"Miss Evelyn, your father would like a word."
Evelyn Saunders looked up from her mystery novel to see her maid Monica standing in her doorway.
"Alright, I'll be right down."
She waited till Monica left and started another chapter of her book, not particularly interested in what her father had to say. The rare time he took to speak to her was usually to announce a new suitor or banquet. She regretted having the distant relationship with her father, especially after her mother had died when she were twelve.
Evelyn finished up the chapter of her book and headed downstairs, wishing she could stay in her room with the book for the rest of the day.
"Evelyn, there you are. I have an announcement."
Well of course you do... she thought to herself.
"The Jenkins are hosting a banquet in their daughter's honor tomorrow night. She is engaged to the Lieutenant of the militia."
Evelyn groaned inwardly. Banquets were always such a bore, and the Jenkins girl was a complete dunderhead.
"Can we expect your presence?" her father asked pompously.
"Absolutely, father," Evelyn replied just as loftily, dangerously teetering over the line between imitation and mockery.
"Excellent. I'll see you at dinner tonight then; I have some business to attend to at the armory."
She watched as her father and his servant walked out the door of her huge home and moaned as soon as the door shut behind them. She just wasn't in the mood to sit through another slow-moving dinner with the high-society people of her town. Slowly she started to develop a plan in her head...