“It makes sense, sir. Mrs. Crawley’s family is from London, if memory serves me right. She could be her niece; they have the same blue eyes.”
“I hope so, Mrs. Jones,” Edward told her and then he turned to Grace, the maid. “Grace, would you mind waiting with Miss Clifford? I am sure Mrs. Jones has duties and she will send someone to relieve you soon.”
“Not a problem, sir.” The brown curls framing her face bounced when she nodded. “The doctor gave instructions to try to wake her soon. I am fine waiting here.”
“Thank you.” He gave a final look towards the bed and left the room. He needed something to drink.
* * *
In front of the fire in his study, Edward took a sip of his whiskey and could feel a headache forming. What a night.
It was supposed to be a quick ride from the port to his home, but somehow it turned into a bit of a nightmare with him almost running over a woman with his horse.
Deep inside, he knew it wasn’t his fault she got hurt, but the blame couldn’t be easily shaken off.
A knock on the door made him stop drinking long enough to grant access to whomever needed and not a second later, Mr. Marks and the young stable boy he recognized as Tom, entered the study.
The boy couldn’t be older than sixteen, dark hair and eyes, holding his hat in his hands and most likely afraid to touch anything.
“Sir,” Marks started. “Tom delivered the letter and Miss Clifford is indeed staying with the Crawleys. They were worried sick. Apparently Miss Clifford had an altercation with her father and left without telling anyone where she was going. Her father, aunt and cousin will be arriving soon to see her.”
“Thank you, Marks.” Edward was relieved they found her family. “And thank you, Tom. You were very fast.”
“Thank you, sir,” the boy said, shyly.
Another knock and Mrs. Jones entered the study, with a rare smile on her face. “She’s awake, sir.”
Chapter 4
Miss Selina Clifford
The first thing Selina noticed when she opened her eyes, was the pain in the back of her head and an unknown woman sitting next to her, talking with a sweet voice.
“Where am I?” she asked as soon as she could see the young woman next to her properly.
“Taunton Estate, Miss.” She looked kind, Selina decided. “My name is Grace, I was there when Mr. McAlister brought you.”
“Brought me?” Selina frowned. “What happened?”
Grace told her quickly what she knew and Selina finally pieced together the loose memories inside her head. She had run from her Papa after she found out whom he wanted her to marry. Her Papa always told her she could choose, instead, he went behind her back.
“I will let Mrs. Jones know you are awake, Miss. It won’t be a minute,” Grace told her and Selina nodded, not knowing who Mrs. Jones was. Maybe the mistress of the house. No, Grace told her the owner of the Estate was called McAlister.
She was hurt, she was tired and heartbroken. All she wanted was to be home, in her own bed and surrounded by people she knew. Whoever Mr. McAlister was, he had been very kind, but all she wanted was to leave.
True to her word, Grace returned quickly and told her a tea would be brought up for her pain. Selina almost cried in relief with the information.
Grace helped her into a coat she was sure she was borrowing from a maid. She would need to return it soon and thank whoever lent it to her.
Apparently, there wasn’t a woman in the house to lend it to her, so they had to make do. She wasn’t picky and the clothes were comfortable.
Her dress was carefully folded on a chair in the corner, she could see, but the stains of dirt would be hard to clean.
It didn’t matter, though, she didn’t want to wear it again. It would only bring her bad memories.
There was a knock on the door, and she saw Grace get up and open the door, letting three people in: a woman and two men.
The youngest man took a step towards the bed and bowed in her direction. Had she seen him before? He looked vaguely familiar.
“Miss Clifford, I am Edward McAlister, owner of Taunton Estate. I want to apologize; it is because of me you were hurt.”
Oh, Selina thought, he was the man on the horse, the one who scared her. She had been running so quickly she almost didn’t stop when she saw the horse.
For a split second, she wondered if it could be a better destiny, but pushed the thought away.
“I am the one who is sorry, sir. I was reckless and shouldn’t have stepped in your way.”
Mr. McAlister narrowed his clear green eyes. “Grace and Mr. Marks, could you wait outside, please? I need to talk to Miss Clifford.”
“Of course, sir. Grace?” Marks, the older man whom she guessed was a butler, held the door open so Grace could leave, while the older woman who came in with Mr. McAlister, went to sit by the fire, no doubt to chaperone.
“Miss Clifford, while I am glad you are going to be fine and all this was nothing more than a scare, I would like to tell you to be more careful in the future.” His words were filled with anger, Selina could tell. “If I hadn’t stopped in time, my horse could’ve run you over. Or worse, the carriage which was following me.”
Suddenly Selina felt offended. Who did Mr. McAlister think he was?
“Excuse me, sir.” The last word she made sure to add some anger of her own. “Do you think I make it a habit of running in front of horses when it’s getting dark? I guarantee you I do not.”
“How would I know, Miss Clifford?” he asked. “I don’t know you. I could have killed you, do you understand?”
“Of course I understand.” Her headache got worse, but Selina wasn’t one to back down from a fight. “I had no intention of this happening today, but my mind was elsewhere.”
Mr. McAlister all but scoffed at her. “What could be so important inside your head that you couldn’t look where you were going?”
“If you must know, sir, my father intends to marry me off to someone I loathe and never even asked my opinion after telling me my whole life I would be allowed to choose. I am sorry it made your day harder and difficult but my whole life will be even worse so yes, I wasn’t thinking. I am grateful for what you have done, but trust me, I wish I could be even farther away.” Her eyes burned with unshed tears she refused to let fall.
Her words seemed to have melted him a little. His shoulders dropped, he didn’t look angry anymore and he gave her an ashamed look.
They stayed in silence for a moment before Mr. McAlister cleared his throat and spoke. “I am sorry if I overstepped, Miss Clifford. I think if there’s a reason to run off and almost get run over by a horse that would be one of them,” he said and Selina couldn’t help but to let out a small laugh. “I know I would.”
“At least men can stay single and people won’t gossip much about it. If a woman ends up as a spinster, she lives off the charity of her relatives,” she muttered.
Mr. McAlister sighed. “Yes. It is not fair. Men are forced to marry as well, but we do not have our lives as observed and restricted as you. If a man goes to a club, it’s normal. If a woman, married or not, does the same thing, it’s scandalous.”
Selina was surprised with his answer. Not only was he agreeing with her, he also understood what she was talking about.
She took a second to look at him and saw he was a very handsome man, light brown hair, eyes so green, like she never saw before, square jaw and high cheekbones.
He looked strong, but wasn’t bulky. He was lean, but was strong. After all, according to Grace, he carried her up the stairs with no trouble.
She cleared her throat when she felt her cheeks start to warm up, with her fair skin it was very clear to see her blush. “I am not against marriage, I want a family of my own, but is it much to ask to have someone I like? The person Papa allowed to court me… he scares me. His eyes are so cold. He is going to be cruel to me, I am sure, but because of a stupid title…”
“Title?” Mr. M
cAlister asked.
“This suitor is to become a Duke once his uncle passes.” She finally let a few tears fall but was quick to dry them. “Papa wants me to have a title.”
Mr. McAlister shook his head. “A title isn’t a guarantee. I have seen Earls and Counts who lost everything but their titles and those didn’t put food in their families’ stomachs.”
“I know.” She put a hand on her temple.
Noticing her wince in pain, Mr. McAlister took a step in her direction. “The tea should be here any minute now, Miss Clifford. I have informed your family of your whereabouts and they will be arriving shortly as well, I am told.”
Selina made a disgusted face which made the man in front of her to smile and she was pleased to see that, just like her, he had a dimple on his left cheek when he did so. “I am sorry, it was my duty. Had I known before about your story, I would have arranged you a passage on a ship to India.”
Selina giggled. “I am sure it would be much more pleasant than facing Papa, now.” Grace entered the bedroom with a tray containing tea and some biscuits, placing it in front of her. “Thank you, Grace.”
“You are welcome, Miss.” She curtsied and went to stay by the corner with the older woman Selina even forgot was in the room.
“I am going to let you rest, Miss Clifford,” Mr. McAllister said. “Please, take your tea and rest.”
“Thank you, Mr. McAllister.
* * *
Mr. Edward McAlister
Miss Clifford was much more interesting than Edward initially thought.
Truth be told, he was almost sure she could’ve been sick in the head or running from an assailant, but instead, she was running from a loveless marriage.
Poor girl!
Edward had put in his head that he would never marry or pass down his line by having children. He was always careful when he was with a woman and made sure she wasn’t carrying a child. He would never do what his father did to his mother, not ever.
At least, he had that liberty, being a man. Poor Miss Clifford didn’t. If she went against her father’s wishes, she could end up on the streets and shunned from society.
Maybe society needed a change, but that wasn’t for him to do. It would take many years before it was possible. If ever.
Perhaps if society had been different, his mother wouldn’t have suffered as she did.
“Sir.” Marks’ voice took him from his thoughts and he looked up from his desk to the butler. “Her family has arrived.”
Edward nodded and put on his coat before stepping out of his study and to the great hall, where two women and a man waited for him.
“Mr. McAlister, may I introduce Mr. Clifford, Mrs. Crawley and Miss Crawley,” Marks said and Edward bowed his head in respect while Mr. Clifford did the same and the women curtsied.
“Mr. Clifford.” He offered his hand to the older man. “I am sorry about this.”
“I am grateful you wrote the letter, Mr. McAlister,” he said. “We were worried sick.”
“Can we see her? Is she alright?” The young Miss Crawley appeared to be the same age as Miss Clifford, and he could see some resemblance on the cheekbones.
“The doctor came and told me she will be fine, just needs rest. I will send him a letter so he can visit her tomorrow at your house, Mrs. Crawley. Is this to your liking?” Edward asked the older woman.
“Of course, sir.” The blue eyes were the same as Miss Clifford, Edward thought.
“I will pay everything, of course,” Edward added.
“No,” Mr. Clifford shook his head. “I appreciate it, sir, but I will pay. I bet this wasn’t what you thought would happen to you today.”
“There’s no problem, sir. Whatever fits you best.” Edward thought being neutral would be better for the moment. He, then, turned to Miss Crawley. “Your cousin is upstairs, Mr. Marks will show the way.”
As the family began their way up, Edward thought if he had done the right thing by calling them. Perhaps Miss Clifford would have liked India better.
* * *
A few minutes later, the Cliffords and Crawleys were coming down the stairs, Miss Clifford being held by her aunt and cousin while her father stood a few steps behind, holding her blue dress.
“Thank you once again, Mr. McAlister,” Miss Clifford told him, and he bowed his head in answer.
“I am sorry for almost running you over, Miss Clifford.”
“We are all happy you didn’t,” Mrs. Crawley said, kissing her niece’s temple.
“I will return the clothes as soon as I can. Perhaps even replace them.”
Edward shook his head. “Do not worry about this, just rest. The doctor will stop by to see you tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” She whispered while the other two women curtsied while still supporting Selina.
Mr. Clifford offered his hand and Edward shook it. “I am sorry we met under these circumstances, sir, but I am glad you were mindful and careful with my daughter. Your governess said she wasn’t alone for a second.”
“Rumors start with anything, sir,” Edward told him. “I figured no one wanted that, so I did my best to protect her honor and mine.”
“I will forever be thankful and I hope we can see each other in a better situation.”
“Of course.”
“Good night, sir.”
“And you.”
Edward had followed Mr. Clifford outside and watched as the two women helped Miss Clifford inside the carriage they arrived in. She looked over her shoulder and offered him a small smile and a discreet wave he returned just as much.
When he saw the carriage leave, there was a little pain in his heart he was quick to dismiss. They wouldn’t meet again, there was no need to feel anything other than relief that she was no longer his problem.
Chapter 5
Miss Selina Clifford
Four days after the incident, Selina felt much better but had yet to talk to her father. She knew she must be acting as a child, but she needed time and space to think of the consequences of what she had heard.
Lord Reginald Ainsworth was not a good match for her at all. While other young women fawned over him, Selina tried her best to stay out of his way, but somehow, he had charmed her father into courting her.
She needed a plan to stop it before she found herself married to him in eternal damnation.
Her grandmother entered the library and sat next to her. The older woman was clearly out of breath, which was usual these days, and looked at her granddaughter.
“You know I did not care at all for your running like a child a few days ago, don’t you?” she asked and Selina nodded, looking down in shame. “I can’t say I don’t understand, but you never run from your problems, Selina. You fix them. Since you were no more than a babe, you tried to fix everything.”
“Granny… Papa is so determined,” Selina sighed. “He thinks a title will bring me happiness, will give him status. I am aware some people look down on us because we are ‘nouveau riche’ but I never cared, and I still don’t.”
Mrs. Clifford made a sound of agreement. “I know. It is my fault, really. I let your grandfather put those ideas in his mind. Mr. Clifford had just started to make a name and money for himself when we got married and he decided one day the Clifford family would be worthy of a title.
He tried very hard to make Jane marry an Earl, but she fell in love with dear Robert, who was as ‘nouveau riche’ as we were. With no other suitor with title, he accepted the marriage. I think your father would have done the same if not for this future Duke.”
“You didn’t meet him, Granny,” Selina shook her head. “He is… different and not in a good way.”
“I believe you, my dear.” Her grandmother took her hand. “Running away isn’t the answer, though.”
“I know and I am sorry. I was just so… lost.” Selina dried a stray tear.
“I hope you find yourself soon. My Selina will not accept this without a fight,” Mrs. Clifford said in a matter-of-fact t
one and Selina chuckled. “Speaking of that night, we owe Mr. McAlister a visit to properly thank him for taking such good care of you.”
“Granny, I wouldn’t want to impose. I already have been too much trouble for him.”
“Nonsense. He seems like a very reasonable young man.” Mrs. Clifford looked at her granddaughter and suddenly she looked as if she was about to play a joke on someone. “Matilda says he is quite handsome as well.”
“Granny!”
“I am old, dear, not blind,” Mrs. Clifford giggled. “And that’s why we are going to Taunton for tea.”
A Hidden Duke For The Passionate Lady (Regency Historical Romance) Page 3
