A Practical Arrangement Read Free

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