Evelyn Disgrace

Chapter Ten - The Past

Jeremy Faux. Did you hear he's getting married? Apparently everyone know that fact. Jeremy Faux is getting married to Anneth Tiras. And Evelyn is getting pounded with congratulations concerning her sister's marriage. Boardwalks are popular places to congratulate people.

As she weaves throughout the crowds of people, Evelyn's pool of emotions is boiling. All she can think of is her engagement, her sister's marriage, her entire future. Everything seems to be crumbling, but it only fuels her fierce determination to get what she wants. For now though, she must get what she needs to get what she wants.

"Congratulations, darling." It's Mr. Schneck, the bookstore owner. "I anticipate seeing your sister and her groom one of these days."

Evelyn brushes past him, ignoring his comment. She can't stand it anymore. She can't stand all the people, she can't stand all the gossip, she can't stand any conversation mentioning marriage or love or betrothals. It all sickens her. So she must focus. She has to focus on getting to the Piper so she can save her entire life from falling into a world of catastrophe. Asrin's world of catastrophe.

Whichever path she chooses, it's destined to have scandal involved. Either scandal with Jeremy, or scandal with Asrin. Because her betrothed cannot help but get himself into trouble. She is destined to have something in her life that the society pages will surely devour.

Evelyn waits at the dock so she can call down an oar boy. As she sits on the dock, no tears come. There is a gentle numbness on her heart, an infectious balm. Evelyn's mind is reeling and exhausted, but she can't quit. She can't stop now. If she goes home, it would feel like an act of submission. Submission into a miserable life of Asrin's choosing.

It's not that all husbands are bad. Evelyn knows that. Her father may be strict and cold, but he still loved her mother. He still loved his daughters.

But Asrin Dawl is a boy coming from a home that's not like her own. He's coming from a home that's rougher and more careless. A home that does not pay attention to what society says. Not necessarily, at least. They bear the repercussions of many foolish mistakes, and haven't seem to properly taught their son the concept of consequences.

And that in itself is a dangerous thing.

Evelyn swallows, anxious for a gondola to sail down the lane. At least she isn't foolish enough to go to Regan Street completely alone. An oar boy will have to do.

I'm unsure of how to respond to this situation. I don't agree with going to the Piper for help, but neither do I want Evelyn to marry Asrin. To be quite honest, I wish this was a different situation entirely. Everything has its consequences and conflicts.

Jeremy is too passive. Asrin is too passionate. Jeremy is too submissive. Asrin is too controlling. So many consequences and conflicts with these two.

A gondola sails around the corner. Its varnished brown top glistens from the setting sun, as if trying to tempt the girl. However, the girl needs no temptation.

Evelyn calls out to the oar boy. It's Lanius again. "Lanius! Lanius, come here!"

The brown-haired boy turns and meets Evelyn's beckons with puzzled eyes. Then he sails toward the girl and asks, "Is something wrong, Miss Tiras?"

"Wrong?" Evelyn's brow wrinkles in confusion. "Nothing's wrong. Why would you say that?"

But it's such a lie. Everything's wrong. Everything seems to be going topsy-turvy into a pile of catastrophe.