(A/N: Y'all really ship Matthew and Evie soooo......Also, longest chapter yet! Enjoy!)
Nearly sprinting to the breakfast room, Evelyn skidded to a slower pace just before entering the room. She had somehow managed to oversleep - or maybe her subconscious didn't want to wake up and face the insolence of Mary and Edith Crawley so early in the morning.
Stepping into the room, she smiled as she noticed a mug of hot coffee sat at her spot.
"Good morning, Evelyn." Robert smiled.
"Good morning." She sat down and began to sip on the coffee, avoiding Mary's gaze that pleaded for forgiveness. Evelyn thought of herself to be a fairly forgiving person; however, she had a lot of people to forgive right now so she was trying to give herself time to rationalize through the issues.
To dissipate the awkward tension, Evelyn decided to try and redirect the attention. "Who's that from, Uncle?" She asked Robert who read over a letter intently.
"Aunt Rosamund."
"Anything interesting?" Edith asked.
Robert gave her a half-hearted smile. "Nothing to trouble you with."
"Poor Aunt Rosamund." Sybil began as she took her seat next to Evelyn. "All alone in that big house. I feel so sorry for her."
Mary scoffed. "I don't. All alone with plenty of money and a house in Eton Square? I can't imagine anything better."
"Really, Mary, I wish you wouldn't talk like that. There will come a day when someone thinks you mean what you say." Robert scolded.
Mary rolled her eyes. "It can't come soon enough for me."
"Speaking of huge houses," Edith began. "how was the house, Evelyn?"
Evelyn eyed her skeptically. "It was nice."
She nodded. "Maybe you should talk to Aunt Rosemund about how to manage such a large estate while being alone. Furnishings and such."
"Edith..." Mary whispered warningly.
"What do you mean alone?" Evelyn pushed.
"Well, you're leaving now arent you? Since you have a house all for yourself."
Robert looked at Edith annoyedly. "Edith you know as well as everyone in this home that Evelyn is in the same situation as Mary and therefore cannot inherit the house yet. So instead of mocking her why don't you make sure she knows how welcome she is in her family's home until that day, hm?" He rose from his chair. "Carson, I'll be in the library. Will you let me know when Her Ladyship is down?"
"Certainly, my Lord."
Edith went silent after her father's words and stared at her food while picking at it crossly.
Before Robert left, he pulled a letter from his pocket. "Sybil, darling, this one's for you."
Sybil tore open the letter and smiled before glancing at Evelyn and nodding out of the breakfast room. Lifting a brow, Evelyn watched Sybil rush out. Confused but not wanting to remain in a room alone with either of the elder Crawley girls, she followed Sybil.
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"What is it?" Evelyn asked as they entered Sybil's room.
Sybil handed her the letter before pulling the servants' bell to call for Gwen. "Read it?"
Evelyn scanned over the letter and realized that it was about an interview for a secretary position. "You're gonna be a secretary?" She asked with a raised brow.
Sybil laughed. "No! Don't be daft. It's for Gwen."
Just them, Gwen walked in. "You rang, Milady?"
Evelyn handed her the letter and smiled. "And this was all Sybil, by the way."
Skeptical of what was going on, Gwen hesitantly read the letter as Sybil grinned and rocked on her heels. "I saw another opening for a secretary and I applied."
"But you never said," Gwen said dumbfounded.
"I didn't want you to be disappointed."
"I thought you'd given up."
Evelyn lightly gasped. "We would never give up on you, Gwen. And nor should you give up on yourself!"
Sybil nodded. "Things are changing for women, Gwen. Not just the vote, but our lives."
"But it's tomorrow at ten o'clock. Last time, we waited for weeks and weeks and—and this one's tomorrow." Gwen smiled brightly, her excitement evident.
"Then we must be ready for tomorrow, mustn't we?"
Gwen gripped the letter and stutter. "I don't know if I can do this -"
"Gwen!" Evelyn scolded as she grabbed Gwen's arms to calm her jitters. "Don't ever doubt yourself! Did you not get a job here?"
"Well yes -"
"Did you have to have an interview?"
"Yes."
"So Carson saw potential in you. He felt as though you were capable of meeting his ridiculously high expectation and you have! If you were able to make it past looking at Carson's eyebrows during an entire interview then you can conquer just about anything."
Gwen and Sybil laughed.
Gwen nodded. "Ok...I can do this."
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At the Crawley home, Isobel strode down the stairs to see Matthew fixing his hair in the mirror - not vainly, of course. "I thought I'd write to Edith to settle our promised church visit."
Matthew shrugged. "If you want."
"Well, we can't just throw her over when she made such an effort to arrange the last one."
He rolled his eyes. "It's all in your head."
"I don't think so."
"Then...she's barking up the wrong tree."
Matthew began to head out the door as Isobel sighed. "Poor Edith, I hope there's a tree for her somewhere. Or Evelyn, bless her with this entail nonsense."
Isobel, figuring Matthew was well out of the house, was surprised when he walked back into the foyer. "What did you say about Evelyn?"
Isobel smiled. "Did you hear anything I said before that?"
Matthew's eyes shifted as his brain pondered any remembrance of words before 'Evelyn.' "Umm...no?"
"Got the girl on your mind do you?"
Matthew sighed. "I honestly don't know...maybe."
"What happened to what you said when we met her? About how you two would only be friends." She lifted her brow with a smile.
"The part about us being friends was very much true; however, I'm not sure about the 'only' part anymore. I didn't know her then and while I still don't know her as well as I'd like to, what little I do know is so....enchanting. But I have to think rationally."
"Rationally? Why would you need to be rational about this? Did you not tell me you were falling in love with her?"
"I did say that, yes, but...I think I was getting ahead of myself. My heart was just so full that night and it was a feeling I'd never quite felt before. Additionally, she's still young."
"She's eighteen, dear."
"Yes, but ten years my junior. She just has such a youthful glow about her...she doesn't take life too seriously like her cousins...or like Lady Mary, to be more specific. She's spontaneous and kind..." Matthew trailed off his words as his mind wandered with thoughts of her. He shook his head. "See here I am, a grown man, getting butterflies in my stomach like I'm a child again."
Isobel smiled. "I think a youthful glow suits you as well."
"I don't think I can keep up with her, mother. The last thing I'd ever want to do is to hold her back or dim that glow with my old soul."
"How do you know that that's what would happen? If I had to guess, I'd say she'd bring you down a few years. And while you are a man now with responsibilities, it would be quite nice to have such a spirited heart around to give you a bit of excitement through all of the menial tasks of life. Plus, I think she'd be a fantastic mother with that free-spirited nature."
Matthew smiled as he picked at his coat sleeve. "She is quite fun to have around."
"Forgive my intrusion," Molesley stepped into the foyer. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation and if you don't mind my input...Lady Evelyn is one of the kindest souls I've ever had the privilege of meeting. She has always treated me like a friend. She was right by my side when my father was sick a few years back and she checked on us months after he was better. She's a rare find, that one."
A smile of admiration formed on Matthew's lips at the sweet story. "Thank you, Molesley. Your input is much appreciated."
"Of course," He turned to Isobel. "Ma'am, I was wondering if I might take some time this afternoon to help in the village hall."
"Why? What's wrong?" Matthew asked.
"It's the flower show, sir, next Saturday. I'll give my father a hand with his stall if I may."
"Flower show?" Matthew asked with a hint of interest.
Moseley nodded. "Yes, sir. It's held annually. A big deal here in Downton."
"So I would assume the Crawley family will be in attendance?"
"Yes. Lady Violet has held the title for best bloom for years so the family goes to support her."
Isobel smiled. "Of course you must go, Moseley."
Matthew fixed his black coat and kissed his mother on the cheek "And so, I'm afraid, must I."
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Evelyn trotted down the stairs to the servants' hall, knowing that at this time - after lunch - they would all be having some downtime or doing some humdrum activities.
Walking into the dining room, she saw O'Brien, William, Dasiy, Anna, and Bates around the table. "Hello, all."
Taking a seat next to Daisy, she began helping her hull some peanuts. Daisy smiled nervously at her. The familiar smell of polish filled Evelyn's nose as she looked up to see William had on his polishing apron as he scrubbed away at a silver candlestick. "Whatcha doing there, William?"
"What does it look like he's doing?" O'Brien mumbled bluntly while she sewed a cream silk garment.
"Just trying to be personable, O'Brien." Evelyn rolled her eyes and popped a peanut into her mouth.
O'Brien then turned to ferocity to William. "You shouldn't be doing that in here."
"I don't like being in the pantry all alone. Mister Carson won't mind. He's gone into the village." William defended.
Thomas strode in, fresh cigarette in hand, and plopped down next to O'Brien. "He'll mind if I tell him."
"I don't think you'd get William in trouble over something so small, would you Thomas?"
Thomas froze in his seat, not realizing until now that Evelyn was in the room. Evelyn couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt at the pitiful look in his eyes...but she wasn't going to forgive him that easily; at least, not until he confessed to his wrongdoings which he had yet to do.
Thomas didn't respond but instead took a long draw of smoke and leaned back in his chair.
Anna, sensing the tension, changed the subject as she focused her attention on the fabric O'Brien had. "That's pretty."
"Do you think so? She wants it put onto a new shirt, but it's a bit old-fashioned to my taste."
Daisy shook her head. "Oh, no, it's lovely."
Finally, hearing Dasiy speak resulted in Anna's full attention. "Have you recovered, Dasiy?"
Evelyn's head shot up from the peanut hull she was struggling with as she looked at Daisy. "Recovered?"
"What from?" Bates asked.
"She had a bit of a turn when we were in Lady Mary's room, didn't you?" Anna explained.
Daisy smiled. "I'm fine, thank you."
Thomas eyed her. "What sort of turn? Did you see a ghost?"
"Will you leave her alone if she doesn't want to talk about it?" William fussed.
Thomas, of course, continued. "I've often wondered if this place is haunted. It ought to be."
O'Brien joined in. "Of the spirits of maids and footmen who died in slavery."
Bates smiled. "But not, in Thomas's case, from overwork."
Evelyn grinned.
Thomas glared at him before turning back to Daisy. "Come on, Dasiy, what was it?"
Everyone at the table looked at her as the poor girl nearly crumbled under the stares. "I don't know. I was thinking, first, we had the Titanic -"
"Don't keep harping back to that." O'Brien scolded.
Daisy shifted her chair as worry suddenly laced her expression. Evelyn began to rub her back in an attempt to calm her. "I know it was a while ago, but we knew him. I think of how we laid the fires for Mister Patrick, but he drowned in them icy waters."
O'Brien rolled her eyes. "For God's sake."
Fully irritated now, Evelyn threw a peanut at O'Brien and hit her arm. O'Brien looked up shocked, Thomas tried his best to hold back a laugh.
Daisy continued. "And then there's the Turkish gentleman. It just seems there's been too much death in the house."
Evelyn froze with a half-cracked peanut in her hand. Thomas too held an edgy look as he and Evelyn made eye contact before quickly looking away.
William raised a brow. "What's that got to do with Lady Mary's bedroom?"
Daisy fiddled with her fingers before looking at Evelyn. Catching the girl's skittish and knowing gaze, Evelyn's breath caught in her throat - Daisy knew. She looked at Thomas and smiled, answering for Daisy in the fear that she would let something slip. "Nothing. Nothing at all. Come on, Dasiy, let me get you some...ice." Evelyn rose from her chair and took Daisy's wrist.
"Why would she need ice?" O'Brien taunted.
"Cap it, O'Brien." Evelyn spat back before leading the terrified girl from the dining room.
Thomas took one last draw of her cigarette before quietly following behind.
Leading Daisy through the servants' hall, she eventually pulled her into the wine closet and shut the door behind them. Pulling the string for the light, she saw Daisy shaking and on the verge of tears.
"Please don't hurt me I didn't mean to see anything! I won't tell a would what I saw!"
Evelyn watched her dumbfounded. "Daisy, do you really think I'd ever hurt you?"
"...no, I don't think so."
"And would I ever lie to you?"
Daisy shook her head.
"No, I would never. Now, I need you to tell me what you saw and I will tell you what I can, ok?"
Daisy nodded and stood still for a moment, trying to regain herself. "I was going up to get an early start on the library fireplace and...and I saw Anna in the hall and then I saw you and Lady Grantham walking backward with something but I didn't know what it was. Then I saw Lady Mary also carrying it. When you all rounded the corner into Mister Pamuk's room...I saw a hand fall out from under the sheet and then the next morning he was dead. Did you kill him?" Tears fell down her cheeks.
Evelyn sighed and shook her head. "No, Daisy. Absolutely not. For the sake of this family, I can't say much, but I can tell you that Mister Pamuk was somewhere he should not have been and while there he had a heart attack out of the blue. We were the only ones awake and for whatever it was worth we put him back in his room to keep suspicions down. And that incident is still haunting us but the last thing I'd want it to do is plague you as well. I'm so sorry, Daisy."
Evelyn pulled Daisy into a tight hug, Daisy welcomingly embraced her as she cried into Evelyn's shoulder.
"But Daisy I have to ask that you never tell anyone about what you saw. Do you understand?" Daisy nodded. "If it bothers you or someone tries to get information from you, you come to me. If something ever bothers you please come to me! I know this was a little different because I was involved, but any other issues come to me. And don't you ever think for one second I would ever do anything to hurt you? Ever."
Sniffling, Daisy wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Thank you, Evie." Daisy's smile fell when she noticed two shadowy feet from the other side of the door.
Growling under her breath, Evelyn flung the door open. "Thomas you meddlesome rat -" Evelyn's breath hitched when instead of being met with Thomas's grey eyes, she was instead met with deep blue eyes of Sybil. "Oh, Sybil."
She smiled. "Thomas must have done something quite bad to warrant such harsh words, Evelyn."
"You have no idea."
Daisy stepped forward and lowered her head to Sybil. "I'll be going now, Milady. Thank you, Evelyn." she scurried back to the dining room.
"What did you need?"
"Gwen asked if you'd like to go with us to her interview tomorrow?"
Evelyn smiled. "I would love to." She led Sybil away from the closet as the two made their way to the stairs. "What time do you think we should leave?"
"The interview is at ten, though I'd like to get there early to make sure Gwen's nerves dissipate. So, eight-thirty?"
"Perfect."
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Eight-thirty rolled around quickly the next day as Evelyn and Sybil hurried out the door to the horse-drawn cart waiting on them. Riding down the road a ways away, they stopped under a stone arch as Gwen came out of hiding and jogged to the cart.
"Well, I had to let the skirt down a little, but I can put it back," Gwen stated.
Sybil shook her head. "No, it's yours. What will happen if one of the maids finds your room is empty?" Sybil asked.
Oh, it would only be Anna, and she wouldn't give me away. She's like a sister. She'd never betray me."
Sybil signed in relief. "Oh, well, then she's not like my sisters." She tapped the reins. "Walk on."
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Arriving a bit early as planned, Gwen had time to go over her lightning-round of questions with Evelyn. Eventually, the time had come for Gwen to go in.
"Ok...it's time."
Sybil and Evelyn nodded.
"It is," Sybil confirmed
"You'll do great!" Evelyn followed.
Nodding, Gwen took a deep breath and strode confidently into the building. Sybil and Evelyn waited outside in the cart as they watched people pass.
"So..." Sybil began. "What's happened between you and Mary? You two seemed to be as close as ever and now you haven't spoken a word to one another."
Evelyn let out a breathy laugh as she fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket. "In a very Mary fashion, she spoke before thinking. She's angry about your father's inability to turn her entail, blaming him for not trying hard enough all to have a son in Matthew now. And then, there's the issue of Matthew. She mentioned how close we've gotten and she is obviously very displeased with that. Then, she proceeded to explain why she and Edith don't like me very much and that has to do with your parents treating me fairly only because my parents burned."
Sybil gasped. "She said what?!"
"Yeah...but I know she didn't necessarily mean it...I hope not at least. Now, in the sense of Edith, I might believe it. Mary was just angry, and confused. She needs more time to understand how hard Uncle Robert is working on this despite getting nowhere. And on the issue of Matthew, I just don't know."
"She needs to get over herself," Sybil stated bluntly. Evelyn stared at her wide-eyed with a smile. "What? She does! Life isn't fair even to those of noble status and she needs to understand that. Everything has always gone Mary's way and now that it doesn't she's going to wreak havoc on everyone else's lives? No, that won't do. I hate that this has happened to Mary but honestly, she could be terminally ill for God's sake! I don't see you being a menace to everyone and you're in the same boat as she is. You've always handled yourself better than my sisters...and myself even. And I do respect that about you, Evie, I always have. You're quite admire-worthy I don't know if you know that."
Evelyn blushed. "Sybil no-"
"Yes! Don't fight me on this Evie I know I'm right. And speaking of admiration, I think Matthew sees that as well. You two have a similar worldview and you get along well because you both have level heads and a hint of mischief. Don't think I haven't seen the quaint interactions at our dinners because I have." Evelyn blushed even more now. Sybil chuckled. "Mary doesn't like him...she likes having options even if she has no intention of entertaining the idea of them. Matthew is another pawn in queen Mary's game and I think he needs to be freed from that. Do you like him?"
Evelyn shrugged. "I don't know...I think so. Everything that happened with Ben is still fresh in my mind plus now there's Grant and I'm just...unsure of everything."
Sybil nodded. "For good reason. Well, if you want him, Evelyn, and he obviously wants you, you take him."
A smile crept onto Evelyn's face as she remembered the day at the Andover house. "He held my hand on the way home from the home in Andover."
Sybil grinned widely. "How was that?"
"I pulled away...because of Mary."
"Stop being so selfless all the time! That smile proves to me that you quite enjoyed it."
"I did...I felt butterflies, as dumb as that sounds. He has nice hands."
The girls giggled at Evelyn's odd words.
"Did you feel butterflies with Ben?"
"...no."
"Do you feel butterflies with Grant?"
Evelyn shook her head. "No..."
"Well then, what does that tell you?" Sybil nudged Evelyn's arm. "You do know you're like my sister, right? I don't care by which bloodline we're related by, you're my sister and that's all there is to it. You belong with us, at Downton, you always have. I think it's quite sad that Mary and Edith haven't gotten to know you as they should have. Maybe one day, they'll grow up."
Evelyn laid her hand over Sybil's and squeezed it. "Thank you, my sweet Sybil."
The sound of the building door and a jarring of the cart signified Gwen had returned as she took her place next to Evelyn.
"How did it go?" Sybil asked anxiously.
"Well, I think. I won't know for a few days." She smiled.
"Excellent! Let's get back shall we so no one will get suspicious."
Sybil slapped the reins but the horse, Dragon, only grunted and bobbed his head. Evelyn crawled over Gwen and hopped out of the cart to inspect the horse. She rubbed his nose and checked his bridle and bit. "What's wrong with you, boy?" She then moved on to checking his feet and noticed one of the horseshoes had become loose. Standing back up she turned to the girls. "He's cast his shoe. We'll have to find someone to fix it."
Evelyn grabbed his bridle as the girls hopped out and walked beside her while she led Dragon to hopefully find a smithy.
After a bit of a walk, a stranger crossed their path as Sybil stopped them. "Can you help? I should be so grateful. Our horse has cast his shoe. Is there a smithy nearby?"
The stranger nodded. "Ah, you can try old Crump in the next village."
"Thank you."
They continued their trek to the next village.
"See?" Sybil spoke to the nervous Gwen. "Help is at hand. And at least it was on the way home."
"They'll all be worried about you, and if they check on me, I'm finished." Gwen sighed.
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Finally making it to the next village, they found a little cabin with an iron smithy sign. Seeing a man outside, Sybil took the lead yet again. "Excuse me, sir. We're looking for Mister Crump."
"Sorry, Miss, but Mister Crump's staying over at the Skelton estates tonight. He's working there all week."
"Is there anyone else?" Evelyn pushed.
The man shook his head. "Not that I know of." He tipped his hat before retreating back into the building.
Sybil turned to Gwen and Evelyn. "Now what?"
"We'll have to walk home," Evelyn said hesitantly.
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Matthew walked through the Downton village as he made his way back home after picking up a few packages. He was shuffling through some letters he had picked up as well when he heard a voice behind him.
"Mister Crawley!"
He turned to see William. "Oh, hello, William. Are you alright you seem a bit concerned?"
William stopped for a moment to catch his breath. "Have you seen Sybil or Gwen by chance?"
Matthew lifted his brow and shook his head. "No...why?"
"They vanished from the house along with Evelyn and we haven't been able to find them."
Matthew's eyes perked up. "Evelyn's gone too?"
"Yes."
Matthew pondered for a second. "Why don't I come back to the house with you in case Lord Grantham wants to send people out looking."
William nodded as they two headed in the direction of Downton.
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The dense, humid air didn't help the state of the dirt trails - or, rather, mud trails - that the three girls took to avoid the nosey eyes of the Village residents. Dragon, being the stubborn horse he was, did not follow Evelyn's tugs to go around a muddy pit and instead decided to walk right through it and getting stuck in the process.
While Sybil and Gwen watched off to the side, Evelyn pulled the horse's bridle, pushed the cart, and tried to jam sticks under the wheels for traction but nothing worked.
"Evelyn, are you sure you don't want us to help?" Sybil asked hopelessly.
"No." She said between grunts as she shoved the horse. "I'm already dirty no need in all of us to be dirty. Besides you two have nice shoes on, I hate these shoes!" Moving to the wheel, she stuck her hands through and tried to turn it like a car steering wheel. Her feet were wet, cold, and covered in mud but she refused to stop. "Come on, Dragon!" The horse yet again ignored her. "Dragon, if you don't move now, I'll have you boiled for glue!"
The horse suddenly decided he heard every word she said and took off, jerking Evelyn forward and face down into the muddy water. Pushing herself onto her forearms, she wiped her face and sighed while struggling to stand up again. Once finally up, she saw Gwen and Sybil staring at her with their mouths agape. Not being able to contain herself much longer, Evelyn burst out laughing with her hands on her knees as the girls soon joined in the laughs they too had been holding in.
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Well over an hour of trudging through the cold, damp air of the quickly setting sun, the girls had finally reached Downton as they sluggishly trudged down the road. From the door, Carson was asked to keep watch in case they returned and once he spotted them, he ran inside to alert Robert and Matthew. Reaching the front door, Gwen immediately hurried to the servants' entrance around the side of the house to avoid questioning.
"Where on earth have you two been - Evelyn what happened to you?" Robert stared at the muddy girl in shock.
Beside Robert stood Matthew with a look of relief and an amused smirk. Noticing the man's entertained expression, Evelyn couldn't help but smile as well.
Sybil laced her fingers in front of her and bit her lip. "I'm sorry Pa-pa, we just went out for a ride but Dragon's shoe came loose and we couldn't find anyone to fix it so we had to walk." She motioned to the horse's foot.
Robert lifted an eyebrow. "And Evelyn..."
"The cart got a bit stuck in a mud pit and Dragon refused to move so I...threatened him...and he took off, taking me with him."
Matthew snorted. "You threatened a horse?"
"It worked just fine, thank you." Evelyn challenged.
"Oh, are they alright!" Cora pushed past Robert as went wide-eyed at the sight before her. Covering her mouth, she laughed. "I'm sorry to laugh, dear, but of course this is you come home."
Evelyn smiled and nodded. "Glad my reputation precedes me."
Robert looked at Matthew. "Thank you for coming to assist us, Matthew. Are you sure you won't join us for dinner?"
"Oh, no, thank you. I'm not dressed for dinner nor did I inform mother I wouldn't be home - she'll have a search party out for me next. Goodnight, Robert." Walking out of the doorway, he approached Sybil and Evelyn.
"Well, I think I'll hurry in and change for dinner. Goodnight, Matthew." Sybil quickly strode to the door as she ushered her parents inside, leaving Matthew and Evelyn outside.
"Surely you're not going inside like that?"
Evelyn chuckled. "Carson would beat me with the closest blunt object, so no. I'm going to go through the servants' entrance around back."
"Well let me walk you back there then." He gestured forwards as the two strolled through the stone arch leading to the side of the house.
Evelyn's mind was suddenly plagued with memories of Ben walking her to the servants' hall, both of them soaking yet; however, now it was just one of them and now there was the addition of mud. She hoped that this walk around Downton wasn't somehow cursed and Matthew would pull a stunt like Ben.
Making it to the loading area of the servants' entrance, Thomas was leaning up against the wall smoking a cigarette. His eyes widened when he saw muddy Evelyn. Matthew smiled at him. "Hello, Thomas."
Thomas eyed Matthew before taking another draw and walking inside. Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Sorry about him."
"It's fine. He has no reason to be kind to me."
"Well, he should just out of respect alone. Anyway, thank you for walking me back here."
"Of course. I don't suppose I'll see you until the flower show."
"Ah yes, I'll be in attendance for that jury-rigged event." She leaned closer to him to whisper. "Spoiler...Lady Violet wins."
Matthew chuckled. "I think my mother spoke to Lady Violet about the potentially biased judging circuit."
"A brave woman your mother is...I want to be like her when I grow up." Evelyn teased.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" He smiled.
Evelyn pursed her lips and blinked at him, pondering a brief moment. "Happy."
Matthew nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Don't we all. Goodnight, Evie."
"Goodnight, Matthew."
Matthew strode back around the house, giving one last glance to Evelyn before disappearing. The sound of the servants' entrance door opening drew her from her dreamy state when she turned to see Thomas approaching her...with a bucket of water.
"Thomas Barrow don't you dare! -"
Thomas flung the ice-cold water all over Evelyn. She gasped at the chill on her skin and the newly dampened dirt. Holding her arms out, her mouth hung agape as she moved her dripping hair from her face to send the smirking man a death glare.
"There, all clean." Taking a puff of smoke, Thomas turned to head back inside...Evelyn had other plans.
Charging at him, Evelyn launched herself onto his back, covering his black suit in mud as she reached around and ripped the cigarette from his mouth. Thomas quickly reacted by grabbing her legs. "What're you doing?!"
"Payback, Mister Barrow." She placed her hand fully on his cheek, leaving a patch of mud on his face from her own before she hopped off. "Now Thomas that is very unprofessional to serve dinner with mud on you!" She laughed and strode past him.
"Wait! Payback?...we're even?"
"Sure, Thomas, we're even. But since you're too thick to understand what the right thing to do is, I'll tell you: I want you to tell me everything...and I mean everything...about that night. I want you to confess to what I already know you did and then, Thomas, I will forgive you." Evelyn ventured into the servants' hall, her feet sloshing as she did so.
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A/N: I have some editing to do on this but I wanted to go ahead and get it up. I made this way too long so I cut it off halfway so I'm finishing chapter 20.
Also, if anyone has any suggestions, criticisms, or things you like please let me know! I'm constantly switching up the direction I want to take this story and your alls suggestions really help!
Enjoy!!