for Friday in the morning.

* * *

Breakfast came and went the next morning and Eliza was still undecided on her situation for the ball. Truth of the matter was, that she had no intention of attending, but it was obvious that Evan’s mind was set.

She had already written to Annabelle inquiring as to how she fared after the horrible display and she had already written to Mary apologizing for leaving so hastily without an explanation.

She would have her manservant take it town on the morrow, in the meanwhile, the weather appeared fine and a good walk on the hills was in order.

“Where are you off to, mistress?”

“Only out for a walk. I will not be long.”

Eliza strapped on a bonnet and headed out on the pathway toward the creek. There was a lovely abandoned barn on the property that she loved sitting by and reading her favorite books. The sun was bright and the breeze minimal meaning she could just lay back and enjoy the beauty and grace of this beautiful countryside.

She picked daisies and buttercups the entire way and found a lovely patch of green to rest at. There was nothing more beautiful than this moment. This is the reason why she loved the country so much. Eliza had much to be thankful for even despite her lack of station, however, none of that mattered any longer. She would amuse Evan with this last whim and he could return to his life and carry on as if they had never met. It would do them both well if they did not see each other again after the assembly.

* * *

“Evan, I hardly see why you needed me to come with you to the modiste. I trust your judgement for gowns,” Annabelle pleaded as if she were inconvenienced.

“I would like to not only make amends for ruining your evening the other night, after that scuffle I had with Dodds and Hubert, but I would like to buy a lovely and respectable gown for Eliza,” Evan said. “There is a country assembly I want to take her to in Devonshire and thought you might offer some assistance in picking out some ideas.”

His sister tapped him on the arm and smiled. The modiste had been watching them for a while and he hoped his sister would help offer some additional insight instead of a dressmaker attempting to pawn off a far too extravagant item not meant for country assemblies.

“I see. So, am I to understand you are courting Lady Winston, brother?”

“I suppose in a way without her truly knowing. I do have grand plans however, we will take this in steps to not overwhelm the poor lady.”

The modiste approached.

“Monsieur, mademoiselle, how can I be of assistance?”

“I would like to have a dress made for my sister made and I am looking for a dress to give as a gift to a customer of yours. Do you remember Lady Winston by chance?”

“Oui, monsieur.”

“I need a gown made that is suitable for a country ball. Nothing too bold, of course, but something befitting her station.”

“Of course, monsieur. I have some lovely gowns here if you and your sister will come and see for yourself.”

His sister let out a squeal and turned to him. “Are you sure you and Lady Winston are nothing more than friends?”

The question made him cross, though he suspected his feelings were more than obvious. “I could probably ask you the same of Emberly. The two of you have been friendly at every outing you both have attended together.”

She tsked. “I will not deny that I find your friend appealing and he makes for wonderful company. However, the question at hand is about you and not I.”

“What if I were to admit to you that I do fancy the lady, what then?”

“Then you must court her and irritate Mama even more by making Lady Winston your countess.”

He chuckled. Even the modiste looked up from the dresses.

“Apologies for the delay, madam.”

They were seated at her desk when she slid a few designs before them whilst she had her assistant pull a few assembled designs.

The first gown was positively divine then another, which seemed more age appropriate for Annabelle, caught his eye. “Madam, do you think that would fit my sister?”

She nodded with a smile. “I think so. Mademoiselle, would you care to try the gown on? Eloise will assist you.”

“I would love to try it on. Oh, Evan, you are truly the best brother ever.”

The moment his sister disappeared from the office Evan pointed at the first gown.

“That is the one! When can it be modified and packaged? I need this gown immediately.”

The woman raised a brow and winked. “It had already been made for her, only she did not choose it the last time she was in.”

“Perfect! Do you have anything elegant to sleep in as well that might fit her?”

“Oui, monsieur, I will wrap everything right away so your sister does not see.”

“I appreciate it.”

With a grin, he leaned back in the seat and waited for his sister to grace her presence with the new gown. A few more minutes later and the girl came dashing out of another room and twirled about.

“Oh, Evan! This gown is gorgeous; I do hope he will love it…” She stopped and gasped.

Now it was his turn to question his sister. What game was she playing at? Was it possible this entire time Emberly had his eye on his sister? Or was it the other way around? Did his own sister push that rogue Wickham away so that she finally had a chance at his friend? He would address this matter when they returned home. He dared not to risk damaging her reputation further by discussing this in a dressmaker’s shop, of all places.

“The gown looks lovely, Annabelle. I will purchase that one, as well. Now run along and change as I have several engagements this afternoon I cannot be late for.”

She ran off with haste. Evan could have sworn he saw a touch of disappointment on her face. The way she frowned and her blue eyes misty. Did she honestly think he would have embarrassed her so? If there was anything he was positive of, he inherited their father’s sensibility. Their mother, on the other hand, cared not for an ounce of humility. There was no end to her manner in disgracing and degrading her staff and children and, on occasion, their father. It was not until he took on the responsibilities of the estate did he realize how much his father had been pushed into drinking and into the arms of a mistress. While two wrongs never made anything right there was much to be learned from the past.

Evan knew Amelia was married, but the temptation of lying with another’s wife was all a game. A foolish one he regretted sorely. Her antics would get her no further than in a brothel if she kept her harassment up. The woman was clearly unfit to run a household much less maintain a reputation commanding respectability.

He waited patiently at the counter for his sister to return the gown to the modiste for wrapping.

A small part of him was eager to see what Eliza would think of the gown when it was delivered and another part could not wait for him to undress her.

If there was anything he was certain of, after the ball they were going to pass a threshold there was no return. He would ensure he was the only man she thought of day in and out.

Pulling him right out of his thoughts, Annabelle rushed to his side. “Oh, brother, you have made me the happiest of girls.”

“Hang on to that for bit, dear, I am sure you will change your mind sooner or later.”

“Never. I wish though that you would take me along to that country assembly.”

“Another time. I promise you shall see Eliza again. Very soon, in fact.”

The modiste passed him the wrapped bundles and walked to the door. He looked back and winked at the modiste. If all went well he would be hiring her for more than just a silly gown; there would be many more gowns, night rails and wrappers.

* * *

Once he and his sister were seated in the carriage and it lurched into motion, Evan said,  “Annabelle, do you wish to elaborate on who you hoped would love your gown?”

She paled and fiddled with her skirt. “Not particularly, however, if you must know…”

“I must.” The corner of his lip twitched creating the oddest of sensations rippling in his cheek.

“Andrew. Evan, but I suspect you already knew.”

He nodded and kept silent.

“Please Evan, I do not want you so cross with me. I really do like him and even though he has not offered, I would not reject him.”

Perhaps the answer to this whole scandal had been beneath their noses the entire time. He would have to set some time aside to discuss with Emberly a new kind of proposition that might even be appreciated by his own family. It was all in the manner of approach. His friend enjoyed a merry chase when it came to women, and his sister would no doubt keep him busy. In turn, he loved entertaining as much as his sister, so in that they were perfectly matched.

“If, and only if, an arrangement can be agreed upon between Emberly and I regarding marriage, you will not give either one of us a difficult time of the matter.”

She shook her head and smiled. His sister relaxed and then stared out the window.

“I always knew Wickham chased skirts, but thought he would change once I… I had no idea he would disgrace us all.”

“The disgrace is his alone to bear,” Evan said. “Soon enough, you will be Viscountess and will have married above Wickham’s station. It is just as well he ran of.”

Now that Evan had a plan, he hoped his oldest friend would agree to an arrangement. Considering the man had no qualms with carrying on affairs with more than one demi rep, convincing Emberly this was the right thing to do would be a greater challenge than convincing the lovely Eliza in becoming his countess. Such delicate work and limited time. What on earth was he going to do if neither agreed to his proposals? It would be the greatest scandal of them all and he hoped it would not come down to that sorry state of affairs. He would have failed in his duties miserably.