Chapter 50

Music Recommendation: Fashion- The Chamber Orchestra of London

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“Do you have a parchment in here?” Inquired Eve when she took a look at Aunt Aubrey’s writing table.

“You will find it in the right drawer,” answered Aunt Aubrey before expressing her thoughts on the Moriarty family, “It seems like Mrs. Moriarty finds it hard to look at the poor. Do you know what happened to the previous Mrs. Moriarty?”

Eve shook her head, “I never asked,” and she picked up the quill to dip it in the ink bottle.

“Whom are you writing to?” Lady Aubrey asked, noticing Eve writing something on the parchment with utmost care.

“It is to Mr. Sullivan that we won’t be able to meet him for lunch tomorrow,” replied Eve.

Lady Aubrey smiled, “Just because I am not able to, doesn’t mean you and Eugene cannot. Don’t worry about me. I just need a little rest.”

Eve shook her head, “It wouldn’t be right to leave you here all alone.”

“And it would be extremely rude to cancel an invitation lunch with a Duke, when he has other important matters to attend to,” said Lady Aubrey, which was in fact true.

Lady Aubrey had already met Noah Sullivan two times in the past, and he seemed like a decent and well-mannered person. Polite with his words. Eve was twenty-four and it was time for her to settle down, thought the older woman. She knew Eve would one day have to leave this nest.

Internally, Lady Aubrey didn’t want Eve chasing after her later mother’s murderer because she knew that path held nothing but danger and darkness.

Knowing Eve had a good understanding with the man, Lady Aubrey coaxed Eve, “If you are still worried, Eugene can stay back and look after me. And who knows, I might feel better by tomorrow morning. There’s no need to send the man a letter.”

That night, Eve slept right next to Lady Aubrey. Though the woman’s fever didn’t rise, it still left her tired.

That morning, Lady Aubrey had pushed her out of the room with words, “Eugene will be here with me. You should get ready.”

Eve picked up the burning pieces of coal and placed it in the triangle iron box and closed the lid. She placed it on the dress that she was going to wear, pressing it back and forth, while making sure it wasn’t too hot to burn the dress.

Once Eve was done ironing her dress, she wore it along with a scarf so that it would hide the faint red marks around her neck. The sleeves of the dress were long that reached until her wrists and there were small buttons at the front of her dress. Unlike the women from wealthy families, who wore silk dresses, gold-threaded embedded with pearls and whatnot, her dress was made of cotton with thread work.

Eve tied her hair with a beige ribbon and carefully brushed the fringe to rest it on the sides of her temple.

Climbing down the stairs, Eve went to Lady Aubrey’s room, and kissed the woman’s cheek, “I will try to be back as soon as I can.”

“Mm,” responded Lady Aubrey. When she took a look at Eve, she frowned. “Why are you wearing a scarf? It is going to be hot today.”

“I thought it would be best to dress modestly and the neckline of this dress always felt like my bosom is being pushed too much,” answered Eve and Lady Aubrey shook her head.

“That is how the dresses are supposed to be,” Lady Aubrey’s eyes fell on Eve’s chest and she commented, “And you need it. Don’t cover it all.”

“Oh, Aunt Aubrey!” Eve quickly kissed Lady Aubrey’s cheek quickly and said, “Make sure you drink the lemon water and rest. I will be going now.”

“Eve, wait! Ugh,” Lady Aubrey pressed her fingers on her temple. “Really, this girl. What am I going to do with her,” she muttered under her breath.

“I hope you have fun, Miss Eve,” Eugene heartily wished Eve, seeing her at the door and stepping out as he followed her.

Eve was sad that her family couldn’t join her today. She said to Eugene, “Let us go out when Aunt Aubrey feels better. It will be my treat.”

Eugene smiled at Eve being considerate, “I cannot wait for it.” Eve leaned forward and kissed Eugene’s cheek. “Please be careful and don’t worry about Lady Aubrey. I will make sure to take care of her.”

Eve stepped out of the gate, where the carriage was already waiting for her. Mr. Sullivan stood outside his carriage and at the door like the gentleman he was. He was looking in the direction of the road. He wore a dark green tailcoat, a white waist coat and a darker beige trouser.

Sensing Eve’s gaze, Noah turned to look at her. He offered a polite smile, and a slight bow.

“Good afternoon, Miss Barlow,” he greeted her and complimented her, “You look lovely today.”

Eve turned shy for a moment, “Thank you, Mr. Sullivan. I mean Duke Sullivan. You look good yourself,” she bowed.

“You do not have to call me that. As we are friends, it would be right to address each other by our names, wouldn’t it? Would it be alright if I call you Genevieve?” He asked for her permission. “If not I am perfectly fine to address as Miss Barlow.”

Though it had been quite a long time since they had started to speak to each other, they had always addressed each other formally. That could be because they didn’t speak more than necessary and were always on their own way after it.

Eve nodded, “You can.”

“You can call me Noah,” stated Noah, and Eve didn’t find a reason to refuse. He looked behind her and asked, “Your aunt and your coachman, aren’t they ready yet?”

Eve turned around, and noticed Eugene standing at the door, watching them speak, as if waiting to see off his child. She said, “Aunt Aubrey is feeling a little under the weather and said she would like to rest. Please don’t mind.”

“I am sorry to hear that. Will she be alright? Perhaps it would be better to have a physician to be brought to her,” Noah suggested, and Eve shook her head.

“Eugene has already informed the physician and the physician will be here soon. Thank you for asking,” Eve was grateful for Noah being considerate.

“Okay, if you say so,” replied Noah and the coachman pulled open the carriage door for her.

Eve didn’t know if chivalry existed in other men, but she was sure it existed in this man and it brought a smile to her face. Only if that arrogant employer of hers was there to see it today, she would have told that to him, she thought in her mind. She stepped inside the carriage.

Noah followed her, sitting on the other side of the seat, and the coachman closed the door.

Far away from the Meadow town, in the Moriarty mansion, Vincent took his own sweet time to get ready. The butler knocked on his door for the second time.

“Come in.”

“Master Vincent,” Alfie offered a deep bow and informed, “Lady Annalise asked you to get ready quickly and not be late in picking up Miss. Hooke.”

Vincent combed his hair with his fingers, “How