Page 2 of The Odyssean Duke

“Are you certain you do not wish to at least marry?” asked Maria as she rejoined them. “It would be less scandalous.”

“I cannot do that,” Evelina said. “Even if that is the convenient choice, it is not the best one for me.”

There were no secrets between the members of the club and herself; they all knew about her cold and loveless marriage. The former Earl of Thornwall had been a cruel and thoughtless man, who married her for wealth and never gave a moment’s consideration to her once the marriage contract was signed.

“I do not imagine this is a great surprise to you,” Evelina said. “You know just as well that I have expressed a desire to be a mother.”

“But marriage…” Theodora trailed off.

“I have a plan,” Evelina said, knowing that the details of her plan were certain to scandalize. “I will find a man, use him for his seed, and have a baby to raise as my own.”

The sound which came from Theodora’s throat vaguely resembled the cry of an affronted chicken. To her chagrin, Evelina could not even blame her friend for the unseemly outburst. Shehadexpressed her plan rather directly.

Maria simply stared at her, and Rosalind averted her gaze, shifting uncomfortably. Heat rose to Evelina’s face. While she was an unconventional woman, she tried to remember that others were not. Maybe she should not have mentioned any man’sseedquite so openly. Unexpectedly.

“But then you will be married to him!” Gilbert piped up.

Evelina’s face flushed; it was clear that Gilbert, as astute as he was, did not realize the significance of what she was saying. However, his declaration seemed to break the spell which held the other members of the club in a disbelieving trance. “Yes,” Maria said, sounding flustered. “Evelina?—”

“I have considered this matter very carefully,” interrupted Evelina. “I am eight-and-twenty years of age. Soon, I will be thirty. Could I even have a baby then?”

“Angelica.” The nurse, who stood by the wall, snapped to attention at Maria’s words. “Yes, Your Grace?”

“Will you take Gilbert and James into the gardens?” Maria asked. “I think they would benefit from the fresh air, and it is such a beautiful day.”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Evelina, of course, understood the real reason for the request. They were about to discuss matters which were not suitable for children. Once the children were gone, Maria sank into the chair beside Rosalind.

“I know what you are going to say,” Evelina said.

“That you have taken leave of your senses,” Theodora said bluntly.

“Precisely that,” Evelina acknowledged. “But you must consider my perspective. I am eight-and-twenty. What do I have? This club, which has become a place for our families, but that is all.”

“That is all?” Maria asked. “This club is unlike any other. It is magnificent, Evelina!”

“I agree,” she said. “And I love what it has become. I am glad that it is a place where you can all come together with your lovely children, but in seeing how happy you all are, I find myselfwanting.”

Rosalind’s eyes widened, and she put a hand to her chest as if terribly scandalized by the idea.

“But why?” Theodora asked. “You still have time to find a husband and marry happily.”

“I do not want to wait any longer,” replied Evelina. “Besides, after all my independence as a widow, I cannot possibly endure marrying a man for the rest of my life. Why, if I could make a child on my own, I would!”

As the silence settled between them, Evelina’s eyes darted from woman to woman, searching for their reactions. Maria’s brow was furrowed in thought, Rosalind looked as if she was startled and fighting to conceal her surprise, and Theodora swallowed another mouthful of wine. Evelina shifted in her chair, thinking of Athena, who had grown fully formed from Zeus’ skull. If only she could bear a child in that same manner! Evelina would suffer the most excruciating of headaches if it meant she might have a baby of her own.

“Regrettably, that is not an option,” Maria said at last.

Evelina was uncertain whether Maria meant creating a child without a man or if she referred to the plan in its entirety. “I have already made my decision,” Evelina said. “I realize that it is anunusual one, but I will not be dissuaded. I shared my choice with you because you are my friends, and I desperately desire your approval.”

“Are you courting someone in secret?” Theodora asked, tilting her head back against the sofa seat.

Evelina supposed that was a reasonable question. It was simple enough to imagine that a woman who was courting in secret and who had previously sworn that she would never marry againmightconcoct a story such as hers to justify another marriage and spare herself the embarrassment.

“No,” Evelina said. “There is no one.”

There would never be a courtship. She was no longer a young miss being ordered like a hound by a cold and mercurial father but a mature widow, who was capable of making her own choices in life. Evelina would find a man who did not care to ask any questions, and they would have a child. It was really quite simple.