The Reverend shook his head sorrowfully. “He had a nasty turn, didn’t he? But I am certain Mr. Rogers and Bright will make sure he is well looked after.” He got out a pocket watch, frowning, as he gazed at it. “I do hope they will be back soon. Timeispressing, and we need them.”
As if on cue, the two men who had been carrying the sick one entered the hall, taking their seats, reassuring everyone that Mr. Pimm was being cared for.
Jude was introduced to the group in a hurried manner. Then the vicar picked up a script.
“You are Prince Charming, Jude,” he said, putting on a pair of spectacles. “The hero of the play!”
The two village girls, named Bessie and Enid, giggled as they gazed at him. Jude coloured. This was embarrassing. He had acted in the orphanage nativity plays, but that was when he had been a child. And they hadn’t had scripts or lines to learn. The children playing the parts had merely stood there, going through some rudimentary movements, while a worker narrated the story of Christmas.
His colour deepened. Why had he agreed to this?
But he already knew the answer to that question. He had been compelled. Perhaps he may have been able to refuse, but he knew it would have been frowned upon. The Reverend would have been disappointed. Lady Evelina would have been disappointed. He had no choice.
Quickly, he gazed at the lady seated beside him. She glanced back, giving him a reassuring smile. Jude felt his heart flip over in his chest.
He supposed he could do this for her. It was only one time, as the vicar had said. The man that had been taken ill would be back to assume his role at the next pantomime rehearsal. And he would be just standing around outside doing nothing, anyway. Twiddling his thumbs, as the good vicar had said.
“Let us start again,” said the Reverend, opening his script. “The first page.”
Everyone followed suit, opening their scripts. Jude tried to focus on the page, but he was suddenly highly conscious of the lady seated beside him. She was wearing the same perfume as when he had encountered her in the woods that day.
He inhaled deeply, knowing that the scent would always remind him of her. Wondering how he would ever be able to endure being this close to her. It seemed fate had stepped in yet again to throw them together. What did it all mean?
Chapter 10
Evelina stepped out of the carriage at Bosworth Manor, feeling frazzled. She was a bit late coming home after all the drama, with Mr. Pimm suddenly falling ill during the first pantomime rehearsal. She was still overcome by the sudden substitution of the sick man with Jude.
She hesitated before she entered the house, turning back to the handsome coachman.
“I wanted to thank you for what you did today,” she said, in a tentative voice. “It was very kind of you to step in for Mr. Pimm like that.” She took a deep breath. “And you did very well.”
Jude grinned at her. “Thank you, milady,” he said. “I must say I wasn’t expecting it, but I am glad that the rehearsal was able to go ahead.” His grin widened. “I think it’s going to be a great pantomime. It’s very funny.”
Evelina laughed. “Yes, it is! The pantomime characters are like court jesters, are they not?” She gazed at him intently. “Anyway. Thank you.”
They gazed at each other for a moment. Evelina felt the heat growing between them as always. But then, she noticed a stationary carriage just beyond Jude.
Her stomach flipped with unease. Her brother Richard was here. He must have decided to come home a little earlier than expected for the Christmas season.
“I must go,” she said, gritting her teeth. “My brother is here.”
Jude nodded, bowing. Evelina ran into the house, feeling the tension building within her. She almost felt guilty about it. Richard was her only brother, after all. Her only sibling. But he always managed to put her on edge in some way. And it was just like him to arrive early, unannounced. She hadn’t even told the housekeeper to prepare his chambers. And she was running late. She was at a disadvantage already.
She took a deep breath before running up the staircase to her room. Dinner was due to be served in only a half hour, and she needed to change. She would face her brother then. She only hoped he wasn’t going to needle her like he usually did.Time would tell, she thought darkly.
***
Evelina felt much more composed by the time she entered the dining room. Her father was seated at the end of the table, as always. Richard was seated to the right of him. Both gentlemen stood up when she entered.
“Evelina,” said her brother, taking both her hands and kissing her on the cheek. “How lovely you look, Sister.”
Evelina smiled politely, studying her brother. She didn’t feel able to return the compliment. Richard had gained some weight since she had last seen him, and he looked a bit bloated. His eyes were red rimmed as well. She knew it was probably due to overindulgence. Richard liked the finer things in life, like wine and rich foods, a little too much.
“Welcome home, Richard,” she said, as they took their seats. “We were not expecting you quite so early.”
Her brother picked up his napkin, placing it on his lap. Then he shrugged. “Everyone in London was returning to the country for the season,” he said, stifling a yawn. “It was like a ghost town. I thought I may as well do the same.”
“Well, we are very glad that you did, Son,” said the Duke, smiling fondly. “We miss you, Richard. The whole of Bosworth Manor misses you.”