Chapter 7 #2
“Stuff and nonsense,” Gigi declared.
Then again, maybe it won’t.
“Something is afoot with you,” Gigi went on. “You haven’t been yourself since the kidnapping—”
“Gigi, dear,” Xenia murmured. “We talked about this. Have a care.”
“I do care,” Gigi countered. “Treading on eggshells will get us nowhere. If Evie is experiencing distress, then she ought to talk about it. I was there too, after all. Who better to understand what it is like to fear for one’s own life?”
“I have a rather keen understanding myself,” Xenia said.
Evie knew that Xenia had endured a cruel upbringing at the hands of her mother, an infamous cutthroat. Yet Xenia was a survivor of evil…not a perpetrator of it.
“Well, that’s my point. Evie can talk to us because we will understand.” Gigi took Evie’s hand and squeezed it. “Trust us, dear.”
“I do.”
It wasn’t a lie. Evie did trust them…but she didn’t trust herself. She was like a blight, and the last thing she wanted was to bring harm to these kind and gentle ladies.
“I…I haven’t been sleeping well,” she hedged. “The effect of disquieted nerves, I suspect.”
“That is perfectly normal.” Xenia nodded.
“And, um, when I don’t sleep well, my spirits seem somewhat depressed.”
“Then the solution is obvious,” Gigi said. “You must get more rest.”
“I am certain you are right.”
“What have you tried?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“To improve your sleep,” Gigi said patiently. “Have you attempted any remedies? As a botanist, you are likely better versed than we are on sleeping draughts and the like.”
An icy droplet trickled down Evie’s spine. Her palms turned clammy. Skeletons rattled their cages, but she kept them locked away.
“I try to avoid such concoctions. They make me feel buffle-headed, and I prefer to have my wits about me.”
“Have you tried a relaxing bath before bedtime?” Xenia asked. “Or a nice cup of hot milk? The latter is particularly nice with a bit of brandy.”
Evie managed a smile. “Thank you for the suggestions. I shall try them.”
“Vigorous exercise during the day also helps me sleep better at night,” Xenia added.
“Not to disagree with Xenia.” A mischievous sparkle lit Gigi’s eyes. “But I do believe that certain types of bedtime exercises are even more effective for sleep.”
“Gigi,” Xenia gasped. “That is terribly wicked of you.”
“Am I wrong?” Pausing, Gigi wrinkled her nose. “On second thought, let us change the subject since the two of you are married to my brothers—eww.”
“There is nothing eww about Ethan.” Xenia’s smile was slow and sly. “As a matter of fact, when it comes to exercising, he is exceedingly vigorous at any time of day—”
“Pray cease.” Moaning, Gigi covered her ears. “What is heard cannot be unheard.”
“If one stirs a nest of wasps, one must be prepared to be stung,” Xenia rejoined.
“At least I can count on Evie not to torment me,” Gigi said.
Caught up in the lively exchange, Evie gave James’s sister an innocent look. “Actually, I was about to say that athleticism must run in the family.”
As Xenia burst into laughter and Gigi groaned, Evie couldn’t help but smile. At the same time, her heart panged with grief. If she left, she wouldn’t just be leaving James. She was going to miss this—all of this—so much.
“It is lovely to have sisters,” Gigi said warmly.
“In that spirit, I have a favor to ask. Due to the impetuous nature of our nuptials, Mr. Godwin and I missed out on having a true wedding celebration. We would like to make up for it by throwing a ball, but as you know our new home, Honeystone Hall, is currently under renovation—”
“You must have the ball at Bottoms House,” Xenia declared. “Ethan and I would be honored to host the event.”
“Thank you, dearest. I was hoping you would offer,” Gigi said happily. “Mr. Godwin will, of course, cover the expenses. Indeed, he gave me carte blanche—”
“Well, there’s a surprise,” Xenia said.
Gigi dimpled. “He and I plan to invite guests from London as well, and we wish to show them the best that Chuddums has to offer. We were hoping to hold the ball as soon as possible…say within three weeks?”
Xenia’s eyes rounded. “That is no trifling agenda.”
“That is why I need the both of you.” Gigi turned a beseeching violet gaze upon Evie. “Do say you will help with the preparations.”
“I’m not sure how I can help.” Evie knitted her brows. “The bulk of the planning must be done in Chuddums—”
“You and James are welcome to stay at Bottoms House,” Xenia said immediately.
“Oh, but I…I…have work. My experiments—”
“I know you are busy, Evie. But I would be ever so grateful for your assistance,” Gigi pleaded. “Couldn’t you spare three weeks?”
Think of an excuse, Evie. Get out of this.
However, her mind refused to cooperate…probably because her heart yearned to say yes.
She faltered. “James may be busy.”
“If I can convince James, will you help me, Evie?” Gigi clasped her hands together as if in prayer. “Please?”
How could anyone say no to a Harrington?
Even with blackmail and secrets hanging over her head, Evie couldn’t bring herself to abandon this life.
To give up this taste of happiness that fate had bestowed upon her…
out of generosity or cruelty, she didn’t know which.
What she did admit to herself was that she couldn’t leave just yet. Not until she was out of options.
“All right,” she said. “If James agrees, I shall come.”