CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT #2
“We did,” Evylin confirmed distractedly.
It felt so strange being a guest in the house she once called home.
She’d grown up in these halls. This foyer was once a common pass-through in her day-to-day.
She’d fallen from the banister of that dark wooden staircase as a youth.
She’d painted the watercolor that hung on the wallpapered hallway that led to the dining room.
Calyn mentioned inviting their elder sisters for dinner, but Evylin hardly heard a word as her parents made their simultaneous appearances.
Lawton stepped out of his office off the foyer first. He looked the same as ever, dressed in a dark blue waistcoat and trousers.
His brown hair contrasted with his bright eyes, a gaze that widened ever so slightly as he caught sight of them.
“Oh!” Laurisa cried out from farther down the hall. Her cream dress rustled as she hurried across the wooden floors. Evylin had barely taken a step forward before her mother crashed into her, motherly sobs wracking her body. “Oh, Evie. My sweet Evie.”
Evylin had forgotten the pleasure of a mother’s hug. The embrace provided so much love, safety, reassurance, and devotion. Her muscles instinctively relaxed in her mother’s arms, soaking in the woman’s goodness and care.
Beside them, Lawton greeted Deckard. “This is a most welcome surprise,” he said as they shook hands. Then he added teasingly, “So long as you aren’t returning her.”
Deckard chuckled with polite amusement. “Not for the world, sir,” he said.
Laurisa finally released Evylin, forcing her to turn to her father.
For her entire life, the relationship between Evylin and Lawton had been strained.
She’d never really known him, as he was commissioned with the army for the first six years of her life.
Even when he returned, it seemed they were destined to merely be acquaintances since he spent all his time working, and she spent all her time with Ryen.
Due to their shared stubborn and independent personalities, father and daughter had never developed any real relationship.
Evylin had never minded until now.
Staring at her father, Evylin didn’t know what to do. She didn’t care to hug him, but it felt wrong not to greet him with the same warmth as her mother.
Lawton took a step forward, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and smiling. “I’m glad to see you, Evie,” he said, his eyes glistening strangely. “So very glad.”
Her breath caught. Evylin believed him, but still, she felt no more inclined to embrace him. Instead, she returned the smile and the salutation alone.
“What brings you to Whickam Village?” Lawton asked, stepping back to stand at his wife’s side.
Deckard took the initiative. “We’re on a mission for King Ephren,” he said. “I believe I mentioned that in my last letter?” At Lawton’s nod, he continued, “Well, it’s taking us to Olbury, which led us here. We don’t wish to impose on your hospitality, but—”
“Family is never an imposition,” Laurisa pronounced brightly. Then her gaze drifted to the four behind them. “Or their friends. I’m not sure we’ll have quite enough room though—”
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted her.
Calyn opened the door and froze. Her jaw dropped.
“Hello, Miss Glaas,” Thom said, standing there as handsome and officious as ever in his Order of the King coat. His gray-blue eyes scanned Calyn with interest. “You’re looking quite well.”
Rafferty peeked around him. “Oh, you’re right, Thommy,” he said snidely. “She is prettier than Eve.”
Calyn flushed brighter than Ethenn ever had, and Evylin sent the weasel a disapproving glare.
While Calyn backed away to let the remaining three men into the cramped foyer, Laurisa laughed, her nerves obvious. “As I was saying, I’m not sure we’ll have quite enough room for all your friends. Though we’ll do our best.”
Deckard offered an apologetic look. “We are a large party, I know, and if you can’t host us, we completely understand.”
“Not at all,” Laurisa insisted. She scanned the group once more. “Is there, uh . . . You travel with quite a mixed company, and I just wonder, are there couples other than yourselves among you?”
“Ah, yes.” Deckard turned and gestured to the group. “Allow me to introduce our friends. You know my brother, Thom, of course.”
Thom raised his chin toward Magistrate and Mrs. Glaas. “Pleasure,” he said, then winked at Calyn.
Calyn blushed even deeper, and Evylin pursed her lips.
“Beside him is Corporal Rafferty—”
“Call me Raff.”
“And on his other side are Mr. Vayden Calder and his wife . . .” Deckard hesitated, then said, “Isla.”
The couple wore amused smiles as they bowed and curtsied.
Deckard gestured to Ethenn at his side. “This is Corporal Loxley and . . .” He paused again, tipping his head in consideration before adding, “his wife, Ilain.”
Ethenn tightened his jaw while Ilain—standing by Isla’s side—gave a small curtsy, her expression abnormally uncomfortable.
“Ilain is Mr. Calder’s sister,” Deckard explained, then motioned to Brea, standing next to Ethenn. “And this is Miss Lohen.”
Rafferty leaned in and said, “My wife.”
“I’d sooner eat a dagger,” Brea quipped, then offered a friendly smile to the Glaas family. “This is a charming village.”
Lawton, Laurisa, and Calyn smiled with curiosity in their gazes.
“Well,” Lawton cleared his throat, “we will certainly have to be creative in finding rooms for you all. But be assured, we’ll be happy to provide a hearty dinner. Colonel,” he looked at Deckard, “I’d appreciate a word in my office if you don’t mind.”
Deckard drew his shoulders back, and Evylin felt her stomach twist. Her father knew.
Somehow, he’d figured out that things weren’t what they appeared to be.
Somehow? she thought contemptuously. You and Brea are wearing trousers, and you’re both heavily armed.
No Ephrian woman of repute would look as you two do.
“Of course,” Deckard said with charming ease. “Might Evylin join us?”
“No,” Lawton said in a sharp tone despite his casual demeanor. “Let her and the womenfolk freshen up. I’m sure our talk would only bore her.”
Deckard nodded and turned to Thom. “Once lodging is determined, get everyone settled,” he said, dropping his voice. “This will take a while.”
Laurisa and Calyn stepped forward to guide their guests toward the parlor, causing a flurry of motion around them. Evylin caught Deckard’s hand, pulling him close. “Keep it simple,” she whispered. “He won’t understand.”
Deckard dipped his chin reassuringly. Then he was gone, shut into her father’s office.
“Come now,” Laurisa said, setting a hand on Evylin’s shoulder. “We’ll get you all figured out and settled with rooms.”
Ushered into the parlor with the others, Evylin forced herself not to worry about her husband.
She helped her mother determine where to place all her guests.
Calyn hurried off to make tea, returning shortly with all the teacups their family owned.
It was decided that Evylin and Deckard would stay in her old room, Isla and Vayden would take the guest room, and Calyn graciously offered her room to Ethenn and Ilain.
“I’ll go stay with Doli and Devaan,” she said, then turned to Brea. “Miss Lohen, you may join me if you don’t mind sharing a room.”
“Oh, Brea is a splendid roommate,” Thom teased. “She positively loves ‘girl talk.’”
Brea passed him a bored look, stirring cream into her tea. “I’m rather an expert at feminine chatter, mi’caro,” she said. “I grew up with a sister of my own.” She turned to Calyn with a kind smile. “I’d be delighted, Miss Glaas.”
“Please, call me Calyn,” the girl said cheerily.
“Then you must call me Brea.”
Thom leaned over to Brea then, whispering so only she and Evylin could hear when he said, “Put in a good word for me, eh?”
“There is only one word I’d use to describe you,” Brea returned. “And it isn’t good.”
Thom chuckled, then turned back to Laurisa. “Evylin mentioned that Hewitt’s old apartment is vacant,” he said. “Rafferty and I can bunk there if that’s all right with you.”
“Hewitt’s . . .” Laurisa’s expression filled with momentary sorrow, but she recovered quickly. “Oh, I would hate to put you gentlemen there. It’s awfully small and drafty. And there’s only one small cot.”
“That’s all right,” Thom replied. “Raff can sleep on the floor.”
With the arrangements settled, the men left to retrieve their things. Evylin watched forlornly as they left. She didn’t care to be stuck with the women sipping tea and sharing idle chatter. Not while she could feel Deckard’s tension leaking toward her down the hall.
Setting her teacup down, Evylin turned to her mother. “I do apologize,” she said, keeping her voice low as Calyn asked after the other three women’s unique accents. “But might I be excused? We’re only here for the night, and I’d like the chance to visit . . .”
Evylin didn’t complete her thought, and Laurisa didn’t need her to. “Yes, of course, dear.” She squeezed her daughter’s hand. “Go, and I’ll prepare a bath for when you get back.”
With a grateful smile, Evylin left the parlor.
She slipped back through the hall and out the front door.
Catching up to the men in the stables, she waved her hello to great-uncle Ned, the farrier.
The wizened old man should have retired, but he’d lost his son in the war, and his grandson had been taken by the last draft.
“What are you doing out here?” Thom asked as Evylin approached.
Evylin joined in unlacing their bags from the saddles. “I wanted the chance to visit my and Hewitt’s old haunts,” she said. “Care to join me?”
Thom raised his brow. “I’m afraid my commanding officer ordered me to help get the troops settled.”
“I believe I can persuade him to give you a pass.”
With a smirk, Thom called to Ethenn. “Take Deckard and Evie’s things, too, would you?”
“Sure,” Ethenn said, his voice rougher than usual.
Thom turned to Evylin again. “Let me put our things up in Hewitt’s old space, and we can be off.”
“I’ll come with you,” Evylin offered.