Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Anthony’s elegant barouche, with Sarah seated inside, was waiting outside Aunt Jane’s house after Alice finished breakfast on Saturday. Anthony and Charlie were already mounted on their horses
Alice paused to give Rosalind’s soft nose an affectionate rub as she passed, and Sarah offered her a grateful smile as she climbed into the carriage.
The other woman looked slightly uncomfortable in the open vehicle, as though she would be glad of company.
A brief flash of uncertainty crossed Alice’s mind as she settled onto the seat beside Sarah.
She hoped the slow pace and fresh air would prevent any unwelcome carriage sickness.
Alice could not help thinking how jealous her sisters would be when she described how she had spent her morning.
Charlotte and Margaret would have taken at least twice as long as she had to get ready, though Alice herself had spent rather more time than usual on her appearance.
After all, she was in the market for a husband, and one never knew whom one might encounter in the park.
It had nothing whatsoever to do with wanting to look nice for Anthony.
Well . . . apart from the fact that one should always make an effort with one’s appearance when seeing friends, surely?
They set off along the streets at a gentle pace.
It was sweet to watch Charlie and Anthony riding side by side.
The little boy looked tiny sat very straight on Rosalind, clearly thrilled to be out on such a fine mount.
He continually pointed out interesting sights to his older brother, his face alight with excitement.
Sarah watched her son with open pride, her expression soft and maternal.
Alice need not have worried about making conversation with Sarah or suffering awkward silences due to not knowing each other well. She was surprisingly easy to talk to, and they soon fell into comfortable discussion about life in London and Charlie’s recovery.
They reached Rotten Row and Charlie’s posture got even straighter, if such a thing were possible.
The route was nowhere near as busy as it could often be later in the day, with most of the traffic being grooms exercising their master’s horses, but they still stopped occasionally for Anthony to pass the time of day with various acquaintances.
He and Charlie rode alongside the barouche now, and it was sweet to see Charlie’s mouth fall open at times when he saw something that particularly captivated him.
Alice overheard Anthony introduce both herself and Sarah and Charlie as friends of the family.
Several gentlemen tipped their hats in their direction, but Anthony made no effort to draw the ladies into conversation, which Alice understood and imagined Sarah was grateful for.
She noticed Sarah tense slightly whenever they stopped for Anthony to converse with someone, and eyeing the exchange carefully.
“Is everything well?” Alice asked quietly.
Yes, thank you,” Sarah replied. “I am merely being overly cautious. I was not completely convinced of the wisdom in bringing Charlie here, to be honest,” she admitted. “I am not ready for someone to make the connection between Charlie and Anthony. They look so alike when they ride together.”
Alice considered it prudent not to mention that the same observation had occurred to her.
One gentleman in particular stood out. He was tall and strikingly handsome, with dark hair and an air of confidence.
He rode a beautiful chestnut stallion that looked far more suited to the racecourse than to parading in Hyde Park.
Alice was certain she had not seen him at anyof the events she had attended.
She resolved to ask Anthony about him later.
“Have you started ‘Sense and Sensibility’ yet?” Sarah asked, changing the subject.
“I have almost finished it,” Alice replied warmly. “I am hoping to be able to return to it later, and pray that Marianne gives Colonel Brandon a chance. Did Anthony tell you he had gifted me a copy?”
“He asked my advice on novels you might enjoy. I read ‘Sense and Sensibility’ when it first came out and loved it, but thought it might be better to start you off with ‘Pride and Prejudice’ as there is so much humour in it.”
“Well, thank you. You made excellent recommendations,” Alice said.
As they left the park, Anthony and Charlie moved to riding in front of the barouche once more, and Sarah and Alice turned their conversation to Kent.
Alice had not known of Sarah when they both resided there, Alice only very rarely visiting Anthony’s family home, though Sarah had seen Alice when she had been sent to her house on errands by Anthony’s mother.
It seemed Alice’s reputation as the horse-mad daughter of the house had been rather notorious among the servants of the neighbouring estate.
Alice was taken back to her aunt’s house where Charlie reluctantly admitted that his ankle was beginning to pain him. He was helped down from Rosalind and joined his mother in the barouche.
“Will you come to visit me again soon?” he asked Alice hopefully. “Anthony bought me a new book I wish to show you. It is about pirates.”
“Of course,” Alice promised warmly. “I should like that very much.”
The barouche started off and she waved until it was out of view.
Anthony lingered on his horse. Their eyes met, and for a few heartbeats neither spoke. A small, private smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, the kind that seemed meant only for her.
“I am glad you came today,” he said softly.
“So am I,” Alice replied, surprised by how much she meant it.
Anthony held her gaze a moment longer before touching his hat in farewell and turning his horse. Alice watched him ride away, her heart beating just a little faster than it should.