Chapter 1
12 years ago
"The kids" I heard my mama scream and weep, she was holding a figure calling my older brother's name to come to us, take us inside. Anthony stood up approaching us, I could see his face being lost, teary. He signed us to get back in and he followed suit. I wanted to argue and simply walk out and see my mama and papa, she was a month before the one of labor.
Benedict and I assisted Anthony to take the four youngsters inside. Fran and Eloise didn't seem to understand what exactly was taking place while Daphne and Colin protested to go see papa… to see if he was alright. Dear God… I couldn't even wrap myself around what happened.
We were at the hall as baby Gregory began to cry. As if he knew what had just occurred before their very own eyes. My gaze met Benedict's as I had El and Fran on either side of me holding them close, squeezing their hands so tightly the both protested. Anthony was at the window of the door seeing the personnel of the household gathered around our parents suddenly his gaze turned at me. I could feel my eyes stung with threatening tears. He hid it well.
"Eva" he spoke my name. "Go and ease down the baby." He told me and I nodded.
"Collin, Daphne come, would you please keep an eye on Eloise and Francesca" I suggested knowing that both my older brothers would be grateful that I took the kids to another room, to keep them occupied and far from the front yard. Collin protested, eventually he did as he was told, making our younger sisters laugh with small pranks as me and Daphne approached the crib. I held my infant brother and rocked him softly, murmuring a small lullaby.
"Can I hold him?" Daphne asked, touching my shoulder, she was four years younger but she was almost the same height as me. I nodded.
"Daphne can you please keep everyone here…?" I asked her as I carefully rested Gregory's small figure in her arms.
"Yes… I shall do my best" she smiled at me, she has the brightest smile, hopefully she would keep smiling.
"Good, I will be right back" I assured her and once I opened the door I raced down stairs to see a crowd in the hall, the doors wide open. "Where are my parents!?" I asked the first servant I saw.
"Um, in the room upstairs… lady Evangeline perhaps you should expect your brother's request…" She advised me and I shook my head.
"No,no you should go to the kids, they are at the nursery…" I ignored her saying and just requested the safety of my younger siblings as I walked back upstairs. I knocked on the door of my parents' room and Anthony opened the door. He simply stared at me, the well composed expression he was maintaining successfully while we were down stairs, was starting to break.
"What are you doing here,I thought I was perfectly clear…" he demanded I leave but before he could finish his words I interrupted.
"Is he alright? Is father well?" I asked him my blue eyes looking up to his, that was the moment I heard our mom's sob, I pressed my palm to his chest pushing him further inside. He banged the door behind us, I saw Benedict there as well. My mom was hovering over my father's figure, he was motionless. I moved to approach but Anthony held my wrist pulling me to the corner where he and Benedict were standing. "He can't be…" I whispered to Anthony who didn't reply, I just felt Benedict's embrace. I took a deep breath and returned the embrace.
~
I don't know how much time passed, I don't know when Benedict took me to the library, I don't know how much I cried, what time it was or if I had just lived a dream. Not a dream, a nightmare. I blinked my eyes open, my surroundings slowly unfolding from a blurry vertigo into reality. "Benedict?" I asked as he was sitting beside me with a book in hand.
"Eva, how are you feeling?" He asked me sitting up.
"What happened?" I asked him. " Papa, oh my god" I turn at him and he simply nodded "the kids, did you tell them?" I wondered
"Unfortunately me and Anthony announced it to them, mama hasn't left the bedside since he was brought indoors" his voice was calm and smooth. He offered me a handkerchief to tap the tears away.
"Thank you" I smiled sadly "Maybe we ought to return to the rest, Anthony should need assistance…" I realized and my brother nodded.
"Indeed, he has a handful of obligations as the new viscount" Benedict said bitterly and opened the door for me as we walked out, we witnessed Anthony surrounded by servants that asked his advice and wishes about the things usually our papa was taking care of. The fuss and noises pause once mama's cry was heard and all of us ran to her spot.
Anthony next to her aiding her to her feet with Eloise's governess that happened to be there. "Mama what's going on?" He wondered in alert.
"The baby" she breathed out holding on to her eldest son for support.
"But it's too soon." Anthony couldn't believe his ears. "Benedict call for the doctor"he dictated
"It happens when the woman is upset." I told him opening the door of the unused bedroom that existed in case the viscountess did not wish to abed with the viscount. I undid the bedsheets in order to lay her there. "Mama breath" I instructed her softly stroking her hair and slowly removing the clips to have her feel more comfortable. Anthony was left staring at them breathing heavily.
"Anthony" I called loudly to get his attention, he was distracted by our mother sobs as the cramps seemed unbearable. His panicked gaze staring at both me and mama. "Get out to the kids…" I announced sternly.
"No she needs help. What if you need help?" Anthony asked me, he was panicked, I could see.
"Then I shall send someone to fetch you." I argued, I was only three years younger but my father had the feeling of protection over the family evolved on all of us,Anthony most of all.
Mama was holding my hand, as I was tieng her hair in a light braid so it wouldn't get in the way and I wiped her forehead from the sweat. "Evangeline, the kids" she sobbed squeezing her eyes closed.
"Perfectly well with Anthony, Benedict and the doctor will be arriving any moment now" I assured her with a soft smile.
"Fransesca is growing to look so much like you darling." She was crying and I wanted to cry too.
"Indeed, she shall suffer Collin referring to her as campfire number two" I tried to make her laugh and she did only for a few seconds before screaming in pain just when the physician entered the room. He checked on her and said that the baby was not in position yet, hours passed and we were still in there. Pushing and trying to bring the infant into a proper position of labor.
"The viscount must answer" the physician announced and didn't wait for my mama's permition, not to mention mine either.
"No!" I exclaimed and shot up to prevent him following him outside, I hadn't realized that my dress was wet in my mother's tears and sweat.
"Don't speak to him- you are upsetting her more" the tone of my trembling voice reaching it's peak.
"What is the meaning of this?" Anthony asked confused
"He is just a kid;" mama cried loudly she was barely standing at the doorframe
"Mama!"me and Anthony walked to her.
"Ev what is happening?" He asked me helping our mama back to the bed.
"He wants you to pick Anthony her or the baby" I told him and he went apale.
"Don't tell him anything Anthony" mama cried holding his collar
"He won't, you'll give birth normally like on Gregory!" I exclaimed.
-
Today
"Daphne you must make haste." We heard Eloise's loud call from downstairs causing me and Daphne jump slightly. "I shall tell you will be coming" I told her gently and she nodded, she looked absolutely wonderful.
"Thank you sister" she breathed heavily and I kissed her cheek softly.
"You look astonishing Daph, but do make haste" I smiled gleefully as I exited the room walking towards the stairs, I was having a braid tangled upwards in a ban and a small crown as I was wearing a white laced dress.
"Fina– wrong sister" Colin huffed and rolled his eyes.
"Perfection needs time brother" I smiled, carefully coming down as Benedict offered me his hand gracefully escorting me down.
"You look beautiful as well." Benedict told me and kissed my hand politely.
"Thank you brother." I spoke and kissed his cheek. "How do you feel now that you are the head of the family?" I asked him smiling as I tangled my arm around his.
"Isn't Anthony going to be there?" He asked raising his eyebrows.
"Do you see him present?" I raised my eyebrow swiftly staring at him as Daphne finally presented on top of the staircase. Everyone was looking at her me included she was pretty, the prettiest of us all. After the compliments everyone offered her, fairly, she deserved them, we left for the palace where the diamond of the season.
We rode there and before Benedict could open our door Anthony with my husband made an appearance. My brother offered me and mama a hand outside the carriage as I immediately moved to Owen who embraced me discreetly. "Awe look at you two honoring us with your presence" I commented as he kissed my cheek.
"I wouldn't miss the most important day of our sister" Anthony told me and smiled holding Daphne's hand gently.
"And I wouldn't leave my lady at the mercy of cruel mama's whispers" Owen spoke and kissed my cheek assuringly. He didn't only mean that I was an unescorted married woman but the fact that being a year married we haven't been able to have a child due to my own health problems. Only my mama had seen my true struggle concerning the matter, however calm and humorly I faced it in front of the rest of my family and Owen I guess they could imagine it hadn't been easy.
I was so grateful that Owen became my husband, he didn't have a great spot at society like my brother or their common friend Duke Hastings. Therefore he has a fine job and an important income, most importantly though we loved each other, it wasn't hard for Anthony to agree. He could see the sincerity in Owen's word and wish.
We had moved inside as me, Benedict, Colin, Eloise, Francesca and Owen were seeing the presentation of Daphne, the outcome was wonderful as the Queen herself moved from her seat and leaned in and kissed her forehead, my breath stopped as my little sister was named the diamond of the season. I could see the same price that reflected inside my eyes upon Anthony's and mama's. This would be a wonderful season.