Where Roses Bloom at Night

Chapter One: Of Corsets and Conquests

“I’m not saying I would marry him for his estate,” said Miss Charlotte “Lottie” Harwell, perched atop Eveline Harrowgate’s bed, “but if a man owns three drawing rooms and a hedge maze, I feel it would be impolite not to consider him.”

Eveline, her cheeks glowing from laughter, sank deeper into the heap of muslin and silk that was supposed to become her ball gown. Somewhere beneath the chaos of lace and ribbon was a respectable lady of the aristocracy. At present, she looked more like a well-dressed chrysalis.

“I’m telling you, Evie, if Mr. Everly doesn’t so much as look at me all night, I shall fling myself into the punch bowl.”

“Your sister did that last season?” Eveline questioned. “On purpose, she said. Now she and Lord Filtch are to be announcing their engagement next week.”

“It’s called strategy,” said Miss Lottie, now sprawled on Eveline’s bed like a dramatic spaniel. “This would be genuine despair if he doesn’t ask for a dance.”

Eveline glanced at her friend with a smile. “Have you fallen in love with Mr. Everly now, cousin?”

“Fallen? I’ve plummeted,” Lottie sighed, fanning herself with a glove. “He’s intelligent, charming, possesses all his teeth, and owns four pianofortes. Four, Eveline! What does a man do with four pianofortes?”

“Drive women like you to distraction, evidently.”

Lottie sat up suddenly. “And you, my darling? Who will you let court you?”

“I’m not in the market for suitors,” Evie said, inspecting a brooch shaped like a crescent moon. “I’m in the market for a night of dancing, a plate of raspberry tarts, and minimal foot pain.”

“That’s what you say,” Lottie replied knowingly, “but I saw the way Lord Whitcombe looked at you at the Spring Picnic. As if you were the answer to every poorly written sonnet he ever read.”

Evie laughed. “He sneezed four times in a row and spilled lemonade down his vest.”

“To which you offered your favor.”

“A napkin. Like any normal person would do.”

“Like a smitten person,” Lottie corrected. “Mark me, tonight will change everything.”

Eveline shook her head and began gathering her jewelry. “Let’s survive dinner with my mother first. Then we can talk of destiny.” The two girls laughed.