The Irish Upstart (24 page)

“
First, never let Papa know about your dalliances. What he does know is bad enough and hurts him considerably. Don’t make it worse.
”

“
And second?
”

“
Stay away from Evleen O’Fallon.
”

“
Your jealousy is showing, Thomas. You were alone six days with her. What happened on that journey from Ireland? Did you—?
”

“
That is none of your affair,
”
Thomas snapped, losing his cool facade despite himself. He regained his composure quickly and continued,
“
For God’s sake, Montague, did you not see the looks on the faces of Charlotte and her Mama tonight? They were livid when you so much as bowed to Miss O’Fallon. They think they possess you, and with good reason since we know how desirous Papa and Lord Trevlyn are of uniting their estates. You are putting Evleen to a great disadvantage when you show an interest in her.
”
Thomas glowered at his brother, even though he knew full well Montague could not see him in the dark.
“
In words you can understand, those feral females will tear the girl apart if you continue with your attentions.
”

“
But perhaps I find myself already growing fond of her,
”
Montague playfully protested.
“
What if I fall in love with her?
”

“
You will never love anyone but yourself.
”

“
She’s accompanying them to London, you know. For the Season. I sensed the others weren’t too keen on it.
”

“
Of course they weren’t. Montague, please—
”
Thomas stopped himself because damned if he would beg. Besides, what was the use? His brother would do what he pleased, no matter the consequences.

“
Just go tend to your horses, Thomas,
”
Montague remarked.

“
I plan to do just that,
”
Thomas answered, hard-put to quell his anger. But Montague was Montague, and he was right on one score: Thomas should indeed tend to his horses and forget Miss Evleen O’Fallon. Even so, Tanglewood Hall was not so very far from London. After all, he would have need to attend Tattersoll’s occasionally, and in so doing, would it not be the courteous thing to drop in on Trevlyn’s London townhouse from time to time?

Thomas smiled with satisfaction.
You’ve not seen the last of me yet, my sweet Evleen.
Of course, his interest was only that of a concerned friend. Anything else would be ungentlemanly and quite without honor.

And you are nothing if not a gentleman
, Thomas told himself grimly, knowing he would be kept awake tonight by visions of Evleen O’Fallon and how delectable she looked in that low-cut gown. How she would deal with the Trevlyns, he wasn’t sure. There was bound to be trouble, but perhaps Evleen, being the feisty Irish girl she was, could handle all the petty jealousies that were bound to arise. He could not help but feel concern, though. Personally, he would rather face a pack of lions than Mrs. Walter Trevlyn, now forever bereft of a title, and her unmarried daughters.

* * *
 
                                       

The next morning, Evleen awoke feeling both tired and discouraged. The strangeness of a new place—the Trevlyn’s hostility—the unsettling presence of Lord Thomas—all contributed to her restless tossing and turning most of the night, and in the process not getting much sleep. She wished she could avoid going downstairs to breakfast, even though when she’d arrived, she had looked forward to getting better acquainted with the family. She had even envisioned the sisters, and perhaps the mother, showing her and Patrick around the estate, a gay, friendly little group exploring the house and grounds. How deluded she had been! Now she wondered if she might just stay in her bedchamber and have the maid bring her breakfast on a tray.

That wouldn’t do, of course. Never had she been a coward and she wouldn’t be one now. For Patrick’s sake, she must make the effort. It was just... last night had been such a disaster. It hadn’t taken long for the true feelings of Mrs. Trevlyn and her two elder daughters to emerge. Amanda, she wasn’t sure. And then there was Montague. What an odious man! How could Lord Thomas, who was everything wonderful and kind, possibly be the brother of that egotistical fop who actually had the nerve to assume she liked him?

Evleen dragged herself from bed and had just finished dressing in her old calico gown when Celeste came bustling in, took one looked, and exclaimed,
“
Miss Evleen, you cannot wear zat.
”

“
Whyever not?
”
Evleen perversely asked, knowing the reason full well.

“
Because... because...
”
Evleen could see Celeste was trying to control herself, but she finally burst forth with
“
Zat is the ugliest gown I have ever seen.
”

“
I know that, Celeste.
”
Evleen feigned the utmost indifference.
“
But I chose to wear it anyway.
”

“
Never. I shall borrow another gown from—
”

“
No you won’t,
”
answered Evleen in a voice that brooked no argument.
“
Lord Trevlyn says he’s already sent for a seamstress. Meanwhile, I shall wear what I brought.
”

Despite that last, Celeste’s eyes lit.
“
Marvelous. I am so glad, Miss. If you are going to London you will need gowns for morning, afternoon, dinner, walking, riding. You must have several ball gowns, as well as the shoes—hats—jewels—
”

“
Don’t overwhelm me, Celeste,
”
interrupted Evleen, laughing.
“
Where I come from we put one gown on in the morning and take it off at night. No
one has the time to be constantly changing clothes.
”

“
But you are not in County Clare now, Miss,
”
answered Celeste with a sly smile.
“
And you do want to look your best, for many reasons.
”

“
Heed what I say, Celeste. From now on, I shall not borrow so much as a handkerchief from anyone. Have I made myself clear?
”

Impressed by Evleen’s obvious determination, the lady’s maid said not another word on the subject, but asked,
“
And Master Patrick?
”

“
Patrick, too. And furthermore
...”
Evleen was about to voice a subject she’d been thinking about and just now had made her decision.
“
I am not going to London.
”

“
But you must
!
You cannot miss the Season. It is all that counts in the ton.
”

“
Well, I’m not a member of the ton, am I now?
”
Better I stay here.
”

Her brother chose that moment to burst in, dressed in his old clothes.
“
I’m hungry, Evleen. Let’s go down and eat and then we can explore.
”

Celeste took one look and rolled her eyes.
“
He should not go downstairs now, Miss Evleen. Here it’s customary for the children to take all meals in the classroom with their tutors, or in their rooms.
”

“
Not this child.
”
Evleen took Patrick’s hand. If ever she was going to assert herself, it must be now.
“
Come Patrick, we shall go downstairs and eat. If Lord Trevlyn disapproves, he’ll have us both to deal with.
”

When they walked into the dining room, Evleen discovered the family already there, including Lord Trevlyn.
“
Patrick is going to eat with us,
”
she announced boldly.
“
I don’t believe in children being isolated in their rooms.
”
Ready for an argument, she stood waiting for Lord Trevlyn’s answer, noting the startled expressions of the sisters and their mother.

“
But of course,
”
came Lord Trevlyn’s reply.
“
I shall enjoy having the boy share my eggs and sausage.
”
Amidst audible shocked intakes of breath from nieces and sister-in-law, he continued,
“
I have a lovely surprise for you, Evleen.
”

“
What is that?
”

“
I am arranging to open my London townhouse early.
”
He looked fondly at Patrick.
“
I cannot wait to show my grandson the sights of London. In a few days we shall leave for London. How does that sound?
”

But I do not want to go
, a little voice within Evleen screamed, but the words would not come out. Patrick was in his grandfather’s custody now, so she had no authority to forbid him anything. Besides, how could she stand in the boy’s way when he had expressed a great desire to see London?
And so do I
, she thought miserably. Despite the problems she knew she’d find there, she very much wanted to see all the sights of the huge city. That settled it, then. There was only one answer she could give.

“
How lovely, Lord Trevlyn. Sounds fine to me. I can hardly wait to get there.
”

Chapter 11

“
Hst! Evleen, get up.
”

“
Patrick?
”
Evleen rolled over in her bed, still half-sleep.

“
Time to get up, Evleen.
”

“
But it’s hardly dawn.
”
Evleen half opened her eyes.
“
Where am I?
”

“
London, silly.
”

“
Well, how am I supposed to know? I’ve awakened in so many strange beds lately it’s hard to tell.
”
Evleen propped herself on one elbow and regarded her clear-eyed brother, who was already dressed.
“
Why are you waking me so early?
”

“
Because at last we’re here in London and I want to go explore.
”
Patrick tugged at her bed covers.
“
Please, I cannot wait.
”

Evleen sighed, wishing she could think of some fine excuse for putting Patrick off. She was tired. Lord Trevlyn’s creaking oak coach had arrived from Hatfield long after dark last night. It had been an uncomfortable ride, what with the coach being of an ancient vintage and not well-sprung. Then, too, she’d had the Trevlyn ladies to contend with. Curbed by the presence of Lord Trevlyn, they had been polite, but underneath, she could sense the seething resentment, with the exception of Amanda, of course, who pretty much sat silent in her corner. At least Patrick had kept her distracted, asking at least a million questions about
the
post road they were traveling on, and the coaches that occasionally thundered by. Exhausted, the whole family turned in not long after arriving at the earl’s large townhouse in what appeared to be the heart of London.
“
Can’t you wait a little while?
”
she asked, eyeing her pillow.

“
Come on, sleepyhead, don’t you want to see London?
”

She thought a moment.
“
As a matter of fact, I do.
”

Minutes later, Patrick and Evleen, who had hastily dressed in the old calico and straw hat,
were standing in
the downstairs entry way when Pierce, who had accompanied the family to London, regarded them askance.
“
You are not going out at this hour, Miss Evleen?
”

“
Why not? Morning is the best part of the day.
”

The butler’s eyebrows shot up.
“
But alone? Unchaperoned?
”

“
Unchaperoned,
”
Patrick repeated, bursting into laughter.

Evleen laughed, too.
“
Not to worry, Pierce, I am quite accustomed to taking care of myself.
”

“
Might I inquire where you intend to go?
”