Part 18 (1/2)
”You do that very well,” Evelyn said in a wry manner.
”It's my job.” She leveled Evelyn a firm look. ”I consider a critical responsibility of my position to be protecting you from yourself. And I have no intention of s.h.i.+rking my duties.”
”Nonsense.” Evelyn laughed, pushed aside the wallpaper samples, and sank down on the sofa. ”I don't need protection. Not from myself and particularly not from merchants.”
”Not under ordinary circ.u.mstances perhaps, but right now, as your goal seems to be to inflict as much financial damage as you can on Lord W's accounts, someone needs to keep your head on your shoulders. Especially as your actions are predicated on anger and hurt.”
”Nonsense,” Evelyn said again, her voice weaker than before. ”Redoing this house is long overdue.”
”Perhaps, although I have never noticed a problem.”
”I think it's become somewhat worn.”
”I prefer the word comfortable.” Celeste glanced around the parlor. ”I'm rather fond of it.”
”You deserve better.”
”About that.” Celeste picked up the wallpaper samples, placed them on a table, then returned to sit down beside Evelyn. ”You have never allowed me to pay rent-”
”I consider this part of your salary.”
”And you pay the wages for the staff-”
”Come now, Celeste.” Evelyn scoffed. ”There's only Hendricks and Mrs. O'Mally, who is both housekeeper and cook, and one lone maid. It's a meager excuse for a staff.”
”Nonetheless-”
”My husband is an eminently practical man, recent events notwithstanding.” Evelyn leaned toward her friend. ”If you did not live here, he would no doubt press for me to sell this house as we certainly don't need it. But this is the only thing I have left of my parents and I shall never sell it. As for the servants ...” She shook her head. ”They consider this their home. I grew quite fond of them in the years when I resided here. You know how difficult it is to find a new position. I simply could not let them go.”
”Still, I should-”
”I do not wish to let this house to strangers as my guardian did nor do I wish for it to sit unoccupied.” Her gaze slid around the room. Even now, she wished she remembered this room, this house. But she scarcely remembered her parents let alone where they had lived. ”There is something about an empty house that has always struck me as sad and forlorn. I would hate to think of this house as being alone and unloved. You, dear friend, are doing me a great favor by living here.”
”You have my thanks nonetheless.” Celeste studied her for a long moment. ”In the spirit of our friends.h.i.+p, might I suggest you start with one room rather than create ma.s.sive upheaval throughout the entire house? As you said, you don't know how long you will be here.”
”That makes a certain amount of sense, I suppose.” She stood, crossed to the table, and studied the wallpaper. ”But I need something to fill my time.” She selected two samples and moved to the far wall. ”I find leaving one's husband, even temporarily, leaves one feeling restless.”
”You have charity work and committees of the dozens of organizations you belong to. You scarcely ever have a moment free.”
”And yet I am feeling remarkably free at the moment,” she muttered. d.a.m.n the man anyway. She held a damask striped pattern in shades of ivory and scarlet against the wall and glanced at Celeste.
”Too formal, I think,” Celeste said. ”I suspected as much.”
Evelyn held up another sample. This one was entwined vines and leaves and trees in blues and greens.
”Oh, I like that.”
Evelyn nodded. ”So do I.” She glanced at the other woman. ”Suspected what?”
”That you would need something to occupy your time and your mind while you wait for Lord W to come crawling on his knees.”
”I don't want him to come crawling on his knees.” She scoffed. ”Although I do like the way that sounds.” She sighed. ”If Max would give me further instructions, at least that would keep me busy.”
”No doubt you will hear something soon.”
”I do hope so. At least living here, I won't have to mislead Adrian as to my activities.”
”That is indeed a benefit.” Celeste drew a deep breath. ”Might I make another suggestion? That instead of refurbis.h.i.+ng the house, you refurbish yourself ?”
Evelyn drew her brows together. ”What do you mean?”
”I mean you should commission a new wardrobe.”
”My wardrobe is more than acceptable, thank you.”
Celeste raised a brow.
”Admittedly, I haven't had a new gown made in some time.”
”And didn't you say you wished you'd had something new to wear to the Dunwells' reception rather than something that had been seen on more than one occasion?”
”I did, didn't I?” She shook her head. ”It was most annoying.”
”And aren't there several events on the schedule you had me deliver that scream for a new gown, including a gala Venetian masquerade?”
Evelyn waved away her comment. ”Oh, I have a costume.”
Celeste ignored her. ”Beyond your obvious need for a complete new wardrobe-”
”It will be dreadfully expensive,” she murmured. Not that expense was a consideration at the moment. Indeed, dreadfully expensive was most appealing.
”If the purpose of this exercise is to punish Lord W for his transgressions-”
”I'm not sure punish is the right word-”
”Then it seems to me, as Lord W has not been in this house since your marriage, while he will see the bills for the refurbishment, it will scarcely have a lasting impact. However-”
”However, if I am wearing my purchases, it will certainly remind him of the error of his ways every time he sees something new. And remind him as well of what he has that he does not wish to lose.” Evelyn grinned. ”That is brilliant, Celeste.”
”Just another one of my duties.” Her friend returned her grin. ”While I was out, I made an appointment for later today with your favorite dressmaker. She has the latest patterns from Paris and is most eager to get started.” Celeste shrugged. ”I might have mentioned that you wished to spare no expense.”
”Excellent.” Evelyn laughed. ”Still, this house does need work, but one room at a time is a good idea.” She moved back to the table, placed the samples in her hand with the others, then studied them all. ”I would hate to inflict the result of rash decisions upon you. After all, you are the one who lives here.”
A brief knock sounded. Celeste moved to the door and pulled it open.
”There was a delivery for Lady Waterston.” Hendricks strode into the room bearing a large bouquet of red roses in a vase. Relief washed through Evelyn. ”I took the liberty of putting these in water for you.” He set the vase on a table, and presented a card with a flourish. ”My lady.”