14. Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
T he morning dawned crisp and bright, blessing them with perfect weather for the planned excursion to the grounds surrounding Fairfax Estate. Alice emerged from the manor with Mrs. Montrose into the morning sun, pausing momentarily to allow the rays to warm her skin, hoping they might lend her strength for the hours ahead.
A fleet of carriages and open-air phaetons waited in the circular drive, their horses stomping with impatience as servants stood ready to help ladies into their seats.
“Oh, so now they have every carriage imaginable at the ready,” her mother grumbled with disdain.
If her mother hadn’t already known the dowager had lied to keep them at Fairfax Hall, she did now. Alice did not wish to pursue that line of conversation, so instead patted her mother’s arm, pulling her down the stairs as they watched various parties sort themselves into groups for the journey.
“Remember,” Mrs. Montrose whispered, “you must maintain a proper distance from any gentleman and make them work for your attention. None of that enthusiasm.”
Before Alice could respond, movement caught her eye. Turning her head, she spotted Captain Lacey emerging from the stables astride his magnificent bay horse. He moved as though man and mount were one creature. His riding coat fit his broad shoulders perfectly, the morning light catching the auburn of his hair until it seemed aflame. As if sensing her attention, he turned in the saddle to meet her gaze, offering a sardonic smile before urging his mount forward toward the head of the caravan.
They assigned Alice and her mother to the third carriage, where they shared space with a middle-aged couple—the woman wearing a chrysanthemum pin. Standing outside while they waited to depart, the woman immediately engaged Mrs. Montrose in cheery conversation about the dowager’s previous birthday celebrations, leaving Alice to observe the other passengers as they socialized in groups.
It was then she caught sight of His Grace, assisting the dowager down the stairs toward the lead phaeton where Lord and Lady Fairfax waited. The dowager attempted to wave him away, stubborn to take on the stairs herself, but he wouldn’t relent, dipping his head to speak with her until a smile appeared on her lips. So he had charmed the dowager as well—Alice was not surprised. If Captain Lacey could find favor with her, it would be easy for a man of character, such as Elias.
However, Alice tensed as she noticed another person sharing the phaeton—a dark-haired woman she had seen dancing with the duke the night before. The lady curtsied as he approached, no flower pin in sight. While the dowager did not spare her a glance, Elias gave her a polite and charming greeting. Alice wondered what they were saying, her stomach now in knots.
They were told to enter their carriages, and Alice sank into her spot, watching the trees in the distance as her mother chatted. She was too lost in her worries to speak, and it was probably for the best she kept silent. The journey took them through some of the estate’s most picturesque grounds—rolling hills giving way to perfectly maintained woodlands, the trees vibrantly green. Captain Lacey rode ahead as though he were some kind of scout. She’d catch glimpses of him on the road, occasionally disappearing around bends, only to reappear at the crest of the next hill like an overly-excited hound on the scent.
When they finally reached their destination and the gentlemen helped the ladies from their carriages, Alice couldn’t help but gasp. The grassy knoll offered a stunning view of the surrounding countryside, with Fairfax Hall visible in the distance, nestled next to the shining lake among its emerald gardens. Servants had ridden ahead, having already set up tables laden with refreshments beneath a grove of ancient oak trees.
“Quite the view, is it not?”
Alice turned to find Victor standing beside her, his sharp eyes brighter than usual as he studied her. His hair was wind swept beneath a top hat, his cheeks reddened by exertion. The effect seemed to soften his harsh nature, setting Alice more at ease than on edge.
“I used to ride up here often as a boy,” he said. “My parents have an estate in the area. The climb was considerably more entertaining on horseback than your bumpy carriage.”
“The ride must be far more strenuous, no?”
“The more strenuous, the better.”
Alice searched for a response, aware that her mother watched her conversation with the man, her gaze boring into them, but she stayed a few steps away, as though he had a nasty smell about him. Mrs. Montrose had not interacted with Captain Lacey as Alice had, other than their unfortunate introduction. Not wishing to garner her mother’s disapproval, Alice settled on a noncommittal hum that made Victor’s eyes leave her. She watched the change in him as he seemed to study the crowd, his predatory air taking over as his gaze settled across the grass.
Elias was still speaking with the previous evening’s dance partner—the lovely, dark-haired woman who seemed to demand every moment of his attention. Alice frowned, wondering if there was any way she could get a minute with the duke with this woman staking her claim.
“Oh, do not look so glum, Lady Rose.” Victor took a few strides away, turning on his heel to tip his hat toward Alice and her mother before striding off.
“What an odious man,” her mother said disapprovingly as she swept in to fill the space beside her. “I hope he did not suggest interest in you.”
“You shall have to take my word for it, Mama. That would be the furthest thing from the truth,” Alice replied, crossing her arms against her chest.
As she looked on, Captain Lacey strode purposefully toward the couple, stalking them like a jungle cat, until Elias had to step away momentarily. It was then the predator struck, positioning himself just behind the young woman’s shoulder. Whatever he whispered in her ear made the poor woman pale visibly. She stammered something—perhaps a weak excuse—and practically fled, leaving the duke looking bewildered when he returned with two drinks, for himself and the young woman. Victor swiped one with a grin and walked away.
It dawned on Alice that she had witnessed something very much like what she had experienced with Captain Lacey at her first ball. The way he had so casually strode up to her and launched his verbal attack was quite the sight to see from the outside. Alice’s eyes flicked to the girl, who seemed to have some sort of anxious reaction with her mama, who was patting her arm and glaring at Captain Lacey. Despite being in competition for the same man, Alice suddenly felt bad for the poor girl, and she could feel the heat rising in her face and ears.
Alice started towards Victor, ignoring her mother, who attempted to stop her with a huff. Her mother could wait—this could not.
“Whatever you said to that girl,” Alice said as she approached the man, who was taking a sip of bubbling lemonade, “it was unkind.”
He caught her by the arm and casually strode with her along to the refreshment table. While his touch sent a thrill along her skin, she realized he had done so purposefully to evade her mother, who had attempted an approach, but backed off, seemingly intimidated by the captain. They now had a table between them, giving them a moment to chat.
Victor placed his empty glass down and selected a decorated cake with care.
“I am not sure I know what you mean.”
“Do not feign ignorance. I saw you frighten that poor girl away.”
“Did you?” His outrageous eyebrows arched innocently. “Perhaps she merely had a previous engagement.”
“So this is what you do, then? Stand guard like some hound, swooping in to say cruel things to ladies—keeping away anyone you deem unworthy?”
Victor gave a noncommittal shrug, placing the entire dessert in his mouth before speaking with stuffed cheeks. “Hith Grace requireth protection from thothe who would take advantage.”
He swallowed, and Alice wrinkled her nose at his complete lack of manners.
“And you appointed yourself to this position?”
“Someone must.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the dowager, who had appeared rather suddenly, as though out of thin air, one eyebrow raised.
“I cannot fathom what caused Miss Jennings such distress,” she said, joining them at the refreshment table, eying the upset young woman across the way.
Alice glanced momentarily at her mother, who looked apoplectic now that the dowager had joined their conversation. Mrs. Montrose made her way quickly over when, before, she had been cautiously staying back in the captain’s presence.
“Perhaps she found the conversation with His Grace lacking,” Victor drawled.
Alice shot him a sharp look.
“Or perhaps someone made her feel unwelcome?”
The dowager glanced between them, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, but she did not speak outright. Alice did not quite like that look—there was a question in it that she couldn’t parse without asking directly, and she would not do that, especially with her mother entering the fray.
“There you are, Alice,” Mrs. Montrose said, then turned to greet the older woman. “Dowager Countess of Fairfax.” She said the woman’s name as though it left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“Daylily, how kind of you to join us,” replied the dowager smoothly.
“My dear, you must come see the view from this particular angle. The light is quite spectacular.” Her mother’s fingers dug into her arm, but the dowager’s own hand shot out, taking hold of Mrs. Montrose.
“Actually, Daylily, I do believe His Grace was interested in taking the short stroll to the East Point Lookout, just a quick walk down the knoll. Perhaps we should allow the youths to go sightseeing while you and I chat?”
The dowager nodded to Captain Lacey, and like the hound he was, he wiped the powdered sugar from his face and turned on his heel toward the Duke, fetching him for the dowager.
Mrs. Montrose, however, looked absolutely shocked.
“To have two unmarried people walking alone together in such a way? Do you wish to invite scandal?”
“It is only a short stroll,” said the dowager, motioning down to a path that ended in a singular point of the outlook. “And we can keep our watchful eyes on them most of the way, to ensure nothing untoward occurs.”
“I still do not think it proper. I shall accompany them?—”
Alice looked between the dowager and her mother, realizing at once that they were at odds, and she would have to choose between them. She thought of the dowager’s words, that she had to wiggle out from some controls her mother had on her. However, her mother was the reason why she was here in the first place, the only reason she had the social graces she did, and all Alice had done since she arrived was muck things up.
Alice placed her hand on her mother’s arm.
“All will be fine, Mama. We will not take long.”
She had chosen the dowager.
Instead of fighting, her mother became perfectly still. Alice had never seen such a look upon her mother’s face and it sent a chill through her. Before anything else could be said, Captain Lacey returned with Elias.
The Duke stepped forward with an amiable smile.
“Miss Montrose, would you care to join me for a brief walk to admire the view?”
Her mother still looked furious, and Alice noticed Captain Lacey watching the woman intensely, almost like a cat about to pounce. Alice decided to go before her mother or Captain Lacey could make a scene. The dowager gave her an encouraging nod before she strode off with Elias toward the lookout.
They made their way down the winding path, careful to get away from the over-eager old ladies watching them. Alice searched for something—anything—to break the silence.
“The … weather has certainly improved since our arrival,” she ventured.
“Indeed.” Elias cleared his throat. “Though I confess I rather enjoy a bit of rain now and then. Nothing better than a cozy room on a drizzly day.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Another stretch of silence followed, broken only by the crunch of their boots on gravel and the distant laughter from the picnic. When they reached the lookout point, Alice was grateful for the distraction of the view. She stepped forward, drinking in the sweeping landscape before them.
“Oh my,” she breathed. “From here, the lake at Fairfax Hall looks like a mirror—see how it catches the light?”
Elias moved to stand beside her, careful to maintain a proper distance. His whole countenance brightened, as though an idea had hit him all at once.
“I hear they keep several boats at the boathouse,” he said. “Perhaps you would do me the honor of accompanying me for an afternoon row tomorrow?”
The sudden invitation caught her off guard. She blushed and turned away bashfully.
“I would enjoy that, Your Grace.”
They walked in companionable silence after that, both smiling and looking in opposite directions.
After they had gone a short distance, Elias glanced over his shoulder and chuckled.
“I must admit, your mother’s expression suggests she’d like nothing more than to bite my head clean off.”
“Yes, well ...” Alice sighed. “She can be rather particular about how things ought to be done.”
“I’ve noticed.” His tone was light, but there was a tinge of concern that made Alice’s chest tighten.
They rounded a bend in the path where a small clustering of bushes and trees blocked them from view of the picnic. Alice shook her head.
“I must apologize for her behavior.”
“Please, do not trouble yourself. I have dealt with far worse behavior in the past.”
“Yes, I imagine you have,” Alice said without thinking, “being so closely acquainted with Captain Lacey.”
Elias tilted his head, his thick brows knitting together.
“Well, yes, he can be a little prickly?—”
She let out a bark of laughter.
“A little ?” The words tumbled out before she could stop them. “I just watched him bully a girl to tears simply to get her away from you.”
Elias blinked.
“Did you overhear what he said?”
“Well ... no.”
“Then how do you know he bullied the woman if you did not hear the content of their conversation?”
“Because I have been on the receiving end of his tongue lashing,” Alice retorted.
“Victor can be... direct,” Elias said carefully, “but I assure you, his intentions are good. He is protective of those he cares about.”
“Protective? Is that what you call his behavior? He seems to delight in causing others distress.”
“You misunderstand him completely. Everything he does has purpose?—”
“And just what purpose could there be in making young ladies cry and stealing their drinks?”
“If you would only give him a chance to?—”
“I swear! That man will find it near impossible to secure a wife with such a disagreeable character.”
Elias stopped so abruptly that Alice nearly continued on without him. When she turned back, the change in him was shocking. The amiable nature had vanished, replaced by something cold and hard. His grey eyes blazed with an intensity she’d never seen before. As he drew himself up to his full height, she suddenly realized she was alone, out of sight, with a man who could easily overpower her. She had never felt threatened by him before, but now something fundamental had shifted.
“How dare you,” Elias ground out, the muscles in his neck bulging as he stepped closer, looming over her. “Captain Lacey is one of the finest men I have ever known. He has sacrificed everything—indeed, risked his very life—in the noble service of his country. He was pivotal to Napoleon’s defeat in the war. Every one of us should be on our knees thanking him for what he has done, and treating him with the respect he deserves.”
“I-I did not know?—”
“And that is the problem, is it not? You speak incredibly freely of things you do not understand, casting aspersions upon a man who has known more pain and suffering than you could ever dream of. I?—”
He caught himself then, huffing out an angry breath through his nose and stepping away to rake a hand through his now-wild dark locks. He closed his eyes as he found his composure, but when he spoke again, his tone remained tight.
“Forgive me,” he said finally. “I should not speak to a lady in such a way.”
Alice clutched her hands together, her vision beginning to blur with unshed tears.
“Here,” Elias motioned for her to walk ahead of him, back toward where the picnic was being held. “Let us return.”
Alice shook her head, unable to face the others after such a rebuke. Elias hesitated for a moment, working his jaw and kicking at the grass, hands on his hips.
“I shall take my leave then.”
And then he was gone, leaving Alice alone with tears staining her cheeks as she looked out at Fairfax Hall in the distance, knowing that she had completely destroyed her only path to happiness.