Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Disappointingly, the weather the following morning did not look at all promising and threatened to keep everyone indoors.
Everyone except Alice who slipped out to the stables well before breakfast. Being at Anthony’s estate was undoubtedly less taxing than being at a London ball, but Alice felt like she was on display every time she stepped out of her room.
How could she have possibly imagined that being a guest at a house party hosted by Anthony would be anything like being home?
There were people everywhere, in every part of the house.
The only escape from them was her room where she could potentially hide with a book.
But if she stayed there too long, someone was bound to come and check on her.
She could not even go for a ride because she knew as soon as she declared her intention, at least five other people would decide they would join her, or she would be convinced not to do so because of a bit of rain.
Her best chance of finding a slice of time to herself was to get up as early as possible. So that is what she had decided to do. She would snatch that little pocket of peace to fuel her for the rest of the day. Some solitude with the horses would centre her.
She was brushing down Rosalind when she heard Anthony say, "Good morning," from behind her.
"You made me jump," she said, turning to face him. She could do nothing to prevent the smile her face broke into. It seemed Anthony was the one person she did not require time away from.
"Sorry, that was not my intention. You are out here early."
"I needed some quiet time before being with everyone again at breakfast."
"Me too."
Alice shook her head. "It is like I grew up alongside a completely different person. I always imagined you loved being around people."
"I think it comes from growing up an only child, I am used to an almost silent house."
Alice nodded.
Anthony sat down on a hay bale.
"I have coffee if you would like some," he said, holding up a large and rather rough steaming cup.
"Thank you," Alice said, sitting down next to him and accepting the proffered drink.
"So, Sir Marcus…” When Alice did not say anything he continued, “He appears to be rather taken with you.”
“Do you think so?”
“He hardly took his eyes off you yesterday,” Anthony said.
Neither did you, Alice wanted to reply but she held her tongue.
He had been very clear that he was destined for Sarah.
He was just looking out for her like he had promised Henry he would.
She was reading more into his actions because she wanted there to be more from them.
“He was certainly very attentive,” Alice said. She could not help checking Anthony’s face to see his reaction. She thought she saw him flare his nostrils, but it passed so quickly she could have been mistaken.
“And do you think him a suitable suitor?” asked Anthony. He fiddled with the top of his left boot.
Alice handed him his coffee back. If she stayed around Anthony much longer, she was liable to say something she might regret.
“I do, and if I want him to propose before we head back to London, I had better go and make myself look presentable for him.” She stood up, brushed the hay off her skirts and headed back towards the house, leaving Anthony staring after her.
Anthony watched Alice walk away and took a sip of his coffee. This was torture. He had hoped he was a decent enough man that he would be able to put his own feelings aside to help Alice in her quest and find some solace in the knowledge that she would be happy, even if it could not be with him.
But he hated Sir Marcus, hated him with every fibre of his being.
Which was ridiculous as he did not even really know the man.
He had no evidence that he was anything other than a gentleman.
When he had seen Sir Marcus kiss Alice’s hand the previous day, he had wanted to punch the man for his impertinence.
How dare he think himself worthy of so much as touching that beautiful hand, let alone placing his lips upon it.
How was he going to get through the next few days without resorting to bodily harm?
He would have to control himself though. He had said he would help Alice find a husband; this was the whole purpose of this house party after all, and he would keep that promise so he was just going to have to show some self-restraint.
He would ignore Sir Marcus, and Alice, as much as was possible.
They could go about their business together and he would go about his.
He would talk to Henry, make sure his guests were all having a good time, maybe flirt with some of the other women .
. . But he did not want to flirt with any other women; he wanted to flirt with Alice, and have her flirt back in response.
He put his head in his hands. What a mess he had managed to get himself into.
He had thought he had been in love with Alice before but, honestly, that was nowhere near what he felt for her now.
The way she made him feel when they were riding together, or just talking.
The way she had accepted his half-brother so easily and chatted, read, and played with him.
And the way she made his body react when they danced together .
. . He stood up crossly. Time for a wash in some very cold water before he needed to be back playing the perfect host. He could not wait until he had his house back to himself so that he could brood in private.
An hour later Alice entered the breakfast room with her hair done and wearing another one of her new dresses.
Sir Marcus stood as she entered and pulled a chair out for her next to him. “You look charming today, Miss Fairfax,” he said, bowing.
She responded with a curtsy. “Thank you, Sir Marcus. You are here early this morning.”
“I was advised to be here for breakfast so I could be part of the planning for today’s activities. I was hoping we could walk to the ruins you told me about yesterday, but I fear the weather this morning might be against us,” he said, gesturing to the window.
He was quite right, the clouds that had been gathering while Alice was in the stables were now black and heavy rain had begun to fall.
“I do not think it would be sensible for anybody to be out walking in this,” said Aunt Jane from the end of the table. “I do not want any of you getting soaked through and coming down with a chill.”
“Quite right,” agreed Anthony, coming into the room. “Might I suggest we play some card games and hope the weather clears up after luncheon?”
“That sounds delightful,” said Aunt Jane and the other guests murmured their assent.
Alice sighed inwardly. She found it so much easier to be outside, but it could not be helped.
The rain did not bother her, but Beth would be very displeased if Alice got her hair wet and spoiled all her hard work, and her aunt was right; it would be a shame to end up in bed unwell through insisting on going out in the rain. Card games inside it would be.
More tables were quickly produced and brought into the drawing room and the guests began dividing themselves into groups to play the various games on offer.
Sir Marcus was by Alice’s side immediately, and asked her Aunt Jane, “Lady Marlowe, would you care to join us for a game of whist if Miss Fairfax is amenable?”
“Certainly, Sir Marcus, but we will need a fourth player…”
“May I offer myself?” said Anthony, appearing at Alice’s other side.
“Wonderful,” said Aunt Jane. “Why do we not take that table by the window? I do so love watching the rain from the warmth and comfort of a house.”
They went over to the table and Aunt Jane began to shuffle the cards.
“Shall we play ladies against gentlemen?”
Alice glanced between Anthony and Sir Marcus to see if they were happy with this arrangement, but they were both looking at her, so she said, “That sounds perfect,” and sat down opposite where her aunt had taken her seat.
Alice and Aunt Jane beat the gentlemen easily several times, which was hardly surprising as the two men had completely ignored one another for the entirety of the game.
In fact, neither of them said more than they absolutely had to, which made the whole experience rather awkward.
Alice was very glad then they stopped to have a cup of tea and discuss the weather and their plans for the rest of the day.
As the weather continued to be thoroughly miserable, more indoor activities were required. Alice longed to hide away with her book for a little while, but there was no chance of her having the opportunity with Sir Marcus stuck to her like glue.
He was so attentive, that it was a little stifling, and frankly exhausting to be constantly on show and on her best behaviour.
Somehow it felt different to when Anthony was around her.
That was comforting, she knew he would not mind if she started reading.
But then she did not know Sir Marcus nearly as well as she knew Anthony.
Her siblings drove over to join them after luncheon which livened things up and soon they were in teams for charades and the whole atmosphere felt much more relaxed and playful.
They played parlour games so silly that none of the women's hair looked as neat as it had when they had begun, but everyone was smiling and clearly having a wonderful time.
Much to their chagrin, Henry took his sisters home when everyone retired to their rooms to prepare for supper.
With everyone now knowing each other so much better, Alice was beginning to enjoy herself more, especially as she had a chance to read a few pages of her book while Beth was redoing her hair.
Sir Marcus was once again at her side as soon as she returned downstairs. The chatter was pleasant as they all enjoyed a pre-dinner drink while waiting to be called into the dining room.