Chapter 18 #2
Lifting her head, Alice examined her reflection in the looking glass as she fixed her pearl earbobs in place.
Though still a little pale, she thought she looked rather lovely.
Lill had threaded a simple ivory ribbon through her hair, and she wore two strands of pearls at her neck.
The dress had come from Madame Auguste’s, a few doors along, and was the most beautiful gown Alice had ever owned.
Though simple, the pearl grey satin was trimmed with ivory satin and worn with a matching pelisse in thick velvet.
A charming hat, lined in the same ivory satin and embellished with a full plume of ostrich feathers, was the finest thing Alice had ever seen.
“Well?”
Alice got to her feet and turned to stare at Lill, who promptly burst into tears.
“Oh, Lill!” Alice hurried to her, pulling her friend into a hug, but Lill pushed her away.
“Don’t you dare! You’ll s-spoil all my lovely work. Oh, b-but you do look a picture. I’m s-so h-happy for you!” she sobbed.
“Lord, above, Lill. I’m not dying. You do remember you’re coming to Norfolk too, in just a few weeks? In the meantime, you can put your feet up.”
Lill sniffed and nodded. “I know. I truly am happy. It’s just all happened so fast, it takes a bit of getting used to.”
Alice nodded and opened the drawer of her dressing table.
“Well, I hope that this might make you feel a bit more settled. All I’ve ever wanted is for us both to have security, to never worry about having a roof over our heads or where our next meal is coming from.
I couldn’t have done any of this without you, Lill, so this is yours now. ”
She took out a thick sheaf of papers and handed them to Lill, who gazed at them in consternation.
“What’s all this, then?”
“Those are the deeds to this house. It’s all yours.
Obviously, you’ll live with us for as long as you want, but you can rent this out.
Little Valentine will become a fancy summer retreat soon, so you’ll be able to charge a good rent for it.
And it gives you the option to move out if you ever have enough of me and want to retire. ”
Lill gazed down at the papers, her throat working. “I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s nothing to say. We’re family, you and I, and family look after each other. Always.”
“Always,” Lill agreed, nodding fiercely.
She met Alice’s gaze, and their shared past shone there, everything that bound them together.
“I know you credit me with keeping you alive, but you’ve always been the clever one, Alice, the brave one.
You took all the risks, you got us here, not me, and I’m that grateful—”
Her voice wobbled and she pressed her lips together.
“Ah, Lill. We got here together, and now we both have a future, a wonderful future.”
“Reckon so,” Lill said, sniffing vigorously. “And I can’t wait for you to start producing babies, so don’t hang about on this honeymoon of yours.”
Despite being well used to Lill’s rather frank sense of humour, Alice blushed, which delighted Lill, who laughed until she cried once more.
Hatherley Hall, Little Valentine, 29th January 1816
Aubrey smiled, his heart full as Vinnie stared down at the diamond parure that she had thought lost to her, tears rolling down her face. They had retreated to the orangery for a bit of privacy and the scent of the sweet blossom drifted around them.
“I can’t take it all in. Alice and Alfie are one and the same, and… and Alfie stole these back for us?”
Aubrey nodded gravely. With Alfie’s permission, he had decided to trust in his sister, who had never let him down before, and whilst her eyes had grown wider and wider with every revelation, she had endured his recital with admirable calm.
“Alice is a remarkable person. I really do think you will adore her.”
Vinnie snorted. “I already do! Not only do I have Mama’s diamonds back, but I have a sister who dresses as a man, who lives exactly how she pleases and does all the things she wishes to do, and if you think I’m not going to ask her to help me do likewise, you’re mad.”
Aubrey stared at his pretty sister in horror.
As usual, she was beautifully dressed, her deep auburn hair artfully styled.
The idea of her doing what Alice did was hard to swallow.
Stupidly, this was one aspect of his revealing the truth that he’d not stopped to consider.
Naturally, Vinnie would covet the freedom such a reckless move would give her. His heart lurched in terror.
“No! I absolutely forbid it. You forget Alice has lived this way from the time she was six years old, she’s had years to practise blending in, besides which she doesn’t just do it for a lark. It’s not as easy as just putting on trousers and strolling about without a care, Vinnie.”
Vinnie rolled her eyes. “Well, I never thought it would be. Credit me with a bit of intelligence.”
“After what you just said? Good Lord, Vinnie. I’ve endured enough terror these past weeks to send me to an early grave. I do not need you to dig the hole.”
Vinnie snorted and reached out, patting his hand. “Stop looking so horrified. I’ll follow Alfie’s instructions to the letter, and I won’t set foot in public until we are both certain I am ready. There, sensible enough for you?”
Aubrey groaned inwardly, secretly planning to do whatever it took to ensure Alice never thought his sister ready for that insanity.
Vinnie was clever and bold, but she had none of the instincts that Alice had been forced to acquire over a lifetime of looking over her shoulder.
“Fine, but you cannot tell anyone about Alfie. You must swear to me, Vinnie. Not even Della.”
“Well, of course I won’t. What do you take me for? Though I will say it’s a good job Sherry turned up when he did.”
Aubrey regarded her in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it would be jolly awkward if Della became increasingly enamoured of Alfie, wouldn’t it? But with Sherry here, she’ll have eyes for no one else. No offense to Alfie, but Sherry knocks him into a cocked hat.”
“Della? And Sherry?” Aubrey must have looked suitably appalled, for Vinnie snorted with laughter.
“Don’t be silly. Sherry would never even think of it. He’s a wicked devil, I’ll grant you, but seducing his best friend’s sister is a bit rich even for him. Della has adored him forever, though. Surely you knew that?” she exclaimed, staring at him in astonishment.
“No! Why would I?” Aubrey threw up his hands. Did she think he was a mind reader?
Vinnie made an impatient tsking sound, looking at him like he was utterly stupid.
“Because it’s been obvious for years. Well, to anyone with eyes, at least. Lord, I wish I’d not said anything now.
For heaven’s sake, keep it to yourself. Della would murder me for telling you.
” She sighed and touched a reverent finger to the diamonds.
“I’m so happy to have these back. I remember Mama wearing them at Christmas, and when she went out all dressed up with Papa. How beautiful she was.”
“You’re very much like her, Vinnie.”
His sister blinked in surprise, her eyes glittering as she reached out and grasped his hand. “Oh, Aubrey, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Well, it’s true. But you must remember, you cannot wear these in public. As far as our uncle is concerned, they’re stolen goods.”
“Yes. Not until he’s dead,” she said sadly. “I do hope that day’s not too far off.”
“Vinnie!” Aubrey was quite shocked by this cool remark, even if he secretly hoped the same thing.
Vinnie just laughed, entirely unrepentant.
Ocean View Villa, Little Valentine, 29th January 1816
“Well, here we go!” Lill exclaimed, leaping to her feet the second she heard the front door knocker.
Alice laughed, her stomach erupting with butterflies, not least because she had to face Hawkney, who had agreed to escort her to the church.
She picked up the beautiful little bouquet of narcissus and snowdrops that Aubrey had sent her and followed Lill to the door.
Alice nodded to Lill, who pulled the door open.
“Surprise!”
Alice gasped, astonished to see members of the Venturesome Ladies Club gathered on her doorstep.
“Well, we haven’t had a chance to congratulate you properly, what with it all being such a whirlwind romance,” Mrs Fairway said, smiling her approval as she looked Alice up and down. “Well, now, don’t you look a picture? I always thought it were a shame you didn’t make more of yourself.”
Alice bit her lip, amused and touched by this frank observation. She looked around and smiled at Clara Halfpenny, who gave her a little wave, Benny clutched under one arm.
Miss Eustacia Foxworthy, an artist who had recently moved to the town, winked at her. “Congratulations, darling. You’ve done splendidly. He’s a very handsome, strong-looking fellow.”
An older, rather plump lady whom Alice recognised from the vicarage looked a little shocked by this observation, but the young girl beside her giggled, earning herself an elbow from her companion.
“We’ll have none of that, Polly,” she said sternly before turning to Alice. “We’re all very happy for you, miss. Mr Seymour is a fine young man, but if you wish to be married, we’d best be on our way. Don’t want to keep the vicar waiting, do we?”
“Or the handsome husband,” Eustacia murmured provokingly.
Alice shot Eustacia an amused glance before turning to the ladies. “Thank you, Mrs Adie, and that is excellent advice. Are you all to be my entourage?”
Alice looked around at their smiling faces, only some of whom she recognised, but all seemed intent on wishing her well.
It seemed they were indeed to accompany her and had arranged for the duke to attend her outside the church, which amused Alice, as she imagined Hawkney waiting upon her arrival. She walked arm-in-arm with Lill, the ladies of Little Valentine surrounding them, all chattering happily.
“Congratulations, Alice. I’m so glad for you.”
Alice turned to see Isabelle Honeywell walking beside her. “Izzy! Thank you, that’s kind. How are you?”
Alice thought she looked tired, dark circles beneath her eyes. Izzy straightened and smiled, rather too brightly, as she pushed her spectacles firmly in place. “Very well, thank you.”
“You look a bit peaky, love,” Lill remarked, never having been as tactful as one might like.
“She’s not sleeping, is why. Up all hours of the night. A ramshackle way for a young girl to behave,” Mrs Adie scolded, earning herself a reproving look from Izzy.
“I am perfectly fine. Never better. If you’ll excuse me, I’d better run ahead. Papa gets in a terrible muddle if I don’t ensure everything is ready for him.”
Izzy ran off ahead of them as Mrs Adie tsked, shaking her head. “She’s up to sommat, that girl. You mark my words.”
They made it to the church without incident, where the Duke of Hawkney was waiting, looking as imposing as ever. Alice braced herself as he gave her a cool nod. Lill winked and gave her hand a quick squeeze and then hurried off inside the church with the other ladies.
Alice was left alone with the duke, and an awkward silence fell. Nerves tangled in her stomach, and she racked her brain for something to say, but the duke got there first.
“Miss Marwick, you look most elegant, if I might say so.”
Alice relaxed a little, gratified by the compliment. At least he was trying to be civil. “Thank you, your grace, and for doing me this honour.”
“Nonsense. You are family now,” he said gruffly, and held out his arm to her.
Rather taken aback by this show of solidarity, she glanced up at him as she took his arm. “It’s good of you to say so. I know I am not what you would wish for Aubrey.”
The duke frowned, his dark brows drawn together.
“Every man must choose his own path, Miss Marwick. Aubrey’s choices are his own, and whilst I might not understand them, I respect them.
You are his choice, and therefore, you are a part of our family.
I shall never make you feel otherwise, so please put any anxiety you may feel on that subject to rest.”
The words were brusque, harsh almost, and yet Alice heard his sincerity, his desire to do the right thing, even if he did not understand it.
“Thank you,” she said simply, and allowed him to lead her to the altar.