Afterthought by M J Marlow (red white royal blue .txt) 📖

Sebastian did not blame him. “But we weren’t told about the army that came along with you.” “My father doesn’t travel light,” Sebastian shrugged. “They won’t get in the way, David.” He looked at Evangeline when he spoke. “Father is a very skilled psychiatrist, Evangeline. His clients include members of the nobility of Europe and prominent politicians in several countries. People who insist he be protected.” Stefano frowned as he heard his son’s comment on his way out of the Study. It was quite obvious he did not like his personal information being shared so freely. He came over to Evangeline and Sebastian moved aside so he could sit down next to the girl. He picked up the crutches and leaned on them to watch the meeting with a pleased smile on his face. “It’s their secrets they really wish to see protected,” He smiled at Evangeline. “You’re looking better, child.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Lord Sterling will tell your woman to pack some things for you. He has made certain that the housekeeper at the Dowager House has dinner waiting for us.” He picked Evangeline up in his arms and nodded to his son. “Sebastian. Bring your sister’s crutches.” David and Daria followed and saw the expensive convertible outside the castle. Stefano put Evangeline in the front passenger seat as Sebastian got in back. It drove off with a purr only a well maintained engine could provide and headed to the Dowager House that took pride of place nearer the cliffs. The cousins stood side by side, each deep in their own thoughts as they watched this change occurring in Evangeline’s and their lives. “That is one arrogant man,” David frowned as he looked at his cousin. “I notice you never took your eyes off his son, cousin.” “He’s a very handsome man,” Daria smiled. “It’s a shame he’s our cousin.” She shrugged and set it aside. “This week is certainly going to be interesting with those two around.” Evangeline was astounded by the gentility of the men who were her family. She was not used to being treated like she was breakable. Her Sterling cousins, even the kind ones, usually treated her like she was made of sterner stuff. She didn’t know whether to be amused or annoyed. These Roza men were not like anyone she had ever met before in her life. She was going to enjoy getting to know them. “Miss Evangeline is to be given the best bedroom,” Stefano told the housekeeper, Abigail, as he carried Evangeline in. “When may we expect dinner?” “In an hour, Doctor Roza,” Abigail told him. “The Dowager bedroom is the one at the end of the corridor to the left at the top of the landing.” She smiled at Evangeline. The staff all adored this child and she was glad the girl had found her father. “We’re happy to see you are back on your feet, Miss Evangeline. Any news of your cousins?” “I had another letter from them a few days ago,” Evangeline nodded and smiled. “They are actually enjoying being in the Army, Abigail!” “God help the Country!” Abigail laughed. “The thought of those two having access to weaponry is going to give me nightmares.” She saw Evangeline’s frown and ruffled the girl’s hair. “You are a good girl, Miss Evangeline. Only an angel would care what happens to those two.” She showed Stefano to the room and left him to settle Evangeline. She looked around the beautifully furnished room with the heavy old furniture. The furniture, she knew, had been in the family since the 1800s. Rich brocaded curtains hung along the rails of the four-poster bed matched the curtains over the windows and the opening out onto the balcony. The linens on the bed picked up the colors of the flowers in the brocade. Evangeline limped out onto the balcony and looked out over the ocean. “This should be your room,” she said to Stefano, who joined her on the balcony. “It is far more than I am used to.” “It is far less than you deserve,” Stefano told her. “Resign yourself, child. While Sebastian and I are here you will be pampered and spoiled at every turn. We have sixteen years to make up for.” He turned her to face him. “I have asked a dressmaker to come tomorrow. She is bringing several dresses and gowns she designed especially for you. My gift to you on the second day of your sixteenth birthday week.” Evangeline started to tell him that this was too much, but the look on his face made her quiet. He was determined to make up to her for not being in her life and she hadn’t the heart to stop him. She was overwhelmed at the thought of being given such gifts; it wasn’t at all what she was used to as the orphaned Sterling child. Despite what she had been told her entire life, it was evident that this man actually cared for her. “Evangeline?” “I hear your companion now,” Stefano smiled and kissed her cheek. “I will see you at dinner.” Evangeline smiled and turned her gaze back out over the ocean. She enjoyed the way the sunlight danced on the water below her. Sea birds wheeled above screaming at each other. It was a very peaceful scene. She shivered as she felt a chill go up her spine. This was not going to last long. Something was going to happen soon to shatter the peace. She turned to see Sylvie watching her. “Another one, child?” “A warning of danger,” Evangeline nodded as she hobbled into the room and sat down on the bench at the foot of the bed. She put her head in her hands and shook. “I don’t like this, Sylvie. Why do I have to have these ‘feelings’?” “You’ve inherited your mother’s gift, child,” Sylvie told her. “What would you like to wear to dinner, Evangeline? I’ve brought a few of your dinner frocks for you to select from.” “What does one wear to the first dinner one shares with a parent?” Evangeline shrugged. “I’ll leave you to choose, Sylvie. I just want to lie down for a bit.” Stefano and Sebastian were in the sitting room when Evangeline came downstairs. The argument she had heard all the way down the stairs died as their eyes widened. She could see they thought she was very lovely in the emerald green dress Sylvie had chosen. Its simple and classic lines suited her, enhancing her coloring and her frame. Around her throat hung the simple gold locket her mother had left for her when she had left her behind. Stefano helped her to the dining room and saw her seated at his right while Sebastian took the seat to the left. For the next hour they got to know each other over the excellent dinner Abigail and the cook had prepared for them. “Tonight is the first night of your birthday week,” Stefano said as Sebastian got up and left the room. “Your brother and I thought we’d start off with giving you the gifts we never had a chance to give you.” Evangeline watched as Sebastian and two other men brought in three large boxes. They set these on the table and the men left the room. Sebastian opened the first box and smiled as he lifted out the first package. It was wrapped in the kind of paper one would use for a newborn and the card with it was written in the hand of a young child. “Welcome to my baby sister,” Evangeline read aloud, tears glistening in her eyes. “My name is Sebastian. I am nine.” She looked at her brother as she saw the photograph of the dark-haired boy with braces on his teeth pasted inside of the card. “You?” “Yes,” Sebastian nodded. “I wanted you to know how I looked.” He looked at his father as if asking permission to say more. Stefano nodded and Sebastian laid his hand on Evangeline’s hand. “If I never got a chance to meet you, at least you’d know who I was.” He pushed the package towards her. “Open it, Evangeline. I’ve been waiting sixteen years to see your face when you see the pretty things I got for you.” Evangeline opened the package and saw a beautiful silver charm bracelet with seventeen charms on it. Each charm was a different shape or object and held a precious gem. She had seen enough real stones on her aunts to realize that these were not glass or paste. She looked at her brother’s eager face and she burst into tears. He had put this together for her over the past sixteen years; even knowing he would not be able to give it to her. How could Sylvie have thought these men did not want her? “You don’t like it?” “Of course I like it, Sebastian,” Evangeline said as she ran the tip of her finger along the bracelet. “It is the loveliest thing I have ever seen in my life.” She came around the table and hugged him. “Thank you.” “The cards for each year have been bound into an album,” Sebastian said as he got out another package. Evangeline opened it and saw a book with a polished wood cover inside. On the exquisitely worked cover were the words ‘For My Sister’ in gilt lettering. She flipped through the pages and saw that they were the cards for each of her birthdays, with the photographs of her brother over those years. She was enchanted and she burst into tears again. Sebastian shook his head as he put the first card back in its place. “You are a tender-hearted girl, aren’t you?” “Don’t tease the child,” Stefano chided his son. “There is nothing at all wrong with her reaction. It shows a great sense of empathy towards your loss of her in your life.” He smiled at Evangeline warmly and took a large engraved and enameled box out. “Your grandmother Roza wanted you to have the family jewels,” he said as she opened the box and saw that it contained jewel boxes for necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings; “except for the sapphires that go to your brother’s bride when he marries, when you reached your sixteenth birthday. She will be quite happy to meet you when you choose to visit Italy.” “When would I ever have a chance to wear even a third of this?” Evangeline asked as she looked over the jewelry. It was all so lovely and several of the pieces were obviously antiques. She fingered the locket around her neck, the only piece of jewelry she had ever worn. She looked at her father then and guessed. “You’re more than a doctor, aren’t you?” “That is a conversation for another time and place,” Stefano told her firmly. “If you choose to visit with us outside of Sterling Manor then we shall tell you your full heritage, my child. This week, we are just your loving father and adoring brother come to celebrate your birthday.” He saw her argument forming and steeled himself for it; but there was a knock on the door and a maid came to get him for a phone call. He kissed Evangeline on the cheek. “Please don’t push your brother for information while I am gone.” Evangeline nodded and contented herself with asking her brother for a history of each piece of jewelry. Each one was quite well made and they contained precious gems like emeralds and rubies and diamonds. There were also strands of pearls and gold and silver chains for all of the various pendants. She almost expected to see a tiara or two among the collection and Sebastian laughed when she asked. He did not explain his amusement, however; he just told her she would have to ask their Grandmother about such things. Stefano returned and he lifted out the final package. Evangeline