2. Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
A fter the incident with the rider, it took Alice quite some time to gather herself. Once she had caught her breath, she spent the rest of the ride in silence, her thoughts spiraling dangerously to the depths. Yet, every time she attempted conversation—opening her mouth to say something that would distract her from the dark pit within—a sudden wave of nausea would overcome her and she’d have to snap her mouth shut to keep it down.
She did not notice Fairfax Hall when they first emerged from the forests surrounding the estate. Mist covered the grounds from the rainy weather, and it was only when the carriage drew closer that the fog seemed to dissipate, falling away to reveal the manor in all its splendor. Alice, skin still tinged green and her stomach doing flips with each jar of the cabin, pressed her cheek against the side of the carriage as she gazed out the window.
It was as though it was situated in the clouds, the marble estate harkening back to the classical Greeks—if those Greeks had possessed significant investments in the East India Trading Company. As the grounds revealed themselves, she noted topiaries and fountains in the gardens stretching out on either side of the drive. A pair of sculptures sat at either side of the entrance to the manor, each one carrying bouquets of flowers in their arms.
Her mother’s fingers worried at a shiny lapel pin that differed from her usual brass jewelry. It was a golden flower, which seemed weathered by age but newly shined. Mrs. Montrose had picked up a nervous habit of touching it throughout their journey. Alice had meant to ask her about the mysterious pin, but never found her mother in the mood for such explanations.
Miss Eastridge seemed to notice Mrs. Montrose’s nerves as well, shooting Alice a wary look. The maid was likely thinking the same thing Alice was—that they were in for another round of dramatics. Alice only hoped that her mother would not succumb to such antics around polite company.
Especially polite company with this much wealth and power.
“Are you ... feeling well, Mama?”
“Am I well?” Mrs. Montrose replied, incredulous. “Of course not. Every step of this journey has gone terribly awry, and we are in such a horrid state, I fear for the first impression we will make. That dreadful driver!”
“And that poor man on the road ...” Alice added.
She had replayed the incident a few times in her mind, and each time, it filled her with more shame. They should have stopped to help the stranger, but they had left him to his own devices.
“I am quite certain he is fine.”
“Surely we should say something about him to our hosts?” Alice asked, perhaps being too bold in her speech, especially when her mother was on the brink of a breakdown. But this was worth the discomfort. “He might have suffered an injury. We should not abandon him to the woods.”
“We shall do no such thing,” Mrs. Montrose said firmly, though her fingers continued to spin the gold pin.
“Mother, I implore you?—”
“There is something you must understand. We are here at the invitation of Henrietta, Dowager Countess of Fairfax herself. If you think my standards are high, hers are even higher. This is your only chance at finding a man of worth, and I will not have you creating a disturbance during your first impression.”
There was a desperation in her mother’s voice that caused Alice’s chest to tighten. Of course, she was being foolish. There was probably no reason to fret. The man was likely well, if not perturbed. Part of her conscience ate at her as she released a breath through her nose and gave her mother the most infinitesimal of nods.
The carriage lurched to a halt in front of the main entrance, causing the women to pitch forward in their seats with undignified gasps. Alice steadied herself. Then, after the risk of getting sick passed, movement caught her attention outside.
A couple had emerged from the grand doors, followed by a small army of footmen. The gentleman leading the way was an imposing figure in a perfectly tailored black coat, while his lady was a woman of pale coloring, with a morning dress of soft blue silk. Both strode forward with an authority that was undeniable and a grace unmatched.
The sight sent Mrs. Montrose into a flurry of activity, straightening her bonnet and then leaning over to smooth Alice’s travel-worn skirts. They all finished with the final adjustments just as a footman approached to assist them from the carriage.
The step down was treacherous, and Alice’s legs felt like gelatin. She had to bite her tongue from letting out a yelp as her boot slipped on the slick step. While she recovered her balance with some grace, she could feel her mother’s gaze at her back, eyes boring into her. She would likely hear about it when they were away from prying eyes. Alice’s cheeks warmed in shame.
“Mrs. Montrose, Miss Montrose,” the gentleman said, his voice carrying across the distance as they made their way across the gravel. “I must apologize that we have not been properly introduced before now. I am the Earl of Fairfax, and this is my wife, the Countess of Fairfax. Welcome to our home. My mother is indisposed at present, but she looks forward to greeting you during the opening festivities tonight. I trust your journey was comfortable?”
“Quite the bumpy affair, if I may be frank, my lord,” Mrs. Montrose said, doing little to disguise her vexation.
Lord Fairfax’s countenance tightened momentarily before a polite smile replaced it.
“Ah yes, Matthews can be something of a daredevil, I am afraid. But he’s served the family for decades, and my mother won’t hear of replacing him.”
A raindrop hit Alice’s face, and she sensed the energy of a coming storm in the air. Her mind returned to the man of the road, envisioning him injured and exposed to the elements. And though she knew she might regret it, she had little choice but to say something, given the circumstances.
“Speaking of the bumpy ride, my lord,” Alice interjected, ignoring her mother’s warning glance, “we passed a gentleman on horseback who was forced quite abruptly off the road. Might it be possible to send a man to check that he is unharmed and not trapped in such weather?”
Lord Fairfax’s expression changed, exchanging an anxious glance with his wife.
“Might you describe this gentleman?”
“He was a tall, red-headed military man on a bay horse. I am afraid I couldn’t make out his features clearly, as the journey was quite ... invigorating , my lord.”
“Ah,” Lord Fairfax said, his look of concern dissolving. “Captain Lacey, no doubt. I assure you, the man is more than capable of handling himself.” Fairfax paused and gazed past their shoulders, a weary look entering his eyes. “Speak of the devil.”
As if summoned by name, a figure emerged from the tree line. Even at a distance, the man seemed to carry himself with a military bearing, and Alice let out a sigh of relief that both he and the horse he rode upon seemed uninjured. In fact, he rode with an aggression that seemed to roll off of him in waves. As he drew closer, she could make out his features more clearly. He had short chestnut hair that was swept back from his face and dampened with rain, and his bright coat was splattered with mud, likely from the incident on the road. But it was his countenance that took her aback, his eyebrows arched in displeasure. As he approached them, she could not tell if he was vexed, or if his sharp brow was permanently set in such an unfortunate way.
The sound of horses’ hooves crunched down the gravel drive as he brought his mare to a stop, dismounted with well-practiced grace, and handed the reins off to a startled-looking footman with barely a glance.
“Your driver nearly killed me, Fairfax,” the man said bluntly, without so much as a greeting.
Lord Fairfax’s eyes darted between Alice, her mother, and the newcomer as the lord seemed to process the slight. His attitude changed as he straightened, his tone becoming slightly cooler.
“Captain Victor Lacey,” Lord Fairfax said, “Allow me to introduce Mrs. Regina Montrose and her daughter, Miss Alice Montrose.”
The Captain did not spare them so much as a glance.
“Yes, yes. You curtsy. I bow. We are now introduced. Charmed.”
Alice did not believe he was the least bit charmed. It had started to rain, yet no one made any move to take cover, everyone transfixed upon this show of audacity.
“We were not expecting you, Lacey,” Lord Fairfax said. “Thought you were in London.”
“I would not miss your mother’s celebration for the world. Oh, why so glum? Do I not have a standing invitation?” The captain’s lip curved into something that might be a smile on a man with a less harsh countenance.
Rain saturated the man’s hair, and it did not seem to concern him one bit that everyone was quickly becoming damp. Alice could feel a history between the men, as if this was not the first time Lord Fairfax had dealt with such behavior from the captain. The earl visibly struggled to maintain his composure.
“It is only,” Fairfax said, “the estate is at capacity for guests, and every manor within five miles has no empty rooms available.”
“Are you telling me the Dowager Countess of Fairfax allowed the unwashed masses to stay at her precious Violet Cottage?”
“Erm, no?—”
“Then that is where I shall stay.” Captain Lacey’s tone was final, as if he himself was the lord of the house and not the man standing opposite him. “Is His Grace in attendance yet? I require his time.”
“He arrived only yesterday, and should be taking tea at present.”
At the mention of a duke, Alice couldn’t help but lean forward with interest, knowing that he must be referring to the Duke of Gainsbury that her mother had told her so much about. But perhaps she was too enthusiastic in her interest, because the captain turned towards her, noticing her perk up.
“Are you acquainted with His Grace?” Captain Lacey asked, and once more, she hadn’t the faintest idea if he was glaring or not. His eyes fixed upon her with a sudden intensity that flustered her from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes.
Alice opened and closed her mouth, trying to find the words to speak, but her mother’s grip tightened on her arm.
“We have not yet had the pleasure of an introduction to His Grace,” Mrs. Montrose replied smoothly. “But I am certain there will be ample opportunity during the festivities.”
The captain’s interest grew, and his eyes raked over the two of them. The scrutiny did not have a hunger—indeed; it appeared he was searching for something specific on their persons. As his gaze swept over Alice’s bonnet, and then her travel coat, she felt suddenly bare before him and let out a small sigh of relief as he found nothing and shifted his attention to her mother. And then his gaze stopped abruptly, eyes narrowing slightly as they fixed on Mrs. Montrose’s gold lapel pin. He pressed his lips together into a thin line.
“Ah. I see.” The words were like chipping ice off a window, and Alice thought he was perhaps attempting to keep his expression neutral, though his brows and barely contained contempt betrayed him.
Without another word, Captain Lacey brushed past their host and strode toward the house, and to Alice’s surprise, no one attempted to stop him. He left a void of silence behind, replaced by the pitter-patter of rain and a chill that worked through Alice’s woolen coat.
Lord Fairfax cleared his throat and adjusted his cravat.
“I must apologize for the intrusion on our conversation. It is not uncommon for my mother to entertain guests who are quite ... prickly in nature.”
They were all surprised as Alice released an unladylike sneeze, the sound echoing in the open air. Her mother’s expression was poisonous, but it seemed to stifle the spell that the rude captain had cast.
“Come,” Lady Fairfax said, speaking for the first time. The sound of her voice, like tinkling bells, eased some tension. “Let us get you out of this rain before you catch a chill.”
Lady Fairfax gave Alice a sweet smile and motioned her to walk alongside as the footmen emptied the carriage of their luggage and Mrs. Montrose chatted excitedly with Lord Fairfax. As she followed their hostess to the manor, she cast a glance over the imposing facade of Fairfax Hall.
The rain fell heavily, thick drops hitting her face and rolling down her cheeks. Alice bit her lip. A fortnight was long, and their trip here had already gone incredibly awry. If any of the guests that this infamous dowager had invited were as prickly as Captain Lacey, then this would be quite the memorable fortnight indeed.