Page 41 of Hold Me Fast
“You have been busy,” Jowan said. “I know how you get when you are composing. I did not mean to disturb you, though I would have had to soon, for Evangeline says we cannot permit you to miss dinner.”
Evangeline’s professional opinion was reinforced by a loud and embarrassing gurgle from Tammie’s middle. “It was time to disturb me. I have caught the spirit of it, I think. Now I need to shape it into something worthwhile.”
“What I heard sounded wonderful,” Jowan told her. He had always said that, but the opinion warmed her, anyway, as did what Evangeline said when Tammie saw her as they both went upstairs to dress for dinner.
“I heard what you were playing and thought it was beautiful. I told Jowan I didn’t recognize it and he told me you were a composer. That was one of yours?”
“One I am writing,” Tammie admitted. “It still needs a lot of work.”
Evangeline stopped on the landing and touched Tammie’s arm as if to check she was flesh and blood. “I am amazed,” she said. “I suppose I always knew real people write the music I loved, but I never thought I would meet one.”
“It is inspired by our escape from Coombe’s men,” Tammie explained. “At least, that is where it started.” She could share her excitement with her friend, she realized. And then, it occurred to her that it had been so long since she had had a friend that she had forgotten the joy of celebrating her own achievements with them, and theirs in their turn.
“Evangeline, I haven’t been able to write music in years. Coombe did not like my music and tried to prevent me, and somehow, I stopped hearing it. I feel as if I had lost both of my arms and today I discovered they were growing back and beginning to work again.” On impulse, she hugged the other woman, and tears rose to her eyes when Evangeline hugged her back.
“I am so happy for you, and I wish I could kick that horrible man. To ignore such a talent! I thought he was supposed to be such an expert in music, but clearly, both of his ears must have been painted on if he did not like what you do.”
Her indignation made Tammie laugh, even as the tears overflowed. “He said no one wanted to hear music written by women,” she explained.
“Stupid, as well as horrid,” said Evangeline, firmly. “Are those happy tears, Tammie? I hope so, for they should be. You have your music back.”
“And I have a friend,” Tammie noted. “If you are willing, that is.”
“I am your friend,” Evangeline assured her. “And will continue to be so, I hope.”
*
That night atdinner, Evangeline and Bran raised the topic of their wedding. “I see no point in waiting,” Bran commented. “We are both mature adults, and we have made up our minds.”
Given the nighttime traffic Jowan had heard passing his bedchamber door, he was not surprised an early wedding was in the cards, but he was not as certain it was a good idea. Evangeline had a different concern.
She addressed it with Tamsyn. “I came to be a companion to Tammie. I do not wish to leave you in the lurch, Tammie. If you move to your mother’s cottage, you will need another lady living with you to safeguard your reputation, and if you stay here, even more so, with a single gentleman in the house.”
No way.Jowan shook his head. “I do not like the idea of Tammie alone in Apple Cottage, or even with servants and a lady companion. Not while Coombe is still at large. But if you two marry, you will be living here, will you not? A married woman in the house is all the protection Tammie needs.”
“We talked about doing up the steward’s cottage when I married,” said Bran. “However, I don’t see any reason why we cannot live here after our wedding until Coombe is dealt with or until Jowan is satisfied that Tammie is safe.” At least Bran was making some kind of sense.
“I do not want you delaying the wedding on my account, Evangeline,” Tammie insisted. “Nor do I wish to stand in the way of you and Bran having your own home. Jowan, I am sure there must be another lady who could be found to live with me. Perhaps we could advertise in the Plymouth papers if none of the local ladies is interested. As to Coombe, surely I will be safe in Apple Cottage? It is in the village, after all. And is there not a little stable with accommodation for a groom? If we looked for a strong and able man, he could also provide further security.”
Jowan was trying to find the words to explain those plans could not work when Bran spoke.
“Both cottages need work,” he commented. “We need to get the roof repaired or replaced, some plastering done, and a few other things fixed before either of them is livable.”
Good man. Delay. That was the thing.
Jowan didn’t want to be left alone at Inneford House. Bran and Evangeline could stay here permanently, as far as he was concerned. There was plenty of room. As for Tamsyn, he hoped to persuade her to stay permanently, too. As his wife. Too early to talk about that, yet, he supposed.
Bran, though, had other ideas. “What do you say, Evie, darling? Shall we arrange for the banns to be called and live here till the cottages are ready? And Jowan, we can arrange extra security for Tammie for as long as she needs it.”
Bran seemed to think that was the final word. Jowan couldn’t think of anything to say apart from, “I do not see any reason for any of you to move out. Inneford House has room for the three of you and more.” And there would be more, the way Bran and Evangeline were going.
Bran smiled. “None of us will be moving straightaway, Jowan. Tammie, I don’t suppose Jowan has had time to show you Apple Cottage yet.”The traitor.
“Not yet,” Tamsyn answered.
“We could walk down tomorrow afternoon,” Jowan offered, surrendering to the inevitable. At least he would be able to point out all the problems that needed to be fixed.
“We can all go,” Bran suggested. “We can inspect both the steward’s cottage and Tammie’s.” And so, it was settled as things fell into place.
