Afterthought - M J Marlow (pdf to ebook reader .txt) 📗

you have the gardens and the city beyond.” She came to his side and he put his arm around her shoulder. “Don’t be too angry with us, little sister. We thought it would be too much for you to take in all at once.” “You could have given me some warning,” Evangeline replied. “I’m not used to…” He laid his fingers on her lips and shook his head. “That is a phrase you will forget, little sister,” Sebastian said to her firmly. “You are a Roza princess! There is nothing you cannot have if you wish it.” He saw her eyes. “I am overjoyed to see that you are safe, Eva. You do not realize how frantic we all were becoming the longer you remained away from us.” He pulled her into his arms then and held her close. “Welcome home, little one.” Sebastian smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “There will be company at breakfast. The Count and Countess Grimaldi and their children will join us. Father wished you to meet them before the party.” He saw her uneasiness. “You should not be intimidated by titles. They are the dearest and most generous people I have ever known. They will take you to their hearts quite readily.” “I shan’t know how to behave with people like that, Sebastian,” Evangeline frowned. “Our Sterling uncles always treated their titles like they were an annoyance.” “Just be your own sweet self, little one,” Sebastian smiled down at her. “It is late. I will leave you to your rest.” Evangeline stood at the windows for a while longer as she struggled to accept what she had learned about her father’s family. She was suddenly thrust into the center of attention after an entire life of being on the outskirts; feeling like a cast-off. The ordeal of being kept as a performing monkey all these months paled in comparison to what she was going to face now. She did not know how to behave in such a world; her uncle had kept her sheltered from society. She just could not understand why her mother would deny herself this life. Where could they be safer than among the security she had seen everywhere on arrival? She finally settled down to sleep and woke feeling even less certain she was ready for this new status that had been thrust upon her. “If you would prefer to wear something else,” Ynez said as she came in and saw Evangeline holding the violet under dress to her slim form that had been laid out for her and frowning; “there are several other garments to choose from.” “No, Ynez. It’s lovely,” Evangeline sighed as she felt the silk against her skin. She slid it on and turned to find Ynez holding out the long sleeved nearly sheer floral over dress with its full skirts to her. The necklines were cut high enough that the tattoo that had been forced on her was not visible. Evangeline put it on and smiled. “I look like I’m going to tea with the Queen.” “You look beautiful, Princess,” Yvette said as she came into the room as Ynez put the violet sash on Evangeline’s waist and tied it in a bow in back. “Would you like your hair loose or styled?” “I’ve never had anyone ask before,” Evangeline replied, the question leaving her momentarily disconcerted. “Sylvie always insisted on keeping it in braids, and the carnival man...” She shuddered as the memory of that situation struck at her. She fought back the feelings of despair and hopelessness that had begun to creep into her mind and turned it back to the woman’s question. She thought it over and had an idea. “There wouldn’t be a band in the closet of this same violet shade, would there?” Five minutes later, her hair was held back from her face by a gold filigree band through which deep purple, violet and white ribbons had been laced. She smiled and nodded. “I like that.” There was a knock on the door and Yvaine answered it. Evangeline smiled warmly. “Good morning, brother.” “You are looking very pretty this morning, little sister,” Sebastian smiled. He held his arm out to her. “Are you ready? We’re having breakfast out on the terrace.” He saw her uneasiness and patted her hand. “Don’t be frightened. The Grimaldis are very nice people.” Evangeline was not as certain as he was when she saw the couple and the four young people with them. All of them had rich brown hair and brown eyes. They were dressed richly and their eyes looked her over as if they were examining her. She appeared to pass the test, however; for the Countess was on her feet and embracing her like a long-lost daughter. Monique brought her to the table and looked at Stefano, who was watching all of this in amusement. “You are a naughty man, Stefano,” Monique chided him; “keeping this delightful child from us all these years.” She made Evangeline sit down. “Darling, you are going to become quite tired of our company. My family and I are going to take you everywhere while you are here.” “Monique,” her husband sighed; “quit chattering at the girl and let her breathe.” He took Evangeline’s hand in his and his eyes were twinkling as he laid his lips to her skin lightly. “It is a distinct pleasure to meet you at last, Princess. I am Count Bernard Grimaldi. My wife, Monique, and our children and I will consider it an honor if you will allow us to spend time in your company while you are here in France.” He nodded towards the young people. “Our daughters, Elizabeth and Veronica. Our sons, Bernard and Theodore.” “I am honored to meet all of you,” Evangeline smiled. Sebastian was right. These were nice people. She had no reason to be afraid of them. For the next hour the members of the Grimaldi family went out of their way to make her feel comfortable and accepted. When breakfast was over, Elizabeth and Veronica went back to her rooms with her and helped her choose something for the ball that evening. “Of course it must be white,” Veronica said as she pulled out a gown and laid it on the bed. “You are not to wear color to formal parties until after the Debutante’s Ball. It’s traditional.” She smiled at Evangeline. “White suits you, Princess…” “Please don’t call me that,” Evangeline broke in as she held the gown up to her body and moved from side to side. “In private, I would like it if you would call me Eva.” She looked at the gown. “It’s very lovely.” “You are very lovely,” Elizabeth smiled as she hugged her new friend. “Happy Birthday, Eva.” There was a sudden burst of noise outside the main doors and she frowned. “What is that horrible racket? It sounds like a street fight.” The doors burst open and Daria stood there with the other Sterling cousins. She strode in as if she owned the place and froze as Elizabeth and Veronica looked down their noses at her. She had never been treated with such discourtesy and she was outraged. She looked at Evangeline, who was watching her warily. Daria felt her heart breaking at that look. She had seen it far too often all their life and she was tired of it. She went to Evangeline and put her arms around her. “I’ve been such a bitch to you, Eva,” Daria said sadly; with sincere regret. “You never deserved any of it.” She kissed Evangeline on the cheek. “Happy Birthday.” She stepped away and returned her gaze to the view. “You can see the city from here. I hope you’ll let us show you some of our favorite sights while we’re here?” “I’d like that,” Evangeline smiled. “Are your brothers going to be here?” “Father contacted their Commanding Officer before we left,” Daria replied. “We hadn’t heard by the time we left. You actually want them here?” she asked, stunned at the thought. “After what they did to you?” “I hurt myself,” Evangeline shrugged. “They were only guilty of their usual thoughtlessness.” She looked over at the Grimaldi sisters. “Daria’s brothers are in the Army,” she explained the exchange. “They liked to play pranks on me.” “I hope the Army matures them,” Veronica sniffed. She looked Daria over and had to admit the young woman was beautiful, if a bit cold. The twins were far warmer and their beauty was more internal, like their cousin, Evangeline. “Martine would kill to be allowed to dress you Sterlings. You must all come with us tomorrow when Eva has her consultation.” “Lady Elizabeth,” Evangeline smiled in relief and made the introductions that had been forgotten in the shock of Daria’s embrace; “Lady Veronica. May I present my cousin, Lady Daria Sterling. Cousin, these are the daughters of Count Grimaldi.” She moved past Daria to Jennifer and Jessica. “The ladies, Jennifer and Jessica Sterling, and the lords, David and James Sterling. The ladies Grimaldi.” She embraced them all warmly, although the sisters noted she was a bit more reserved with Daria. They couldn’t blame her; that one was a bitch. “I’m so glad you’re here.” “We wouldn’t miss your Welcome Home party, Princess,” James beamed at her. He looked at her blushing face. “I always knew you were someone special, Eva,” he continued as he kissed her on the forehead. “This room could hold ours,” Jennifer smiled as she looked around. She walked up to Elizabeth and held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies. Knowing our Eva had friends here in Paris will make not having her around easier to bear.” “Have you been shown your rooms?” Evangeline asked them, her concern for them quite plain. The Grimaldi sisters were quite impressed with the child. “They’re quite comfortable,” Jessica smiled as she walked over to the bed and looked at the gown Evangeline had set down when they had arrived. “This is what you’re wearing tonight?” She ran her hand over it gently. “It’s lovely, Eva. It will make you look every inch the princess.” Evangeline smiled and listened to them chatter. They went downstairs and spent the next couple of hours in the gardens. Evangeline had been quite pleased to see the maze from her windows. It would be fun to have a chance to run through it. Perhaps before the cousins left, she would suggest it as a game. Whoever solved it would be given a special prize? She saw the seats up on stands above the maze and the idea formulated. Teams cheered on by herself and Sebastian? The more she thought of it, the more she liked the idea. They had lunch and she sat back to listen as the Grimaldis and her cousins got to know each other. She saw her father and the Count and Countess off in the distance in serious discussion. “Leave it, sister,” Sebastian said as his hand stilled her as she started towards them. She looked down at him questioningly. “It’s better you learn now to interpret his expressions. That one is quite definitely the ‘do not approach, this is not for your ears’ look.” “Our father has far too many secrets, Sebastian,” Evangeline frowned, Even as she sat back down. “I’ve been thinking of a game we can play sometime this week, brother.” She explained the concept and saw his eyes start to twinkle with amusement. “We could make it a contest. The captains are allowed to misdirect as well as guide. Of course,” she giggled, “it will only be really enjoyable if Daria’s brothers are here.” “We make an agreement to get them hopelessly lost,” Sebastian said as he rubbed her shoulders, “and leave them to find their way out?” Evangeline nodded and he agreed. “I like the thought of that, little sister. We’ll do it!” He turned to the others and laid out