Through Each Tomorrow, page 25
As the audience cheered for Mr. Sears, Evelyn’s attention was on me. She smiled, and I smiled back, but something had changed between us that day in the library. Her old reserve had been put back in place. It wasn’t as intense, but it was there to protect her. Would she never trust me with her past?
Today was the last day I would be in Newport. That had to be heavy on her mind, as well. Would we ever see each other again? I tried to be stoic about the whole thing, but I’d told her I loved her in the library, and she had not returned my feelings. I didn’t expect her to, though I longed for her to say she loved me. Yet—what could come of such a declaration? Perhaps she was wiser than me and would not allow herself to say something she might regret as the years came between us.
I forced myself to put thoughts of Evelyn and 1563 aside as I jogged to the net and shook hands with Mr. Sears. I’d met him earlier, but it was still proper etiquette to greet one another before the match began.
A newspaper reporter snapped a picture of us, but I tried to turn my face so he would not get a good image of me. Mr. Sears was a congenial man with a wide mustache. He was athletic and lean and would be a fierce competitor.
“Thank you for agreeing to participate in this match,” I told him. “The orphans will benefit greatly from today’s events.”
“I’m happy to help,” he said with a nod. “May the best man win.”
We left the net and took our places. I would serve first, which I did as soon as the head referee gave me the signal.
Mr. Sears was a tough competitor, as I knew he would be, though I held my own against him and ended up winning two of the five sets. In the end, he took the fifth and final set and the crowd cheered.
When it was time to shake hands again, I was sweating and tired, but proud of playing my best. “I wish you success in the tournament tomorrow,” I told him. “I have no doubt you’ll be the champion again.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at Evelyn, who was approaching. “But I’m looking forward to attending the dinner and dance tonight.” He nodded in her direction. “Is she spoken for?”
My hand tightened around Mr. Sears’s, but I had to be honest. “I don’t believe so.”
He let go of my hand and gave his full attention to Evelyn.
She smiled at Mr. Sears, offering her hand to congratulate him, but her gaze kept trailing to me as he spoke to her.
I toweled the sweat off my brow as others came up to congratulate me for a job well done.
When everyone else had moved away, Helen Whitney approached. “And to think,” she said, “if you hadn’t come to Newport at Drew’s invitation, none of this would have happened, Lord Norfolk.”
The way she drew out Lord was concerning, though I might have imagined it.
“You are correct,” Evelyn said as she left Mr. Sears and joined me to face her aunt. “We are so fortunate he came when he did, or the orphanage would not be the recipient of the largest donation in their history. The money will allow them to have better care, more nutrition, and updated clothing. Not to mention more awareness in the community.”
“That’s what I was just thinking,” Evelyn’s aunt said with a tight smile as she lifted her eyebrow at me. “Awareness is so important, is it not, Lord Norfolk? But the most important thing is what we do with the information we’ve been given. Sometimes, we should act immediately—and other times, we should keep the information close and put it to use when it is most beneficial.”
My pulse ticked high as Helen kept her cool eyes on me. Thankfully, there was no one close enough to hear our conversation.
Evelyn lifted her chin, steel in her eyes as she said, “Only when the information is used for good, and not to hurt innocent people.” Her gaze traveled to her mother, who was congratulating Mr. Sears. She lowered her voice. “Not everyone is privy to the information.”
Helen’s lips pursed as her eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe that some people who should know are unaware.”
“Unfortunately, it’s true.” Evelyn’s voice didn’t waver. “And I would hate for someone innocent to suffer for something they didn’t do—no matter how much it might benefit someone else. Some things are not worth the damage that could happen.”
The two women stared at each other for a heartbeat, and then Helen turned and walked away.
“I wonder how long she’s known,” I said quietly.
Evelyn’s jaw was tight as she watched her aunt blend into the crowd. “Long enough.”
“Will she try to cause a scandal—or blackmail us?” I ran the towel over the back of my neck to look nonchalant, but every one of my muscles was tight with concern.
“I don’t know, but she is biding her time. She could have made it known right now but chose not to.”
“Perhaps it’s best that I’m leaving tonight.”
Evelyn looked at me, and for the first time all week, I saw vulnerability in her eyes. She had been pretending that my departure wasn’t affecting her, but I could see it was.
“You cannot leave before Mother’s ball.”
I frowned. “Ball? What ball?”
“It was meant to be a surprise for both of us. I think she was hoping she might convince you to propose to me if she could impress you with all the important people she knows. I only found out about it this afternoon when one of her friends accidentally told me.”
“A surprise ball? To draw out a proposal from me?” I couldn’t help but smile.
If only it was that easy.
“She has it planned for two days from now.”
“But I promised Congressman Reinhold that I would leave after the match today. If I stay, he will tell everyone what he’s learned.”
“I’ve spoken to Congressman Reinhold,” she said, “and explained the situation. Mother invited Mr. McAllister and Mrs. Astor, and they’ve both accepted. She’s elated, because they’ve never accepted one of Aunt Helen’s invitations. Once the newspapers hear that Mrs. Astor was at Mother’s ball, it will solidify her success and triumph over Aunt Helen once and for all. Congressman Reinhold was not happy, but he understands and does not want to force my mother to answer uncomfortable questions if you should happen to leave before her ball.”
I studied Evelyn as she spoke, trying to understand what she wanted. “Do you want me to stay, Evelyn?”
She was quiet for a moment as her blue eyes sought mine. “I wouldn’t have begged the congressman to give you two more days if I didn’t want you here.”
My heart warmed at her words. “And what about your aunt?”
“I have a feeling she’s known about your identity for a while and hasn’t chosen to reveal it, yet.”
“Perhaps she’s waiting for your mother’s ball, to cause a scandal in front of everyone.”
Evelyn put her hands on my arm. “I will speak to her, Charles, explain that Mother doesn’t know who you truly are and that she welcomed you into our home in good faith.”
I was very aware of the weight of her hands on my arm, and I had to stop myself from putting my hand over hers. “I don’t think it’ll stop her.”
“Whether you leave or stay,” she said, her voice still quiet so that no one around us might hear, “she knows the truth. Stay—for a little while longer. For me.”
I would probably regret my decision, but I couldn’t say no to her. If we only had two more days, it would have to be enough.
“I’ll stay,” I said. “For you—and for your mother’s ball.”
Evelyn’s smile was warm as she nodded and removed her hands from my arm. “Thank you.”
“Have you seen Drew?” I asked.
Evelyn shook her head as she scanned the galleries. “No. I spoke to him briefly before we came to the casino, and he said he was going to be here, but I saved him a seat and he never came to sit with Mother and me.”
I also scanned the galleries, but I couldn’t see him, either.
“Should we be concerned?” she asked me.
I let out a heavy sigh as I set my towel over the back of a lawn chair. “I think he’s avoiding me because something happened in 1563, but I don’t know what it could be. The queen has been very ill. I hope something didn’t happen to her and he has been waiting for me to learn about it tomorrow so it wouldn’t affect my day here.”
“We’ll both hope for that,” she said. “But for now, we need to prepare for the dinner. Hopefully Drew will come soon. He has a ticket for the meal and the dance tonight.”
I hoped so, too, but I wasn’t sure he’d make it.
Something was wrong, and Drew didn’t want me to know.
The dinner went off without trouble, and then the ballroom was cleared for dancing. The orphanage directors, Mr. and Mrs. Flanders, were invited to attend as guests of honor, and they seemed to have the most fun of all. Evelyn had arranged childcare, and the older couple were taking advantage of the night off, smiling and visiting and answering questions about the Newport Home for Friendless Children. Attendees had been making donations above and beyond their ticket prices, and Evelyn’s eyes shined bright with the success.
I had not had a moment alone with Evelyn since the match ended, and I searched the room for her now. We’d been seated at different tables for dinner. Congressman Reinhold had one eye on me from where he sat, and Helen Whitney had another eye on me from her side of the room.
Neither one made a move to reveal my identity, but it was only a matter of when and not if they would. Congressman Reinhold had no reason to share the truth unless I threatened his daughter in some way or didn’t leave after Mrs. Whitney’s ball. But Helen was a different matter. Could Evelyn convince her aunt not to say something, especially now that Mrs. Astor had accepted Minnie’s invitation? Did Helen know Mrs. Astor would be at Mrs. Whitney’s ball? Would Helen use the information to finally win the war with her sister-in-law?
I caught a glimpse of Drew as he stood with his mother near the ballroom doors. He’d arrived in time for the dinner but had been seated at a different table. Though he’d acknowledged me, he hadn’t sought me out, and, if I wasn’t mistaken, he was about to leave now as his mother pleaded with him to stay.
As I approached, he spoke quickly to Mrs. Whitney and then started to walk toward the door.
I jogged to catch up to him as he entered the dim lobby. It was empty, except for a young clerk who manned the front desk on the opposite side of the room.
“Drew.”
He paused, his shoulders stiff as he turned to me.
“What’s going on?” I asked him. “Why have you avoided me today?” I took a step closer to him and lowered my voice, though the clerk was so far away, he wouldn’t be able to hear us. “Is it the queen?”
“No.” He glanced toward the door leading out of the casino, clearly eager to get away, but said, “She is doing much better. I think you’ll be pleased with her improvement over the coming week.”
Relief washed over me. “That’s great news! Why have you avoided telling me?”
“I haven’t avoided telling you.” His tone was short. “You’ve been busy. I thought the news could wait for tomorrow.”
Drew was easy to read—at least, he had been before he came to Windsor Castle. Something else was bothering him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He lifted his chin. “I’ll prepare to return to Arundel tomorrow. You won’t need to worry about me anymore.”
So that was what was bothering him. He was no longer needed and would have to say good-bye to Cecily.
I put my hand on his shoulder, knowing exactly how he felt. “I think it’s best.”
He didn’t meet my gaze but nodded and then said, “I’m heading home. I don’t feel like dancing tonight.”
“I don’t blame you.”
Drew left the casino without another word.
“Is something wrong?” Evelyn asked as she walked up behind me, surprising me with her arrival.
I turned toward her, taken again by the lovely gown she wore. It was dark blue, pulled up to a bustle in the back with a slight train. The color made her eyes sparkle, even in the dim lobby. She was stunning, and my longing for her only increased.
“I think Drew is having a hard time saying good-bye to Cecily.”
“Your stepsister?”
I nodded. “He’s in love with her.”
“But he’s a commoner there?”
“Yes. And he has responsibilities here.”
She glanced toward the door where he’d just left, and there was complete understanding in her face. When she looked back to me, she asked, “Is there any way for them to be together?”
I had to shake my head.
Her shoulders fell, and anger mixed with her sadness as she went to a sofa in the corner. There were ferns to offer privacy, so I followed her there and took a seat next to her.
“I hate this burden we carry,” she said.
“Even if he didn’t have his responsibilities to his family here, he still couldn’t marry her in 1563. The queen would never approve—and to be honest, I wouldn’t, either.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not because I don’t think he would make her happy,” I added quickly. “But she needs financial security and a titled husband, two things he couldn’t provide for her.”
“Ever since I was young,” she said as she studied my face, “it has amazed me that the same time-crosser could occupy two paths and possess all of the same character qualities, personality traits, and morals—and yet, the only thing that determined their perceived worth to the world was where they were born.”
“I think you’ve landed on one of the biggest problems with humanity.” I gently took her gloved hand into mine. “I am the same man both here and in 1563, yet it is my birth that dictates my value and how I might live my life . . . and who I might love.”
She looked down at our hands and slowly turned hers over, so our palms touched, and laced our fingers together. “No one can tell you who you might love,” she said in a whisper. “Your birth cannot determine that for you.”
I inhaled at the feeling of her fingers wrapping around mine.
Her lips parted as if she was going to say more, but then she hesitated.
“What is it?”
Her face looked so much younger—so fragile and uncertain. “I want to tell you about my other path, Charles. I want you to know, so that after you have all the facts, you can decide if your love for me is strong enough to overcome the truth.”
“There is nothing you could say that would change how I feel about you.”
“I wish it was true, but I cannot let you leave without telling you about my past.” She let out a sigh and shook her head. “I know it doesn’t matter—that we cannot change the outcome of our lives. You need the investment from my father, and if he learned that you pretended to be the earl, he would not only withdraw his support, but he’d forbid me from seeing you again. If I disobeyed his wishes and people learned the truth, the scandal would ruin my mother, and I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt her. But there is a part of me that knows I must be honest with you. You deserve nothing less.”
“I deserve nothing,” I said, longing to know all of Evelyn, though she didn’t owe me an explanation.
“You do, and that’s why—”
“There you are!” Mrs. Whitney appeared beside the fern but paused as she saw us holding hands. Her surprise turned to delight and then sheer triumph. “Well, look at this.”
I stood and helped Evelyn to her feet and then let go of her hand.
“It’s not what it looks like, Mother,” Evelyn said, her cheeks turning pink. “I mean—it is—but—”
“Say no more.” Mrs. Whitney ran her gloved fingers over her lips as if she was buttoning them. “We will not make an announcement until the ball in two days.”
“Mrs. Whitney.” I stepped forward. “There will be no announcement.”
“Of course there will.” Her amenable voice turned rigid for a moment, revealing a new side of her I hadn’t seen until now. But she quickly covered it with a smile. “I’ve suspected for several weeks that you two had fallen in love. It’s written all over your faces.” She stepped into the little alcove created by the ferns and took Evelyn’s hand. “Now, I will not let you out of my sight until after the announcement, Evelyn. If someone else had come across the two of you, what would they think? It would start rumors before we’re ready to share the good news.” Her face became serious again as she said, “I eagerly wait for you to become my son-in-law, Lord Norfolk. This match will be good for all of us. I will become the mother of a countess! Can you imagine how many doors that will open for our family? And you, Lord Norfolk, will have a beautiful heiress—with a tidy dowry, I must add—to help with your castle.”
I opened my mouth to protest again, but Mrs. Whitney whisked Evelyn away before I could speak.
Evelyn glanced at me over her shoulder as they disappeared. She hadn’t told me about her other path, so I followed her and Mrs. Whitney into the ballroom, hoping to get another chance to speak to her.
But Mrs. Whitney was true to her word. She didn’t let Evelyn out of her sight again.
21
CECILY
AUGUST 4, 1563
FARNHAM HEATH, ENGLAND
I slowly opened my eyes and winced as I lifted my cheek off Andrew’s shoulder. My neck was stiff, and my bottom was numb.
“Good morrow, Lady Cecily,” Andrew said gently, his voice clear, telling me he’d been awake for some time but had let me sleep.
“Good morrow,” I said, feeling self-conscious as the early morning daylight brightened the room, making me aware of my appearance. I hadn’t taken the time to style my hair the night before, and the hem of my gown was soiled from the long walk from the castle.
The room didn’t look as bad in the light of day as I had imagined the night before, though the bedding needed some attention. There were no cobwebs in the corner or dust on the simple furniture.
“What time is it?” I asked with a yawn.
