They were beautiful in an understated way. Agape had chosen well for Evangelina. The earrings that her cousin had sworn were perfect for her were just that. Evangelina stared down at the roses of beaten gold with pearl centers with just enough distance from the hook in the ear to dangle teasingly against her neck if she’d worn them. Agape had said they had been their grandmother’s but one would never have guessed that. The earrings were hardly dated. It proved true, quality could survive over time. Her fingertips traced the lines of one of the roses. Maybe I could borrow them again? Her fingers tightened on the earrings and with a reluctant sigh as she dropped them back into the small velvet satchel and drawled the strings tight.

It was mid-day but she’d been awake since early that morning. She’d taken care of some business of her mother’s regarding some of her charities, then she’d picked her dress out for Theodora’s wedding, and that was when she realized the earrings she’d borrowed simply didn’t go with the dress. Silver would be much more pleasing with the seductive lavender gown she’d chosen.

Her deep chestnut hair was piled up on her head and pinned in place with several sweeping curls spiraling downward to tease her jawline. The jade-colored chiton glided over the softness of her curves. It was true she didn’t look quite as rumpled as was per usual for her, but then again any time she visited Fotios’ house she felt compelled to make a bit more of an effort.

Evelli and what was left of her daughters at home were busy with preparations so it hadn’t been all that difficult to slip away and return the jewelry. She was certain that her absences weren’t greatly missed with Evelli. She had her own brood to keep an eye on and one less girl was all the more attention that could be directed at her own daughters. She didn’t begrudge her aunt of that, one had to look after one’s self in this world and her aunt did her very best to look after brood. The only prick of pain was that her own mother wasn’t here to do the same for her, but Tino needed her more than Evie did. Or that was everyone said…

The walk to Fotios' house wasn’t that much of one, and Byrony and her guard were close behind. Her handmaiden was rarely quiet, it made Evie wonder what was on her mind, but now wasn’t the time to wonder about it. Using the time to let her own mind wander, this evening she would sit down and compose a note to be sent to her mother. It’d been a few weeks since she’d heard from her and there was an ache of longing to be with her own parents.

At Fotio’s home, she had the servants let her in and asked if Agape was in her chambers. It wasn’t uncommon for her to just drop in on her cousins, after all, she’d grown up spending much of the time with Agape and Mel. She was close with Georgio’s daughters as well but Agape and Mel had spent their share of time at the estate in Acharist.

At confirmation that Agape was in her chambers upstairs, Evie smiled and started up the hallway prepared to return the earrings that Agape had lent her. Byrony had disappeared to speak with some of the other slaves leaving Evangelina to her own devices. The sound of her name caused her to pause and turn around, her dark eyes glancing around until they landed on the person who said it.