Ella and James entered Paisley Park and joined Charles and Helen in the drawing room. As they sat, Ella could not help but notice that Helen appeared happier than she had ever seen her.
"My Helen I do not think I have ever seen you smile so much."
"Ah yes, you see my little sister has taken a shine to someone who is not James." Charles said teasingly.
"Charles!" Helen shouted in embarrassment.
"I jest dear sister."
"Who might I ask is this gentleman that has made our sweet Helen blush?" Ella asked with a wink.
"I am glad you asked Ella, because he is set to join us for supper this evening." Charles gave a toothy grin.
James let out an audible groan, "Just what I look forward to, having an evening of comfortable small talk thrust upon me."
"At least we will get entertainment from your discomfort." Ella said on a hardity laugh.
"The gift that keeps giving." Charles joined in.
The party continued to laugh and tease as Ella attempted to get some hints as to the identity of Helen's new suitor. Finally a knock from the door drew everyone's attention to the entry of the drawing room.
"Looks like he has decided to grace us with his presence." James muttered under his breath.
"Please all of you be nice." Helen pleaded.
"I am more than capable of that, these two are another story." Ella pointed to the men in the room.
Charles stood shaking his head as he exited the room. Not long after Ella could hear the muffled voices as he fetched their new guest.
"Helen you have yet to mention his name." James stated with veiled disinterest.
"No I have not, it must have slipped my mind during all the teasing."
"And I am sure Charles and James are eternally sorry for that." Ella said glancing to her husband.
Helen could not let out a soft chuckle, visibly relaxing as she did, "His name, if you are so impatient to know, is Mr. William Evans."
Ella's smile faded at hearing the name, only to disappear entirely as Charles and the new addition to the party entered the room.
"Lord and Lady Winters allow me to introduce Mr. William Evans."
"Good evening." Mr. Evans bowed his eyes focused on Ella.
She faltered at the sound of his voice. Ella had never expected to hear his name let alone be standing in the same room as him. The same man she had originally planned on spending her life with and the one who played a part in nearly destroying it.
******
Ella knew she was failing in her attempt to hide her surprise. The last thing she had expected was to encounter someone she had tried to forget this evening. William Evans was someone she had know her entire life. The years they had spent together as children playing, than as young adults joking about proprietary had naturally drawn them together. William's family was not as well off as hers and he had always felt he had to prove to her father his worth, even though Mr. Hunter did not care as long as his daughter was happy. Just prior to Ella's coming out to society William had joined the Navy to make a name for himself.
They had written to each other constantly while Ella had continually turned down the advances of all suitors that approached. Following William's return, the two of the them entered a near nonexistent courtship before becoming engaged. It was always expected for her and William to marry and Ella had never questioned it. He was her first in everything and it only made sense to both of them.... Or so she believed.
"Do the two of you know one another?" Helen's question almost made Ella jump. It was only then that she realized everyone staring between the two, as their sights never strayed from one another.
"Yes, Lady Winters and I were..."
"Acquainted." Ella finished.
"I sense a story there." Charles rocked on his feet with humor trying to break the obvious tension in the room.
"How is it you all became acquainted if I may ask?" Ella directed to the Hawthorns'.
"Charles and I met Mr. Evans at assembly shortly after your departure from town."
Ella absorbed the information noting the timing before looking back to William, "Mr.? Have you stopped being addressed by rank?"
"You know I never cared for rank, it was just a necessity to get what I wanted."
"I am sure the branch you served would love to hear you say that." James shot out with contempt.
"Not all of us are bestowed a title that magically makes us worthy of a woman." William spat out.
Ella shifted uncomfortably and looked to Charles for a reprieve, "Well with any luck supper should be ready soon. Shall we head to the dining room?"
The meal was tense and no amount of idle conversation helped. Ella tried several times to relax but whenever she did William spoke and reminded her of his presence. To make the situation worse, she could sense James' hostility coming off of him like steam from a rock after a summer rain shower. After what felt like an eternity, the meal came to an end and James apologetically informed the party that he and Ella had to return home. Charles and Helen both shared a surprised yet disappointed look but did not attempt to stop them as they took their leave.
The ride home was in suffocating silence and the return to Hamsfield was not any better. Ella and James had retired to their own rooms, the first since returning from London.
"Is everything alright My Lady?" Jane cautiously asked.
"As much as it can be. Thank you Jane, I can finish from here."
Jane left the room with a curtsey and Ella took a deep breath knowing what she must do. She walked to the shred door to their rooms, steading herself before gently knocking. It took only a heartbeat before James opened the door, standing before with a cold stare.
"May I explain?" Her voice coming out small.
"All of it?"
"Unlikely, but I hope enough." He let out a near grunt before stepping aside, giving her access to his room. Ella glanced at the dark wood that surrounded the space and headed to a chair next to the fireplace.
"William and I grew up together, and as we became older our friendship changed as most around us expected. When he returned from the Navy we became engaged and than..." She paused closing her eyes gathers her thoughts trying to decide how much to reveal. When she opened them she saw James had taken the seat across from her. His expression softened from the one he wore when she entered the room, yet she could still she something in his eyes she had never seen before.
"I feel there is more I should know than that."
"The less you know the better it is for you."
"Should I not be the one to decide?"
"All you need to know is that I have not seen him for two years."
He looked at her and she could see the recognition cross his face. Everyone who has heard the storied about her family knows they began two years ago. Ella knew that small bit of information would be enough to end the conversation because no self respecting member of society would want to be involved in that mess. James stood from his chair and slowly stepped to her. He kneeled in front of her carefully brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Ella, no one should have to feel this pain alone."
She leaned into his hand and let out a sigh, "I have become so accustomed to it I do not know how to live anyway else."
James placed his other arm under her knees and easily lifted her into his arms. As he carried her to his bed, he nuzzled his face to her neck whispering in her ear, "Then perhaps you should let me try to ease it."