Page 65 of It's a British Christmas

Eve felt the heat start in her middle and spread to her face. Not used to compliments, she fumbled to take the items from the maid. She breathed a sigh of relief when the shawl covered her chest. Taking a deep breath, she turned from the mirror and left the room.

Finally familiar enough with the house to avoid walking in the wrong direction or opening doors to strange rooms, she made her way down the stairs to the drawing room where the duchess said they would all meet for dinner.

The sliding doors had been left open, and a crowd of about thirty people stood in small clusters, conversing and holding delicate glasses of liquid. Eve’s mouth dried up, and she could not make her feet move forward. This was it. She would appear before members of the ton as if she belonged there. As if she did not pull the weeds from her garden, help with the laundry, and drive an old rickety wagon to bring food and clothes to the poor.

Just as she turned to flee back to the safety of the bedchamber she’d been assigned, a warm hand grasped her arm. “Eve?” She closed her eyes. Why didn’t he just let her go? Let her return to her life, and not pretend she could ever be a part of his.

“Yes.” She didn’t turn but tried to blink away the tears threatening to fall on the lovely shawl.

Adam linked his arm into hers. “Come, there are several people I would like you to meet.”

She looked up at him, her eyes pleading. “I don’t think I can do this.”

He stared into her eyes, his demeanor telling her she had no choice. “You are the bravest woman I know. You can do this.” He tugged her. “Come.”

Stiffening her back, she allowed him to move her forward. The duchess nodded to her as they passed. Adam stopped before a group of five people. “May I make know to you Miss Evelyn Allen? She is our guest for the Christmas season.”

An older woman with a very large feather in her hair raised a lorgnette and peered at her. “Miss Allen? Do I know your family?”

Since I don’t know who you are, how would I know if you know my family?

Instead of uttering those words, Eve smiled and did what she thought was an excellent curtsy. “I am not sure, my lady.”

The woman harrumphed and dropped the lorgnette, leaving it to dangle from the jeweled pin fastened to her very large bosom. “Well, I only know one Allen family, and they are a disgrace.”

Eve felt the sweat break out on her back. This was the first person she met and already she was making a muck of it.

Adam cast the woman his most charming smile. “Ah, Lady Penzer, I doubt if you are familiar with Miss Allen’s family. They reside in a lovely village in Worcestershire.”

“Indeed?” Her brows rose as if no one should stand before her whose family she did not know.

“Miss Allen, may I introduce Lord and Lady Duncan, Lord Melrose, and his daughters, Miss Clark, and Miss Amy Clark.”

Eve gave more curtsies, assuming the lords and lady received a deeper one than the two young girls. They all smiled at her, except for Miss Clark who gave her a distinct glower. Oh, dear. It appeared she’d already annoyed Lady Penzer by not coming from a family she knew, and Miss Clark who for a reason completely unknown to her.

Adam groaned inwardly at the look Miss Clark cast in Eve’s direction. It had been bad enough that Lady Penzer had given her a hard time about her family, but he knew Miss Clark had aspirations where he was concerned, unfortunately initiated by his mother. He had never seriously considered the girl for his wife, but now that Eve had come into his life, no one else would ever satisfy him.

He chatted for a few minutes with the group, then moved Eve along to join another gathering. Lords Stewart and Davis were much more congenial toward Eve, which pleased him in one way because she visibly relaxed but annoyed him in another way. The men were both single, handsome, and charming. And were obviously captivated by Eve. He didn’t spend too much time with them before he moved her to another group.

They had made their way around the room by the time the butler announced dinner. Bending to protocol, he escorted Lady Penzer into dinner. Once they were seated, however, he breathed a sigh of relief to see Mother had placed Eve not too far from him, and across from her, giving the girl a view of everything his mother did.

“Your Grace, I am so looking forward to the Christmas Eve Ball.” Miss Clark beamed at him as she picked up her wine glass.

“As I am as well. Christmas is my favorite time of the year.” He turned to Eve. “How about you, Miss Allen? What is your favorite holiday?”

“I believe it is Christmas myself. I love the scent of greenery when we decorate the house with it, and all the special foods Mama prepares.”

“Your mother cooks?” Miss Clark regarded Eve as if she had just returned from the fish market carrying a dripping gutted trout.

“Yes, indeed. Miss Allen’s mother is an excellent cook.” Adam had no intention of hiding Eve’s background, and certainly didn’t want her feeling embarrassed by it. Eve was a wonderful, kind-hearted woman who would make an excellent duchess for him, and a mother for their children. If she made a few missteps in the beginning, then so be it.

Miss Clark tittered. “I doubt my mother could find the kitchen.”

“Tell me, Miss Clark, how does your mother fare? I understand she was unable to attend due to an ague keeping her bedridden.” The duchess stepped right in and moved the conversation along.

The rest of the dinner passed amicably. He noticed Miss Clark studying Eve occasionally as if she were trying to figure out her place. His mother had presented Miss Clark to him as a potential bride at one time. He escorted her to the theater and on a ride in Hyde Park. Each time he breathed a sigh of relief when he brought her to her front door.

The girl had never stopped talking, even during the play. Most of her conversation centered on her and what she wanted in a marriage, and how fortunate any man would be to take her to wife. He would be only too happy to see her in wedded bliss.