CHAPTER SIX
RUMORS

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     Evangeline was up earlier than usual the next morning, before anyone else, and she ended up having to call Sophie early in order to get dressed. Her dresses weren't designed for her to be able to put them on by herself, unfortunately, but she had most of it on by the time Sophie arrived at her room. Only the buttons on her back were loose. Sophie buttoned them up quickly, eyeing Evangeline through the mirror as she did. She was surely taking note of the dark circles under Evangeline's eyes. Evangeline hadn't slept well at all after leaving Jem. She'd ended up thinking of her parents, and then she'd eventually gotten up to curl onto the window seat with her mother's stele in one hand and her father's old watch in the other, staring at them blankly and wondering if they were watching over her. Maybe they weren't. Maybe, like Jem believed, they had already passed onto a new life. Evangeline hoped so. She hoped they could live a full and happy life next time, instead of a life that was tragically cut short, with nothing but an orphaned daughter left behind.

Now Evangeline was tired and sad and maybe even a little moody, but she showed none of that, simply picking up a jar of powder and gently dabbing it under her eyes until the dark circles were no longer visible. The powder wasn't as dark as her olive-toned skin, but hopefully no one would notice the slight paleness under her eyes. She hadn't applied much. She patted at the powder under her eyes a bit more, trying to get it to blend more into her skin. Then she grimaced and reached for a washcloth, wiping the powder away. The cosmetic powder was toxic, according to Henry, and Evangeline had forgotten about that until she saw it on her face. She would have to do with an energy rune. She picked up her mother's stele, feeling sentimental, and etched the rune on the inside of her left wrist. It did nothing to hide the circles under her eyes, but it did ease the aches of exhaustion in her body.

"Are you feeling well, Evangeline?" Sophie asked quietly, now twisting up Evangeline's dark hair in a pretty updo, pinning her locks in place with pearl pins. They had also been her mother's. Evangeline couldn't remember getting them out of her vanity drawer to look at them the previous night, but she was grateful that Sophie seemed to understand why Evangeline was so tired. She was still holding her mother's stele, after all, rolling it around in her palm, unwilling to let go. And her father's hand-held pocket watch—the old, mildly ugly thing that didn't even work anymore—was on her vanity instead of wrapped in her chest. She touched it, then decided if she was wearing something of her mother's for the day, she would wear something of her father's, too. She picked it up and placed it into the pocket of her dress.

"Yes, Sophie," Evangeline sighed, trying not to let her shoulders slump. Grief was a funny thing. She could be fine for weeks, even months, but then it would fall down on her because of the smallest thing. The smallest stray thought. Jem had said once that grief never really went away, it just grew bearable enough to ignore, and Evangeline understood that better than most. She swallowed and attempted to smile at Sophie through the mirror. "Do you miss your parents, Sophie?"

"All the time," Sophie said. She had finished with Evangeline's hair, and now her hands fell to Evangeline's shoulders, squeezing softly. "But I will see them again, when it's my time to go. I'm sure you will see your parents again, too."

"I hope so," Evangeline whispered. She rolled her neck, trying to ease the tension there, and then she stood carefully from the vanity bench. Sophie took a step back, then bent to fix Evangeline's dark blue skirt, fix the black lace around her collar. Evangeline laughed softly and caught her hands, impulsively bending her head to kiss the back of them. "I so adore you, Sophie, but please. My dress is fine." Sophie muttered something—probably something rude about Evangeline's messy tendencies—under her breath, then she fixed Evangeline's necklace before taking a step back. "I apologize for calling you away from your chores so early. Can I help in some way?"

"Do not be ridiculous," Sophie scoffed, waving her hand in the air. "Is there anything else you need from me, before I go to set the table for breakfast?"

"Oh!" Evangeline bounced on her heels in her sudden excitement, then turned to hurry to her wardrobe. Throwing it open, she studied her array of dresses for a moment, before she reached for the dark green one she had mentioned to Tessa the previous night. Piling it up into her arms, she turned to peer at Sophie over the soft material, only to see her friend arching an eyebrow.

"Do you plan to wear two dresses today?" Sophie asked. She sounded very much judgmental, clearly disapproving of Evangeline's wealth. Or, rather, Evangeline's lack of thought toward her wealth. Evangeline didn't mind. She just marched forward and dumped the dress onto her bed, and then she rifled through her trunk until she found an old corset she could spare. She was sure Tessa had her own underthings that fit already, aside from a decent corset. She had looked like she couldn't breathe the night before, even when Jessamine's small dress had come off of her.

"These are for our dearest Tessa," Evangeline said once she was done, though she did add a new pair of boots for her, just in case. She didn't know if they would fit, but she was sure her own shoes were much better than Jessamine's spares. "She looked absolutely miserable last night in Jessamine's things, and I told her she could borrow my clothes until we could get some new things for her. Please, Sophie, will you deliver them to her?" Evangeline gave Sophie a sweet smile. "I will buy you those lemon cakes you like from the bakery down the street."

"Of course I will take them to Tessa," Sophie sighed, her expression going soft once she realized Evangeline's intention. "But yes, I would very much like some lemon cakes." Evangeline laughed, helped Sophie fold the dress in a way that made it easier to carry—apparently, it was heavier to Sophie than it was to Evangeline, though Evangeline didn't feel its weight much at all—and then she followed Sophie out of her room. Tessa's room was in the opposite direction of the dining room, so they went their separate ways at a corner, and Evangeline arrived in time to watch Thomas set the table for Sophie.

"Hello, Thomas," Evangeline greeted, leaning her shoulder against the doorway as she watched. He smiled at her over his shoulder, pressed the last utensil where it was supposed to be, then went around the table and pulled out a chair for her. Both chairs on either side of it was empty, and she smiled.

"Good morning, angel," Thomas greeted, motioning for her to take a seat. She laughed softly and did, then watched in amusement as he poured her a cup of tea. He then disappeared, only to come back with trays of breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and toast, mainly. Evangeline's stomach rumbled, and she was reaching to serve herself some eggs and toast when others started coming in. First came Charlotte, who patted Evangeline affectionately on the shoulder as she made her way to a chair. Then Henry, reading a newspaper as he walked. Will and Jessamine came in together, arguing over Will apparently having stepped on the hem of Jessamine's dress. Knowing Will, he had likely done it on purpose. Will sat down on Evangeline's left, reaching for the eggs and bacon, and the next few minutes was spent in silence, the only sound being the clinking of forks on plates.

Then Evangeline noticed no one had taken the chair to her right, and she lowered the toast she was currently slathering with strawberry jam to look around the table with narrowed eyes.

"Where is Jem?" she demanded, though it was clear her question was directed at Will. If Will had gone out to wallow in his own self-pity on the streets of London, he had likely stumbled into Jem's room last night, as was his habit. It was, therefore, safe to assume that he had been the last to see Jem last night.

"Still in bed, likely," Will muttered, and there was something in his face that made Evangeline's movements slow, made her breath hitch in her throat. Will reached beneath the table to pat her thigh comfortingly. "I checked on him this morning and he was still sleeping." Will paused, then lowered his voice. "He looked well."

"Did he have another—"

"Yes," Will said tersely, his jaw tight. Evangeline snapped her mouth shut. "Now eat your breakfast." Evangeline swallowed and did, though much more slowly than before. She had seen Jem last night, and he had seemed just fine, if a little tired. Had he lied, then, about taking the correct dose of yin fen? It was likely. Will would have made sure he had taken the correct dose last night, though, and for that, Evangeline was relieved. She should have stayed. She should have made sure-

"We were just talking about you," Jessamine said abruptly, and Evangeline turned quickly toward the dining room door, thinking she was greeting Jem. It wasn't Jem. It was Tessa, dressed in the dark green dress Evangeline had loaned her, which fit her much better than Jessamine's dresses. Evangeline's mouth went dry, so she reached for her tea as Jessamine pushed a rack of toast in Tessa's direction. "Toast?" Tessa came into the room, then sat hesitantly beside Jessamine, picking up her fork.

"What about me?" she asked, daintily filling up her plate. She was taking as little as possible, so Evangeline encouraged her to take more by offering the strawberry jam. Tessa took it with a small thank you.

"What to do with you, of course," Will lied smoothly. Everyone at the table knew that no one had been talking about Tessa, but she was a stranger, and Jem's sickness was not theirs to share. They looked after their own, even Jessamine, in her own way. Jessamine was the type to say whatever she wanted, however cruel, about her fellow Institute residents, but she didn't allow strangers to say the same things. "Downworlders can't live in the Institute forever. I say we sell her to the people on Hampstead Heath. I hear they purchase spare women as well as horses."

"Do you think they would purchase an immature boy who doesn't have a brain?" Evangeline asked immediately, her voice sweet but sharp. Will's words were uncalled for, even for him, and since Evangeline knew Tessa had upset him somehow the previous night, she wasn't likely to let him off the hook for it. She glared at him for a moment, then looked across the table at Tessa. "Ignore him, Tessa. I hereby give you permission to whack him with a fan if he so much as gives you a rude look." Tessa smiled, her eyes glittering, and Evangeline found herself smiling back.

"You hurt me, Flora, you really do," Will sighed dramatically, slumping back in his chair and tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling. Evangeline resisted the urge to flick the center of his bared throat and decided to pinch his thigh instead. Will yelped and jerked away from her pinch, as it hadn't been gentle, and ended up kicking the table with his knee. The entire table shook, and everyone scrambled for their drinks, not wanting anything to spill.

"That's enough," Charlotte said sternly. Evangeline, who had been poised to pinch Will again, smiled sweetly and pulled her hand back. Will stuck his tongue out at her, and Jessamine called him childish under her breath. Henry was smiling behind his newspaper, and across the table, Tessa giggled. Charlotte shook her head at the lot of them, then continued. "Miss Gray shall remain, if for no other reason than because we're in the middle of an investigation that requires her assistance. I've already dispatched a message to the Clave telling them that we're keeping her here until this Pandemonium Club matter is cleared up and her brother is found. Isn't that right, Henry?"

"Quite," Henry agreed. He finally deemed to set the newspaper down. He'd spilled a bit of jam on his shirt, but he didn't seem to notice. "The Pandemonium thingie is top priority, absolutely."

"You'd better tell Benedict Lightwood, too," Will commented. "You know how he is." Evangeline went rigid at the sound of his name, so abruptly that she shook the table. Clenching her teeth together, she reached for more toast to apply jam to, if only to get her sudden anger out of her system. The toast ended up stabbed on her plate a few times. She didn't look up until she was done, only to see she was being stared at by everyone. Everyone looked mildly concerned except for Tessa, who just looked startled.

"The name Lightwood sends me into a homicidal rage," Evangeline explained. It didn't seem to help. Tessa just looked even more startled. She cast a glance at the head of the table, only to see Charlotte pinching the bridge of her nose, while Henry scrubbed at the stain on his shirt with a napkin. Sophie had stepped forward to refill Evangeline's tea, and Evangeline heard her huff of laughter as she stepped away.

"Hear, hear!" Will cried out, raising his tea in salute to her words. Grinning, Evangeline clinked her teacup against his and drowned the rest of it. "We could do with a lack of Lightwoods, I say."

"Will, Evangeline," Charlotte sighed, dropping her hand from her nose, "please do not wish for or imply you wish for the Lightwoods to be murdered."

"Not murdered," Evangeline said, dropping her knife. She was quite done with breakfast. The mention of Benedict Lightwood had left her feeling very unwell—Will would say that was proof the Lightwood name was cursed—so she pushed her plate away and settled back in her chair with her cup of fresh tea. Sophie swept in to take the plate away. "I never wish murder upon anyone. I only wish they fall down the stairs every once in a while."

"I would wish murder on anyone who did that to me—" Jessamine started. Tessa raised her eyebrows, that curiosity inside of her clearly piquing, but Evangeline was saved from explaining when Charlotte quickly swept in.

"Will," she said quickly, getting back on track. "today I'd like you to revisit the site of the Dark Sisters' house. It's abandoned now, but it's still worth a final search." Evangeline frowned, lowering her cup.

"What about me?" she demanded. "I know that house just as well as Will."

"I need you here," Charlotte said simply. She didn't give any orders for Evangeline after that, leaving her feeling quite underused. Charlotte just turned back to Will. "Take Jem with you."

"Is he well enough?" Will asked, any amusement on his face leaving immediately.

"He is quite well enough." Everyone turned, and Evangeline brightened when she saw Jem leaning against the sideboard, his arms crossed over his chest. "In fact, he's ready when you are."

"You should have some breakfast first," Charlotte said immediately, pushing the tray of bacon in Jem's direction. Jem obediently came forward and took the seat beside Evangeline, and Evangeline looped her arm through his, leaning a bit heavily against his shoulder. They always sat too close together at the table, her, Jem, and Will. Jem leaned his cheek briefly onto her head, their own way of hugging without hugging at the table, and then they were pulling apart. Jem then smiled at Tessa, who was sitting right across from him at the table. "Oh, Jem, this is Miss Gray. She's—"

"We've met," Jem said quietly, and Evangeline looked at Tessa curiously, wondering if they had bumped into each other that morning before breakfast. She was surprised to see a sprinkle of pink high in her cheeks. They hadn't met that morning then. Last night, perhaps, when neither were properly dressed for meeting new people. That, or Tessa had taken quite a liking to Jem very quickly. Either could be true.

"You have?" Charlotte asked, looking surprised. Evangeline didn't know what was so shocking about it. Their rooms were right next to each other.

"I encountered Tessa in the corridor last night and introduced myself," Jem explained smoothly as he buttered some toast, and Evangeline knew immediately he was lying. Jem spoke a little too smoothly when he lied. She tilted her head to catch his eye, and when he met her gaze, she saw amusement there. Smiling, she looked across the table at Tessa. "I think I may have given her something of a fright."

"Oh, you poor thing," Evangeline said with a small laugh. "I scared her last night, too, while walking the halls."

"Roaming the halls again, Flora?" Will asked, sounding bored. Evangeline turned to give him a sweet smile.

"Of course. I like roaming like a ghost." At that, Will grinned bright and wide, and Jem laughed quietly before biting into his toast. No one else knew why that was so funny, but all the three of them could remember was Will, soaked through with milk, Evangeline holding an empty pitcher, Jem roaring with laughter. Will threw his elbow into her side, and Evangeline avoided it by leaning against Jem again.

"Well, I'd like you to go with Will," Charlotte said, once again forced to bring the conversation back to the matter at hand. Jem nodded, and Charlotte turned toward Tessa. "In the meantime, today, Miss Gray-"

"Call me Tessa," Tessa corrected. "I would prefer if everyone did."

"Very well, Tessa," Charlotte said, her voice softening as she smiled. "Henry and I will be paying a call on Mr. Axel Mortmain, your brother's employer, to see if he, or any of his employees, might have any information as to your brother's whereabouts."

"Thank you," Tessa said, looking relieved.

"I've heard of Axel Mortmain," Jem said thoughtfully. He was playing with his food now, something akin to coldness appearing in his voice. Evangeline turned to look at him, only to see him frowning down at his plate. "He was a taipan, one of the big business heads in Shanghai. His company had offices on the Bund."

"Yes," Charlotte said. "The newspapers say he made his fortune in imports of silk and tea." Jem scoffed. It was such a rare sound coming from him-specifically when he was talking to Charlotte, though Will and Evangeline heard the sound often-that everyone looked at him in surprise. Even Henry, who didn't pay much attention most of the time, and Tessa, who hardly knew Jem at all.

"He made his fortune in opium," Jem revealed, his voice light despite his previous scoff. He was trying to pretend it didn't bother him, but the edge in his voice was clear. Evangeline reached for his hand beneath the table, and Jem squeezed it. His shoulders relaxed. "All of them did. Buying opium in India, sailing it to Canton, trading it for goods."

"He wasn't breaking the law, James," Charlotte pointed out.

"It still says something about his character, though, doesn't it?" Evangeline demanded. Anyone who made a fortune off of something like opium or anything else that was harmful wasn't a good person in Evangeline's eyes, and the information was helpful to know. If Tessa's brother was dealing opium, then that opened the investigation much wider than just the Downworld haunts that the Dark Sisters visited.

"Indeed, it does," Charlotte admitted. She then took up the paper Henry had been reading and pushed it across the table toward Jessamine. "Meanwhile, Jessie, perhaps you and Tessa can go through the paper and make note of anything that might pertain to the investigation, or be worth a second look—"

"A lady does not read the newspaper," Jessamine argued, looking absolutely disgusted. She even recoiled, like the paper would hurt her somehow. "The society pages, perhaps, or the theater news. Not this filth."

"But you are not a lady, Jessamine-"

"Dear me," Will said lightly. "Such harsh truths so early in the morning cannot be good for the digestion."

"What I mean," Charlotte said slowly, "is that you are a Shadowhunter first, and a lady second."

"She can be both," Evangeline muttered, feeling annoyed.

"Speak for yourself," Jessamine snapped at her, and Evangeline rolled her eyes. It seemed like Jessamine threw a tantrum about her Shadowhunter blood every other day. Charlotte wasn't even asking her to train, just to read through a newspaper. Evangeline opened her mouth to tell Charlotte she would gladly read through the newspaper herself, but before she could, Jessamine slammed her hands on the table and stood, nearly sending her chair to the floor. Beside her, Tessa jumped. "You know, I wouldn't have expected you to notice, but it seems clear that the only things Tessa has to put on her back is that awful old red dress of mine—"

"It's pink," Evangeline corrected, sniffing delicately as she pulled her fan out of her dress sleeve and started fanning her face.

"-and Evangeline's ugly green dress, neither of which fit her," Jessamine continued. Evangeline gasped in mock offense and turned toward Jem, her eyes wide in dismay.

"Ugly?" she whispered, though loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I rather like green," Will commented innocently.

"It's a very beautiful color," Jem agreed just as innocently.

"Can't Sophie..." Charlotte said, waving her hands in the air. She always got like this when Jessamine, Evangeline, or even Jem spent their money. The London Institute didn't have much funds from the Clave, but more than half the residents were almost sickeningly wealthy.

"You can take a dress in," Jessamine corrected. "It's another thing entirely to make it twice as big as it was to start with. Really, Charlotte." Jessamine puffed out her cheeks when she sighed, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. "I think you ought to let me take poor Tessa into town to get some new clothes. Otherwise, Evangeline's dress will likely fall right off of her."

"I think it fits her quite nicely," Evangeline argued, still fanning her face as she eyed Tessa with interest. It was true. The dress and corset she had loaned Tessa fit her just fine, if a bit loose or tight in some places. Sophie could easily take it in where it was needed. Evangeline then realized she had been staring at Tessa for far too long-she was no better than a man in that moment, really, and it made her shudder-and she quickly pulled her eyes away from the bodice of the dress. She found Tessa staring at her with a slight flush. Evangeline smiled at her. "But it probably is wise to get you some clothes of your own."

"Oh," Tessa said, blinking rapidly as Evangeline's words made her focus. She glanced sheepishly around the table, then looked at Jessamine. "No, really, it's not necessary—"

"It is," Jessamine said firmly, not even looking at Tessa. Evangeline rolled her eyes and kept fanning.

"Jessamine," Charlotte said sternly, "as long as you live in the Institute, you are one of us, and you have to contribute-"

"You're the one who insists we have to take in Downworlders who are in trouble, and feed and shelter them," Jessamine said immediately, almost desperately. "I'm quite sure that includes clothing them as well. You see, I will be contributing—to Tessa's upkeep." Evangeline snorted, only because it was very clever of Jessamine to avoid doing real work by using that logic. She was technically right. Tessa's upkeep did include clothing her.

"You'd better let her do it," Henry advised, leaning closer to Charlotte. "Remember the last time you tried to get her to sort the daggers in the weapons room, and she used them to cut up all the linens?"

"We needed new linens," Jessamine said simply.

"Oh, all right," Charlotte snapped, throwing down her napkin. "Evangeline, you will go with them for extra protection. I will assess your training tomorrow." Evangeline nodded. She would've rather been training than spending an entire afternoon with Jessamine, but she would be protecting both of them in this case, since Jessamine was unlikely to fight if she could avoid it. Besides, Evangeline had yet to fulfill her promise to Jessamine to go shopping together from a month ago, and she could fulfill that now. Charlotte sighed and leaned back against her chair. "Honestly, sometimes I despair of the lot of you."

"What've I done?" Jem asked, offended, and a little too innocently. "I only just arrived."

"Should we leave now?" Will asked suddenly, clearly eager to get out of the Institute.

"I need to finish my tea first," Jem said, and Evangeline huffed when Will leaned across her lap. It forced her to stop fanning, and she used her fan to hit him lightly on the head. He absolutely ignored her. "Anyway, I don't see what you're so fired up about. You said the place hadn't been used as a brothel in ages?" Evangeline giggled, and across the table, Tessa started to blush. She was watching the three of them rather intently, her eyes jumping from Will, then Jem, and then Evangeline before starting all over again.

"I want to be back before dark," Will revealed. "I have an assignation in Soho this evening with a certain attractive someone."

"Goodness," Tessa suddenly said, staring at Will with a small smile. "If you keep seeing Six-Fingered Nigel like this, he'll expect you to declare your intentions." Will's face whipped toward her, Jem choked on his tea, and Evangeline tilted her head back to laugh.

"Oh, Tessa, you are an absolute delight," Evangeline declared, and then she laughed again, loud and bright.

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A few hours later, Evangeline, Tessa, and Jessamine were in West End, inside of one of the most expensive boutiques. Evangeline was studying a set of lace gloves that stopped at the wrist, while Jessamine made one of the prettiest workers in the shop model dresses for her. Tessa was standing by the wall, silent and watching, and when Evangeline glanced over at her, the other girl looked nearly bored to tears. Smiling, Evangeline took up a pair of white silk gloves and walked over to her, taking her hand before Tessa could stop her.

"These will look lovely on you," Evangeline commented as she pressed the gloves into Tessa's palm. "Don't be such a wallflower, Tessa. Come. Pick out something. Talk with me." Tessa locked their arms together and tugged Tessa gently over to the table where gloves, stockings, and handkerchiefs were laid out.

"I confess, I'm not used to shopping," Tessa sighed as she hesitantly picked up a handkerchief. "My aunt made all my clothes for me, and the material was cheap. It was all we could afford."

"I shall buy you whatever you'd like," Evangeline offered, going to study small hates and parasols. She picked up a black lace parasol that matched her navy-blue dress and twisted it in her hands. She glanced over at a nearby shop helper. He had black hair and blue eyes, and his tailored jacket showed him to be the person who would pack up their things for shipment. He was no allowed in the back of the store, where measurements were taken and dresses were tried on and modeled. His looks reminded her of Will, and she found herself flashing a glittering smile at him. "Good sir, would you add this parasol to my bill, please? Under Rosewell. These two pairs of gloves, too." She offered him the lace gloves she liked, then the white silk gloves for Tessa. "Would you like a parasol, Tessa?"

"No," Tessa stuttered out, looking startled. "No, thank you."

"All right," Evangeline said with a shrug. She turned back toward the helper, who had taken the three things, off to write it all down under her name and write down the prices. The bill would be sent to the London Institute with their things, once everything was shipped, and Evangeline would pay it with the allowance she was allotted every month.

"Is that all, miss?" the man asked politely.

"For now," Evangeline said easily, "but I do plan leaving this shop with a new dress being made. Keep your pen poised, good sir." She winked at him playfully, just because she could, and she felt a rush of giddy joy when his eyes widened. When he turned to write down their things on her bill, she saw him stumble slightly, and a giggle ripped up her throat. Beside her, Tessa bit her lip, but her laughter spilled out regardless.

"You are scandalous," Tessa gasped as Evangeline tugged her to the back of the store, where Jessamine was viewing fabric.

"Oh, you have no idea," Evangeline said with a laugh. She didn't mean to sound bitter, and she only realized she had when Tessa turned to look at her strangely. Evangeline paused to smooth out her face, but it was too late. Tessa was quick to notice things, it seemed, and smart as a whip. Evangeline liked that about her. "You have questions. Go ahead. Ask them."

"What did Jessamine mean at breakfast," Tessa asked slowly, "when you were all talking about Benedict Lightwood? What did he do to you?" Her face paled. "He didn't...hurt you, did he?" Evangeline barked out a sharp laugh.

"No. Benedict is an ugly and immoral old man who hates women, but he isn't capable of hurting me even if he tried. And I would've cut his balls off if he'd tried." Tessa went red in the face, sputtering lightly under her breath. Evangeline ignored it. She was so used to using foul language with Will and Jem—though it was more common with Will—that she hardly paused to let Tessa catch her breath. "But no, Tessa, Benedict Lightwood did not hurt me. At least, not in the way you seem to think." She sighed and looked at her nails. "I was engaged to be married to his youngest son, Gabriel Lightwood. Benedict broke the engagement because of..." Evangeline grimaced delicately. "Rumors."

"Rumors?" Tessa repeated, brows furrowing.

"Rumors," Evangeline confirmed. Then her eyes landed on a piece of vibrant red fabric, and her focus shifted entirely. "Oh, that is absolutely gorgeous! I want a dress made for myself with that fabric immediately. And, please, have my good friend Tessa here measured for new dresses at once." The girls working in the back of the shop rushed to fulfill Evangeline's orders, seeing her dress and jewelry and correctly assuming she had more than enough money to spare.

In all the hustle and bustle, Tessa didn't have a chance to ask Evangeline what type of rumors had ruined her engagement. And Evangeline was more than okay with that.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I really love Evangeline.