Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society

by Charlotte Stone

  “It’s why you chose to not marry,” Lorena said. “You love Calvin that much. You’ve given up on the entire notion of a union.”

  Alice shook her head. Not in denial, but in a way to clear her mind of her emotions before they made her cry.

  “I did the same with Emmett,” Lorena began. “I was so desperately in love with him but thought he’d be better suited for a lady of means. Before Maura found the treasure, I thought I had nothing to offer a man who I thought too handsome for words.”

  Alice turned back to her, surprised Lorena was sharing so much. She also found it interesting that Lorena had felt herself unworthy of Ashwick. She was a duke’s daughter.

  “I’d still be unattached if Emmett hadn’t pursued me and, if we were to go by the looks of it, Calvin is preparing to pursue you, dear.”

  Alice didn’t wish to hear any more. She allowed Jane to place her into the dress and felt her begin to button up the back but stop when she came to where her shoulder blades began. She turned to Jane and asked, “Do I need to finish the rest?”

  “There is no rest,” Jane said. “I fastened every button.” Then she moved away.

  Alice tried to look at the dress. Sophia said, “The mirror is behind you.”

  She walked over to the mirror and gasped when she saw how low the back of the dress was. Even the corset and chemise had been designed to rest underneath the fabric, leaving much of her back exposed to the room.

  “Sophia!” she cried.

  “It’s lovely,” Genie said.

  “You look divine,” Sophia added.

  “That dress does not ask a man to leave you be,” Lorena commented.

  Alice turned around and said, “I agree.”

  Lorena grinned. “Perfect.”

  Alice shook her head and said, “I must go see about my father’s club.”

  “We’ll come as well,” Lorena said, getting to her feet.

  Alice looked at them all and said, “But it’s a gentlemen’s club.”

  “We know.” Lorena smiled as she straightened her skirts. “And what a wonderful adventure it will be.” Then she started for the door with everyone following along. “Come, Jane,” she called.

  Jane threw whatever article of clothing she’d been holding over her shoulder and started for the door.

  Alice stood still, knowing this to be a bad idea but unwilling to stop it. Then she sighed and followed her new friends out the door.

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  CHAPTER NINE

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  Calvin had returned to his room to fully dress and was preparing to leave. He frowned as he stepped out into the hall at the same time as his brother. He’d not seen his brother at the party but had informed Frank, along with the others, of his intentions for Alice. While many had approved of his choice, Frank had said nothing, simply stared at Calvin, who understood why and was expecting a confrontation.

  As the sound of another door opening broke the silence, Calvin knew their time would come later. He turned just as Julius closed his own door.

  Calvin asked, “What are you doing here?”

  Julius crossed his arms and leaned against the door he’d just closed. “Francis said I could stay for a few days.” Then he grinned. “You may run the club portion of Francis’ house but you don’t own it. I don’t need your permission.”

  Calvin glared. “You’re only here because Lorena lives next door and that is where Alice is sleeping.”

  Julius blinked and said, “You’re right.”

  Neither moved for a long time. Finally, Calvin said, “Go find another woman willing to take a bullet for a man. Alice is mine.”

  Julius opened his mouth to speak but Morris, who was coming out of his room, spoke first. “Calvin is right. He claimed her first. Let’s not make a big deal out of this. She’s only a woman.” Morris’ teal eyes shifted from one to the other and he started past them toward the stairway, where the sound of club members could be heard even at this distance.

  Nashwood London, as the club was called, had a kitchen that never closed, which meant the men had to pay higher wages for membership. That equaled more money not only for Francis but for every man who’d invested, which happened to include all the Men of Nashwood. Some nights, a few of the men would stay in Francis’ family wing if they didn’t feel like returning to their own home, which meant it wasn’t unusual for Morris to be in the hall.

  Julius stopped Morris before he got far. “Was it not you who challenged Francis for Genie only two months ago?”

  Calvin lifted a brow, remembering that night vividly. In an attempt to stop the Spinster Society, Morris had told Francis to marry Genie, knowing that if Lorena didn’t have her best friend at her side, the society would end faster than it began but for some reason unknown to the group, Francis was not only holding off on marrying Genie but holding off on making his intentions known and continuing to say he wouldn’t, though they all knew it wasn’t the truth. They all knew that Francis wanted Genie, they simply didn’t understand why she wasn’t his duchess yet.

  So, Morris had offered to make Genie his duchess. Morris Kidd was the Duke of Cort and he owned more land and controlled more money than Francis, the Duke of Valdeston. Morris was also a hunter and didn’t need a rifle to secure his prize. If he set his mind to it, he could have Genie as his duchess faster than the archbishop of Canterbury’s signature could dry on a special license, making the girl all but forget Francis’ name, much less the fact that she ever loved him.

  Morris knew this. Francis knew this but still he hesitated, and still the men kept Francis’ intentions secret.

  “I told Francis that he had until the end of summer to propose,” Morris informed Julius. “Even if he claims to not have claimed her, we all know he has. Therefore, he gets the first go at her. Then it’s my turn.”

  Julius studied Morris, sighed, and turned to Calvin. “She said she didn’t want you.”

  “I’ll change her mind,” Calvin told him.

  Julius fell silent again. He looked away and sighed. “Very well. I’ll give you a fortnight.”

  “A fortnight?” both Morris and Calvin asked, surprised.

  Julius nodded. “It’s more time than Emmett needed to secure Lorena. What did it take him? Three days? Four? And all the while you continued to flirt with Lorena yourself.”

  Calvin did recall flirting with Lorena and regretting doing so because he knew exactly what Julius’ next words would be.

  “I don’t intend to leave Alice alone,” Julius said. “But I’ll allow you some space.” Then he smiled and motioned for Morris to lead the way downstairs. Frank followed but gave Calvin a look before turning away.

  Calvin watched them go then took the back stairway and quickly slipped out the servants’ door before running toward the backyard and slipping through the slit in the hedges that separated Francis’ home from Lorena’s.

  Francis’ and Lorena’s families had been friends for generations and eventually the families combined through the marriage of their parents, Mrs. Constance Lawrence and the Duke of Valdeston. Lady Constance had then given birth to Francis and Lorena and all had been well, except for the fact that Valdeston had been penniless. Still, there had been years of love up until the day Francis’ parents had died when a boat sank. Constance, who had inherited her family’s house, had been allowed to will it to her daughter in her wedding contract, while Francis had been given the main Valdeston residence. This meant brother and sister lived right next door to one another and Calvin could take advantage of that.

  He found Lorena’s terrace door open and had not taken more than two steps before he heard a voice.

  “They’re not here.”

  He turned and met the eyes of Lorena’s butler, Mr. Sudworth.

  Calvin crossed his arms and stared at the man. Sudworth was a tall handsome man
with blue eyes and dark hair, no older than twenty and five years of age, and had been living on the street before Lorena had given him a position in her house. Calvin hadn’t cared for the man at first but had left him alone after being informed of how protective Lorena was of him.

  Then the day had come when Sudworth had saved Lorena’s life after finding her kidnapper and bringing her home. After that day, Calvin accepted Sudworth, though he still questioned the man’s history. There was much about Sudworth he didn’t know and that bothered him.

  But at the moment, he cared more about Alice.

  “Where are they?”

  “They went to Wilkins’,” Sudworth said.

  Calvin dropped his arms. “Who went to Wilkins’?”

  “All of them.”

  Calvin felt a tightness in his neck. “All of them?” It made sense that Alice would go to Wilkins’since she was a Wilkins, but if the other women had gone with her it only meant trouble.

  Sudworth nodded. “Lady Lorena, Lady Genevieve, Miss Maura, Miss Sophia, and Miss Alice.”

  “Damn you, Sudworth!” Calvin cried. “You can’t just let five women, four of whom don’t belong, go to a gentlemen’s club!”

  Sudworth blinked and said, “Miss Jane went as well.”

  Jane was a lady’s maid and it had been reported that she was very handy with a basket when threatened and did not like the male sect of society in general. So the fact that she was now going to a place that would be crowded with men did not please Calvin.

  He started for the door again.

  “It’s easier to take the front, you know.”

  Calvin turned and started for the front. Sudworth rushed ahead and opened the door.

  “How long ago did they leave?”

  “Not even a full hour has passed.”

  Calvin started for the street.

  “You might need reinforcements,” Sudworth said.

  Calvin thought that a good idea and started for Francis’ house.

  Only six weeks had passed since the last scandal, and the Spinster Society was bound to make the gossip rags again, which meant they’d drag the Men of Nashwood into their troubles as well, becoming the bane of their existence.

  Calvin could already feel a headache approaching.

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  CHAPTER TEN

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  Alice sat behind her father’s desk as the girls moved in the other room, peeking behind curtains at the men who sat downstairs in the parlor, sipping coffee and spirits. Parts of the second floor were wrapped in curtains to allow exactly what Lorena and the rest were doing. Spying from the adjoined room. But usually the spying was done by her father’s men and usually, there were no women besides her and Tabitha on that floor at all.

  Wilkins’ was a large club that took up much of St. James. The first floor consisted of space for fencing, boxing, a gaming room, dining rooms, and an open parlor. The second floor held offices and guest rooms for the members to use at their leisure. The third floor, which was not visible to the rest of the club, was the family residence. Alice’s bedchamber window faced St. James, allowing her to see the men and women of society as they visited coffee shops, offices, and exclusive shops, allowing her to see a world she might have belonged in had her mother married in her class.

  But Alice decided that, given the chance, she’d rather have Ralph Wilkins as her father than any other man. At least, unlike the many gentlemen downstairs, Ralph had spent time with Alice and ensured that she always felt loved. If was uncommon for Society fathers to spend endless hours with their children, much less their daughters, but Ralph was his own man and Alice had never felt forgotten.

  At the ache in her arm, she wondered what her father would say when he saw the wrapping and heard about what had taken place last night.

  She settled a hand over her arm just as the door opened. Then she smiled and stood.

  Isaac Hanford came around the desk, dropped his leather satchel on its surface, and wrapped Alice in a hug. “My god, Alice, are you all right?”

  She buried her face against Isaac’s chest and nodded.

  He placed his hands on her shoulders and forced her away in an effort to meet her eyes. “Tell me you’re all right.” Isaac studied her and, not for the first time, Alice realized how handsome her childhood friend was. Isaac’s father, Thomas Hanford, had been the one to give Alice’s father the money to start the club and, since Thomas and Ralph were friends and Alice had been close to her father, Isaac had become very close to Alice. He was like a brother to her.

  She touched the stubble on his cheek. “Isaac, you’ve not shaved.”

  “I’ve barely slept,” he told her, his eyes growing angry. “You didn’t come to the club last night. I’ve been terribly worried about you.” His hands locked on her cheeks. “I went to Dovehaven’s house and found you not there. I was told you were at Lady Lorena Cullip’s house but knew I could not go there until daybreak. I had servants here who were to tell me the moment you walked through the door, so here I am.”

  Alice smiled up at him. He was so kind to her and his concern touched her heart but then she should have known he’d be concerned. He was always concerned for her. Even when he’d gone to Cambridge, he’d written to her and she’d replied. But he’d been home for years, learning to run his father’s bank. His family was very wealthy, and he’d make a woman a fine husband someday. Isaac planned to make his mark on the world before taking a wife. He wanted to do something that was of his own making. His father had started a bank. His uncle had saved a hospital. Isaac wanted to be remembered as more than his father’s son. He was writing a book that he believed would leave his mark on the world. She was happy for him.

  “How is your book coming along?” she decided to ask.

  His face relaxed just a bit and he released her, went to the table, undid his worn satchel that bore the Cambridge symbol, and placed a large stack of papers on the desk. “I want you to read it.”

  “It’s done?” she asked, trying to glance at it as best she could.

  He nodded. Then he released her again and took a step back. “I want to see your arm.”

  Alice looked down at the sleeve then back at him. “That would be impossible in this dress.”

  Something flashed in Isaac’s eyes but it was gone before Alice could understand what she’d seen. “You’re in a day dress.”

  “Yes,” she said with a grin. “I know! Isn’t it lovely?” She turned for him and when she was facing him once more, she found his face blank. “Isaac?”

  His cheeks reddened, and his eyes rose to meet hers again. “Alice, I can see your back.”

  Her cheeks turned hot as well. “Oh, yes, I forgot.” Then she bit her lip and said, “It is a lovely dress though, is it not?”

  “Sit,” he told her.

  Alice sat since he was so worried for her.

  Isaac took a chair from the corner table in the room and positioned it next to Alice’s. “Where’s your father?”

  “I don’t know. Most likely with one of his paramours. You know how he can be. He may not return today. I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see him until tomorrow.”

  Isaac narrowed his eyes. He took her hand and held it between their bodies. “You’ll stay at my residence tonight.”

  Alice’s eyes widened. “Isaac, I couldn’t.”

  “I’ll not let you sleep here tonight if your father is not around.”

  “Isaac—”

  He grabbed her chin, and she closed her mouth to listen to him. “You’ll stay with me.”

  Alice knew a command when she heard it, and though she understood Isaac’s worry, she had to make him understand that she was more than fine. She was splendid. She smiled and said, “Isaac, nothing else will happen to me, I swear it.” Then she shook her head, which loosened Isaac’s hold, and laughed.
“Besides, it would be most improper for me to stay with you. No one would understand what our relationship is.”

  Isaac’s hand slid to the side of her jaw, and his eyes grew intense.

  Alice peeked over to where the others were still in the adjoining room, looking through the curtains before returning her eyes to Isaac.

  “Alice, exactly what do you think our relationship to be?”

  Alice laughed again. “Well, you’re like my brother.”

  His lids lowered a bit.

  Alice’s smile fell away and she asked, “Well, aren’t you?”

  Isaac slowly shook his head. His thumb swept her cheek and, for some reason, Alice’s body vibrated as though she were waking from a very long dream. She stared at the man who sat before her and realized then just how very much a man he was and wondered when that had changed.

  “Isaac?” His name left her lips as though she were saying it for the first time.

  His eyes moved her mouth.

  Alice’s eyes widened.

  “Alice?”

  She turned in her chair and saw Lorena, Genie, Sophia, Maura, and Jane staring at her with varying expressions. Lorena was biting her lip and looked to be holding back a smile. Alice didn’t know Genie well but had a feeling from the woman’s smile that she rarely held any emotion back. Sophia looked intrigued. Maura looked slightly surprised. Jane looked upset.

  The office door flew open and Tabitha walked in… followed by Calvin and five other men.

  Calvin’s eyes swept the room and landed on her. Then they turned to Isaac and returned to her.

  Alice realized not only was Isaac’s hand still at her jaw but his brown eyes overflowed with anger all heading in Calvin’s direction.

  Lorena gasped and Alice turned to watch her fiancé grab her by the waist and march her from the room without a word. From the irritated look on his face, Alice supposed there would be words said very soon.