On returning to her town, Eve muttered,
"One day I will show you that there are people like me, with a better character than what your wealth cannot amount to."
"How dare I? He should be happy I didn't beat him with my umbrella," she said to herself as she continued to walk towards her home. To think that the man had tried to threaten her after proposing such an absurd thing. "He needs a governess more than his child."
And while Eve continued to walk with quick footsteps, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed, she failed to notice that her muttering had gained the passerby's attention.
She had hoped that she would finally get the job. But to think that the man of the house had turned out to be such a disgraceful man, she wondered if all the wealthy folks were like this. She closed her eyes and muttered again,
"I am going to get scolded again because of that scum—"
"Which scum?" She heard a male voice, whom she was familiar with, and her eyes flew open.
Startled, she had almost crashed into him. Almost, thought Eve in her mind.
Two good steps away from her stood a tall man. His combed hair and eyes were black like the midnight sky without the stars or moon. A beauty mark rested below the corner of his right eye. The expression on his face was calm. And though he wore better clothes than most people in the town of Meadow, obviously because he didn't belong here, it was the kind smile on his lips that stood out in him.
Eve quickly took herself to greet the man by bowing her head, "Good afternoon, Mr. Sullivan."
"Good afternoon to you too, Ms. Barlow, but it seems like your day hasn't been that well," Mr. Sullivan's words were calm and collected. There was not a time when Eve could spot a single ruffled feather on him.
Noah Sullivan was the son of Duke of Woodlock. Though Eve had never met Senior Mr. Sullivan, she could only understand why Woodlock town was peaceful. One look at Noah, and it was enough to know that he was a man of honour. Almost twenty-nine in age, rumours had it that he would soon take his father's position.
"You seem upset," noted Noah, watching her with a relaxed smile.
Though Eve was only a fellow woman of the Meadow town, Noah and she had somehow turned acquainted with each other. And they enjoyed each other's company enough to share a few words when they caught sight of each other in the town.
Remembering the unpleasant incident, Eve pursed her lips and said, "It was just an unfortunate accident that wasn't taken into account this morning," while explaining, she waved her hand that had the umbrella that almost hit Noah if he didn't bring his hand forward to stop it gently. "I am sorry," she apologized, retracting her hand.
"Don't be," replied Noah, not offended, as he was used to Eve's possible accidents that came from her clumsiness or enthusiasm sometimes. Weighing the words he had earlier heard her speak, he said, "Sometimes, we can only foresee things that we have experienced, and it is impossible to take into account because life is unexpected, Ms. Barlow. I hope it wasn't another incident of you pouring tea on someone."
"You heard about it," muttered Eve, her cheeks turning slightly pink because he was the last person she wanted to know about what had happened. Noah was someone she looked up to.
A chuckle escaped from the man's lips, and he brought his hand in front of his mouth and cleared his throat. "You are the famous governess-who-poured-hot-tea," he informed her. "You are famous."
"I don't think I am looking for that kind of attention," Eve turned slightly embarrassed. Bad attention like that was making it harder for her to land a job in a good house.
She noticed Noah offer a slight bow to one of the men, who walked not too far away. And while her eyes wandered around, they fell on the two women, who stood on the other side of the street. They admired Noah from afar, whispering something between each other. And just when Noah's eyes met the women, he bowed his head, and the women did the same with a smile and a twinkle in their eyes before they hurried from there.
With the man who was going to be a Duke, he was also a fairly handsome man with polite manners, which had garnered him enough affection from the women in this town. Especially eager mothers who wanted to marry off their daughters to this eligible man.
"If you would like, I could talk to a few people and see who might be willing to hire you?" Noah offered to help her, but Eve shook her head.
"Aunt Aubrey wouldn't like it and I wouldn't want to impose on you," Eve smiled at Noah.
It wasn't that he hadn't offered it three months ago, but the young woman had refused it. As if she wanted to find a job without relying on anyone. Not wanting to force her, he gave her a nod.
For a moment, he parted his lips as if to ask her something.
Hearing the tower bell ring loudly, which resonated through, Noah said, "I should get going, Ms. Barlow. Like many other times, it was a pleasure talking to you. Let me know if you do need my help, my offer stands."
"Have a safe journey, Mr. Sullivan," Eve bowed. Noah smiled at her before walking away from there.
When Eve reached the house, she gingerly pushed the gate's latch and stepped inside with a dazed look. A sigh escaped from her lips. She was twenty-four, an age by which most women were married. But marriage wasn't what concerned her.
A scar was left behind many years ago… and she was looking for it. And she knew if there was a way to find it, it was by going through wealthy families. Her shoulders drooped, wondering how long it would be before landing a job.
Eugene, who had been watering the plants at the corner of the garden, noticed his young miss, who looked disappointed. It seemed like the lady had failed in her interview this time too.
Dropping the water can on the ground, he wiped his hand while walking toward the young lady. He welcomed her, "Welcome back, Lady Eve. How was the weather today?" He inquired.
"Quite harsh. For a moment I thought my umbrella would be damaged," replied Eve, and her eyes fell on the rosebuds of a nearby bush. "I thought it would take a week before the buds come. They already look pretty," she remarked, bending down to take a closer look.
"I made sure to fertilize the soil and put a plank above it for shelter. Would you like me to pluck one out for you when they bloom, milady?" Eugene asked.
Eve shook her head, "No. Let them be. I will take them when they are about to wither."
"Let me go make a glass of cold lemonade for you. I am sure you must be parched while being outside for so long," Eugene was the first to walk, and after five seconds, Eve left the side of the bushes and walked inside the house. He informed her, "Lady Aubrey has gone out to Mrs. Henley's house."
"I thought Mrs. Henley was going to have her family over," replied Eve as she started to climb the stairs.
Eugene craned his neck before stepping out of the kitchen and replied, "Oh, she does have her family over. Lady Aubrey said that Mrs. Henley's grandchildren have come over, and she wanted Lady Aubrey to meet them—Miss!"
Eve had lost one of her footings, and she quickly held the wooden railings. "I am fine," she replied, feeling her heart race.
"You should be careful while walking. The stairs are always the trickiest," there was worry in the servant's voice. As he knew what Eve was, he was aware of her legs that weakened at times.
"They are. God Bless Mr. Dawson's soul for building such strong walls and railings," Eve laughed, because with the number of times she had placed her hands on them in force, God only knew how nothing had broken yet. "I will take a bath. You can keep the lemonade on the dining table, Eugene."
The look of concern on Eugene's face didn't disappear, but he nodded, knowing the young miss would want some time for herself.
Reaching the room, she picked up her clothes and headed to the bath. But when she pulled out the ceramic vessel which held the salts… it was nearly empty.