The four of them returned to the ballroom but before Evelina could rejoin the crowd, Victoria appeared at her side with her usual warm insistence.
"Evee," she said, slipping her arm through Evelina's and curtsied to the gentlemen. She whispered "you must come with me. The young ladies are gathered in the resting room and it would be poor form to keep the Crown Princess waiting."
Evelina offered a polite smile. "If Her Highness wishes it, then I will gladly come." they said her goodbyes to the gentlemen and moved together down a quieter corridor, the hum of the ballroom fading behind them.
The resting room was lit softly, its air hushed compared to the cheerfulness outside. At its center sat the Crown Princess, composed and gracious, every inch the king's daughter-in-law. Around her were the ladies of her circle, each of them glittering in silks and jewels but none more intent than Lady Selina Marlowe.
Selina's smile was bright, perhaps too bright as Evelina entered. She had placed herself at the Princess's side with practiced ease, her posture a soft claim of intimacy. Her gaze lingered on Lady Everleigh for a moment longer than courtesy required, the faintest spark of challenge behind her eyes.
Though the Crown Princess was known for her kindness but Evelina felt the weight of her regard. She had not forgotten that years before, whispers had placed Evelina among the candidates for the prince's bride. It had never come to pass but such memories were not easily forgotten in court.
Evelina curtsied gracefully, her face serene and though she felt the undercurrents of the room with every step, she knew that this was not simply a resting room, it was a stage.
Selina was the first to speak, her voice light as lace. "Lady Everleigh," she said, rising half a step as though in welcome, "how lovely to see you again. We were just speaking of the ball and of how fortunate it is for some to attend with such… distinguished company."
Her smile did not waver but the glance she cast toward Evelina carried its own weight.
She dipped her head politely. "The honor of such company belongs more to the Grand Duke than to myself, Lady Marlowe."
Selina's lashes lowered, the smile on her lips sharpening almost gradually. "Of course. Though I daresay such attentions are seldom shown without purpose. The Grand Duke is not known for being trivial."
The Crown Princess shifted slightly, her expression still kind and though her eyes betrayed a flicker of thought. The ladies around them murmured softly as if savoring the exchange.
Evelina kept her voice calm, her smile serene. "Then perhaps it speaks only of his generous nature. I would not presume upon anything more."
The air in the room tightened, Evelina's poise remained unbroken.
The Crown Princess sensing the hush that had fallen, lifted her voice with a lightness that carried just enough authority to silence the murmurs.
"Lady Marlowe, you are too quick to weigh intentions," she said with a gentle smile. "The Grand Duke has ever been thoughtful to his friends. It does him credit as it does Lady Everleigh to accept his kindness with such grace."
Her words were fair, her tone kind, yet Evelina caught the careful balance in them. It was no rebuke to Lady Marlowe nor was it a full defense of herself. It was the Crown Princess's way of keeping the room at ease while reminding Lady Everleigh that her place here was one to be watched.
Evelina lowered her eyes respectfully. "Your Highness is most generous. I hope always to merit such trust."
The Princess's smile lingered, serene and unreadable. "In time, Lady Everleigh, I am certain you shall."
The other ladies exchanged glances, some curious and others amused. The moment had passed but the undercurrent remained through the quiet room like a shadow none dared name aloud.
The talk soon drifted toward gowns, jewels and the dancing that awaited when they returned to the ballroom. Yet Selina's patient steered the current back to where she wished it to flow.
"I must admit," she said lightly "I have always admired the Ravenscroft family's taste. The young Duke himself has returned with such refinement after so long in the north. How proud the Crown Princess must be to call him brother."
The Crown Princess inclined her head with a soft smile. "Lucian has ever been a man of dignity. His presence is a comfort to me."
Selina's eyes lingered on the Crown Princess then flicked just for a moment toward Evelina. "Indeed. And perhaps it will not be long before his household is blessed. It is only fitting that such a name should be joined with a family of equal standing? Some matches," she added, her tone feather light, "seem almost destined."
The words cloaked in sweetness and carried a sharpened edge. A few of the younger ladies exchanged knowing looks, their laughter soft and swift to fade.
Evelina felt their eyes turn toward her though she did not allow her composure to waver. She raised her chin, answering with calm grace. "The young Duke is a man most capable of choosing his own path. Any union he seeks will be guided by wisdom and loyalty, rather than whispers."
The Crown Princess glanced briefly between the two women, her expression serene though her silence was as telling as any word. Selina's smile never faltered but her gaze glittered with satisfaction as though she had struck a note she meant for all to hear.
Victoria, who had been watching the exchange with sharp eyes, let out a light laugh. "Ah, but Lady Marlowe, you speak as though the young Duke has already entrusted his heart. I should think a man such as he, so reserved, would not give it away so easily nor to ambition alone. A name as ancient as Ravenscroft's deserves more than mere convenience."
Her words were spoken kindly, almost playfully but their meaning was clear. Several of the younger ladies tittered behind their hands, the amusement turning from Evelina to Selina in an instant.
Evelina caught Victoria's eyes with gratitude flickering between them. She lowered her gaze politely, unwilling to feed the moment with more fuel.
Selina's smile tightened though she recovered swiftly, inclining her head toward Victoria. "Of course. A heart so rare is not so easily won. Still, one cannot help but wonder where it will choose to rest." Her eyes drifted once more to Evelina though only for the briefest beat.
The Crown Princess, sensing the tension rose gracefully from her seat. "Come, ladies. The ball awaits us and surely it grows poorer without us. Let us return before the music fades."
At her words the room stirred back into motion, silks rustling, fans snapping open, laughter restored. Yet for Evelina, the sweetness of the Crown Princess's circle had revealed its thorns and she knew Selina Marlowe would not rest while her shadow lingered so close.
The ladies swept back into the brilliance of the ballroom, Evelina walked arm in arm with Lady Victoria and Margaret. They had scarcely crossed the marble floor when a small group of gentlemen approached them. At its center stood Alistair, beside him was her brother, Nathaniel and with them was Viscount Holt, gallant and bright-eyed, bowing with particular care toward them.
"Ladies," Alistair greeted them warmly while his gaze lingering a moment longer on Evelina. "It seems fortune favors me again this evening."
Margaret curtsied with a teasing light in her eyes. "Fortune, Your Grace, or simply design? I suspect you had already guessed where we might be found."
Viscount Holt laughed softly, "And if he had not, he would have searched every corner of the palace until you were discovered, my ladies."
The ladies smiled and the moment easing into familiar comfort. Nathaniel bowed deeply to Victoria and Margaret.
The ball drifted toward its end and the last dances carrying a gentler rhythm as though even the orchestra had grown weary of such splendor, guests began to take their leave.
Evelina found her brother Nathaniel at her side ever attentive offering his arm. "Come, Evelina," he said softly, "the hour grows late. Father will expect us home before dawn."
She smiled, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm. "Then let us not keep him waiting." She turned to the Alistair "My apologies, Your Grace. Though you are my partner, it will be nice for me to go back to the estate with my brother." she said apologetically.
"My lady, its okay. I have sudden engagement and I was supposed to inform you about that. My apologies." he said with a hint of disappointment. Evelina gave her a sweet smile. "Your Grace is too kind."
At the great steps of the palace, their carriage was drawn close, Alistair accompanied them to the doors while his presence a steadying weight amid the stir of departing nobles.
"But I could not allow my partner to wander into the crowd unescorted," he said, offering his hand to Evelina as she stepped toward the carriage. His voice was low meant only for her. "May the night rest kindly upon you, my lady."
Her fingers brushed his briefly as she accepted his hand, "Thank you, Your Grace. Your courtesy is ever beyond measure."
Nathaniel followed her and said goodbye to Alistair respectfully. Evelina leaned back against the seat across his brother. The carriage started to move, the lights from the Rose Palace starting to fade slowly and only the moon light shine their way.
One thing Evelina knew, Alistair's devotion was clear yet somewhere in the shadows of her thoughts, another pair of eyes lingered and impossible to forget.