Chapter Two
Somewhere in Mayfair
London
Lady Evangeline Farnswood, widow of the late Marquess of Marklesfield, stepped into the ballroom with a feeling of hope in her chest. Perhaps tonight would be the night she’d find the man who would become her second husband. Now that she was out of mourning, she was ready to start her life over.
The glide of her silk gown in a sky-blue color was slightly cool against her skin, and though the weather had been wretchedly chilly and more rainy than usual this year, she had chosen the bright color to portray a cheerful spirit and to help lift her own.
With every step along the perimeter of the room, she caught faint whiffs of her perfume, and the scent of lilacs with a hint of lemons made her smile.
A bottle of that was the first thing she’d purchased for herself after her horrible husband had met his demise.
It had been an act of defiance, for he never let her wear any other scent outside of roses or honeysuckle, both of which turned her stomach, for one had been his mother’s favored perfume and the other belonged to his mistress.
When she spied a friend, she lifted a hand in greeting, then made her way around the room until she’d gained the woman’s side.
“It is good to see you, Anne,” she said as she took the other woman’s hand and squeezed her fingers. “I feel as if it’s been an age since we’ve talked.”
“Perhaps because it has. You’ve been in mourning.” Amusement danced in Anne’s eyes. She patted an escaped tendril of black hair back into her upswept tresses. “I have missed seeing you out in society.”
“And I’ve missed being here.” Not that doing that duty while she’d been married had been the entertainment it should have been. “But I thank God that period of my life is over and I can move forward.”
At the age of four and thirty, Evangeline was anxious to rejoin society.
Her marriage to the marquess had lasted ten years.
He’d been a friend of her father’s, and the match had been arranged, wherein she’d had no choice but to comply.
Then she’d spent a year “observing” mourning for a man she’d despised.
The freedom she was about to embark upon made her giddy and almost drunk with choice.
Except her brother wanted to match her with one of his friends.
Never again.
“I can just imagine,” Anne said with a soft smile.
To polite society, she was known as Mrs. Cunningham, and this coming December, she would pass her first wedding anniversary with her husband, who affectionally carried the “honorary” title of the Duke of Udolpho.
“Does this mean you are back in society for a specific reason?”
“Perhaps. Tonight, I’m interested in browsing eligible men,” Evangeline said with a wink.
This second time around, she would choose the husband, not someone else who had their own agenda.
Finally, she was out of mourning, and she had no plans to continue to think about the man who’d beat her and treated her poorly, whether in his cups or not.
“I’m glad to hear it. Would you like me to tell you about some of the men here tonight? I don’t plan on dancing, but I’m happy to gossip.”
“That would prove quite helpful. Thank you.” As she spoke, she kept her gaze on the dance floor as couples performed a country reel. “I want my second go at matrimony to be as different as possible than the first.”
Over the years, she’d written to a few close friends that she could trust, and in those letters, she poured out her heart regarding what her life had become.
To add insult to injury, there had been no reward from that ten-year union, not even a child to make up for all the dismal hardships she’d endured.
Regardless that Marklesfield had been a marquess, he wasn’t a good man.
And she desperately wanted that next time. Wanted to be cherished and protected. To be valued and treasured. To be an equal and loved.
To have a family and feel like more than an object that was bought and sold.
“Surely you won’t have the same bad luck as the first.” Anne put a hand on Evangeline’s arm and drew her a bit away from a group of young ladies who were chattering and laughing.
“I came out tonight to amuse myself while Dante is away. You and I need time to chat. This year without a summer has been odd and difficult and quite trying. It’s been maddening with all the rain and the chill. ”
“I agree. It makes me wonder what will happen in the future. Heavens, what if this is all there is for us?”
Though she didn’t fully understand why the weather in England was so affected by a volcanic eruption on a tiny island halfway around the world months ago, all she knew was it had upended life as everyone had known it.
Foodstuffs were problematic and scarce, which was why dinner hadn’t been served before the ball tonight.
There was only finger foods promised midway through and watered-down lemonade.
Upon entry tonight, every guest had been told that champagne was in short supply, so everyone was limited to one glass.
That didn’t matter much to Evangeline, for refreshments were only part of why she’d wished to attend the ball.
“Oh, I hope not. There is much living to do, and I don’t wish to be cheated out of that,” her friend said in response. “Of course, with my husband gone right now, those plans have stalled.” A frown tugged at the corners of Anne’s mouth. “I miss him.”
“Of course you do, since you’re still very much in the newlywed stage of life.
” Only slightly did Evangeline envy her that, for her own husband’s false veneer had slipped shortly after the nuptial ceremony was completed.
“How about we settle for gossip and news right now? You can come visit me for a longer chat later this week.” Over the past year, Anne had dropped by for visits a few times despite the fact her time was occupied with being a new wife.
“I would like that.” The other woman nodded. “Are you quite serious about wanting a new husband? You’ve suffered trauma from the last one, and those memories will linger in your mind for quite some time.” Concern shadowed Anne’s eyes.
“I didn’t come out of the relationship unscathed.
” Evangeline sobered as well, but she wouldn’t let those remembrances haunt her tonight.
Not when she had the whole of her future ahead of her.
“Despite all of that, yes, I want to marry again, but on my terms. I wish for a different outcome this time.”
Anne nodded. “It’s not too late. Do you wish for a babe?”
“If that is what fate will give me.”
Her friend came closer and dropped her voice to a whisper. “You were married to Marklesfied for ten years. Was he sterile?”
“I don’t believe so.” Pain went through her chest and squeezed her heart. These particular memories were deeply hurtful for a variety of reasons. “I… I fell pregnant twice during my marriage, but I lost both children early in the terms.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Evangeline nodded. “I didn’t want to burden anyone with it, and it was difficult for me to talk about.
” A waver went through her voice. “It still is; I lost the second pregnancy four years ago.” As best she could, she blinked away the tears, for she didn’t wish to stain her gown or frighten off an interested gentleman.
“Of course, those losses were probably due to being beaten each time I told Marklesfield about them…”
Anne gasped as horror went through her expression. “What a monster!”
“Oh, you have no idea,” she said in a barely audible whisper. As she shook her head, she composed herself and blew out a breath. “Regardless, I never heard of any bastards he fathered, and he kept a mistress most of the time we were married. As far as I know, she never bore him a child.”
“Do you believe what the marquess did to you will prevent further pregnancies?” Anne asked in low voice as her eyes filled with compassion.
“I don’t know.” Evangeline pressed her trembling lips together. “But I can’t abandon hope, for doing so will mean a bleak life… in every possible way.”
“Right.” The other woman nodded. “I’m so sorry, for I know what it’s like to yearn for a child but never seeing that come to fruition.”
Her eyebrows went up with surprise. “You are struggling?” That was something Anne had never shared with her in letters.
“Yes. It was… difficult to write on paper much less talk about.” Slowly, she nodded.
Fathomless sadness pooled in her eyes. “But then, it’s early days yet in my union, and just now, Dante is away on a clandestine mission for the Crown.
” She shrugged, and it was her turn to compose herself from a deluge of emotions.
“Perhaps once we have more time together. However, I don’t know when he’ll return, so I’m grateful for these outings and friends like you. It takes my mind off things.”
“Oh, Anne.” Evangeline grasped her friend’s hand and squeezed the fingers in empathy. “Now that I know, I’ll make it a point to spend more time with you.”
“I appreciate that. I’m lonely when he’s gone.”
I can’t imagine what that feels like.
It was directly opposite to how Evangeline felt about her reprobate late husband, and quite frankly, she didn’t know how to answer.
Instead, she let her gaze drift to the dance floor where the reel had ended.
Couples left the floor while new ones found spots, preparing for the next set.
Giggling and gossiping filled the air. Then her notice landed on a man who loitered by the open double doors at the top of the room.
Despite the scar on his brow and his right arm in a sling, he was quite handsome with his caramel-colored hair done in the latest style.
Even at this distance, she noticed how his finely tailored evening clothes molded to his body.
A tiny thrill twisted down her spine and her pulse accelerated in appreciation.
She nudged Anne in the ribs with an elbow. “Look. That man near the doorway. Do you know who he is?”