hum of polite conversation filled the air, with laughter echoing against the marble floors as dancers swirled elegantly beneath the delicate strains of the string quartet. Evelyn s

had already arrived, resplendent in his formal attire, his wide, hearty smile greeting each guest he passed. To the rest of t

The night air was cool against her skin, a brief respite from the warmth of the crowd. As she stepped into the quiet garden, the moonlight cas

t-a voice, low and smooth, c

a question but also a greeting. Evelyn turn

as a simplicity to his attire, a worn quality that spoke of a different world altogether. His hair was dark and unruly, his face sharp

hough still carrying a hint of mischief, "I didn't

attention, to being surrounded by the best of society's finest men, but this stra

er voice quieter than she intended. "I don't r

nfidence. "No, I am not one of your usual guests. I am here as a guest of your cousin, Miss

nding herself with intellectuals and artists-men like this one, it seemed. There was

with none of the deep formality she had grown accustomed to. "

e. The men who sought her attention usually wanted something-an alliance, a title, or wealth. But there was no s

ve heard much of you-though, of course, much of it is ex

' is rather more burdened than one might think. The pres

gh weighing her words. "I imagine it would be," he said gently. "A jewel lock

d long felt but never voiced aloud. Her role as Lady Evelyn Whitford was one of perfection-nothing

by his understanding. "You're

wered simply

elf drawn to him, an inexplicable connection forming between them. She was keenly aware of the distance be

rfectly at ease here, amidst all

nd free, and Evelyn found her

ge the fact that people are people. I prefer to think for myself, rather

ope stirring within her chest.

evening, Evelyn felt a warmth that had nothing to do w

d. "And I thin

e the ballroom, faint and muted in the stillness of the garden. Evelyn stood there,

hile to consider a different way of thinking, Lady Evelyn. A life

duty, to her place among the carefully curated faces of the evening. But as she stood there, with Al

e that," she whispered, m

, Lady Evelyn Whitford found herself standing at the precipice of so