Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Butterflies rioted in Alice’s stomach as she stepped into the breakfast room the following morning. This was her moment.
Henry sat at the head of the table, deep in his newspaper. He had mentioned a ten o’clock meeting and had chosen to breakfast early. This was precisely the opportunity she needed before her sisters descended.
Alice cleared her throat and he looked up. “Good morning, Alice.”
“Have you a moment?” she asked. “There is something I must discuss with you.”
“Certainly.” He folded the paper and set it aside.
Alice drew a steadying breath. “Now that our official mourning is over, I wrote to Aunt Jane last week to ask if I might stay with her in Mayfair.”
“It would do you good to get away,” Henry said with a kind smile. “But you hate town - all those crowds and so few animals to occupy you.”
“I do,” she admitted, “but . . .”
“Morning, Henry. Morning, Little Squirrel. Any bacon going spare?”
Alice’s stomach plummeted. She glowered at Anthony as Henry said, “Help yourself.”
Anthony knew perfectly well how she detested that infernal nickname. He strode across the room and began piling food onto a plate with his usual shameless appetite.
Henry turned back to her. “You were saying you wish to go to London?”
Anthony gave a loud guffaw. “Alice? In London? Heaven forbid.”
Alice faltered. She had not wanted to have this conversation in front of him. Yet time was short, and Anthony had a positive talent for appearing at the worst possible moment.
“I had hoped to speak with you alone,” she told Henry pointedly.
Anthony merely flashed her a wicked smile. “You would not deny a chap his breakfast, would you? Besides, I am practically family. Do not forget, I have seen you - ”
“Anyway,” Alice cut in, her cheeks burning. “Aunt Jane is in London for the Season. She has agreed to sponsor me and is sending her carriage today. I have already packed.”
Henry set his coffee cup down slowly. “Why the sudden rush?”
“The Season is well advanced, it is already April. I waited until mourning ended, but I cannot delay any longer.”
Her brother studied her for a long moment. “I thought you considered the Season ridiculous. You once made Father swear an oath that you would never endure one.”
“I know,” Alice said quietly. “But our situation has changed.”
She saw colour rise in her brother’s cheeks and hated herself for causing it. Their father had been the kindest of men, but a hopeless businessman. His disastrous investments had left the estate in a terrible financial position.
“I am dealing with our problems as best I can,” Henry said stiffly.
“I know you are. But I am of marriageable age, and I refuse to be a burden. If I make a good match, my husband might sponsor our sisters when their turn comes, or even help with the estate.”
“So you mean to sell yourself to the highest bidder,” Anthony drawled from across the table.
Alice spun to face him. “No, of course not!” She turned her back on him once more. “I am certain I can find someone I could respect and who would be willing to marry me,” she continued to Henry. “I still have my dowry, do I not?”
“Yes,” said Henry, quickly. “All the dowries are safe. They are set aside, separated from the estate finances.”
Alice nodded. “But I am aware there is no money to sponsor me, so I asked Aunt Jane. She offered before last year when I turned seventeen, and you know she will be thrilled to do it. There is nothing she loves more than matchmaking, and now that all her daughters are wed, she has a gap before she begins marrying off her granddaughters.”
“We cannot afford to sponsor you this season. Not with all the new dresses you would need, renting a house, and goodness only knows what other expenses,” confirmed Henry, “But I wish you had not gone behind my back to Aunt Jane. How does that make me look? I am supposed to be the head of this family.”
“I am sorry,” said Alice. “I did not think you would agree to let me ask her, but she is so looking forward to it. Look, here is her letter.” She handed the piece of paper to her brother, who read it in silence.
“That is very good of Aunt Jane,” he said, passing it back.
“So, you see, there is no problem. Aunt Jane says she would love to have me stay, and she is quite suitable as an escort.”
Henry drummed his fingers on the table and looked to his best friend.
“What do you think, Anthony? I admit, I would be happier if I were going with her, but I simply cannot leave the estate at the moment.”
Alice glared at Anthony, daring him to interfere. He was keeping suspiciously quiet, his face blank, and she was waiting for him to say something to destroy all her plans.
“I shall have Aunt Jane as an escort…” repeated Alice before Anthony could speak.
“Aunt Jane cannot possibly accompany you everywhere. You forget, I know what the London season is like,” said her brother.
“I can take Beth with me as well…” suggested Alice, knowing her lady’s maid would be thrilled to visit London.
“I shall keep an eye on her,” said Anthony, barely glancing up from his food.
“What?” blurted out Alice.
Anthony ignored her and spoke to Henry, “I was planning to be in London for the next few weeks and you know how your aunt adores me. She shall be delighted to have me around. I will most likely be going to the same events as Alice anyway. I can travel up tomorrow.”
His absurd confidence made Alice want to scream.
“Fine,” said Henry.
“It is not fine!” responded Alice, hotly. “I do not want to be followed around by him all the time! What if everyone assumes we have an arrangement? That would completely ruin my chances of receiving a proposal.”
Her brother’s expression told Alice the matter was settled.
Anthony laughed. “Anyone who has met me knows how unlikely that would be.”
“The long friendship between our families makes it entirely appropriate for Anthony to act as a sort of elder brother,” Henry said firmly.
“But he is not - ”
“I know,” Henry interrupted, his patience clearly fraying. “Alice, I am very busy. I will not prevent you from going, but you are only eighteen and barely out of the schoolroom. I cannot escort you. Therefore, if you are determined to go to London, you will go with Beth and Anthony.”
Alice stared at her brother. He was perfectly serious. If she wished to travel to London to find a husband and save her family from ruin, these were the terms she must accept.
Beth would be no hardship; Alice would be glad of her company. But the thought of Lord Tonbridge shadowing her around town…
Still, he would be staying in his own London house. She would only have to endure his presence at public events, and even then she could largely ignore him. She made a silent vow to decline any invitation her aunt could not attend.
“Very well,” she said at last, tight-lipped. “I shall tell Beth to pack.”
She swept from the room without sparing Lord Tonbridge a single glance.
Henry rose and shut both doors to the breakfast room. He returned to the table, poured two cups of coffee, and slid one across to his friend.
“How long?” he asked quietly.
Anthony’s hand stilled on his saucer. “How long, what?”
“How long have you been in love with my sister?”
Anthony froze. For a moment he looked as though he might deny it. Then he let out a long, defeated sigh. “About three years, I suppose. What gave me away?”
“The look of pure horror on your face when she announced she was going to London,” Henry said dryly.
Anthony rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Enough said.”
“So, what are you going to do? What about Sarah?”
“Nothing,” Anthony replied, his voice flat. “It changes nothing where Sarah is concerned.”
Henry raised an eyebrow. “Nothing? Because Alice claims to dislike you, I presume?”
“Your sister cannot stand the sight of me,” Anthony said with a bitter smile.
“Her feelings are many levels above mere dislike. And I have Sarah and Charlie to think of. Now that my mother is gone, I planned to marry Sarah soon. I thought you would be glad a worthless rake was staying well away from your sister.”
“You are aware of my opinion regarding that plan,” Henry muttered. “And we both know most of what is written and passed around about you is utter rot. I do not know why you cannot put at least some of it to bed.”
Anthony shrugged. “Let people believe what they want.”
“Does it not bother you though?”
“Not all of it is fabricated, and it helps keep attention away from Sarah. Plus, it makes you look like an absolute angel by comparison, old man. Anyhow,” he said, finishing the last of his breakfast, “I had better deal with a few matters of my own seeing as I am now off to London tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Anthony,” said his friend. “I appreciate this. And if you ever did decide to set your cap at Alice…”
“She would never give me a second look. There was once a time I thought I might have had a chance, but… well, things changed,” said Anthony, his grin still present but looking forced as he avoided his friend’s eyes.
“I shall keep you updated and, do not fret, no unsuitable suitor will get anywhere near your sister while I am with her.”