A Practical Arrangement (2 page)

Dash it all! No smile was forthcoming.

“
Mr. Masterson, think not of pleasing me nor any other. It is our duty to help others less fortunate than ourselves without thought of reward.”

Plain Evangeline Grey did not make it easy to keep things lighthearted.

“
Yes. Of course you are correct,” he frowned slightly. “Now, if you will excuse me, Miss Grey, I must seek my aunt.”

“
Oh, certainly! Give my regards to Mrs. Platte.”

Was that a relieved smile that kissed the corners of her mouth?

“
It was pleasant to speak with you, Mr. Masterson. Good evening.”

With that, Miss Evangeline Grey turned to seek her sister, and Thomas found himself dismissed. How it had come about remained a muddle. Hadn't he, Thomas Masterson, just sought to escape what proved a tiresome conversation? Yet here he stood, staring after an empty spot, vacated without a backward glance or even a pause for him to make his reply.

Dash it all! How unexpected.

* * *

Reverend Oakley greeted congregants at the back of the sacristy, and Evangeline waited beside her mother as parishioners inched toward the fellowship hall. A meal was to be shared this day. Scanning the line, Evangeline searched for Olivia Castille, eager to locate the woman.

“
Reverend Oakley, such an uplifting message!” her mother gushed.

“
Thank you kindly, Mrs. Grey. May I inquire after Mr. Grey?”

“
Mr. Grey is well. I spoke to him earlier about the walkway out front. Something simply must be done! Two others beside myself nearly twisted an extremity. With winter bearing close...” She paused to draw breath, leaving space for Evangeline to urge her along.

“
Thank you, Reverend Oakley.” Linking her arm in her mother's, she stepped, forcing her mother to do likewise. “I am certain Reverend Oakley will see to the walkway. We should offer to aid the older ladies in finding their tables.”

Opal allowed Evangeline to move her, resting her free hand upon her daughter's forearm.

“
A wonderful suggestion! You see, Reverend, my daughter is most thoughtful and helpful. Any home would benefit under her care.”

Evangeline's mortification tempted her to drag her mother from the scene, yet good sense prevailed. Blessedly. Willing her face betray no humiliation at her mother's unveiled parading of her person, as if hoisted upon the auction block, she evened her breathing and stayed her course. Frayed ends of her pride safely tucked away, Evangeline managed a smile when her sister, Melody, met her gaze, approaching to deter their mother from further speech.

The sisters, along with Mrs. Castille, took their meal in lively conversation, sharing the joy of the previous night's success.

“
We've enough to procure an overcoat for each boy child and make a shawl for every girl,” Mrs. Castille announced proudly.

“
We must begin right away if we hope to finish in time for Christmas! How soon will the material be ready?” More than pleased, Evangeline calculated how many weeks remained for her to knit the two shawls.

“
Within the week, Miss Grey! I convinced the cloth shop to put back our supplies.” She clasped her hands together. “I just knew we'd raise enough!”

“
I never doubted either, Mrs. Castille,” Evangeline agreed earnestly.

“
There was certainly no lack of money in your hall last night. I wonder that we should dare accept the donations of certain guests.” Mrs. Verla Rhodes, ever the self-righteous martyr, snorted from across the great pine table. “Mr. Masterson and his companion flaunt their excess in plain sight, and all turn a blind eye because they open their coffers.”

“
Certainly there are rumors, Mrs. Rhodes, but one must not put stock in gossip.” Evangeline's steady tone conveyed not censure, but plain reasoning.

Unperturbed, Verla continued, reporting the activities of many and sharing snippets of conversations she'd managed to overhear.

Such a silly woman!

Evangeline wanted to steer discussion back to their winter project.

“
The important thing is that we gained the funds to help,” she reminded.

“
Of course, Miss Grey, you would say that just now – before I make mention of your own private conversation with Mr. Thomas Masterson! And right afterward,
that
gentleman made a generous donation. Or so I heard.” Verla raised an eyebrow and all eyes landed on Evangeline.

Evangeline counted herself speechless. Truly for-the-first-time-in-her-life speechless, not the self-imposed quiet often adopted when she knew better than to voice her opinions. Fellow ladies tittered then, the moment passing as no more than a joke. Thank goodness! No one with an ounce of good sense would entertain the notion that a rake like Thomas Masterson would pay her any special attention. Of all the ridiculous fiddle-faddle! Evangeline's throat tightened uncomfortably. It was true; she held no particular skill at judging these matters. There had been that
unfortunate
Mr. Davenport mishap, part of the reason she guarded herself so well.

No. She'd been exceedingly cautious since that day. Evangeline colored at the recollection.

Outside her father's study, she realized her misunderstanding at hearing Mr. Davenport's offer for Melody, her sister. A bit off kilter - after all, they had shared the most interesting and lively conversations – Evangeline recovered herself with fair ease. Melody was such a beautiful creature! But what transpired next affected her profoundly.

“
Blaine, I must admit surprise. I thought you were aware. Mr. Brentwood offered already for Melody. In any case, I dare say I expected your offer, but thought your interest centered on my Evangeline.”

“
Evangeline, sir?” the young man choked out. “Please...understand...I, er, I ...”

The man's face must indeed be reddened with all that uncomfortable stammering,
Evangeline thought. Her father's next words clarified exactly why the discomfiture was present, tightening the skin on her scalp in awful awareness.

“
Say no more, Mr. Davenport. I understand well enough. My boy, it's not a woman's beauty makes a man happy, but a good and reliable companion. Remember that; it will serve you well. But, enough of this talk. We will have none of this unhappy business getting back to my Evangeline.”

“
Certainly not, sir!” Blaine Davenport concurred.

Alone in the hallway, Evangeline swallowed the unfamiliar lump in her throat and pressed her icy hands against her burning cheeks. She'd always been aware she was in the shadow of Melody's beauty; this was the first time she'd felt eclipsed totally by it. Her own father understood without Mr. Davenport having to explain!

Never again, she had avowed that day, would she indulge such silly notions.

I am plain. That is all there is to it. And all my knowledge and good sense will never outweigh that fact. It is not as if I wanted a husband in the first place.

But she had thought Mr. Davenport an acceptable match in all honesty. He never tried to touch her, blessedly. She'd thought he was like her in that way. Now, she understood. He was not like her; he simply held no interest in her. Knowing self pity an unacceptable option, Evangeline concluded it to be unproductive and selfish in every way. No. She'd use the gifts Providence had blessed her with to her utmost ability. With no great want for a husband, being plain became an asset as Evangeline considered further.

Always a pearl to be gained from an irritating grain of sand!

Revisiting the incident settled her. Men took no interest in her. Mrs. Rhodes' talk was just that – talk. In any case, Evangeline determined to avoid future private conversations with Mr. Masterson. No proper woman wanted her name linked through rumor with that gentleman – if one could call him such.

Conversation centered awhile on distributing materials to the women, further returning quiet and order to Evangeline's thoughts. Unable to claim great beauty or charm, she held her reputation extremely dear. After all, what did one possess if not one's good name?

“
Mrs. Brentwood,” Mrs. Castille asked, “will you winter with your family?”

Melody had returned home after her husband's untimely death. Ten months of marriage – less than a year – and cruelly widowed. So sad. Her resilience through her ordeal birthed pride in Evangeline for her sister.

“
That is the plan, Mrs. Castille,” Melody replied.

“
It is a shame you've no heir to comfort you,” the woman offered kindly.

Melody nodded her thanks, and Evangeline's heart broke a little for her sister. No one knew of Melody’s deep grief, save her, grief that she'd not conceived a child. Taking her sister's hand beneath the table, a move that cost her much, Evangeline offered the simple comfort of touch. Melody squeezed in return, a silent thank you in the language of sisters.

* * *

“
Ouch!” Melody yelped before giggling playfully. “You're not paying attention!”

Meeting her sister's eyes in the dressing table mirror, Evangeline flushed at her mistake. “Oh, Melody! I'm sorry. I missed a hairpin.” Untangling the object, she resumed brushing.

“
It's all right. You are a hundred miles away, though.” Melody waited, giving Evangeline the option and the space to answer.

It was why Evangeline adored her only sister so well. Melody understood – at least better than anyone else. Evangeline kept a space between herself and others. She needed that space. It was the sole place she could be Evangeline Grey, embracing her many thoughts and observations without risk of censure. Being with Melody was nearly as safe.

“
I suppose I am being silly,” she sighed. “I cannot but wonder at Verla Rhodes' comment today.”

Melody, who had closed her eyes as Evangeline brushed, opened them, finding her sister's steady gaze in the looking glass.

“
Are you referring to her mention of your conversation with Mr. Masterson?” Melody laughed. “No one takes Verla too seriously, Evangeline. Do not let her ruin any chance at conversation you may have with so handsome a man.”

“
Humph,” she snuffed. “Mr. Masterson is not a man, handsome or otherwise, I care to converse with.”

“
Why ever not?” Melody asked.

“
We both know exactly why not,” Evangeline stated in her no-nonsense way.

Melody's giggle followed promptly. “Are you worried he'll make you swoon with his charm and wit?”

It was her turn to laugh. “Me? Evangeline Grey...swooning?” Her eyebrow arched, daring Melody to conjure the unlikely image.

Overcome with laughter, Melody ceded. “Oh! Evangeline!” she choked out between fits of mirth, “I'd love to watch Mr. Thomas Masterson try to make you swoon!”

“
That will be quite enough silliness for one night,” Evangeline declared somberly, but her eyes twinkled merrily. “We'll not rest properly if we allow ourselves to continue.”

Melody quieted as Evangeline brushed on, smoothing over the wavy, auburn curls with her nimble fingers.

“
Do you never long for love?”

Evangeline stilled, as habit dictated her do when uncomfortable. “I have love, Melody. I have you and Mother and Father.”

“
I mean the love of a man...” Melody's voice trailed off, a melancholy thread to her tone. “I do.”

The simple honesty touched Evangeline, yet she could not truly empathize. “No, Melody,” she replied, running the brush once again through her sister's hair. “I prefer to avoid the attentions of men, any attentions.” She placed the silver brush on the dressing table and gathered Melody's hair to begin braiding. “You know how I feel. I suppose you desire the...the...companionship of a man because you were happily married.” She tied the braid's end. “There. All finished.”

They traded places, Melody unpinning Evangeline's long, brown hair. “It's not the way Mother says it is. It's quite wonderful, being with a man, I mean.”

“
I've no desire to discover which of you is correct.”

“
I heard Father tonight, Evangeline.”

Sighing, Evangeline nodded. “He wants me to marry. But I've no worries, at least for now.”

It was Melody's turn to lift a brow.

“
It's not as if suitors are breaking down the doors. And...well, I can be a deterring force.” Evangeline smiled faintly and handed the ribbon back for Melody to tie her braid.

“
Father wants us settled in our own homes, with husbands. He is only thinking of our futures.”

“
You'll marry well and I shall live with you. I'll have a handsome allowance – at least enough that I won't be a burden to you.”

“
And what? Never have your own home? Your own child?” Melody wrapped her arms around Evangeline's shoulders. “I want you to be happy. You have so much to give.”

She stiffened under the close, intimate touch, regretting the pain of rejection that flashed across Melody's face. Would she never be able to mask her discomfiture, even to spare the tender feelings of her own dear sister? It was no use. Evangeline Grey knew herself, had since the day her father's embrace revealed her true nature – her different-ness from her mother and sister. She didn't require, nor want, the pawing at of limbs trapping her, pinning her in.