Chapter 57

Music Recommendation: Jane Fairfax Plays Mozart Sonata- Amber Anderson

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“Very good, Miss Allie,” praised Eve while looking at the answers that Allie had written in her book. “You got all your answers right.”

Allie’s eyes glowed while her face remained expressionless.

“It should be enough for the day. We shall continue the rest tomorrow,” Eve said to the girl, who quietly nodded.

Someone knocked on the room’s door, and when they turned, they saw it was Marceline. She wore a polite smile and said, “I hope I am not interrupting.”

Eve replied with a smile, “We just finished the class. Is there anything I could help you with?” She politely asked the woman.

Marceline nodded and stepped inside the room, walking to where they were. A maid followed Marceline behind her with a bag in her hand. The little girl turned in her chair, looking curiously at the maid’s hands.

“The official invitation to the ball,” said Marceline, stretching her hand in front of Eve that held a rolled parchment. “You will need this when you come to attend that day. The ball falls on the second Thursday from today.”

The last time when Lady Marceline had mentioned it to Eve, she had somehow managed to not accept or confirm it. But it seemed like this time she couldn’t avoid it. She took hold of the parchment, bowing her head, she said,

“Lady Marceline, I am not too sure if I will be able to attend it or not.”

The young vampiress tilted her head, the smile on her face faltering, and she asked, “Why not? Do you have a prior engagement on that day? We would like to have all our employees that day.”

Eve quickly raced her mind to come up with a good reason, “Since a few days my aunt hasn’t been doing well and needs me by her side.” Aunt Aubrey was feeling perfectly well, but the vampiress didn’t know that, thought Eve.

“Oh. It must be very difficult for you to be here now then. Would you want me to speak to my brother to give you a holiday so that you can look after her better?” Suggested Marceline, her eyes held concern in them.

“That is very kind and generous of you, Lady Marceline, but it is fine. Right now there’s someone to look after her in my absence,” said Eve, noticing a subtle frown on the vampiress’s face. She further explained, “I believe it would be unfair of me to enjoy such a grand ball, when my aunt isn’t feeling well.”

Marceline gave a sympathetic nod and said, “I perfectly understand your situation. When your loved and dear one is sick, we don’t feel like doing much. I hope your aunt feels better soon, and maybe you could bring her here if she’s in good health. Allie and I were looking forward to having you at the ball. Weren’t you, Allie?” She shifted her gaze to look at her little sister.

Allie stared at her sister before her eyes met her governess’s eyes.

“Allie would have enjoyed your company, after all, she’s a shy thing and doesn’t like talking to people,” a faint smile appeared on Marceline’s lips.

Eve felt an ache in her chest when she imagined the little girl standing alone in one corner with no company.

Marceline then placed her hand on Eve’s arm, “I won’t force you as I understand how important family is. But if things get better, we sisters would love to have you attend the ball, Miss Barlow.”

“I hope so too, milady,” Eve bowed her head in appreciation.

“I brought two dresses of mine, and a pair of my favourite shoes for you. Something that might go with the theme of our society, when you attend the ball of course. It would be difficult to prepare a dress suddenly and it would be a waste if you don’t attend it. Right? I hope you will like it,” said Marceline excitedly, before turning to the maid who quickly stepped forward and spread a black and a blue dress on top of the table. “Beautiful aren’t they? I haven’t worn them much, and they are in the best condition.”

Eve couldn’t help bu