Evelyn Disgrace

Chapter Twenty-Six - Evelyn Tiras

What is he doing here? Did Mother call on him? Did Lanius go and get him? Does Asrin want to proceed with the marriage?

I can't marry Asrin Dawl. Not that impossible boy, now a young man. He would surely do something wretched with my life. I don't think Asrin is any good to have around, especially when he's angry.

I pause before entering the sitting room. If this goes badly, what will I do? I have no escape plan, and I don't have the rest of the crew here. They may as well be off killing the Piper by this hour. I can't trust them to come back to me, especially with all the emotion driving Aster forward. Because that's what it is. Pure emotion.

If need be, I can simply sneak away. I can run off again, and I doubt anybody would be sad to see me go, for I suspect that Mother only wants me to marry Asrin out of revenge. What mother would do that to her child?

What child would leave their mother in the distress that I left mine in? I am deserved of this fate, but that doesn't mean I'll take it. By now, I see it as no matter to break the law, steal a cash, or lie a dozen times over. There's no good left to fight for, so I will just do what it takes to survive and live a decently comfortable life. Even if it is on Camdenian streets. Perhaps Aster would sign me on for more jobs. That wouldn't be awful.

Smoothing out my skirts, I slip into the sitting, hoping not be noticed by my mother and Asrin. Mother is sipping tea, while Asrin is pouring himself some wine. Perhaps he's a drunkard now. I cough. Loudly.

Mother turns her head and smiles, but it's more like a wicked grin in the light I see her in. She sets her teacup back down onto the settee and then says, "Evelyn, I've invited Asrin over for drinks. I know it's quite late, but Asrin was working the midnight shift at the docks."

I look at my nemesis. His hair is freshly cut, but his chin needs shave. Or else he's growing it out. Asrin's green eyes are hazy and tired, but also vengeful and crafty when they land on me. The boy I knew at seventeen is not here anymore, as Lanius isn't. Asrin is intimidating, and makes me feel as if he could actually hurt me.

"Mr. Dawl," I say, putting on my Veran syntax with all its fancy garb. "This is quite the meeting. I wasn't expecting your appearance. I'm sorry that we've met each other so late." My sentences are stiff and choppy, and I can't hide my tense figure.

Asrin rises, glass of wine in hand. "Miss Tiras. What fond memories we have together." His speech is gentlemanly, but I still notice the shaky grasp he has on the glass. He bows, taking a sip of wine simultaneously. When he's done with his grand entrance, Asrin says, "Will you please sit?" He gestures toward his sofa.

I shake my head. "I'm afraid it's getting quite late. I should probably retire to bed soon. Please excuse me." I turn toward the stairs.

"Hold on, Evelyn," Mother calls, making me inwardly cringe. "Come and sit by Asrin. Get yourself a glass of wine. This young man is your betrothed, isn't he?"

My suspicions are confirmed. "Why, no, Mother. He isn't my betrothed. The marriage is cancelled due to my disgrace and scandal. I'm sure Asrin wouldn't want a bride like me."

"Oh, but I can forgive those things," Asrin comments. Then he gulps down another sip of wine, the red liquid sloshing in his mouth. "I find you quite beautiful, and you have spectacular speech. I suppose you'll have to give lessons to me." Then he bursts out laughing. Drunkard.

Are they both mad? I suppose not. They're angry, and they thirst for revenge. Although I know my faults are against me, I also realize that this is not the way to go about punishing me. Asrin and my family will not forgive me, though. I can imagine that Pela would be pleased with such an arrangement.