Evie knew, however, that if the opportunity presented itself, she’d kiss Jamie again.
The solution was simple. She would stay away from Jamie. He’d given her the key to the lock-up, and she could retrieve the alabastron by herself. Evie had no reason to contact him again.
Why did that thought make her heart sink?
Evie washed herself all over, taking the maid’s advice to enjoy the soak. The Athertons had modern bathtubs, but Sir Hector begrudged every drop of hot water to anyone but himself, so Evie’s baths at their home were quick and usually cool. It was nice to lie back and let her muscles loosen.
When the water became lukewarm, Evie hauled herself out of the tub, stepping onto the soft mat the maids had left, and luxuriated in the plush towels. The dressing gown was also warm and comfortable, Evie tying the tapes to hold it closed.
She moved to the dressing table and sat, wondering what to do with the tangle of her wet hair.
As though waiting for her cue, the door opened, and Gavina flowed in, followed by the other young woman Evie had seen downstairs.
“You look much happier,” Gavina said cheerfully, as the second young lady shut the door. “This is Belle, Jamie’s sister. The others agreed to not crowd you and will see you at breakfast.”
Evie peered into the mirror at the two who hovered behind her. “Breakfast?” she asked in a daze.
“Of course,” Belle answered. She had a low voice, pleasant, but with strength behind it. “We’d be churlish to send you out into this damp until after you’ve had a good sleep and a hearty breakfast. Our cook is splendid.”
“Never mind about Mr. Atherton.” Gavina waved him away. “I sent a note to his family explaining that you’d come to visit, and the weather was much too awful to send you home. It’s raining buckets.”
Gavina certainly knew much about Evie and her circumstances, but she was grateful Gavina had written the message for her. Evie would have fumbled for the words. “You are very kind,” she said.
“Obnoxiously friendly, I think.” Gavina grinned at her. “But when Jamie dumps a young lady on us, we must rise to the occasion.”
“We’ve sent your clothes to be cleaned,” Belle said. “I have a nightgown you can wear tonight, and a dress for tomorrow. You and I are about the same size, I think.” Belle scanned Evie as though assessing her exact measurements.
“I can only thank …” Evie began to turn to them, but the dressing gown fell open at her throat, exposing the mark Jamie had left. It was dark and red, somewhat like a bruise, though not quite. Quickly she closed the gown, blushing hard.
Any hope the two ladies hadn’t noticed were dashed. “I have some powder to cover that,” Gavina said. “And Belle will lend you a shirtwaist with a high collar.”
Evie gulped, fingers trembling as she held the placket closed. “Gracious, what you must think of me.”
Belle answered. “We think you are a young woman bowled over by my brother. He’s a maelstrom.”
“He is,” Evie agreed fervently.
“Jamie told us about the river incident before he went.” Gavina’s lips twitched. “Good for you. A whack and a dunk. Exactly what he needed.”
Evie opened her mouth to explain but ended up chuckling. “It was highly amusing.”
“I imagine.” Gavina let herself laugh, and Belle joined in. Belle’s laughter was less loud, but her eyes sparkled with impish delight.
Evie began to feel better. She had imagined Jamie’s cousin and sister being appalled at her behavior, and she’d known sisters who were quite protective of their brothers. But the two seemed to not blame her for her indiscretion tonight.
Gavina reached for a lacquered box on the dressing table, opening it to reveal a whitish powder. She opened another box that contained fat powder puffs, pristine and quite new.
“Give yourself a dousing of this in the morning,” she advised. “Enough to cover but not enough to be obvious you’re wearing powder. Aunt Izzy brought this to me from Paris, so you know it will be the best.”
“This is far too generous,” Evie began, entranced by the powder’s lavender scent.
“Not at all,” Gavina replied. “If you believe Jamie makes a habit of bringing us young women to look after, you are wrong. He’s never done such a thing. Which tells us you are special.”
“Hardly.” Evie flushed and set down the box. “I barely know Jam— Mr. Mackenzie.”
“And yet.” Gavina gazed pointedly at Evie’s throat. “Do not be embarrassed, my dear. The males of our family rather run over everyone and leave them not entirely certain what happened. Wear the powder and the frock, and say no more about it.”
“I am supposed to marry Hayden.” Evie closed the box of powder puffs, running her fingers along its smooth lid painted with roses. “I have been thinking perhaps I should not.”
Gavina regarded Evie in the mirror, her eyes wise. “That is up to you, of course. But unless Jamie whisked you to Paris and thoroughly debauched you in a luxurious hotel, I would put it behind you. Tell me, did Jamie instigate the kissing, or did you?”
“He did.” Evie cast her thoughts back to the cold lock-up and Jamie’s hot mouth on hers. “I am fairly certain,” she finished in a faint voice.
“There you are, then. Not your fault my cousin decided you needed kissing. You are blameless. He is not. Keep your fiancé if you love him, and kiss Jamie no more.”
“I was arriving at the same conclusion,” Evie said. Regret closed on her, and she studied the box to avoid Gavina’s gaze.
“I believe she is sorry there was no luxurious Parisian hotel,” Belle said with good humor.
Evie’s face heated. Her imagination had very quickly put herself and Jamie in a soft bed with champagne. Neither of them had clothes on, of course.
“Ladies,” Evie said, agonized. “Please.”
Gavina laughed. “My dear, if you are going to be friends with Mackenzies, you must expect to be teased. And you will be friends with us.” Gavina embraced her impulsively. “You’re too adorable not to be.”
Evie returned the embrace. She liked how easily the two accepted her—she felt as she did with her own sisters.
“We’ll leave you to sleep.” Belle patted Evie’s shoulder. “Gavina is bunking in with me tonight.” Her expression turned pained. “And please may we cease speaking of my brother’s amorousness, both real and imagined? Bleh.”
“We are comforting Evie.” Gavina rose. “Though I rejoice we’re not talking about my brother. That would be truly horrifying.”
Evie rose with them, steadying herself on the back of the chair. “I envy you having brothers. I’ve only had sisters. I do love them, but I’d always hoped for a brother as well.”
Gavina and Belle glanced at each other and laughed. “Rejoice,” Gavina said. “They are a world of trouble. We envy you.”
“Good night, Evie,” Belle said kindly. “Sleep well. Ring for whatever you need.” She gestured to a button on the wall. “Agnes will do anything for you. She’s a treasure. We’ll see you at breakfast.”
“Good night.” Evie watched the two skim to the door, both ladies exuberant and graceful at the same time. “And thank you.”