Page 29 of Lord of Mischief
Chapter Sixteen
With her and Freddie’s relationship now on a more formal footing, Eve was disappointed to discover her mother had decided to place rules on their meetings.They were only to meet in public with other members of her family present at all times.As Freddie had not yet asked for permission to court Eve, they were not to dance together at social functions.They couldn’t even meet for walks in Hyde Park unless both Francis and Caroline were present.At all times.
Eve would have protested, but the sudden appearance of a new young lady in Will’s life added some unexpected complications.Within a week of his arrival in London, Will had secured his own home on nearby Newport Street, and much to Adelaide’s consternation, had moved out of the family home.
Her mother’s constant tears told Eve it wouldn’t be wise to make mention of Freddie for a short time.
Miss Harriet Wright had appeared in public on Will’s arm a little more than a fortnight after his return.He had received her family’s full approval to court the young woman, and he was playing everything strictly by the rules of society.Her widower brother’s gallant behavior left little room for Eve to make her own demands when it came to Freddie.
With the Rude Rules still in place, Eve did not want to make her connection with Freddie a public matter.She was counting the days until she and Adelaide left London to stay at Rosemount Abbey.Once out of sight of theton,she would be free to press her case with him.
Will may have been moving on with his own life but that did not mean he’d forgotten his brother and sisters.An invitation to a night of entertainment at Vauxhall Gardens was extended to them.With all of them keen to meet Will’s mystery woman, Francis, Caroline, and Eve readily accepted.
In the early evening, the Saunders’s family town carriage stopped outside a house in Newport Street, a short distance from Will’s new home.Will got out.
“Hattie lives two doors from me, but we must still respect social conventions.I won’t be a moment,” he said.
Caroline was seated on the bench opposite to Eve.“So, you know this Hattie Wright?Mama said you and she came out the same year,” asked Caroline.
“Yes, poor girl.Her father got a dose of puritan religion and pulled her out of polite society to go and work with the poor in the London slums.From what I understand, she is now living under the care of her married brother,” replied Eve.
The door of the carriage opened and Will assisted Hattie inside.She took a seat in the carriage, and Will made introductions.
“I am very pleased to have finally met you all.Will has told me so much about your family, I feel like I already know you,” she said.
“I remember you from the year we both came out,” replied Eve.
“Yes, you had the most wonderful dress at the official Royal ball.I must confess, I was so jealous,” replied Hattie.
Eve nodded and leant over, taking Hattie’s hand.“My mother had the fabric smuggled in from France; my father was livid.Caroline and I both got new gowns from that cloth.”
Eve and Caroline smiled at one another.They had been the best-dressed girls at several parties that year in their illicit gowns.
“Will tells us you run a soup kitchen that feeds the poor of St Giles.How ever do you manage such a thing?”asked Caroline.
“Yes, I’ve been in charge of the soup kitchen for a number of years now.You find that after a while you develop the skills to ensure that over a hundred people get fed every day.I’m very good at making a penny stretch a long way when it comes to haggling with the shop keepers at Covent Garden Market,” replied Hattie.
It didn’t take long for Eve to understand why Will was moving forward with such haste in courting Hattie.She was the right mix of intelligence and caring soul he sorely needed in his life.She was pretty and possessed a warmth that immediately made Eve want to welcome her into the family.
“It’s been a long time since I visited Vauxhall.I am really looking forward to this evening,” said Hattie, settling into her seat.
Eve ran a fashion-conscious gaze over Hattie’s attire.Her gown, while simply cut, was still of the latest season colors.Her matching slippers met with Eve’s silent approval.
Will had adopted his social face at this point, but he couldn’t hide the glint of happiness in his eyes.There would be wedding bells ringing very soon if her brother had his way.
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens was situated near the River Thames, not far from the newly built Waterloo Bridge.A long line of carriages slowly snaked its way along the road, gradually depositing the elegant members of London society at the entrance to the gardens.
Vauxhall at night was the destination for the cream of London society.The famous pleasure gardens were full of various entertainments.Food and drink stands were dotted throughout the gardens with all manner of delights for patrons to purchase.A full orchestra played in the center of the gardens where a raised dance floor was situated.
Anyone who could afford the entrance fee could attend.That anyone also included the second son of Viscount Rosemount who, by no matter of chance, happened to be standing outside the main entrance to the gardens as the Saunders family and Hattie Wright finally alighted from their carriage.
Eve hadn’t seen Freddie since Will’s welcome home function.The long days apart were quickly forgotten as Eve tossed aside all efforts at decorum and leapt with joy into his arms.Her exuberance was rewarded with a deep passionate kiss.She ignored the rest of her family.
When Freddie finally ended the kiss, Eve searched his face, looking for an echo of the joy she felt in her heart.The briefest of smiles came and went.
“Rude Rules I am afraid tonight, my love.As you and I have not been out together for some time we have some catching up to do.Lord Godwin insulted Christopher Smith, the lord mayor of London this morning, and Osmont gave him extra points for bravery.We are still ahead, but the gap is closing.This battle is going to go to the very end, I am afraid,” he whispered.
Eve tried to dampen down her initial disappointment.She had hoped the Rude Rules were a thing of the past.Instead, she focused on his other words.Once more he had called her my love.
