Four Years Later

Evelyn stirred in the soft embrace of her bed, the silk sheets caressing her skin as she slowly awoke. The room was dark and quiet, the hearth casting its flickering gloss across the walls. She reached out for Rafe, expecting to find him lying beside her, but her hand met only cold, empty space.

Suddenly, the darkness enveloped her like a heavy cloak. Yet, though she would normally be afraid, she found herself more curious than frightened presently, a testament to how much she had recovered from her past fears.

Where was Rafe? She glanced around their shared bedchamber, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she slipped her feet into a pair of delicate slippers, then wrapped a silken robe around her. With that, she opened the door and tiptoed out of the bedchamber.  

As she moved through the castle, she couldn’t help but admire the exquisite decorations Rafe and herself had painstakingly arranged for the upcoming ball. It would be the first ball to be hosted in Ravensworth Castle in a decade, and she made certain it would live up to its expectations. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their prisms sparkling like diamonds, while garlands of roses adorned the grand staircase. Even in the dim light of the night, everything looked perfect, and Evelyn felt a swell of pride at what she and Rafe had accomplished together.

Turning a corner, she let out a small squeak as she collided with someone. “Katherine!” she exclaimed, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Good heavens, Evelyn, you scared me half to death!” Kitty gasped, clutching at her own chest. “I thought you were the ghost of the west wing!”

“Ghost?” Evelyn asked, her brows raising but the tension in her shoulders dissipating. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“I heard a strange noise coming from that direction,” Kitty whispered dramatically as she pointed back to where she had just come from. “I couldn’t sleep before. I don’t think I can now, even if I tried.”

Evelyn laughed. “Weren’t you sharing your chamber with Bridget? What did she have to say about it?”

“Ah, yes. Bridget took one listen to my ghostly theory and declared herself uninterested, choosing instead to get her beauty sleep for the big event tomorrow,” Kitty explained, rolling her eyes dramatically.

“That makes the one of us,” Evelyn shrugged. “Well, I was just looking for Rafe,” she confessed, her voice low as though sharing a secret. “Have you seen him?”

“Rafe? I have not, but can I help you find him, please! I’m not entirely keen on wandering these halls alone after hearing those noises.”

“Then do keep up,” Evelyn said teasingly as she continued down the dimly lit corridor. She could hear the soft patter of Kitty’s footsteps as her cousin scurried after her, not wanting to be left alone in the dark castle.

After a brief and unusual silence from Kitty, she finally spoke again. “By the way, Evelyn,” Kitty began hesitantly, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Do you know if the Viscount of Allerton is attending the Ravensworth Ball tomorrow?”

Evelyn glanced at her, picking up on her cousin’s sudden change in demeanor. “Ah, so that’s where your interests lie,” Evelyn teased. “Yes, he’s on the guest list. He’s a close acquaintance of Rafe if I’m not mistaken.”

“He is?!” Kitty suddenly blushed, looking away briefly. “Perhaps. If it’s not too much trouble, would you introduce me to him?”

Evelyn nudged her cousin with her shoulder. “Oh come on. It is the least I could do. Especially now that Bridget owes me a new gown after I guessed correctly who you had set your caps at.”

“You did what now?” Kitty exclaimed.

“Oh come on, Kitty,” Evelyn grinned, “you were giving him doe eyes all night at the Wilburton’s two weeks ago.

Kitty blushed, even more fiercely this time. “Well, thank you, cousin.”

At that moment, they turned a corner and saw Hester standing by a window, bathed in moonlight. Kitty gasped, clutching Evelyn’s arm.

“Is that… that’s the ghost!” she breathed, her eyes wide with fear.

“Kitty, it’s just Hester!” Evelyn laughed, recognizing her cousin’s silhouette. As they approached to see what she was looking at, Hester beckoned them excitedly.

“Come look,” she urged, gesturing out the window. Together, they gazed upon a heartwarming scene: Rafe and Simon by the lake out on the grounds, playing with her son, Timothy, and Hester’s son, Jasper, under the gentle moonlight.

“Isn’t it just precious?” Hester sighed, her eyes soft with affection.

Evelyn nodded, warmth blossoming in her chest as she watched her husband play wrestling with her son on the soft grass. Perhaps she would find him sooner than she thought. “Come, we should put a stop to this before they beat up our husbands!”

Together, the three cousins descended the stairs and stepped into the warmth of the outdoors. The night air was balmy, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers as they made their way toward the lake. Laughter echoed from the distance, drawing them closer.

As they neared, Stede appeared from behind a treeline, running across them frantically in an attempt to try to marshal the animated boys. “Oh, dear heavens!” Kitty squealed in fright.

Rafe, his shirt slightly unbuttoned and his hair loose, caught Evelyn’s eye. He looked as handsome as ever, and her heart began to race just as it did the first night she saw him at Ravensworth Castle. Noticing her approach, he broke away from the group and met her halfway. Without a second thought, he crushed his lips against hers.

“Ugh, disgusting!” Timothy exclaimed, covering his eyes with his small hands, as the rest burst into a fit of laughter.

Evelyn and Rafe laughed it off, pulling apart just enough to allow Timothy to rush into his mother’s embrace. His red hair and blue eyes mirrored Evelyn’s features, a living reminder that she finally had someone who looked just like her. Jasper, with his blonde hair, hugged his own mother too when he caught sight of her.

“Sorry about that,” Rafe grinned sheepishly, addressing their audience. “We were just trying to get in some final preparations for the ball tomorrow night, but these two wouldn’t go to sleep.”

“Ah, so you decided on a picnic underneath the moonlight instead… without inviting us?” Evelyn chided playfully.

“I will just say, that part was not my idea, dear,” Simon quickly added for Hester.   

“I believe you,” Hester grinned. “My husband is not wise enough to come up with such a plan.”

Everyone burst into a fit of laughter at that comment. Timothy and Jasper wriggled free from their parents’ arms and dashed off once more for the lake. Stede sighed and followed, attempting once again to corral the energetic children.

Evelyn, Hester, and Kitty settled onto the picnic blanket beside Rafe and Simon, the night air warm against their skin.

“Ah, Kitty, Hester tells me a lot about how you enjoy sweet desserts. You simply must try one of these strawberries,” Simon said, tossing one to her that missed the mark entirely and collided with her face instead. “Oops. Sorry.”

“Thank you,” Kitty replied with a frown, picking it up from where it landed. She took a bite hesitantly, but then grinned as the sweet juice danced on her tongue. “You’re forgiven, they’re quite delicious!”

“Here, you should try one too, dear,” Rafe said, turning to Evelyn. She opened her mouth submissively, allowing him to place the ripe fruit between her lips. The taste was indeed heavenly, and she couldn’t help but close her eyes to savor it fully.

“Lovebirds,” Kitty mumbled as she chewed.

“You will understand the feeling too someday, Kitty,” Hester giggled.

As Evelyn enjoyed the sweet taste of the fruit, her eyes fell upon a book lying on the picnic blanket. She picked it up, curious, and read the title aloud. “‘The Art of Seduction’, by Lady Whistledown. Is someone trying to improve their skills?”

“Ah, that would be mine,” Simon admitted with a hint of embarrassment. “I thought it might be useful for…” He looked to Hester pleadingly, hoping for a way out of explaining.

“The art of seduction?” Rafe spluttered. “You told me it was the art of war!”

Hester leaned in closer, “And what have you learned so far?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Simon countered.

While the others continued their playful banter, Evelyn felt Rafe’s gaze upon her. Their eyes met, and a silent communication passed between them, filled with longing and desire. Rafe leaned in close, his breath warm on her ear as he whispered, “Do you think we have time for ourselves?”

Evelyn nodded and grinned. Rafe cleared his throat and announced to the group, “Evelyn and I need to make some final adjustments to the catering for the ball tomorrow night. We shouldn’t be long.”

“Oh, do take your time, Duke and Duchess of Ravensworth,” Kitty said, a hint of mischief in her tone.

“Don’t worry, we will,” Rafe replied, much to Evelyn’s embarrassment this time. Rafe took her hand and led her away from the picnic, along the path back to the garden. Once out of sight, he pressed her against a tree, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her deeply. The intensity of his touch made Evelyn blush fiercely.

“Tonight,” Rafe murmured, his voice husky with desire, “I want you to myself.”

Evelyn felt her pulse quicken at his words, her body responding to his with desire. In that moment, Evelyn reflected on the person she used to be – a lonely soul, an outcast, feeling left out from the world, its excitement, and all of its thrills.

But now, wrapped in Rafe’s embrace, she had found the one place she truly belonged. And all it had taken was making the most foolish decision she had ever made!