Under The Moon And Stars

Chapter 15

Five Years Later

Evie stood in her bedroom getting ready for the dance she and Alexander were hosting. She had chosen a gown of rich purple with white lace at the hem of her skirt and sleeves. Ruth had done her hair up and pinned it with hair combs. Despite now having three children her waist remained as small as it was when she married, something Alexander often complimented her on. Her hips and backside had both grown just a bit. Evie loved it. She felt like she had a womanly shape now. Having children hadn't slowed Evie and Alexander's lovemaking. The result was Miles when she was 20, Thomas at 22 and Luke at 24. Luke was now a year old and though at 25 Evie wasn't pregnant yet, if another one was to come along, she wouldn't complain. All three of her sons were the spitting image of their father, dark brown hair, same facial structure and noses. The only difference was Thomas and Luke had Evie's light blue eyes instead of Alexander's green ones.

Alexander walked into her bedroom. He looked incredibly handsome in his evening attire. Tonight's party was a celebration. Evie's father had decided to sign over his business to Alexander. Alexander was now running both his father's business and Evie's as well. But they also stood to be one of the wealthiest families in London even though they weren't titled. They decided to host a dance to celebrate. Alexander wrapped his arms around Evie's waist as she looked at herself in the mirror. He kissed her cheek and said, "Six years together and you still take my breath away every time I look at you. Even though our father's arranged our marriage, it's still the best thing that ever happened to me."

"You have given me everything I ever wanted Alexander. My life feels like a dream. I love you."

He spun her around and kissed her deeply and sweetly. "I want nothing more than to stay in this bedroom and ravish you until you are screaming my name. Unfortunately, we will have guests arriving any minute, so we need to make our way downstairs."

Evie kissed him again. "Sometimes I hate how responsible you are," she teased but she took his hand and he led her out the door and downstairs to the foyer so they could greet their guests as they arrived.

Once everyone had arrived, and the dance was in full swing Evie and Alexander naturally found themselves separated a bit. They greeted everyone and danced together twice. Now Evie found herself in conversation with Eleanore and Cathy while Alexander was huddled in a group that included Issac and John as well as a few other gentlemen. Evie noticed that Natti was with them for a while. Alexander and Natti got along rather well. They shared multiple business interests and therefore worked together from time to time. Evie's sons loved their 'Uncle Natti' as they called him and often asked their parents to invite him over. Despite Evie being a wife and mother she and Natti had managed to maintain their friendship these past years.

Evie was laughing at a story Cathy was telling about her children when Natti approached and asked her to dance. Evie excitedly accepted and they stepped onto the dance floor. Natti was still unmarried but at 25 a lot of men his age had yet to settle down. He seemed happy though, which made Evie happy. They smiled and laughed as they performed the steps of the dance with the other couples on the floor. It was difficult to speak so they just enjoyed each other's smiles. When it was over Natti escorted her off the floor. "You look beautiful tonight Evie," he said as they were walking.

"Thank you, Natti. You look quite handsome as well." Natti laughed and opened his mouth to reply but before he could reply she cut him off and said, "Don't you dare make a negative comment about your appearance. You do look handsome tonight and I don't lie. At least not to you."

Natti laughed. "Alright I won't say anything about my appearance," he replied.

"Thank you," said Evie. "By the way, can you tell me where you bought my perfume? I'm running low and I'd like to buy another bottle."

Nattie stopped walking to look at her. "I'll buy you another bottle Evie. It was my gift to you. And it'll remain that way as long as you still like it." Evie knew there was no use in arguing with him. Instead she just thanked him while giving his hand a squeeze.

Once they were away from the dance floor Eleanore's husband Issac asked Natti if he could speak with him for a minute, so Evie was left alone. The room was feeling warm after dancing and the crowd of people, so she decided to run up to her bedroom and grab a fan. Once in her room she looked in the vanity drawer where she kept her fans trying to decide which one she liked with her dress. She had just selected one of white lace when she thought she heard noises coming from her husband's chamber. She stopped and listened for a moment when she heard it again. It sounded like groaning and she noticed that the connecting door was ajar. Probably from when her husband had entered her room earlier that evening. Worried that Alexander might be sick, she walked to the door and just as she placed her hand on the knob to open it completely, she stopped, shocked by what she saw.

Alexander was naked on his bed while a woman with long red hair rode him. Alexander had his hands on her breasts, and he continued to groan as the woman rolled her hips grinding herself into him. "Oh Alexander," the woman whimpered. "Oh you make me feel so good. So good!" She lifted her hair off her back bringing it to the crown of her head before letting it fall back behind her. She kept her hands on the back of her head and Alexander moved his to meet her movement.

Alexander looked up at her, his face completely overcame with lust. "You're amazing, Sweetheart. Ride me! Ride me hard," he cried while assisting her movement. When she moved her hands to cup her breasts, he began to rub her clit.

Evie stood and watched completely motionless. She wanted to turn away but shock kept her planted where she was. She couldn't move. She couldn't think. She could only stand and watch. Watch as the woman threw her head back and began to scream. Watched as Alexander reached up to cover her mouth to muffle the sounds. She watched as Alexander flipped them over so that he was now on top of her. Saw him plunging into the woman the same way he had to Evie so many times. Evie could see his backside rising and falling with each thrust of his hips. Tears spilled from her eyes unchecked as Evie watched Alexander passionately kiss the woman, their tongues dancing with one another in a tango of passion.

Alexander drove into her hard and fast. Evie could hear their bodies making contact as he slammed into her over and over again. The woman locked her legs around Alexander's back pulling him close. Alexander began to groan in the way Evie had heard so many times when he would take her. He was close to finding his peak. Suddenly he lifted his head and cried out, "Ohhhh Yes! Yes! Ahhhhhh!" At the same time the woman cried out again as well. She called out his name, clearly overwhelmed with pleasure. Alexander slowed his movements until he stopped thrusting. He settled on top of the woman, kissing her tenderly and sweetly. She wrapped her arms around his neck holding him close.

For a moment Evie was reminded of the time she accidentally witnessed Lucy and Charles together. That time, however, Evie had been curious about what she'd seen. This time she was sick. Her senses had returned to her, and she knew she had to decide what to do. Her first instinct was to storm in and let them see that they had been caught. She could throw the woman out of the house without her clothes and scream at Alexander until the house came down. But the thought of her children stopped her. If Evie went through with that, there would be a scandal. All their friends and Alexander's business associates were downstairs, and the gossip would spread like wildfire. Her children were home and she couldn't risk them hearing about any of this. So even though it was the hardest thing she had ever done, Evie stepped away from the door, left her bedroom and went back downstairs.

She attempted to put on a brave face. She spoke to her friends and continued to be a good hostess. Finally Alexander appeared again, coming over to her with a huge smile. He leaned down to kiss her, but Evie turned away, sickened by the thought. Alexander was obviously taken aback and confused. Evie knew that she didn't have the strength to remain standing there with him and act normally. So she told him that she was feeling sick and just wanted to go to bed. He immediately became the concerned loving husband, insisting that she go to bed and he would handle the guests and the dance. Evie couldn't help but think she was going crazy. How could he act so lovingly towards her after just having sex with another woman? But she couldn't question him. Not here. She simply told him, "Thank you," and headed out of the ballroom.

Natti saw her leaving, however, and stopped her right before she reached the stairs. He grabbed her arm looking at her with concern. "Evie what's wrong? I can tell by the look on your face that you're not well." Evie's eyes teared up. Natti always knew her every emotion even when she tried to hide them. But she couldn't tell him about this. Natti would be furious on her behalf but what good would that do? Evie couldn't get a divorce. She was stuck.

Telling Natti would only cause him pain that would never be resolved. She cared about him too much to do that to him. So instead, she just said, "I'm sorry Natti, I want to tell you, but I can't. But I will be alright. I just need to get away for a while."

Natti studied her face for a moment before turning his attention to the ballroom. They could both clearly see Alexander laughing with a group of guests. Alexander wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. If Evie hadn't seen his betrayal with her own eyes, she never would have suspected a thing. Although Natti might not have known what happened exactly, he was somehow able to discern that Alexander was the cause of Evie's distress. Evie could see his eyes narrowing as he stared at Alexander. Evie took his hand and said, "It's alright, Natti. Please don't assume or do anything. Please. For my sake?"

Natti looked at her again and squeezed her hand. "Alright Evie. I'll forget about this, if that's what you want. But if you need me, please know that I'll help you however I can."

Evie gave him a quick hug, so brief she doubted anyone would notice. "Thank you, Natti. I know you will." Then she ran up the stairs and barely had her bedroom door shut before she collapsed to the floor in tears.

It was hours later when she heard Alexander come upstairs. She was in her bed but couldn't sleep and had cried on and off the entire time. Alexander entered his room first, but upon not finding her in his bed where they usually slept, he entered her room from the connecting door. The same door that she had left ajar earlier. Seeing that she was still awake he smiled at her while approaching the bed. "How are you feeling, Darling? Why are you in here instead of our bed?"

Evie felt like punching him in the nose. But not yet. Not with her children in the house. "I'm not feeling well at all, and I just wanted to be in my own bed tonight," Evie answered.

"My poor sweetheart. I'll stay here tonight as well. Tomorrow I'll send for the doctor if you are still unwell." Evie wanted to cry. How could he be so good to her? How could he behave as though she was precious to him while having an affair? In the six years that they had been married she and Alexander always shared a bed except when he was out of town. Even when she was in the last days of pregnancy and had a difficult time sleeping he stayed by her side. Tonight would be the first time she asked him to sleep away from her.

"No, please stay in your room tonight. If I'm contagious, I don't want you to come down with it as well. I just need some rest." Alexander looked startled. But he didn't argue with her.

"Alright, Darling. If you think you'll be more comfortable I'll stay in my own bed. But I'll keep the connecting door open in case you need me." Evie simply nodded and Alexander went back to his room. Evie closed her eyes and prayed that morning would come soon as she fought the tears that threatened to fall once again.

By the time Alexander woke late the following day Evie already had her plans in motion. She'd awoken early to have breakfast with her sons. She then asked Nanny Fields to please take the children out for the day. Once they left, Evie simply waited. She sat in her room and waited for Alexander to wake up. When he did, she took a deep breath. Alexander sauntered into her room smiling when he saw her awake and dressed. "Good morning, Sweetheart. I'm glad to see you up and about. You must be feeling better."

Evie answered, "No. I'm feeling calmer, but not better." She then looked him straight in the eye and said, "Sit down Alexander."

He looked confused and concerned but he did as she said and sat down across from her. "What is this about Evangeline?"

The moment of truth had finally arrived. "I saw you, Alexander. I saw you in your bed with another woman last night." Alexander's eyes got huge. "I came upstairs for a fan. The door was ajar and I heard you moaning. When I walked over to check on you, I saw you in bed with her."

Alexander reached for her hand, but she quickly pulled it away. "I'm sorry Evangeline. I'm so sorry."

Evie stopped him, "I don't want and apology. I want the truth and I want it immediately. Who is she? And how long have you been seeing her? Keep in mind I have a father who is very well connected. I can and will find out about all of it. So you have one chance to tell me the absolute truth."

Alexander stood up running a hand through his hair clearly debating how to respond. "Just so we are clear," Evie stated, "I didn't recognize her as one of our mutual friends. And judging by how comfortable she looked perched on top of you I don't believe this was the first time you were together."

Alexander finally sighed. "I don't want to hurt you, Evangeline."

Evie laughed. "You've already done that Alexander. But I can't move on without knowing the truth. You owe me that."

"Alright, Evangeline," Alexander, began, "I'll tell you what you want to know." He sat down again and hung his head. "Her name is Sarah, and I met her when I was at university." Evie's eyes grew wide. He'd finished university just before their marriage. It was one of the reasons their parents thought they were ready to be married. But she didn't interrupt. As much as this hurt, she needed to hear it.

"She was one of the maids assigned to my dormitory. We weren't supposed to interact, and the head of housekeeping kept a strict eye out for anyone becoming too friendly. But she was so cute with fiery red hair and freckles across the bridge of her nose, and I found myself very attracted to her despite not being allowed to interact. I began leaving her flowers and notes where I knew she would find them. And I begged her to allow me to see her outside of the dormitory. Finally after a couple of months she left me a note asking me to go for a walk with her. After that first walk, we found a way to see each other every day." Alexander paused. Whatever came next, Evie knew she wasn't going to enjoy hearing it.

"I fell in love with her. She was an orphan who had just lost her parents a couple years before and had no other family. I wanted to marry her and be her family. I knew, of course, about our betrothal. But somehow it seemed insignificant at the time. I was certain my father would see reason. That I could break it off and my family would welcome Sarah with open arms. I was naive. And unfortunately so was Sarah. My last year of university Sarah and I gave into our desire for one another. I told her and myself that it would be alright. I planned to marry her, so it didn't matter if she fell pregnant. I was wrong."

Evie felt sick. Her expression must've made Alexander nervous because he stood again turning away from her. "Sarah did become pregnant, and it was obviously time for me to face my father. I came home and confessed everything to him including my plan to break my betrothal to you and marry Sarah before the baby came. I truly thought that my father would support me. I couldn't have been more wrong." Alexander sighed remembering what came next.

"He did not support me. In fact he was furious with me. He didn't care about Sarah or our baby. They were an inconvenience, throwing a wrench in the plans my father had in place for years. He railed about how Sarah was obviously a gold-digger. She was a poor maid who got pregnant on purpose to trap me. This was the exact thing he was trying to avoid by making the arrangements he had with your father. When the dust settled, he gave me two options. If I chose to marry Sarah against his wishes he would disown me and divide his entire business between my sisters as part of their dowries. I'd have to make my own way and support Sarah and our children independently from him. My second option was to marry you as planned and my father would pay to set Sarah up in a home where she could have our baby and she would receive a very generous monthly allowance to support her and the child."

"So you picked option two," Evie asked, her voice trembling? Alexander finally turned back to face her before continuing his story.

"That's what I told my father in the beginning, but I had a different plan. I talked to Sarah, explained everything that had happened. She panicked of course, terrified of losing me and being an unwed mother. I did my best to reassure her. I told her that my father's money would protect her and that I would marry her as soon as I could, but it would be delayed a bit. She was horrified but she didn't have any other choice. My father purchased her a home in Brighton. He didn't want me to see her anymore, so I had to be careful with my visits. Sarah gave birth to our firstborn. She begged me to marry her, and I told her I would, I just needed a little more time. I had to wait.

"Wait for what Alexander," Evie asked softly? Alexander looked at her with tenderness in his eyes.

"I had to wait for you Evangeline. I couldn't call off the marriage. But hopefully you could. My plan was to tell you the truth when we met and beg you to call off the engagement. We didn't know each other, so we had no attachment to one another." Alexander smiled at her. "But then I saw you. I was at the top of the staircase, and I saw you in the foyer. It was like a lightning bolt had hit me. I was immediately attracted to you, like I had never been to anyone else. Even Sarah. And I was suddenly torn. I knew I should go ahead with my plan. I knew the right thing to do was to tell you the truth and beg you to call things off. I knew I should do everything in my power to marry Sarah like I promised. But I couldn't. I wanted you. I wanted you to be my wife, so I said nothing."

Evie was furious. Had he told her the truth she would have absolutely called everything off. And Alexander knew it. He'd probably known it then too. But he'd selfishly married her anyway. "Alright. You said nothing and you married me as your father planned. But where does Sarah fit into everything now? Why was she here in my home Alexander?"

Alexander turned away again and Evie braced herself for whatever he said next. "I was enthralled and enamored with you Evangeline, but I still loved Sarah. She was the mother of my child, my firstborn. I couldn't leave her. I didn't want to leave her. So the day after you and I went to the opera I went to Brighton to see her. I told her the truth." Evie's eyes went wide. Alexander continued. "I told her that I loved her and that I always would. But I'd decided to marry you instead. She was devastated of course. She cried so much I seriously thought about going back to my original plan. But I knew I wouldn't go through with it. I told Sarah that I wasn't leaving her. Marrying you meant that my father would give me control of the business and I would always make sure that she and any children we had would be taken care of. She didn't want that of course. She wanted to be my wife, not my mistress, but that was no longer possible. I stayed with her that week until I needed to come back home for our betrothal party. Over the course of those days I was able to calm her down and ease some of the pain. She made me promise that I would come to her as often as possible."