An Unpleasant Visitor

A day before afternoon tea with Maximilian, Evelina, the last person Aurelia wanted to see, stopped by to visit with her unannounced.

She was wearing a simple gold band on her left hand and a content smile on her face, she showed no remorse for her betrayal of my feelings. Of course, she didn't. Her blond hair topped by a ridiculous plumage of feathers far too formal for midmorning tea, she sure was reveling in the Browning fortunes.

"Mrs. Browning, how lovely of you to visit," Aurelia nodded in greeting. She couldn't help the venom that coated her words.

"Oh, how I love being called Mrs. Browning," she beamed completely oblivious to Aurelia's tone. Eve wanted to show off her new married status to Aurelia to make her jealous that she got Aurelia's childhood love.

Her stomach turned sour as Evelina droned on about how wonderful married life has been. Eve drank cup after cup of tea and soon began to overstay her welcome.

She noticed the wildflower bouquet sitting on one of the parlor tables. "Did one of Wilhelmina's suitors send her those lovely flowers?"

Smiling, Aurelia shook her head, "they're from a suitor of mine."

Evelina frowned, "who would send you such a dazzling bouquet?"

"Maximilian St. Clair, first son of the Earl of Westmorland," Aurelia said as a smug smile slipped onto her lips. "We danced all night at the Viscount of Marshire's ball."

Flustered, Evelina's face turned red, "I was there but didn't see you, such a shame, that would have been a sight to see. You know of his reputation, right?"

"His reputation?" Aurelia asked. This couldn't be good.

"He is a known rake, taking advantage of young women every chance he gets."

Aurelia's eyes widened, "I have not heard of such scurrilous rumors about Mr. St Clair."

Evelina sat up straighter, getting more incensed. "Well, you heard it from me," she spat out.

"I did see Mr. Browning, though," Aurelia exclaimed as she grew tired of Eve's attempts to defame Maximilian. "He asked me for a dance, and I had to refuse since it felt improper to dance with a married man." Evelina's reaction gave her a sense of satisfaction. She spluttered and huffed until she was beet red and ready to blow smoke out of her ears.

"You lie," Eve screamed at me. "You're just jealous I got to Jacob first, you liar."

"There is no lie here except in your new husband's deceit against you. You, you knew better than anyone how much I wanted to be with Jacob all those years."

"He never wanted you," Evelina screeched. "He was just trying to make me jealous."

Aurelia laughed as she connected the dots, "You were the one who was jealous. That's why you were so mean when I would talk about Jacob."

"Don't use his name so formally," she sniffed. "He is nothing to you now."

"As I told Mr. Browning," Aurelia said plainly. "You two deserve each other."

Evelina stared at her in disgust, not saying another word. She took her leave of the parlor room and back to her carriage. She could not believe how impudent Aurelia was, she always thought she was better than everyone.

When they were on good terms Eve would be mean to all the other girls except for Aurelia, she would join in. At Eve's behest, lest she be put in the crossfire. Aurelia should have known that she was only nice to her because she didn't see her as a threat, only a lackey to follow her every whim. Aurelia sighed as she watched her leave through the window.

When she couldn't see her carriage anymore on the horizon, Aurelia took in a deep breath of relief. She returned to the parlor room and sank into one of the chairs. Aurelia fanned herself and chuckled at Evelina's anger toward her.

Aurelia's stomach was in knots as she couldn't help but recount the warning Evelina gave her in her mind over and over. She called for Winona to get her some tea to help settle the uneasiness she felt.

Willa and Ben soon returned home from town and Aurelia told them about her visit with Evelina that ended hilariously. Her words about Maximilian, however, stuck around in Aurelia's thoughts. She truly hoped Eve was lying.