"Well… I did promise Friedrich that I would attend his father's ball…"
"That answers it." Candace said, clapping childishly as she slid off the bed.
Eve watched her move to her cloth chest and throw it open.
"I have a few dresses you might like to try."
Eve blinked. "I already have enough dresses. My father has one made every-" Her voice died in her throat as Candace pulled out a walking scandal framed as a dress.
"Why do you even have that?!" Candace threw the dress on the bed and dug into the chest for another.
"When you attend two seasons without being taken seriously, you become desperate, dear Everetta."
Eve coloured slowly as the meaning dawned on her.
"You wear such in public?"
Candace pulled out a luscious red velvet dress with silk frills and gold embroidery. The bodice was cut very low, the arms bare, replaced by a cape of soft silk.
Eve gasped, running her hands over the fabric hesitantly as if she were afraid to touch it.
It was a very beautiful dress… but it wasn't something she would wear.
Never.
She shook her head in concord with her thoughts.
Candace inched closer.
"The fastest way to get a man's attention is to snatch it. If you want to know if he notices you, do the three despicable things and wait for his reaction."
Eve gulped. "And what are the three despicable things?"
Candace swatted her playfully. "You should really come to events more often, darling. The first despicable thing is to lower your bodice in front of him-"
"There is no way in heaven or hell that I am doing such a thing!"
"I wasn't even finished, Eve."
Eve sank onto the edge of the bed with a sigh and waited for Candace to finish.
"Pretend that it was a mistake, but never apologize for it. If his eyes linger there, just know he finds you attractive."
Eve coughed, a strangled sound. "I think I've heard enough, Candace."
"Of course you have." Candace settled down on the bed beside her.
"What would you do when you see him again?"
"Nothing."
"You cannot just do nothing."
"I'm betrothed to his brother."
"Betrothals can be called off, Eve. Besides, if he's really a Eunuch as he claims to be, then there is no reason to worry."
…
Lady Whitmore, Everetta's mother was ecstatic the moment she announced that she would be attending the opening season with Candace.
Her father had consented without a second thought, supportive in his own quiet way.
Her mother had called all the dressmakers in Valemont to their residence.
Candace only selected the ones with low cut bodices and returned the rest.
After a sleepless and restless night, they embarked on their journey to the Von Virchow manor.
The carriage ride was anything but comfortable, bumpy and painful to her derriere. There was only one stop and it had been a very brief one.
The cloudy morning gave way to a sunny day as they arrived.
As the carriage rolled along the driveway, Eve felt her heart rolling along with it.
He was inside.
She was going to be living in the same residence with him for nearly two months - even if she was his brother's betrothed.
Candace's mother and chaperone rode in the other carriage, leaving them to their idle chatter.
An old woman with a scrunched up nose stood at the entrance with a horde of chamber maids and porters.
A footman guided her down from the carriage, proceeding to guide Candace down as soon as she landed on the ground.
The place was… beautiful. Well-pruned flowers and expertly trimmed grasses filled the area.
The sound of shattering wood broke through the serene quiet that had previously engulfed them.
She and Candace spun around at the same time as a huge black stallion sprinted across the lawn and into the thick hedge of trees.
"Don't go in after it, Theo!" A familiar voice called out.
But a man in rolled up sleeves and dark breeches rushed after the animal, his hair swaying in the wind.
Her breath hitched as she watched him disappear among the trees without noticing them.
Friedrich finally came into view, hunching over and panting like a cow in vigorous labour.
"Theo! Come back!" He called out half-heartedly.
There was no response.
Eve looked towards the copse of trees he had disappeared behind, a flicker of worry flashing across her features.
That was when Friedrich saw them. She could see his squinted eyes despite the distance.
"Candy? You've arrived already?"
Eve blinked at the familiarity.
Candy? Why had she never thought of that?
He started walking towards them. Only when he was a few feet from them did he realize that she was standing behind Candace.
"Everetta." Her name rolled out ever so slowly, almost like a soft caress.
"Friedrich." She muttered, her cheeks warming slightly.
Candace glanced between them, a fond smile softening her features.
But Eve noticed that it didn't reach her eyes.
A twig snapped among the trees and every head glanced in that direction.
Theodore emerged, gripping the reins of the large horse.
The stallion snorted and neighed, but trotted at the pace set by its captor all the same.
"I underestimated you, little brother."
Theo just kept walking, intending to return from whence he came. The animal followed, nuzzling against Theo every once in a while.
"You always do." He called over his shoulder.
"Candace is here."
Theo just kept walking, breeze dancing with his locks.
Candace rolled her eyes and turned to go towards the house. "I shall see you at dinner tonight, Eve."
Everetta nodded, barely hearing what she said as her attention was fixed on the horse tamer in the distance.
"And my betrothed is here."
Theodore finally stopped walking and glanced at his brother across the distance.
"What is she doing-"
Their eyes met.
But Eve was the one that broke the contact.
Friedrich coloured at his brother's rudeness.
"Forgive him, he doesn't like surprises."
Eve wanted to roll her eyes - she had sent a letter, or rather Candace had sent a letter informing them of her addition. Why was he surprised?
"I should enter the house, it is quite cold out here." Everetta said quickly and made towards the stone steps.
Both men watched her leave before exchanging glances.
The old woman that had stood at the doorway fell into step with her as she entered the well-furnished receiving room.
"The Duke sends his apologies for not being able to receive you in person. However, he has ensured that the best we can offer be given to you. He will join the breakfast serving on the morrow."
Candace was already ascending the flight of stairs as if she lived there.
Well… she probably did.
Eve made to follow Candace, but the old woman held her back.
"Not that way, Lady Whitmore. Let me show you to your chambers."
They went up a different stairway along the hallway. When they reached the landing, they were two rooms at each extreme end of the hallway. There was only one window which was directly opposite the stairway. An intricately embroidered rug lined the polished floor.
The woman guided her towards the one on the left and pulled out a key from her clothing.
The metal jiggled in her palm as she sorted through for the right one.
"Aha." She exclaimed softly as the key scraped sweetly in the lock.
"You may enter."
Eve spared the room a cursory glance before returning her attention to the room at the other far end.
Whose room was that? Was it an empty guest room?
"Whose room is that?" She pointed.
The woman followed the direction of her finger, falling silent for a while before she said, "That's Sir Theodore's room. I hope you will not be inconvenienced by his proximity. The Duke asked for this room especially because it has a very beautiful view of the sea… and Sir Theodore is generally considered… harmless."
Her mouth rounded into a perfect circle.