Thomas scoffed. "Guilt and trauma? What about the guilt and trauma he inflicted on that innocent girl? On her family? Where's their chance at healing?"
"You're right," Evelyn admitted, her shoulders sagging. "You're absolutely right. What James did... there's no excusing it. No way to make it right. But I have to try, Thomas. I have to try to find a way forward, for all of us."
She held out the sapphire necklace, its gems catching the light. "This necklace is worth a small fortune. I want to give it to them, as a start towards making amends. It's not nearly enough, I know that. But it's something tangible, something that might help ease their financial burdens at least."
Thomas eyed the necklace warily. "And what's the catch, my lady? What do you expect in return for this... generosity?"
Evelyn shook her head. "No catch, Thomas. No expectations. Just... a chance to speak with them. To offer my deepest apologies in person. And yes, to ask if there's any way they might consider allowing James a chance to make amends. Not forgiveness - I know that's too much to ask. But a path towards redemption, towards becoming someone who can try to make up for the harm he's caused."
Thomas was silent for a long moment, his eyes searching Evelyn's face. She stood there, vulnerable and open, allowing him to see the pain, the guilt, the desperate hope that warred within her.
Finally, Thomas spoke, his voice low and measured. "You give me your word, my lady, that this isn't some trick? That you truly mean no harm to Henry's family?"
"I swear it, Thomas," Evelyn said solemnly. "On everything I hold dear. I only want to try to make things right, as much as that's possible. No tricks, no ulterior motives."
Thomas sighed heavily, running a hand through his greying hair. "I must be mad for even considering this. But... I've known you for many years, my lady. And despite recent events, I want to believe you're still the woman I once respected."
Evelyn felt a glimmer of hope. "Then you'll help me?"
"I'll take you to Henry's house," Thomas conceded. "But I make no promises beyond that. If they refuse to see you, or if they ask you to leave, you'll respect their wishes immediately. Understood?"
"Of course," Evelyn agreed quickly. "Thank you, Thomas. Truly."
As Thomas turned to leave, presumably to make arrangements for their journey, Evelyn called out once more. "Thomas? I know it doesn't change anything, but... I am sorry. For everything."
Thomas paused at the door, his back to her. "Actions speak louder than words, my lady. Let's see what your actions say when we get there."
Thomas said leaving, "Henry and servants like us live in areas where people like you can't go, so please wear something modest, and we can't go in a car, I will arrange a carriage for you, in the meantime, be ready my Lady."
With that, he was gone, leaving Evelyn alone with her thoughts and the weight of the task ahead.
The journey to Henry's modest home on the outskirts of town was tense and silent. Evelyn sat rigidly in the carriage, the sapphire necklace clutched tightly in her gloved hands. Thomas drove his back a stiff line of disapproval.
As they approached their destination, Evelyn's anxiety mounted. What right did she have to intrude on this family's grief? Would her presence only serve to reopen wounds that had barely begun to heal?
The carriage came to a stop outside a small, well-kept cottage. Flowers bloomed in window boxes, a stark contrast to the sombre atmosphere that seemed to hover over the property.
Thomas helped Evelyn down from the carriage, his touch impersonal and brief. "Remember your promise, my lady. If they ask you to leave-"
"I'll go without protest," Evelyn finished. "I understand, Thomas."
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn approached the front door. She raised her hand to knock, then hesitated, suddenly overwhelmed by the enormity of what she was about to do. But the image of James, wasting away in that sparse room, steeled her resolve. She rapped gently on the wooden door.
She held out the sapphire necklace, its gems catching the light. "This necklace is worth a small fortune. I want to give it to them, as a start towards making amends. It's not nearly enough, I know that. But it's something tangible, something that might help ease their financial burdens at least."
Thomas eyed the necklace warily. "And what's the catch, my lady? What do you expect in return for this... generosity?"
Evelyn shook her head. "No catch, Thomas. No expectations. Just... a chance to speak with them. To offer my deepest apologies in person. And yes, to ask if there's any way they might consider allowing James a chance to make amends. Not forgiveness - I know that's too much to ask. But a path towards redemption, towards becoming someone who can try to make up for the harm he's caused."
Thomas was silent for a long moment, his eyes searching Evelyn's face. She stood there, vulnerable and open, allowing him to see the pain, the guilt, the desperate hope that warred within her.
Finally, Thomas spoke, his voice low and measured. "You give me your word, my lady, that this isn't some trick? That you truly mean no harm to Henry's family?"
"I swear it, Thomas," Evelyn said solemnly. "On everything I hold dear. I only want to try to make things right, as much as that's possible. No tricks, no ulterior motives."
Thomas sighed heavily, running a hand through his greying hair. "I must be mad for even considering this. But... I've known you for many years, my lady. And despite recent events, I want to believe you're still the woman I once respected."
Evelyn felt a glimmer of hope. "Then you'll help me?"
"I'll take you to Henry's house," Thomas conceded. "But I make no promises beyond that. If they refuse to see you, or if they ask you to leave, you'll respect their wishes immediately. Understood?"
"Of course," Evelyn agreed quickly. "Thank you, Thomas. Truly."
As Thomas turned to leave, presumably to make arrangements for their journey, Evelyn called out once more. "Thomas? I know it doesn't change anything, but... I am sorry. For everything."
Thomas paused at the door, his back to her. "Actions speak louder than words, my lady. Let's see what your actions say when we get there."
With that, he was gone, leaving Evelyn alone with her thoughts and the weight of the task ahead.
The journey to Henry's modest home on the outskirts of town was tense and silent. Evelyn sat rigidly in the carriage, the sapphire necklace clutched tightly in her gloved hands. Thomas drove his back a stiff line of disapproval.
As they approached their destination, Evelyn's anxiety mounted. What right did she have to intrude on this family's grief? Would her presence only serve to reopen wounds that had barely begun to heal?
The carriage came to a stop outside a small, well-kept cottage. Flowers bloomed in window boxes, a stark contrast to the sombre atmosphere that seemed to hover over the property.
Thomas helped Evelyn down from the carriage, his touch impersonal and brief. "Remember your promise, my lady. If they ask you to leave-"
"I'll go without protest," Evelyn finished. "I understand, Thomas."
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn approached the front door. She raised her hand to knock, then hesitated, suddenly overwhelmed by the enormity of what she was about to do. But the image of James, wasting away in that sparse room, steeled her resolve. She rapped gently on the wooden door.
Long moments passed. Evelyn could hear muffled movement inside, hushed voices. Then, slowly, the door creaked open.
Henry stood there, his once-jovial face now etched with lines of sorrow and anger. His eyes widened in shock, then narrowed dangerously when he recognized Evelyn.
"What are you doing here?" he growled, his body blocking the doorway protectively.
Evelyn swallowed hard. "Henry, I... I've come to apologize. To you, to your family, and especially to... to your daughter. Please, may I come in? Just for a moment?"
Henry's face contorted with a mix of emotions - rage, pain, disbelief. "You have some nerve, showing up here. After what your son did... after what you allowed to happen..."
"I know," Evelyn said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know, and I'm so, so sorry. What James did was unforgivable. My inaction that day... it's inexcusable. But please, Henry. Give me just a few minutes. Let me try to make amends, however inadequate they may be."
For a long moment, Henry simply stared at her, his inner conflict evident. Then, from within the house, a soft voice called out. "Who is it, Papa?"
Henry closed his eyes briefly as if gathering strength. Then he stepped back, opening the door wider. "It's Lady Shaw, Sophie. She... she wants to speak with us."