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

a slightly altered plan. The cousins were quite eager to give the brothers a little payback on behalf of Evangeline. They would make it appear as if they were following Douglas and Dustin, who would be chosen captains of the two teams. The moment the brothers disappeared, they would leave the maze and take up positions outside the walls. Evangeline and Sebastian would continue as if the others were still in the maze and send the brothers deep into it until they were completely turned around. “I like it,” Daria giggled. “It’s time those two had a taste of their own.” She put her arms around Evangeline’s neck and leaned her cheek against Evangeline’s. “Serves them right for all those nasty tricks they pulled on you.” Their free time ended far too quickly and Evangeline was back in her rooms with her trio of companions. They helped her dress and Yvaine proved to be a skilled hairdresser. She was admiring the effect the white gown with crystals at the neckline had on her when the doors opened. Ynez was putting a green sash around her waist and tying a box when Stefano came in carrying a box in his hands. He was dressed in a uniform of white and gold with an emerald sash across his chest. Several medals were pinned to it at chest level. He stopped a moment as the women curtsied and left the room and closed the doors and Evangeline knew he was thinking of her mother. “A princess,” he said as he set the box down and opened it, “should have a tiara. This was your mother’s.” He lifted a beautiful piece of gold set with diamonds and emeralds out of the box and came towards her. “If you would allow me?” Evangeline nodded and let him set it on her head. He stepped aside so she could see the effect. “Perfection,” he nodded and looked at her quite proudly. “You do your old father great honor, my darling child.” He frowned. “But there is something missing,” he said as he slid a box out of his pocket and moved behind her. Evangeline’s eyes widened as she lowered a necklace of gold, diamonds, and emeralds fashioned into delicate little flowers and fastened it around her throat. He added the matching bracelet and then let her put in the earrings that had a tiny flower as the stud with delicate dangling chains of gold holding more flowers. “There,” he smiled and kissed her cheek. “That is what was lacking. A gift from your Lyndon grandmother for your sixteenth birthday.” A wolf whistle broke the spell Evangeline felt herself falling under. She turned to see Sebastian, dressed like their father, but with far fewer medals, waiting for her in the doorway. He held his arm out to her and she looked to Stefano. He nodded and she understood that she was to be escorted by her brother. Stefano followed behind, his thoughts heavy with regret. Her mother should have been here to share this day with their daughter. He heard the fanfare and smiled as Evangeline looked at her brother for reassurance. It did his heart good to see how close she had become to them in the few days before she had been abducted. It was as if they had never been without her in their lives. “Their Royal Highnesses,” the Major Domo, dressed like all the guards in emerald green uniform with gold embellishment and black boots, boomed as they paused at the head of the stairs. “Prince Sebastian and Princess Evangeline.” Evangeline and Sebastian started down the stairs and she saw the line of people waiting at the bottom of stairs and strung out towards the ballroom. Sebastian introduced her to those she had not met and they curtsied and bowed to her, as was her due. After the first couple of people in the receiving line, the Count and Countess Grimaldi and their children, she no longer cringed at being shown such deference. “His Most Exalted Royal Highness, Prince Roza!” the major domo intoned as Sebastian and Evangeline took their places at the foot of the dais holding three thrones, two on a lower step, one a stair above. Stefano came in and Evangeline’s heart swelled with pride. This glorious man was her father! When he came up to them, she curtsied to him eagerly as her brother bowed. Stefano took his seat and they waited until he sat before they took their own seats. “You will do me the honor of the first dance, little sister,” Sebastian smiled as he got to his feet and bowed to her. He held out his hand and she took it and rose to her feet. “This waltz was composed by our own uncle Sergio in honor of your birthday.” Evangeline looked over at her uncle Sergio where he stood with his wife and their three children and she smiled at him. He bowed his head to her and blushed bright red. The music began and she moved through it on a cloud of happiness. This was what it felt like to be a family, she thought as she danced. When it was over, she went to her uncle and threw her arms around his neck, thanking him for the lovely music. She insisted that he be her next partner and the man was overwhelmed. When their dance was over, he escorted her back to his brother and bowed. “Your daughter does the Roza proud, my brother,” he said warmly as he looked at Evangeline. “Niece, thank you for the dance.” Evangeline nodded and smiled as he left. She saw the frown on her father’s face and wondered why he was not happy. A shadow fell across her and she turned to see a young man who had been introduced to her as Luc Dubois, grandson of the Duc Alexandre Dubois et Ardennes, standing in front of her. He was a handsome man with his deep blue eyes and brown hair but unlike his cousin, Paul; there was a stiffness about him that annoyed her instantly. He bowed low to her father and nodded to her brother, who also looked quite annoyed. Evangeline looked to her father and he nodded. She took the man’s hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. “It may not be proper, Your Highness,” Luc said as they moved through the dance, “but I cannot hold my tongue. You are the loveliest young woman I have ever met in my life!” “Then you must not get out much, Monsieur Dubois,” Evangeline replied. His manner was correct, but there was something in the way he was looking at her that made her cringe. “My cousin, lady Daria Sterling, is far lovelier.” “She is superficial,” Luc replied honestly; “and needs to learn that life is not all about gratifying her own whims.” He saw her frown. “I meant no insult to the lovely lady, Your Highness…” “I will hear no criticism of my family, sir,” Evangeline broke in stiffly. The dance ended and she glared at him. “For your penance you will pay court to the lady Daria until you see something in her you obviously are not seeing.” She turned to find herself facing Luc’s cousin, Paul. He bowed to her and held out his hand. “Monsieur. I would sit out this dance,” she told him. “Perhaps you would do me the kindness of bringing me some water?” “I will draw it personally from the well if you wish it, lovely princess,” Paul smiled. He escorted her to her seat, bowed low to her, and her father, and moved off. “You do not dance with the younger Dubois, daughter?” Stefano asked, puzzled. “He is a far less odious choice as a dance partner than his cousin.” “I will not dance again until you are my partner, Father,” Evangeline told him bluntly. She saw his frown. “It is my birthday. I would dance with the man who was responsible for my being alive.” “Put that way,” Stefano smiled as he rose to his feet and held his hand out to her, “how could I possibly refuse?” They moved out together and there was a murmur in the hall. Evangeline saw the looks of amazement on many faces and realized her father did not usually dance. It was not for lack of skill she knew after the first moment. He was a very accomplished dancer. He moved with assurance and grace. It was another reason that kept him from dancing and she knew what it was the moment she saw the expression shift in his eyes. He was still smiling at her proudly, but there was a great regret and grief in the depths of his eyes where it could be seen only if one looked deeper than the surface. He was missing her mother! He escorted her back to her seat and went out into the gardens. She saw Monique excuse herself and follow him. “My wife and your father are very dear friends,” Bernard smiled as he led Evangeline into the next dance. “She will soon have him back with us again.” “You knew my mother, didn’t you?” Evangeline asked the dear old man. She saw him flinch. “Why did she ever leave him? It’s obvious he loved her.” “Perhaps tomorrow we can have this conversation,” Bernard replied. “It is your birthday, Princess. Let there be only happiness tonight, yes?” Evangeline decided to take his advice. It did no good to push for information no one seemed prepared to give her. It was as if her father had issued a royal proclamation that her mother was not to be a topic of conversation tonight. She decided to go out in the gardens herself. She moved out and knew Yvette and her sisters were close at hand. She was safe here. No one could hurt her. She sank down on the base of the fountain and ran her fingers through the cool water. “So pensive,” Paul’s voice cut through her thoughts. He smiled warmly as she looked up at him and handed her the glass of water. “I was hoping we could have our dance, lovely princess.” He sat down on the bench nearby. “I can see you have had enough of dance for a while.” She nodded and he shrugged. “There will be other balls. I can wait.” He smiled at her in amusement. “I hear there is a great game to be played when certain parties arrive. I would be quite happy to be of service to you in this endeavor.” “Sebastian has a big mouth.” “He shared it only with me, Princess,” Paul assured her. “Your brother and I are very close friends and trust each other implicitly. It is the only reason he is not swooping out here to rescue you from my foul attentions.” “As he would be if it were your cousin here with me instead of you?” Evangeline guessed. She saw Paul’s smile widen even further. She looked past him a moment as if expecting the man to appear. “I gave him a penance. Is he following it?” “It cannot be a penance to dance with a pretty girl like your cousin, Princess,” Paul looked confused. “He must have said something quite thoughtless about her.” He shook his head as Evangeline nodded. “My cousin does not always think when he speaks. He is of the opinion that whatever he says is so evident it will be accepted without censure.” “There is something else you wish to ask me, Monsieur Dubois,” Evangeline guessed from the slight fidgeting of the young man. “What is it?” “If you can spare her for a moment,” Paul said as he bowed his head; “I would take Yvette from you for a dance or two. I have been out of the country and have missed my fiancé.” “You and Yvette?” Evangeline was enchanted. “By all means, Monsieur; dance with your