Chapter Twenty
Alice smiled at something Lord Braxton said, and secretly thought him a fool, as was her father if he thought she’d ever marry the man.
Aunt Gwen had fallen ill late this afternoon with a terrible headache and had been unable to attend. Alice had told her she would send word with their excuses, but her aunt had insisted she attend without her, and seemed agitated when Alice had refused, so she’d given in.
Arriving at the dinner party early, she’d felt a rush of relief when the guests appeared without Lord Stafford among them. But that relief didn’t last because he turned up soon after with his friends.
Alice had calmed down enough to understand why he’d not wanted her to enter the Crimson Serpent, but he should have told her what he found, and had not. She didn’t trust easily, and this was why. People always broke that trust.
Thankfully, her father had kept his word and left the townhouse before Alice had headed to the dinner party. Of course, she had not known that as he’d not made the effort to speak to her again. Loathsome man. Phipps had informed her.
“The color of your eyes brings forth the most beauteous sunsets, Lady Alice.”
“It’s going to be an excessively long meal if you keep posturing, Braxton.”
Alice looked across the table and into the eyes of Lord Hamilton after he spoke.
He offered her a smile, which she was forced to return.
Had Lord Stafford told his friends about what had taken place in the Black Dog?
Did they also know she was hunting Jackson to avenge her brother?
The two women at the clinic had said three gentlemen visited the Crimson Serpent.
Were the other two Lords Corbyn and Hamilton?
If so, then they were cads also as far as she was concerned.
Alice had the unfortunate personality trait that if someone wronged her, then she never forgave them. Charles had often said that if grudge holding was a sport, she would be its highest-ranking player.
Lord Stafford had wronged her, and she would not forget that. His friends, however, Alice would wait to see if they needed to be put on that list as well.
Beside her, Lord Braxton brayed with laughter, taking the insult from Lord Hamilton as humor. Idiot.
“I’m sure your father told you I called to see you today, Lady Alice,” he said.
“He did.”
“I want to take you driving.”
She would rather have insects crawling over her entire body than go anywhere with this man.
“I am uncertain of my plans for the next week, my lord,” Alice lied.
Of course, many had seen Alice as a future wife who came with a large dowry and her father’s title at her back.
She’d managed to dissuade all of them in different ways, and the ones she hadn’t, had been unable to speak to her father about their wishes.
That was about to change when he returned to London, however. He also now wanted her wed.
Bastard.
“I am a patient man,” Lord Braxton said.
She knew the signs when a man was showing interest in her, and Lord Braxton was making his intentions known. She was just unsure why, as before today he’d not shown any partiality toward her.
Alice thought it was likely that he’d come into his title recently and needed her funds to replenish the family coffers. She might not spend a lot of time in society, but Eloise and Thaddeus kept her abreast of all goings-on.
A deep laugh had her tensing. She wasn’t looking across the table but she was aware that Lord Stafford was now in conversation with Miss Devlin.
The young woman hung on the marquess’s every word.
Alice didn’t acknowledge the small sting of jealousy as the woman touched the sleeve of his dark jacket.
Jealousy had no place in her life, especially when she was furious at him.
Her purpose was set; she would find Jackson alone now, and after that she would think about the future, but not before.
Lord Stafford was a means to help her find and destroy the man who had taken her brother from her and nothing more than that. She had to stay focused for Charles.
“And what of you, Lady Alice? Are you like many who fawn over the flowery prose of Byron?”
Alice took a bite of her salmon before answering Lord Hamilton, while beside her Braxton slurped down a mouthful of shrimp sauce loudly. It always amazed her how society valued propriety and manners, yet so few had them.
“I do not spend a lot of time reading poetry, my lord,” she said as Miss Timothy giggled across the table at something Lord Stafford said to her. “But Wordsworth is my favorite.”
Braxton laughed, showy and loud. “You are clearly a woman of sense who has many passionate pursuits, Lady Alice.”
Gnashing one’s teeth in such a setting was not the done thing, but the urge was there.
She looked across the table and instantly wished she hadn’t. Her gaze collided with Stafford’s. He raised a dark brow, as his deep green eyes questioned her. For a breath, neither looked away. It was he who broke the contact as Miss Devlin touched his sleeve.
Alice exhaled slowly. Her chest felt tight, and suddenly she wanted to run from the room.
Of course, she would not, as there would be questions, and while she may flout society’s rules in her own way, she’d made a decision long ago that she would appear to be everything that was expected of her. Then, in private, do as she wished.
A servant appeared at her side with another tray laden with food.
Alice fought back the need to send him away, and nodded.
The roast course was rich with gravy and herbs.
She ate little, pushing the delicacies around her plate, which was not usually her way.
Alice loved food. Around her, people chattered and laughed, Lady Petunia’s voice booming, Rushbridge holding forth on some scandal in Covent Garden.
She answered when spoken to, but her mind was elsewhere.
Every nerve was aware of the devil seated across from her. The way his hands curled around his wineglass, and the faint line between his brows when one of the two young ladies on either side of him leaned near.
She loathed how aware she was of him when he’d betrayed her, and longed to demand the truth from him, but that would not happen here tonight, surrounded by people. Alice made herself focus, putting on the facade expected of her.
By the arrival of dessert she was weary, her nerves stretched to breaking point. She had never been so ready to leave a table.
Finally, Lady Petunia rose and signaled that the ladies would leave. Alice saw this as her chance. When they were out in the hallway, she moved to where Lady Agatha stood.
“Forgive me, my lady, but I must get back to my aunt. She was most unwell, and I am worried. I must return in case a doctor is needed.”
“Yes, poor Gwen. I hope she improves quickly. But I’m sure she would want you to stay a while longer, dear, as the music is due to start soon. Surely a few more minutes?”
“Of course she can spare us a few more minutes, Agatha,” Lady Petunia said, taking Alice’s arm. “Come, dear.”
She was towed along with remarkable force considering the age of the lady at her side.
Seconds later, Alice was in a large parlor.
A huge grand piano stood at the end of the room.
Sofas and chairs formed a half circle around it.
If she was to be here for this, Alice did not want the chance that Lord Stafford would be the one to take the seat beside her on a sofa, which, given their recent conversations, could easily be engineered.
“Oh, but I thought the sofa would be more comfortable for you,” Lady Agatha said when Alice dropped into a chair inelegantly.
“This will do, thank you. Besides, I will stay for only a few songs and can leave without annoying anyone if I am here, closest to the door,” Alice said with a fake smile that did not reach her eyes.
“Tea, I think,” Lady Agatha said when she realized she was not about to move Alice.
“They are harmless for the most part, but can be extremely meddlesome,” Lady Hamilton said, taking the seat to Alice’s right. She was beautiful in a dress of apricot satin. “The problem is, they want everyone they love happy and won’t stop until that is done.”
“I’m not quite sure I understand what you are saying, Lady Hamilton,” Alice lied. Please, God, let her not understand.
“Matchmaking, Lady Alice. They are well known for it, and it seems to me that you are on the list.”
“List?” Alice wanted to clutch her chest in horror, but as to this point in her life, she’d never done that and wasn’t about to start now.
“Apparently they have made lists for the three friends, my husband and Lords Stafford and Corbyn, that have prospective brides on them.”
Alice stared at her, unsure what next to say.
“I’m unsure who is on Lord Stafford’s list, but my guess would be the three women seated closest to him this evening.”
“Ah…I’m quite sure I don’t know what to add to that,” Alice said honestly.
“They think of Lord Stafford as they do my husband, and therefore, as he is unwed, they are putting a great deal of effort into changing that. It’s really rather sweet, but of course excessively annoying to the three men.”
“Were you and Lady Corbyn on the lists?” Alice asked, and then added, “Sorry, I should not have asked such a personal question.”
Lady Hamilton laughed. “I’m happy to answer it, and the answer is yes.”
“I’m not going to marry,” Alice said firmly, and then, “for a while.” She said the last because it was not normal for a woman not to want to wed, especially one who walked in society.
“Well then, you have nothing to fear,” Lady Hamilton said.
Alice regained her feet suddenly. “I need to leave as my aunt is unwell. Good evening, my lady,” she said. Turning, she did the same to Lady Petunia, who was behind her.
“I thought you were going to stay for a while,” the older woman said. “I know that Lord Stafford is most desirous to spend more time in your company.” The look in Lady Petunia’s eyes confirmed what she and Lady Hamilton had just discussed. Alice was on the list.
“Such a sweet boy he was, and now a handsome, intelligent man.”
Alice was rarely without words, but right then her mouth was open but no sound came out.
“So perhaps a drive in the park with Jamie, Lord Stafford, would be the next thing for you both. Just so you can spend time together, and see—”
“I really must leave. Thank you for a wonderful evening.” Alice patted the woman’s hand and fled. Hurrying down the hall with far more haste than grace, she reached the entrance.
“My things, please,” Alice said to the startled footman, who had watched her approach at pace.
“At once, my lady.”
In the precious moments it took to retrieve her cloak, Alice planned how she could convince her aunt to leave London tomorrow.
Of course, that also meant she wouldn’t be able to continue with her investigation, but she could send someone to do it on her behalf.
There was also the clinic, but again, she could get someone to take care of that too.
Breathe, she reminded herself as the panic rose inside her.
Control, Alice thought. It was important to remain in control, and right then it felt as if it was being wrestled away from her, and that would never do.
“Thank you.” She took the midnight-blue cloak—what felt like ten minutes later—and swung it around her shoulders. Raising the hood, she hurried to the door.
The footman ran by her and opened it.
“Thank you, and good evening,” Alice said, sounding breathless.
She needed to get home so she could shut the door and calm down.
This entire evening had been a disaster.
Alice had known Lord Stafford would likely be here, but what she hadn’t realized was how she’d react to him.
How hurt she’d feel that he’d done what he had to her—what she believed he’d done to her.
Then there was this list business Lady Hamilton had mentioned, and Lord Stafford as a prospective husband, or so Lord Hamilton’s aunts clearly believed. It was enough to unsettle anyone.
“I shall collect your carriage for you, Lady Alice,” the footman said, having followed her outside.
Chafing at the delay for no other reason than she felt a desperate need to flee, she watched the man run down the road. Alice was rewarded precious minutes later with the sight of Ezra’s large form on the driver’s seat of the carriage now approaching.
“My lady, is all well?” he said when he pulled to a halt beside her.
“Yes, thank you, Ezra. I just wish to return home and check on my aunt.” Alice climbed inside after these words and exhaled slowly.