The harsh morning light awakened Eve, drawing a quiet curse from her lips. The party last night had been dire to say the least, but at least she had one fond memory. Thinking back on Raoul, she traced the outline of her lips gently with one hand. She allowed herself another smile, then stopped.
"Don't be pathetic," she scolded herself, pushing up out of bed and staggering to the dressing table. She fiercely combed through her hair while running through a mental checklist of how her mother would have expected her to behave last night. Kissing Raoul did not feature on the list.
Her day at work passed without incident, Marie commenting that Eve looked tired and digging for information whenever she could. Eve ignored any comments relating to who she had met, answering only those directly relating to anything but Raoul. She tried to stop herself obsessing over him, knowing that the more she tried to stop thinking about him, the more she was going to convince herself that there was more to his kiss than a simple thank-you-for-a-wonderful-evening. It had been a wonderful evening... Scolding herself repeatedly for acting like a teenager, Eve threw herself into her mending work, finishing in record time; Marie was pleased with her work and let her leave early as a result.
Walking home, mind drifting again, Eve didn't notice the child in front of her until she had already collided with the girl and sent her sprawling to the ground. The girl shrieked and started to cry immediately, ignoring the help Eve offered to raise her back to her feet. A short, black-haired, well-dressed woman of around Eve's age approached, scowling at Eve for her clumsiness.
"There now my dear, let's take you back home. Your father shan't be long. Come now Cinderella." The girl trotted after the dark-haired woman, while Eve could do nothing but watch them leave.
"Sorry!" she called after the pair, watching as they climbed into a carriage. A tall bundle of parcels, apparently propelled by their own feet, approached the carriage, the woman jumping out to help unload them. The parcels were eventually packed safely away and the man carrying them turned back to the woman briefly. Eve's heart missed a beat when she recognised Raoul and risked stopping completely when she saw him reach up to kiss the little girl on the forehead. She watched in horror as he carefully helped the dark-haired woman into the carriage, climbing in behind her and drawing the curtains. He's married, she thought, with a child! I've been such a fool! Eve refused to allow herself to care about this, refused to admit he had hurt her. She turned and walked home, only briefly considering running there, locking the door and refusing to ever leave again.
The two sisters received many harsh words off Eve that afternoon, not all of them deserved. They were relieved when she sent them to bed early. For the most part however, she remained straight-faced, refusing to laugh, cry, smile or appear angry all afternoon. When night came, and with it a knock at the door, the effort of controlling her emotions was starting to tell on Eve's patience.
"Yes?" she enquired to the night.
"Madam Labeau, may I come in?" asked Raoul, pushing passed her and into the house. "The general was right – this is far too small a place for a lady such as yourself."
"May I ask why you have called?" Eve folded her arms and stared impassively at Monsieur Tremaine. She had not expected Raoul to come and see her so soon after the party, particularly as she had seen him out with his wife and child earlier. She waited for his response.
"Last night – I told you I would be interested in seeing you again," he replied, confused by her reaction.
"Yes, but I am sure that your charming blonde daughter and her equally stunning mother will be waiting for you at home. If you would excuse me monsieur, it is very late and my daughters are already in bed. I would very much appreciate it if you were to leave now."
"May I ask when you saw my daughter?"
"Today, while you were out in your carriage with your lady." Eve swallowed to suppress the tight feeling in her chest that had returned with the memory of Raoul's betrayal.
"There's something you need to know, madam." Raoul, noticing the hurt in Eve's eyes tried to take her hands in his, but she pulled away from him and backed to the door, opening it.
"Please leave."
"That was not my wife. It was my daughter's governess." Raoul walked towards Eve and took her arms gently in his hands, "my wife died when Cinderella was only two years old."
"If that is true, then why didn't you tell me last night? I told you everything about my family and you told me nothing of yours! I didn't even know you had been married, let alone that you have a daughter. I trusted you..." Eve trailed off, crushed by her own misjudgement, but also relieved that it was not a married man that had kissed her.
"My apologies for my misconduct madam." Eve looked down at that and closed her eyes. Raoul was a widower – that may at least explain why he had been so sympathetic when she had talked to him about Pierre last night. She was not prepared to let him get away with his omission yet however.
"Perhaps there was something else you forget to tell me? Did you leave the regiment of your own accord, or will I find out in six months time that you were dismissed after stealing the silver? Have you killed someone perhaps or are you in fact a confidence trickster?" Raoul gaped at her, unsure of quite how to answer.
"Of course not! The general would not have invited me if that had been the case! I am sorry if you feel you cannot trust me but believe me when I say that I would move Heaven and Earth if you would agree to forgive me and promise to see me again." He kneeled down and took her hands in his. "Please?"
She looked back at him and sighed softly.
"I forgive you. But I must ask – is there anything else I should know?"
"Not at the moment," answered Raoul truthfully. There was one other matter he would need to discuss with her, but only if their relationship became permanent.
"No. Either tell me the full truth now, or leave and never return." Eve folded her arms and looked at Raoul, refusing to move or speak until he answered her. Raoul's resolve failed before her glare and he scowled dramatically, deciding to tell her everything.
"At least close the door." She nodded, closed the door and settled in a chair by the fire. Raoul sat opposite her.
"Well?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You were not quite correct in addressing me as Monsieur Tremaine. My parents were Lord and Lady Tremaine of Burgundy. They passed away two years ago in an accident. I left the regiment to take up the lordship of my estates upon their deaths."
"Why are you living here and not Burgundy?"
"To be nearer the king – my father was a member of the court and I hope to follow in his footsteps."
"Why are you here tonight?" Eve looked at her hands, searching for the right words to explain that she was no longer of the right class to be considered a partner for the handsome lord. She was starting to wish she had not pressed him for this extra piece of information. Raoul seemed to understand the dilemma she was facing and kneeled in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"Because I spent last night in the company of an intelligent, beautiful woman who spoke to me as an equal and was offended when I dared to kiss her as all ladies should be on their first meeting with a gentleman. Because I know that this woman is devoted to her children and capable of running a home. And I know my dear," he added, impersonating General Léglise, "that you have been through a ghastly experience and survived unscathed." Raoul noticed Eve hiding a grin and stood, pacing back and forth in front of her in mockery of the general's behaviour last night. "Your story was simply breathtaking my dear and one cannot help but be impressed by your tenacity, what?" Raoul dropped his impersonation of the general and shrugged. "Besides, I heard the general telling his nephew that you were of good family and likely to make good breeding stock. Do you still have your own teeth? A strong back? Before I make any commitments I want to know what I'm buying, just like all good farmers..." Raoul had led her by the hand to the fire, and was pretending to examine her as one might examine a slave or cow one was about to buy. Eve pushed him away as he started to hold her right arm, checking for muscles.
"Enough! I refuse to have you discuss me like I was your property!" She half-grinned at Raoul, then remembered another of his comments. "Did the general really say I'd make good breeding stock?" she asked, highly offended. Eve placed her hands on her hips and stared petulantly at Raoul.
"Yes. He also said that Carl would have to make a good impression on you to win your hand. I take it he did not?"
"Not at all."
"Would you like to come to dinner tomorrow night?" Raoul asked quickly, before he lost his nerve. When Eve hesitated, he added "You can bring the girls with you – I would like to meet them. And you can meet Justine and decide whether she is my wife or not."
"Of course, we would be delighted," replied Eve, the fact Raoul was offering to introduce her to the dark-haired woman alleviating any remaining doubts she had on that front at least.
"Until tomorrow then, my lady," Raoul kissed Eve's hand lightly and bowed, before turning to leave the house.
"Wait!" Raoul turned on the doorstep. Eve ran up to Raoul, embraced him and pulled his head forward such that his lips were almost, but not quite, touching hers. "Promise me there's nothing else you need to tell me?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Above all Raoul, please keep your word!"
"Of course – to you at all times, on anything."
"Good," she whispered, half-closing her eyes. She watched Raoul anticipating the kiss and smiled. She pulled away quickly, leaving Raoul confused and standing just outside the door. She said "Goodnight!" brightly, then closed the door, leaving Raoul to shake his head, laugh, and head home.