Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Alice did her best to behave as though nothing unusual had occurred once she returned to her aunt’s house.
If Aunt Jane found it odd that her niece had spent the night at Lord Tonbridge’s residence, she was mercifully discreet, limiting herself to a gentle inquiry about whether other guests had been present.
Alice’s cheeks burned so fiercely she felt they might catch fire, and she made a hasty excuse to retreat to her bedchamber.
Two days passed with no word from Anthony, and Alice’s fragile hopes began to wither.
She had been certain he had been speaking of her when he confessed that the only woman he could imagine being happy with had once hated him.
There could not have been anyone else who had detested him as thoroughly as she once had.
Oh, how blind and ridiculous she had been!
How could she not have seen the true nature of the man beneath the teasing exterior?
She had been so fixated on his boyhood pranks that she had overlooked his many admirable qualities, like how loyal he was to her brother, how he looked after his mother after his father had passed away and ensured she was then cared for during her own long illness, how kind he was to animals . . .
Unless he had changed his mind about her after her scandalous behaviour that night.
What she had done was most improper. Perhaps, even though he was no longer bound to marry Sarah, he still did not want her.
She was too stubborn, too difficult, too set in her ways.
No matter what he had once said about her not needing to change who she was, he would surely prefer a more conventional wife - one who would not spend her days in the stables or her nights wandering the streets of London dressed as a maid.
Thoughts of returning home had been pushed to the back of her mind as she waited, hoping each day that Anthony would appear at her aunt’s door.
She prayed he would come for her. She could not imagine loving or marrying anyone else. But if he did not, she could at least be useful at home to her brother and sisters, and remain true to herself. She would not put herself through another Season.
Alice and her aunt were finishing breakfast when the post was brought in. Alice was lost in thought, wondering whether she should write to Anthony herself as she had still not properly thanked him for the gift of Rosalind, when her aunt spoke.
“Alice, dear. This letter is from your brother. He says the family is quite well, but he requires you to return home as quickly as possible.”
“Does he say why?” Alice asked, alarmed.
“No,” Aunt Jane replied gently. “I am afraid not. But it sounds as though you had better begin packing, my dear.”
Saying goodbye to Aunt Jane just a few hours later was harder than Alice had expected. Her aunt had been wonderfully kind and generous, and Alice was truly grateful for the opportunity to know her better. She promised to visit again, just not during the Season.
Alice felt especially nauseous on the journey home. Despite Henry’s reassurances that the family was well, why would he summon her so urgently? A thousand anxious possibilities ran through her mind as she willed the carriage to travel faster and tried not to be sick.
When she finally arrived at the family estate, the butler greeted her and informed her that her siblings were currently out.
Feeling unwell, Alice did not even stop to check on the horses - though a passing groom reassured her they were all in good health - and went straight to her room.
She released Duchess from her carrier and was met with a grumpy snarl as the cat stalked off to reclaim her old territory.
Alice lay down on her familiar bed and promptly fell asleep.
Her sickness had passed when she woke an hour later.
She wandered downstairs to see if anyone had returned.
Her sisters were just coming through the front door, removing their bonnets.
They squealed with delight at the sight of Alice and rushed to greet her.
Duchess appeared, presumably to investigate the commotion, and Alice scooped her up, needing the comfort in her confusion.
“Do you know why Henry has summoned me home so urgently?” she asked.
“I think you had better ask him,” Charlotte replied with a mysterious smile. “I believe you will find him in his study now.”
Confused, Alice walked down the corridor and knocked on the study door. Henry called for her to enter. When she did, she found her brother and Anthony standing together, each holding a glass.
“Alice!” Henry exclaimed, coming over to embrace her with one arm while carefully avoiding squashing Duchess, who surveyed the scene with great interest. “You have arrived at the perfect moment.”
Anthony remained quiet, watching her. He looked uncharacteristically nervous.
“And why is that, brother?” Alice asked. “Is anyone going to tell me why I have been sent for?”
“Well,” Henry said, “in answer to your second question, you were unhappy in London and we needed you here. Which relates to your first question, because we are celebrating.”
“And what exactly are you celebrating?” Alice was beginning to lose her patience.
“Anthony and I have just had confirmation that the sale of a portion of our estate is now complete,” Henry explained. “His investment has saved our family home.”
“What?” Alice whispered. Just when she thought she understood Anthony, he surprised her yet again.
“The reason I had to leave so suddenly the last time we saw each other,” Anthony said, delicately omitting Alice’s reason for being with him, “was because I had a meeting with my solicitor to finalise the first of the paperwork. I then rode here to ask your brother’s permission to marry you.”
Alice’s heart stopped. She locked eyes with Anthony.
He gave her a shy, hopeful smile and a small shrug.
Duchess jumped down from Alice’s arms and walked purposefully over to Anthony, rubbing against his leg.
He bent to scratch her head, but this was apparently too much familiarity and resulted in Duchess glared at him and stalked out of the room with her tail held high.
Alice watched this exchange wordlessly as she tried to process what was going on.
Henry explained, “Anthony has offered me financial help many times before, but I always refused, saying I would never accept money from a friend. But as it appears he is to be my brother-in-law, that is another matter entirely, and the last of my scruples have vanished.”
Anthony put a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “This is a sound business investment. You have seen the figures. Besides, it would devastate my wife if this estate did not remain in your family, and I would not have her upset for the world.”
“You seem to be presuming something in all this planning,” said Alice, trying and failing to keep the smile from her face.
“You are quite right,” Anthony said seriously. “And that shall be remedied.”
He turned to Henry. “If you will excuse us, I am going for a ride with the woman I love. We may be gone for some time.”
Henry shook his head with good-natured amusement. “Have fun, and please put him out of his misery, Alice.”