casual answer to her next question. “And just what did you want to see me about?”
Thomas opened his mouth to answer, but was jostled by the pressing crowd. The continual noise had been loud enough, but now it was deafening, what with the murmur of the crowd, the announcement of the last dance of the evening, followed by the orchestra starting to play the last song. Grimacing, he glanced about. “This is impossible. I do want to speak with you, Evleen. I shall call on you tomorrow.” At her quick nod, he said goodnight and melted into the crowd.
Penelope appeared. “Where has my brother gone? I know he especially wanted to speak to you.”
“We couldn’t hear over all the din,” Evleen answered, her voice raised. “He said he’d call on me tomorrow.”
“Come with me,” said Penelope. After she’d led Evleen to a quiet corner, she asked, “You do know what it’s about, don’t you?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I think you are.”
No sense trying to fool Penelope. “I suppose I am, but...” Evleen frowned and bit her lip. “I am so confused. My mother thinks the most important thing in the world is for me to marry well.”
Penelope raised her fine, arched eyebrows. “We are all supposed to marry well, but that doesn’t mean we must. I want you to listen to me. I don’t care if I offend you or not, but there are things you ought to hear.”
“Do go ahead,” Evleen answered softly, not having the vaguest notion what her friend was going to say.
Penelope began, “I don’t know what your true feelings about Thomas are, but I know what they should be. Of course, he is but a second son. Of course, he doesn’t have a fortune. But a finer man never walked the face of this earth. He loves you, Evleen. He’s going to ask you to marry him, and if you turn him down, I shall never forgive you.”
“But I am in such a dilemma! My mother wants the best for me. I promised—”
“I am amazed. With all due respect, I cannot believe that a woman as strong and independent as you would not do exactly what she pleased instead of blindly following what she perceives to be what her mother wants.”
“That’s not so.”
“Isn’t it?” Penelope’s eyes blazed with intensity. “Are you blind? Can’t you see all that Thomas has done for you? Who escorted you clear across Ireland and comforted and took care of you when you got sick on the boat? Who found you and Patrick when you were lost and brought you home? Who saw to it that you learned the waltz, and all those other dances, and the language of the fan? Surely not the Trevlyns. And it wasn’t my idea either, it was Thomas’s. He cares for you, Evleen. Oh, you can find a rich man and a title easily enough, but can you find a man who’s generous and kind and loves you with all his heart? I think not. And I think if it’s true love you want, you’ll use your own judgement and follow your heart, not your mother’s wishes.”
Penelope stopped for breath. “Oh, dear,” she said as a rueful smile crept over her face. “I didn’t mean to be so vehement, I just wanted to let you know how deeply I felt.”
“Quite all right,” Evleen hastened to say, not revealing she was shaken to the core. “I value your opinion. My feelings for Thomas are... I’m just beginning to see... rest assured, I shall think about what you said.”
“Do,” answered Penelope. She bid Evleen goodnight and turned away, leaving Evleen in such a state of confusion she could only stand and stare, and consider Penelope’s advice.
Follow your heart, not your mother’s wishes...
Follow your heart... Of course. She loved Thomas. It was a moment of awakening that left her reeling. Suddenly she felt wrapped in a blissful cocoon of euphoria. Thomas loved her. Tomorrow he would tell her so. Tomorrow he would ask her to marry him and with heartfelt joy she would accept because yes, yes, a million times yes! she loved him, too. Up until now, her mother’s demands had come first. Make me proud, Mama had said, and she, ever the dutiful daughter, had so wanted to abide by her mother’s wishes she had never considered doing otherwise until this very moment. In all her heedful life, she had never understood the young girls who, in the name of love, had brought shame and disgrace upon themselves