by Tamara Gill
“Don’t be an ass, Josh. I never knew you didn’t have a heart beating in that tiny man chest, for if you were a man at all, you would never have said such a thing.”
“How dare you speak to me in that way!”
“Very easily. I’m older than you, if you remember, and you may be the duke, but you do not control my life. You cannot take away what Papa left me, or the house I own in northern England, so you may bluster all you like about what I’m going to pay for those cottages, but it’ll change nothing. For I will do it and you will sign that piece of paper allowing me to purchase it at the agreed amount.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, a trait her brother only ever did when he was livid. “Oh really?” he said, his brow raised. “Why would I?”
“Because I’m your sister and you love me.”
Josh threw up his hands, leaning back in his chair. “I give up when it comes to you. There is no sense or thought of respectability when Alice Worthingham is involved.”
“Oh please, do stop with the dramatics. There is nothing wrong with me helping the poor, nor would anyone in Society see anything untoward. They would more likely commend me for it.” She gave him her sweetest smile, which only brought forth a scowl from him. “So you will chaperone me into London Friday so I can sign the papers and proceed with the handover of the titles?”
“I’ll agree to the new amount, but Mother can attend you. I hadn’t planned on traveling to Town until the Season commences.”
“Mama refuses to go, unless you’re with us, and she said if you go, then she need not attend on this occasion. She’s scared the Surrey Bandit will strike again. We’ll only be gone a night, and then you can return to Dunsleigh and bury yourself in all this estate work you love so much.”
“You do try my patience.” Her brother stood and poured himself a glass of brandy. “Be ready at the crack of dawn. I may travel up and back in the one day.”
“I have no problem with that, but I’ll have my maid pack a small valise in case you change your mind.”
He shrugged. “Do whatever you wish.” He sat back down, studying her a moment. “Ever since you were little I remember you always helping people and animals. Even the little ant that was in the path of your slippered foot you felt the need to aid. Why?”
“Because I can. We’re so well-to-do, born into privileges some people can only dream about. How can I not try and help when I can? How can I go through my life and trample all those beneath me, through no fault of their own? Just as I didn’t ask to be born the daughter of a duke, neither was an ant born only to be squished under my foot. These people are truly in need, and I care for each and every one of them. They’re good people, Josh. You should not judge so harshly.”
“You cannot save everyone, Sister.”
“I know.” Alice looked out the window to a garden more manicured than her fingernails. “We are so blessed. We have everything we could ever wish. We need wood, our gardener cuts it for us. We ring a bell and magically a servant arrives to do our bidding. And yet, not five miles away, people huddle together under lice-infested blankets to keep warm in winter. They have to scavenge the surrounding lands for wood in the dead of winter, only to come home and cook nothing but watered down food not worth eating in the first place.”
Alice took a steadying breath. What she was about to do was right. It may not be what Josh wanted her to pay for her plans, but what was that when people were in need? “I want to help these people. I’m going to rebuild those cottages and refurbish them. And I’m going to ensure that during the summer months, wood is collected from our lands and deposited in a building I’ll have built at the end of the lane for them all to use. And then, should I have any money left, I’m going to get the road cobbled.”
“You have thought of everything, it would seem. And pray tell, what if your singular attempt at being a vigilante makes you poor? Unmarried and poor. What then? You’ll only have your dowry upon marriage, and do you really want to be beholden to your husband for the rest of your life? Josh raised a pointed brow. “I cannot see such a situation being to your liking.”
Alice stood, walked to the side of the desk, and, bending over, she kissed Josh on the cheek. “I will never be beholden to my husband, silly. For I have a brother who’s the Duke of Penworth. A brother I saved from a tree many years ago. Mama still doesn’t know about that. If I ever need more money, I know who will save me. Just like I saved him.”
Josh looked up and a smile teased the edge of his lips. “Does Mama know who got me stuck up that tree in the first place?”
Alice laughed and walked toward the door. “Well, you shouldn’t have followed.” She paused. “Will you approve the amount? No matter our differing opinion on the matter, I would so love to have your support on this.”
He sighed. “I suppose a trip to London would give me a chance to call in at my club,” he mused. “So I will set aside my thoughts on the price and support your plan. To enable the build to begin and end in a more prompt manner, I’ll write to our solicitors today and ensure all will be ready for transfer on Friday. I won’t hear any excuses as to why you have to cry off attending the Season due to a leaking roof or warped wood, though.”
Alice smiled, relief pouring through her like a balm. “Thank you, Brother. I’ll not forget your kindness and because of your charitable behavior, I shall introduce you to all my friends this year. Perhaps if we both have a successful Season, we could have a double wedding.”
“I recommend you leave before I change my mind, minx.”
She laughed, doing as he bid, but not before she heard a resounding chuckle from the duke.
…
Alice let Juno have a free rein and urged her mount into a gallop. She laughed as the mare, on her first run out since birthing her foal last year, took off at a blistering speed. Alice looked behind her. Victoria coming up fast on Pan, Josh a close second on the horse’s hooves. Her sister’s determined visage to win the impromptu race easy to read. Alice bent low over Juno’s neck, but it was no use, Victoria’s mount could not be outrun.
The wind whipped at her hat, the speed which they traveled made her eyes water and her vision blur. Alice looked up and, all too soon, the forest that surrounded Lord Arndel’s home grew ever taller in their view, and she eased her horse into a canter, and then a trot.
“Juno seems much pleased being out and about again,” Victoria said, waiting for her and Josh to catch up.
Alice patted the mare’s neck, pulled her into a walk, and allowed the horse to regain its breath. “She does, doesn’t she?” Alice reached up and pulled a leaf from a passing tree. “This is the first time I’ve ridden her without her foal. She seems to be handling it well.”
“She loves and trusts you, and why wouldn’t she want to be out with her favorite human.”
Alice smiled, knowing the feeling was mutual. All the sisters had been given horses on their coming-out and all were named after mythological gods. It was a little joke between them, and one their brother, who didn’t wish to play along, never understood.
“Did your business in London on Friday go all to plan? Mama said she thought so.”
“It went very well, and although we ended up staying the night in London, I took the opportunity to have Josh attend a meeting with an architect who’ll draw up some new plans for the houses to make them more efficient for the families. The last design wasn’t quite right. He’s a brilliant man, and young, but full of ideas.”
Victoria threw her a curious look. “Such praise. Somehow, I think you purchasing and renovating those houses will be all that Brother can handle this year.”
“I agree,” Josh mumbled, sardonically.
Alice frowned. “What do you mean?” Her siblings chuckled and finally Alice understood. “Oh, don’t be absurd. I’m not looking at the architect in that way, no matter how handsome or smart he is.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Josh adjusted his seat. “I’m going to go for another run.
I shall meet you at Kester House where we shall ask about this famous beast of a horse Victoria refuses to let go.”
“You make it sound like I’m obsessed, which I am not.”
Alice smiled, watching as Josh cantered off. They walked along in silence for a moment before she said, “I want your opinion on something that I have been wondering about.”
“What?” Victoria ducked as they went under a low hanging branch.
“I was curious as to what you thought of Lord Arndel? I noticed last week you seemed quite happy when speaking to him, and he in turn, you.”
Her sister grinned. “He’s handsome to be sure, but other than that, not much is known of him.” Victoria shrugged. “It’s hard to form an opinion of a man who hides himself away from local Society as much as his lordship does.”
Alice nodded. It was strange that Lord Arndel, having come into the title of viscount, would keep himself at arm’s length from Society. Since the few balls she’d seen him at in London the beginning of last Season, by the end of the Season, he’d all but disappeared. She’d always put it down to his lordship enjoying himself elsewhere in the city, much like his cousin had, prior to his untimely death, but perhaps she’d been wrong. If he was looking to marry, to start a family, keeping oneself out of the sphere in which you should circulate to find a suitable partner wasn’t the most logical thing to do.
“He is a little secretive, don’t you think?”
Victoria shrugged. “He was nice enough in Town last year, until your altercation with him, and then we didn’t see him at all. But I gather he’s trying to make amends of that faux pas, and is now sorry for his hurtful words.”
Alice conceded the point, for Arndel had apologized for his insult last season, even though she had yet to fully forgive him. “I did hear Josh mention to his man of business that Lord Arndel never had anything to do with his family prior to taking up the title of viscount. Which is odd, don’t you agree? One would think he’d be bosom friends with them all, considering he was next in line.”
“I’m not acquainted enough with the family to know how any of them interact with each other. They may merely be a family who are not close, unlike our own.” Alice smiled.
“I suppose that could be it. And in any case, he seems determined to be more a part of the community, which is welcome. There are many suitable women among our set who’d settle well as his wife.” Victoria threw her an assessing look. “Don’t you agree, Sister?”
The question rattled Alice more than it ought, and she pursed her lips in thought. That Arndel might marry someone whom she knew well had never entered her mind. Of course, she’d thought about him becoming married, but the person had always been faceless, a woman from Town that she didn’t know. The idea that one of her friends might become his wife, walk up to him at any moment and ask for a kiss, go to bed with him each night… She swallowed. How disturbing.
Alice didn’t like the vision it created. She cleared her throat before answering. “Of course, yes.”
Victoria pulled Pan to a stop and Alice, too, paused at the edge of the forest and looked across the less than well-kept lawns of Kester House. “I have noticed that he looks at you a great deal, Alice.”
Alice’s mouth popped open and she closed it with a snap, hating the fact her stomach fluttered at the mention of him doing so. “If he does, it’s only to find fault, I’m sure.” She laughed, wondering if the heat on her cheeks was actually visible. “You should not say such foolishness, in any case. It’ll only bring embarrassment to both me and his lordship.”
“It’s no foolery, I assure you. I’ve seen him sneak glances at you when he thinks no one is watching. Every time he does, he looks like he’s been deprived of something, or is longing for the very object of his desire.” Victoria smirked. “In fact, his actions remind me of how you used to act around him last year before he acted like an ass.”
“Don’t swear.” She looked toward Kester House, studying a home that seemed more majestic than she’d ever thought before. “And please don’t remind me of what a silly fool I was last Season. I practically groveled at his feet before I heard exactly what he thought of me.”
“He didn’t mean that and he’s said sorry. You should forgive him.” Victoria paused. “And if you keep frowning like that you’ll get wrinkles.”
Alice scoffed. “And you’re wrong about Lord Arndel. While I do believe he may be truly sorry, I don’t think it’s me he’s interested in, no matter what looks you say he’s turning my way.”
“Oh, he’s looking. Why, the other day, when you were inspecting his ballroom, I’m amazed you didn’t feel the burn of his attention. He likes you, more than you think, and I do believe that if you were to give him the idea that his feelings may be returned, he would act on those emotions.”
Act on his emotions? What did that mean? And if it meant what Alice hoped it did, it certainly explained why a nervous fluttering took flight through her body whenever he was around. Did she like him more than a friendly neighbor? Did she still admire him, as she had at the beginning of last Season? Did she want to?
Victoria chuckled. “Come, we cannot dawdle here in the trees all day; Josh is expecting us.”
Alice allowed Victoria to canter ahead as she followed behind. After her sister’s words, she had the absurd desire to grin like a debutante partaking in her first dance.
Taking a deep breath, she fought to pull herself together and not arrive at his lordship’s home all blotchy from embarrassment and with a nervous stutter to her words. She was a daughter of a duke, more than capable of conversing with a viscount.
She beamed. How very delicious if Arndel did like her more than a friend. It would certainly make living at Dunsleigh more interesting, and as for the coming Season, something to look forward to, even though he’d said he wasn’t attending. Perhaps Victoria was right and forgiveness was best, and what happened after that could be very agreeable, too.
Chapter Six
Alice jumped down from her horse and handed the reins to a waiting stableman. Victoria did the same, and within a moment they spied Josh cantering toward them from the west of the property. He stopped, showering them in gravel.
“Really, Josh, was your dramatic entrance necessary?” Her brother merely chuckled and alighted, coming to stand beside them. “Shall we see if Lord Arndel is home? We have a stallion to view, I believe.”
“Let’s be off.” Victoria rubbed her hands together in glee and started toward the home.
Alice spied Benny coming from around the side of the house, and she waved to the small boy. He smiled and came running over.
“Lady Alice, you’re back. Mama wanted me to say thank you the next time I saw ye. We’re moved in right nice at the cottage and I even have me own room.”
“That’s wonderful, Benny. I’m so glad you’re all settled. Tell your mama I’ll come and visit very soon.”
“Aye, I will, my lady.” He started toward the stables, but paused, turning about to look at her. “Ye look very pretty today, miss.”
Alice laughed, thinking that Benny would be a favorite among the ladies when he became of age. “Why thank you. That’s very kind.”
He nodded, seemingly pleased with himself. “Well, it’s true. Ye are.”
“We’re here to see the famous stallion you told me about.”
“Oh aye, miss, he is the finest horseflesh that you ever beheld. There would be few, I’d imagine, who wouldn’t think him the best of beasts.”
Alice was more intrigued every second. “I should imagine if you think so, then he surely is.”
Benny’s face turned to brooding. “Oh, he is, my lady. Would ye care to come and take a look where I work and where the horse is kept? I keep all the stalls clean for the horses, not a steamer to be seen. You’ll be right proud of me, ye will, miss.”
Alice ruffled his hair. “I’m already proud of you, have been since the day you were born. And I’m certain you’ll keep up the splendid work for his lordshi
p, and one day it will pay off for you. I can promise you that.”
“Then you’ll come. Come and see the stables, miss.”
Alice inclined her head. “We will come as soon as we’ve paid our regards to Lord Arndel.”
“Thanks, my lady.”
Alice followed her siblings toward the door, smiling. The footman stood waiting, ushering them inside and into the foyer.
Alice idly chatted to Victoria while they waited for his lordship. Josh paced before the front windows, and after some time with no sign of his lordship, Alice found a nearby chair and sat.
She turned at the sound of pounding hooves and looked out the window. Her mouth fell open at the sight of Lord Arndel cantering past the front of the house, the black stallion on which he sat, frothing at the mouth, heaving with the effort of a long run.
“That must be the horse Benny had been talking about.” Victoria sighed. “Well, the little boy wasn’t overexaggerating. The thoroughbred is magnificent.”
Alice had thought Benny may have been overzealous in his praise, but that wasn’t the case, for the horse was truly magnificent, much like the man who sat atop it.
She started at the thought and shook herself. She did not want to turn into a simpering fool over this man who’d just ridden past her like Adonis.
Moments later, footsteps sounded deep in the house and Alice settled her riding skirts more evenly about her legs. Wanting to look busy, she made a ploy of taking off her gloves and fiddling with her hat. The last thing she needed was for Arndel to think they’d been anxiously waiting for him.
She need not have bothered. Lord Arndel, so lost in thought, strode straight past them, his direction toward the library clear and Josh cleared his throat to gain Arndel’s attention.
“Lord Arndel?” her brother said, amusement written across his features at Lord Arndel’s lack of awareness of those who graced his home.
