Chapter 19 #2
“I do not seek to shame you, darling. It is only that I need to know if this is why you must marry so I can protect you,” her mother said rapidly, her eyes full of calculations.
“Mother, I did not say...”
“I know, my dear, and we shall not say it. Since you are being wed so soon, I do not think it shall be a problem. And after, if you do not like him...” her mother was babbling on, stroking Alice’s hand with a pitying expression.
Alice quickly caught her mother’s hands and tugged slightly, trying to pull her back to her senses.
“I do like him. I like him very much,” Alice said emphatically. “That is all I wanted to confess. I am most definitely not with child.”
“Are you sure?” her mother asked.
“Yes,” Alice said sharply. “I swear I have done nothing that could result in a child, Mother."
Her mother seemed to slump at her words, all of the energy leeching out of her as she pressed a trembling hand across her eyes.
“Oh my darling,” she whispered, her other hand holding onto Alice’s as if she could not bear to ever let her go. “I am so relieved. I have only wanted your life to be better than mine. If you were to bear a child before time or out of wedlock... it would have been so challenging."
Alice’s heart clenched, and she imagined what it must have been like for her mother, as a young woman, to be faced with having to raise a child alone under the shame of scandal.
“I am sorry you had to go through that,” Alice said sincerely.
“Do not be sorry,” her mother said fiercely, looking up at her with glassy eyes. “I would have done anything for you, Alice, absolutely anything. I would endure any strife, scandal, or cruelty for your happiness. That is what it is to love. I have only wanted you to know that kind of love, Alice."
Alice swallowed hard as she recalled her last conversation with Marco.
She had questioned as to whether their amorous activities could be considered acts of love.
In a way, he had agreed. Alice knew she would go through anything to be with Marco.
She had already born so much and made herself vulnerable with him just to make it to that point.
She didn't care about anything else; all she wanted was him.
She was madly in love with him and couldn't wait to tell him as soon as they got married. He deserved to know.
“That is what I have, Mama,” Alice whispered, watching as her mother’s eyes widened in shock at her words.
Still, she pressed ahead. “My feelings for Marco have changed, and I think his have too.
" While she did not know the depth of his feelings, she knew he cared, so she did not feel like she was lying to her mother.
The Dowager stared and then nodded, looking down at Alice’s engagement ring and touching it gently.
“I do not mean to press you, darling, but what about children?” Her mother whispered. “Will he truly forgo having a family?”
“He respects my decision,” Alice said. When she saw that her mother was going to say something else, she added, "I do not know what the future will hold, Mama, but I will say that if anyone could change my mind about children, it would be Marco."
Her mother nodded, a small tear slipping down her cheek even as she smiled tremulously at her daughter.
“I will say nothing more then. Just tell me, are you happy?” she whispered, her voice full of hope. Alice couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yes, Mama, I am more than happy to be marrying him,” she said with a broad smile. “I… am overjoyed.”
“Well then, I suppose we should be getting to the church!" she laughed, clapping her hands with delight, and then reaching to kiss her daughter’s cheek. “I shall leave now to ensure all the preparations are in place."
“Thank you, Mama,” Alice said, smiling as the woman left the room.
Beth re-entered, smiling shyly, clearly happy that Alice and her mother had reconciled.
They made some finishing touches, and Alice donned her slippers and went out to the carriage while Beth trailed behind, holding her train.
The coach had been specially ordered by Marco.
It was covered in gilded trim and was pulled by matching white horses.
“I shall come along in the other carriage with the other servants,” Beth said, giving Alice a tremulous smile. “Oh, Alice. I am so happy for you.”
Alice was overwhelmed by her old friend's use of her name, which symbolized the importance of the occasion.
Before getting into the carriage, she kissed Beth's brow and thanked her.
Alice sighed and leaned back against the plush velvet seats, smiling and closing her eyes.
Someone leaped inside just as the coach began to slowly move forward, closing the door roughly behind them.
“Sir Hackman!” Alice exclaimed, looking over the man with undisguised distaste. “Have you misplaced your carriage?"
“Ever the wit,” Hackman said sarcastically, slamming his hand against the ceiling of the carriage. “Drive!”
“What do you think are you doing?” Alice demanded.
The coach began to move swiftly through the streets.
As the carriage lurched to the left, she realized it was driving in the opposite direction from the church.
Panicking, she reached for the door handle, only to have her hands slapped away by Hackman as he laughed.
She scrambled to the other window, banging upon it.
She thought she saw the familiar face of William Cromer across the street, and she yelled, “Help! Help me!”
Rough hands suddenly grabbed her shoulders, forcing her back against the seat. Alice gasped when she saw Hackman draw a pistol from his jacket and aim it at her. His mouth was twisted into a nasty smirk.
“Be a good girl and be quiet, Miss Fitzroy,” he sneered. Alice stared at him, her mind turning, trying to understand what was happening. At the same time, she couldn't stop herself from worrying that Marco would think she had jilted him, ridiculous as it was.
“I demand to know why you have abducted me,” she said, her voice taut.
“You forced my hand,” Hackman snarled, his face contorting with fury. “I thought telling you the truth about that game would be enough to stop the wedding, but you are even stupider than imagined.”
"I wouldn't think I was the stupid one,” Alice said, unable to stop herself from retorting. “After all, I am not the one who has committed the crime of kidnapping. And of a bride on her wedding day, no less."
“Well, desperate times,” he jeered. “Never fear, Miss Fitzroy. You can still have your wedding, just not the one you planned.”