The Second Time Around

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Evelyn didn't turn to him until he spoke, mentioning her parents who were currently absent. She honestly didn't know why they weren't around to greet their new guest for the holidays, but she assumed it had something to do with the usual holiday festivity plans. Her parent's hosted the largest ball on Christmas Eve every year, and every year it only got bigger and more grand and posh. They always planned well and planned early, so them being out and about probably had something to do with getting the food ordered or something to do with dresses for the evening. Either way, they were not home and that only make this whole situation much more difficult.

"Mother and father aren't home, I'm not sure why to be honest. They aren't one's to ignore when a guest comes so I assume they have just gotten caught up in town on holiday business. They are planning for a party after all." Evelyn said as she started to head back towards the house.

"We should head inside and wait for them in the sitting room. I'll have someone bring us tea and cake." She added simply as she took note of the coming darkness.
 
She was emotionless as a rock. How entertaining. Note the heavy sarcasm.

He wordlessly followed after her, his mouth set in a thin line. He was grim and annoyed. From the looks of what he was dealing with right now, she didn't participate in any fun activities. She wandered about with the air of seriousness and nothing else.

He sat himself down, rubbing his hands together to warm them up. None of the servants were present and it looked like they were commanded to leave him be. How nice. He sat back onto the arm chair comfortably and looked at the interior of the room. Like all luxuries they were fine and expensive. His expression was still set rigid and cold as he saw her reappear. If she'd only make herself at least, a bit attractive. But it didn't seem like she cared. Honestly he thought for himself for a second ... if none of this worked out, he'd just run off somewhere. He needed backup and he did have a list of friends. Some who traveled over the world. One in particular was like a brother to him. He wouldn't mind visiting the fellow in France.

Thoughts swirled in his head like a whirlpool. He didn't know what he was doing with himself.

His knuckles were clenched tightly.
 
The sitting room was very warm, a strong fire going in the fireplace to warm them both up. Evelyn was speaking to a young servant girl near the door while Callum took his seat. Asking for hot tea and sweet treats to be brought into the room so the two of them could have something to eat. Though she was not a large fan of the man currently sitting there near her, she was not going to be a terrible host either. He had traveled a long way and had not even given himself a moment to rest before asking to take a stroll with her. It only made sense that the man would be hungry. With the Servant off to go do as she was told, Evelyn turned to take her own seat near the fire.

"Mother and Father should return shortly I am certain." She said calmly. "They never stay out too late during the cold season, the horses don't like being cold for too long." The words were mostly to break the obvious silence that was hanging over them. It was tense, even she knew that. Callum could sense her dislike and he was probably finally dawning on the shallow man that this wasn't going to be so easy the second time around. He'd have to put some effort into it. He was hardly the type who seemed interested in working for anything, so she would not be surprised if he was the one to give up first.
 
He was impatient as his foot tapped on the floor in rhythm. He merely nodded at what she said, not heeding any attention to the bluntness of it.

Time ticked away and he hadn't eaten anything. He kept his stomach empty as he drank more of the refreshments. In the pits of his stomach he was still nervous some reason. Why? He had no idea, maybe because he wasn't only proving to Evelyn but her parents as well. This could eventually spiral into more problems that he honestly didn't really want to think about it.

Finally figures appeared which were that of her mother and father.

"It's a pleasure to see you lord and lady." He said kissing her mother's hand and bowing to her father. The least he could do was act civilized. Considering that he ruined his first impression, he was near done for. He took a seat down as he waited for them to speak.

Thoughts whirled in his head like a blizzard. What if questions tormented his brain. He'd never had to think this hard. Callum was a simple man and having things complicated gave him a headache. He sighed, wondering what his future would be like. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad to wander around the world as a hermit. Prostitutes, whores, they were getting boring after all. The same old same old.
 
Evelyn made that Callum at least had tea and cake to help himself to, but she wasn't too keen on having a long conversation with the man. He didn't seem all that interested in having on either as he sat there in another armchair, tapping his food away on their hard wood floors. When her mother and father arrived from their time out in town, Callum quickly greeted her parents who politely returned the greeting with cutrys and a firm hand shake. They were willing to give him a second chance, much more than Evelyn was. Still, while they were smiling and being friendly, there was an air around them that showed they weren't going to let him play around while he was in their home.

"It's lovely to see you Callum, I hope you've gotten comfortable. We're going to be very crowded here during the Christmas Eve celebration so we made sure you have a room for yourself to enjoy during your stay. I Hope your Father and Mother can come to the celebration as well if they have the time to spare." Evelyn's mother said as she and her Husband took a seat upon the couch. Evelyn herself was staying silent at this point as she watched her parents interact with her guest.

She stayed in the room though and listened, if only to be polite. After all, it would probably appear as rude if she just left after her parents returned. She was a lady first and an angry woman seconded. No amount of past aggression was going to change that.
 
Callum bit his lip and knew he had to be on his best behavior, because if he wasn't ... well that would make everything just harder.

"Thank you for your kind invitation. My father would be delighted to come and visit ..." He murmured. His mother well she had been gone for years and it didn't seem like they knew much about it. His father blamed the lack of a motherly figure to make him the way he was. Reckless and wild, like a fool. No one tamed him, not even his father. His sisters had always ended up calling him an idiot.

"I would like to know what events you have in mind to prepare for me and Evelyn to attend." He said curiously, she looked fuming in her seat. Though her face was kept passive as usual, just like a stone. He sighed, the amount of fun he would have with the likes of her seemed to be very slim. His ears were trained on the ticking of the clock, it seemed like forever but it was almost evening. His stomach rumbled but he wanted answers. He knew little of anything in the household and he'd even manage to charm his way into Evelyn's heart.

An enormous challenge. What would it truly take? What a huge obstacle.

Though he had some romantic thoughts that might impress her, however, also disturb the fine line of prudence. He was a man without a care and he planned on wooing her through the means he preferred. Improper and straight to the point. Though it didn't seem exactly fair if she were to just sit as a pretty tall and play with him like a puppet. He wanted her ice heart to melt. Let the chips break away and have her crack a smile.

His mood and attitude swung around like a ball being kicked by children. Inaccurate and all over the place. Just a mess.
 
"Several, though most shall be held here, for convenience sake as My Husband and myself no longer can handle the cold weather like we used too. It's just too much sometimes and this winter is supposed to be a terrible one I've heard." Evelyn's mother said as she looked over Callum calmly and politely. Her Husband stood near the fire, warming his hands and drinking on a fresh cup of tea that his daughter had just poured for him a moment before.

Evelyn herself stayed silent, just listening and observing Callum's actions. After all, this was a trial in itself in a way. He was having his tests laid before him, so she could see his reaction to him in a way. Any of the slightest hint of displeasure would alert her that he hadn't exactly come willingly or truly had any real interest in his endeavor. Then again, if he was here, then there had to be something dangling in front of his nose and leading him along. So there had to be something giving him reason to have even come and waste his time...and Evelyn's.

"The first event will be a dinner party, a small gathering with many available ladies and gentlemen. Since this is not an arrangement, I have made it clear to your father that I intend to go about my business as I always do, and that includes introducing my daughter to available bachelors her age. After all, she is a prime pick even now, However she is a hard one to please so I always give her options." Her mother finished with a laugh as Evelyn gave the slightest blush of embarrassment. Perfect, now he would think she was spoiled or rude or something...not that she cared but his mouth could still move and it wouldn't help her in any way.
 
He soaked in their words and managed to smile pleasantly as company. Wasn't her mother a bit of a cheater? There was no fairness in whatever 'game' they were apparently playing here. What made Evelyn so important to his father anyways? He could settle with anyone else so maybe he'd write to him about it. He wasn't interested in the whole competition idea. He drew out plans in his head but the tea had begun to make him drowsy.

"Is it tonight?" Callum asked with his eyebrow raised. He didn't mind but how was he suppose to woo Eveyln without anything to do. He knew nothing about her besides the fact that she biologically a woman and that he broke her heart. Shattered it like an asshole he was.

"Does Evelyn have anything in mind for us... to do," he said with a tilt of his head. She hadn't spoken a word and when she did, he read her at all. She said nothing of her feelings nor how she thought of the current situation they were in. He wasn't complaining but he was curious. He'd have no chance at all if she was forced to along with such things. "Or will we have dinner soon?" He looked out the window and watched the moon appear in the dark sky.
 
"Oh no, the first gala won't be until this coming weekend. We are still preparing for it after all. It takes a lot to plan a large party for our family and we always make sure to cover all the needs that our guests might have." Her mother said as she spoke kindly to Callum. This was when Evelyn's father spoke up calmly and politely as well, still standing near the fire as he warmed his back this time. The house was strangely chilly at the moment.

"Don't worry about having things to do Callum, my boy. Evelyn has a busy week of get-togethers that she will be having you escort her to. Tomorrow for certain there is a small card game party happening at her cousins house. The men will be playing poker I believe and the girls will be playing simpler games. It's perfect timing really that you are here for Evelyn's counsin Boris was animatedly speaking about how one of their players dropped out because of family business so...I'm certain they will happily let you take the man's place."

After that, a maid came along, bowing as she said that dinner was finished and prepared. With that said, Evelyn's mother stood as well as she, her father wandering over to Callum. "Let's continue to speak over dinner. I am certain you are look for a large meal that tea sandwiches." He said simply as the family walked out one by one.
 
Callum merely nodded, thinking about the hassle of a fancy gala. It had been long since had ventured into the social scene. It was the same kind of thing, fake smiles, proper etiquette and being on your "best" behavior. He'd much rather be at a bar drinking away his problems. Sure, he wasn't willingy to admit it but he hadn't learned to cope with anything.

Though the sound of poker seemed to brighten up his mood. He was into such games, he had a certain talent at winning. Occasional cheating which he didn't say one word of but at least there would be some sort of entertainment. He'd have been dead bored if it was just teas and scones every single day. Womanly tasks and talking about feelings, it sounded all so dull. He glanced over at Evelyn who hadn't reacted or said a single word. It bothered him, he knew nothing of her own input and it seemed like her parents were directing her life over what she wanted.

"Indeed, dinner would be nice," he said huskily as he followed after them. The dining table was set up lavishly to match their wealth and he could smell the food. The fumes were delightful and he would have hungrily wolfed down all the dishes if he wasn't reminded that he had to be proper. He waited until everyone was seated and listened to the prayers said. It had been a long time since he had sat properly at a dinning table. Back home, he'd just have dinner served to his room while he ate by himself. Or he skipped, food hadn't been a priority when he was busy playing games.

"So, I was wondering if there was anything you enjoyed, Eveyln." He mumured, staring at her intently. She was so quiet that it made her look like a wooden board. She had to have cooped up her feelings. But he wanted to dig below her surface.
 
Evelyn remained quiet was they are headed into the main dinning room to enjoy dinner. She honestly didn't have much to say and that wasn't just because the man she loathed was going to attempt to woo her once more after nearly ten years. She just honestly didn't have anything at all to say. Much of her time was spend reading or arranging flowers or attending tea parties on the request of her mother to meet other eligible men. Evelyn honestly doubted that Callum had any interest in listening to her speak about the last party she attended or any of her other parts of her weekly routine. So when Callum had asked about what she enjoyed she couldn't help the slightly surprised look on her features, though it quickly shifted to a simple one once more.

"I don't have many hobbies. I enjoy cards and chess and reading...Other than that there isn't much else that comes to mind I suppose." She said lightly. Evelyn was speaking the truth and in a way she was also speaking a lie. The less Callum knew about her then all the better in her opinion. After all, if there was any way for her to prevent him from being successful in her parents eyes all the better. It would also make it much more difficult for him to succeed in his endeavor if he knew less. Going quiet then she went about eating her dinner only for her mother to come in and pick up the conversation.

"On the topic of enjoying things, I'm not one to be a terrible hostess so if there is anything we can have done for you don't hesitate to ask. After all you are going to be the family guest for quite a while so you should be as comfortable as possible."
 
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