Chapter 8 #2
“It is rather warm in here. Would you like me to come with you?” Aunt Jane asked, barely glancing up from the card game she was in the middle of.
“No, there is no need,” Alice replied. “I will only be a few minutes.”
A door at the back of the ballroom took Alice into a hallway. She followed the corridor around past rooms full of people playing cards and setting the world to rights, until finally she came to another door leading out onto a balcony overlooking the gardens.
Alice stepped outside. The cool night air was a blessed relief against her flushed skin.
She drew in several deep breaths, trying to steady herself.
What was going on with her? She had a plan, and she needed to stick to it, not get distracted by her brother’s wastrel of a best friend, no matter how handsome he looked in candlelight or how safe she felt in his arms. If she was not careful, her reactions to him would begin to draw attention and rumours could start.
Rumours which would damage her chances of finding a husband and helping her family.
No other man would have any interest in her if they suspected she was attached to Anthony.
She reached into her reticule and pulled out the carefully folded list she had made in Kent.
Of the twenty eligible bachelors on it, she could now firmly cross off a few, but of course, she might well meet more potential suitors while she was in London.
She had not considered foreign gentlemen, for example.
Her eyes flitted down the list mentally checking off those she had danced with tonight.
She wanted to be fair, but she also could not be wasting time on men she had no interest in marrying.
“Alice, are you quite well?”
She startled and quickly tucked the list away before turning to face Anthony.
“I am fine,” she said. “Just a little warm from the dancing.”
“You left the ballroom rather abruptly…”
“I needed some air.”
“I did not do anything to upset you, did not step on your toes?” Anthony asked, his face full of concern. It was so unlike the way he usually looked at her that she found herself blushing.
“No,” said Alice with a little smile.
“Good. I will… um… leave you alone then…” Anthony turned to leave.
“Why do you keep watching me in there… staring at me?” blurted out Alice.
Anthony turned back to face her, “I promised your brother I would look after you…”
“That is very noble of you, but you seem to be watching me all the time, which I am not sure is strictly necessary.”
Anthony had the decency to look embarrassed. “I…” he began. “I am sorry if I have made you feel uncomfortable,” he said, his tone suddenly formal.
“You did not,” replied Alice, realising this was actually true.
She had wondered why he was doing it, questioning his motives, but had never felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
In fact, in a way, it was sort of reassuring to know he was there, keeping an eye on her.
It made her feel less alone in this sea of people in beautiful clothes who all seemed to know each other and the right way to do everything.
“I am glad.” He sighed. “I think I am very conscious of not wanting to let Henry down. It is a big responsibility he has given me. And it is also unusual to see you in this environment, it is strange for me. I am more used to you covered in mud on your way back from a ride.”
“I suppose you are,” said Alice with a laugh.
He hesitated before asking, “Would you like to go riding with me again?”
“Yes,” Alice found herself saying quickly, despite the memory of her falling off the horse and onto Anthony immediately replaying in her mind.
Anthony smiled. “Did Rosalind suit you?
“She did indeed, and I am impressed you remembered her new name.”
“I am sure she refuses to answer to anything else, so I thought it important I memorised it immediately,” explained Anthony, with a grin.
“Please do not really change her name on my account if she and you are used to her original one.”
“She will learn it quickly enough,” Anthony assured her.
“Have you had her long?”
“I purchased her the day I arrived in London to watch over you.”
“Oh,” was all Alice could think of to reply. So she had been correct that Rosalind had been bought with herself in mind.
“I know how much you love riding, and I did not have a suitable horse for you to use,” he explained simply. The quiet admission made something flutter dangerously in Alice’s chest.
“That was very kind of you.”
Anthony shrugged, “It was in my own self-interest. I remember how grumpy you were when you fractured your wrist and were not allowed to ride. I did not want a repeat performance.”
“I was eleven!”
“The memory is engrained.”
Alice laughed, “Well, thank you. It was very kind of you and I appreciate it.”
“I imagine you will want to sleep in tomorrow, but we could go in the afternoon.”
“That would be lovely.”
They stood in charged silence for a moment before Alice recalled herself. “I should return to the dancing now, I believe I have a partner waiting.”
As she walked away, she could feel Anthony’s eyes following her. And for the first time, she did not entirely mind.