Lady Alice's Dilemma

by Michele McGrath

  “Alice and I met the Baron at the ball last night, Mama. Didn’t we Alice?”

  “Indeed we did. How nice to see you again, Monsieur, and you too, Captain.” Alice rose and gave them both her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mr. Hardwick frowning.

  “This is my younger daughter, Elizabeth,” Lady Mary said, “and our friend, Mr. Hardwick.”

  “How do you do?” Captain Roper shook hands with Lizzie and his fellow guest.

  “Charmed to make your acquaintance, mademoiselle, monsieur,” Philip murmured.

  It seemed to Alice that Mr. Hardwick took the Baron’s hand reluctantly. He held his nose a little higher and looked as if he had just detected a bad smell in the room. Her lips twitched and she wanted to giggle. Didn’t Mr. Hardwick like foreigners? She could readily believe it.

  “Are you making a long stay in this country, monsieur?” Lady Mary asked as gestured to the others to be seated.

  “I am not certain, madame. I always wanted to come to England and to London in particular, but the late unpleasantness made it impossible until now.”

  “How glad I am that all that nastiness is over,” Lady Mary said. “For someone who has never been here before, you speak our language very well.”

  “There are English people living in Paris with whom I studied. I enjoy learning new languages and about the customs of other countries.”

  “I am happy with one language and one set of customs,” Mr. Hardwick said heavily into the slight pause that followed, “They are good enough for me.”

  There was a twinkle in the Baron’s eye as he replied, “I felicitate you, monsieur, on being so contented with your lot. Sadly, not everyone is the same. What do you say, Lady Alice? You told me last night that you longed to travel.”

  Taken slightly aback at being addressed in this a fashion and experiencing a strong desire to rap her brother’s knuckles, Alice sought wildly for an answer. She murmured as colourlessly as possible, “Perhaps I may be able to go abroad, now that the world is at peace.”

  “You cannot have thought, Lady Alice. Foreign travel is positively injurious to health. It would never do for me,” Mr. Hardwick said. “People gabbling nonsense at you, strange food and water you cannot drink.”

  The Baron’s eyebrows shot up and he was about to retort when Lady Mary intervened, saying,

  “You should try it for yourself, Mr. Hardwick. For myself, I had a wonderful time in Paris when I was first married. I went there with my husband for our honeymoon. I remember it well. The balls, the Opéra and the Comédie, so ornate, so many charming people. We made many friends there, all scattered now, unfortunately. I know little about their fate. It was also in Paris that your Papa met your dear Mama, Alice my dear, as I am sure she told you.”

  “Many times, Aunt. She always says that she was fortunate to be there, at the same time as Papa was making his Grand Tour.”

  “You may not know, Mr. Hardwick, but the Countess of Kirkmore is French. So it is no wonder that Lady Alice has been taught her mother’s language and hopes to visit her relatives one day.”

  “Really? No one told me.” Mr. Hardwick looked hard at Alice as if he had just seen something strange in her. She had a fleeting notion that she had gone down a little in his estimation for which, if it was true and not just wishful thinking, she was heartily thankful. She dreaded the prospect of receiving an offer from him, which her mama and papa might expect her to accept, since his fortune was handsome. For her own sake, she would unhesitatingly refuse. I could not imagine facing him at the breakfast table every morning for the rest of my life. I would sooner dwindle into an old maid, she thought defiantly.

  “But how charming,” the Baron said. “I claim you as a fellow countrywoman, Lady Alice, or half a one at least.” He smiled at Alice and she made herself smile back, reflecting how she would scold him for his effrontery the next time they were alone together.

  “Mama!” Kitty interrupted, claiming her mother’s attention. She had been sitting beside Captain Roper, talking quietly with him while her mother was engaged with her other guests.

  “Yes, my love?”

  “Captain Roper has hit on a famous scheme for our entertainment. He is proposing to invite a party to drive out to Richmond Park with him this Saturday. He would like to include Alice and me if you will be so kind to come with us as chaperone. Do say we can go, please Mama?”

  “The weather has been so fine, Lady Mary, and the park is looking its best at this time of year. I intend to arrange a luncheon at one of the nearby inns, which has a reputation for good food. Would you honour me by being my guest?” Captain Roper smiled at his hostess.

  Kitty’s eyes were sparkling at the prospect of such a treat. She looked longingly at her mother. Alice thought of her own mother, who would not hesitate for a moment to decline any invitation which did not please her. Fortunately for Kitty, Lady Mary was an indulgent mother, fond of her children and pleased to see them happy.

  “What a delightful idea. I haven’t been to Richmond for an age,” Lady Mary replied. “Thank you, Captain Roper. We shall certainly accept.”

  At that moment a commotion occurred in the passageway outside the salon. Doors opened and shut and several hurrying footsteps were heard.

  “Something is happening, Mama,” Kitty exclaimed. “It’s not like the servants to make so much noise. I wonder what it is.”

  “Elizabeth, my dear, please go and see. The gentlemen will excuse you.”

  Lizzie rose, put down her sewing, bobbed a small curtsey to the guests and walked towards the door. She had only just stretched out her hand for the knob when it opened. Reynolds, the butler, stood on the threshold.

  “Pardon me for interrupting you, my lady, but Sir Edward has sent me to inform you that he has this minute arrived from France.”

  “Good heavens.” Lady Mary jumped to her feet. “How unexpected. Where is he? Why does he not come in to greet us?”

  “He begs you to forgive him, my lady. He says he is not fit to join you in the drawing room in all his dirt. He has gone to change his travelling clothes and will be with you directly.”

  “Thank you, Reynolds.” Lady Mary sank back into her seat. “What a surprise. You won’t have met my step-son, gentlemen. He has been abroad for several years, serving with his regiment. We have been awaiting his return ever since the peace was signed, but this is the first news we have heard from him.”

  “Then we must leave you, Ma’am.” Captain Roper stood up. “We would be de trop in the middle of a family reunion after such a long time apart. Come, Louis. We will look forward to the pleasure of meeting you and the young ladies on Saturday. Sir Edward, too, if he has recovered from his travels by then. Mr. Hardwick, would you also honour us with your company?”

  “Sadly no, though I thank you for your offer. I am too poor a traveller to enjoy such entertainment,” Mr. Hardwick said, much to Alice’s relief. “By your leave, ma’am, I will go too. Captain Roper is right; no one should intrude at this moment, although I hope to make Sir Edward’s acquaintance at a later date. There is something particular I want to say to him. I wish you a very good day.”

  Amid the bustle of the party leaving, the Baron said quietly to his sister, as he shook her hand,

  “Hookham’s Library. Tomorrow at three.”

  After they had left, Alice sank back into her chair and relaxed for the first time that morning. The dreaded visit had passed off without incident. She sat silently as her aunt and cousins talked excitedly about Edward’s sudden arrival. She was intently conjuring up excuses in her mind for going to the Hookham’s tomorrow when the door opened and a stranger stood on the threshold. Since the butler had not announced him, she realised that this could only be Sir Edward himself.

  She blinked, wondering for a moment if she was dreaming. Her cousin by marriage, whom she had never met before, was the embodiment of her childhood dreams. She had been told that he was approaching twenty-eight, eleven years older than Kitty, but he lo
oked more. Perhaps it was the tan of his skin or the faint lines of strain on his forehead. She had a sudden irrational thought that she would like very much to smooth those tiny wrinkles away. He had dark eyes, very like Kitty’s, a straight nose and firm lips below a small cavalryman’s moustache. His glossy brown locks were tied back with a small black ribbon. He was tall, several inches above her own height, so she would be forced to look up at him. She received the impression of great elegance. She was later informed, though, that he patronised Scott, the military men’s choice rather than Weston, who everyone said was a genius and the foremost tailor in London. Despite that disadvantage, Edward’s tailcoat of grey superfine wool fitted his broad shoulders like a glove. Beige pantaloons, highly polished short boots and a small necktie completed an outfit which was complete to a shade, although not quite in the forefront of fashion. He advanced into the room to greet his stepmother.

  “I give you good day, ma’am,” he said as he kissed her hand.

  “I’m delighted you are home at last, Edward. If we had had some warning of your arrival, you would have found us better prepared to welcome you properly.”

  “I didn’t expect to get leave at this time or I would have written to you. When my furlough was granted, I left before the colonel could change his mind.”

  “You have not sold out?”

  “Not yet but I must do so, of course, now that the war is over. The estates need attention or so Eastham writes. I imagine there will be quite enough for me to do since Papa is no longer here to manage affairs. But who are all these grown up young ladies? Surely not little Lizzie and Kitty, without her pigtails and torn dress.”

  “I’ll have you know I have become positively prim and proper now that I am making my come out.” Kitty informed him, pursing her lips. “I am turned seventeen and no longer a child.”

  “Is that so?” He stood back from her and examined her quizzically. “Well, you certainly look as fine as five pence.”

  “Thank you, kind sir.” Kitty dropped him a small curtsey, then laughed and came forward to kiss his cheek. Lizzie, with far less elegance, ran to give him a hug.

  “You will remember your cousin, Alice, from the time we visited my brother at Kirkmore?” Lady Mary asked.

  “You forget, ma’am. I did not accompany you on that visit. I was at Eton, covered in measles and not allowed to travel.”

  “You are right, I had forgotten. It was William who came with us, not you.”

  “How do you do, cousin?” Alice gave him her hand. “I’m glad to meet you now. Welcome back to your home.” She found herself staring, fascinated, into his eyes. A spark of some emotion flared in them but it was gone so quickly, she was never sure she had seen it at all.

  “Alice is also making her come out this season. You have arrived at a very busy time.”

  He smiled. “So I perceive.”

  “Mama’s ball is to be held two weeks on Thursday,” Kitty said excitedly, clapping her hands. “How fortunate you have come home Edward so you can act as the host.”

  He looked quizzical “Can I indeed?” He glanced at Lady Mary. “You know dancing is not my forte, ma’am.”

  “How can you say such a thing?” Lady Mary exclaimed. “You are a most graceful dancer and you must have danced when you were in the Peninsular. We hear stories of all the balls and jollifications Lord Wellington and his officers enjoyed.”

  “I understand that the headquarters staff were well entertained, but I was on garrison duty at Toulouse. The people there were tired of war so there was little gaiety in the town. I have not been to a ball since we left Spain for France.”

  “Never tell us that you have forgotten how?” Lizzie gasped. “Why, as the host, you must open the dancing with the most important lady present, while Alice and Kitty partner the most important gentlemen.”

  “Must I, Miss Mischief?” Edward smiled again. Alice thought it changed his face, making it appear much younger. “Well, I will if you engage to teach me all the latest steps, I will make the attempt.”

  “Who are we to partner, Mama?” Kitty asked. “Is it decided yet?”

  “Certainly both you and Alice must open the ball, but not everyone has replied to their invitations. We will have to wait for now. Remember, it is only for one or two dances and then you may join your friends and enjoy yourselves.”

  “Would you honour me with a dance later on, Cousin?” Edward asked Alice, rather formally. “I undertake to be careful and not to step on your toes.”

  “It will be my pleasure.” Alice smiled up at him, realising how very true the words were even as she uttered them. She thought she saw, for a fraction of a second, an answering gleam in his eye.

  “Good,” said Lady Mary. “I must tell you, Edward, that we are rarely at home these days, we have so many invitations. The knocker is seldom still; we are engaged for most nights in the week. Just this morning, before you arrived, Captain Roper called to ask us to drive out with him to Richmond Park on Saturday. He extended his invitation to you if you should have recovered from your journey by then and wish to accompany us.”

  “This journey from Dover was as nothing compared to the difficulties of travelling in Spain, but I don’t know this Captain Roper. Who is he?”

  “The son of Admiral Roper. His family lives in Dorset or some such outlandish place. They have been in the Navy forever. Captain Roper commanded the sloop, Black Swan, in the late war, so he was not in England until recently. It’s not surprising that you never met.”

  “Do come to Richmond, Edward. It will be such fun,” Kitty said.

  “Perhaps I shall. I look forward to making Captain Roper’s acquaintance on Saturday. I also intend to visit several of my old friends, now that I have returned, and talk with Eastham, of course. It was his letter that brought me home.”

  “Oh? Not bad news, I trust?”

  “No, but there are decisions which should be made and documents only I can sign. Nothing for you to bother your head with, ma’am, but tell me, is William still up at Oxford?”

  “He comes down in June. He is hoping you will buy him a pair of colours, now that his education is finished and he has attained his majority.”

  “He wants to become a cavalryman, just like you, Edward,” Lizzie said. “He is full of admiration.”

  “Better if he chooses another profession now that the war is over. Promotion is far less likely with all the officers kicking their heels on half pay in peacetime. There will be little left for him to do, but I will speak with him and see if we can settle the issue.”

  The door opened and Reynolds appeared.

  “Luncheon has been set out for you in the blue saloon, my lady,” he said.

  “Goodness, how the morning has flown!” Lady Mary stood up and Edward offered her his arm. “Come, let us go in. Edward must tell about his adventures while we dine.”

  “I like your brother,” Alice remarked to Kitty later. “He is very nice.”

  “When he is in a good mood he is wonderful but you don’t want to see him in a temper, believe me. The scoldings I had from him when I was little! I’m so glad to be grown up now!”

  Chapter Three

  “Aunt, I have finished my book and I am due to return it to the library today. Do you have any need of me or may I call at Hookham’s this afternoon?” Alice tried to look nonchalant, although her heart beat faster as she waited for Lady Mary’s reply.

  “Of course, my dear. Does Kitty go with you?”

  “She is engaged with one of her friends, so I thought I would take Sarah.” Sarah, her maid, could be relied on to sit still in a quiet corner until her mistress was ready to leave.

  “Do you want the carriage?”

  “It’s such a lovely day, I’m happy to walk.”

  “Very well. Would you be so kind as to return my book also? It’s so uninteresting I really can’t bring myself to finish it. I will fetch it for you.”

  The day was indeed beautiful. Alice enjoyed the short stroll to Bond Str
eet and so did the country-bred Sarah, accustomed to walking far longer distances at home. The streets were crowded as usual and Alice nodded to several acquaintances on her way. Fortunately none of them offered to accompany her, although she had prepared her excuses against such an eventuality. She arrived at Hookham’s in good time for her meeting with Philip and returned both her own book and her aunt’s. Then she said to her maid,

  “I am going to choose something else to read, Sarah. I may be a little time because I am not sure what I want. Pray sit over there and wait for me.”

  “Yes, my lady.” Once she had seen Sarah safely settled, Alice hurried through the shop, pausing only to examine the shelves if she thought anyone watched her. She was doing this when someone said softly behind her,

  “Are you really interested in sermons, little sister?”

  “Philip! You wretch! You startled me.”

  “I’ve been waiting for you this half hour and I’ve discovered a place where few people go. Come with me.”

  The section on mathematics was not very well lit because Philip had blown out one of the lamps. Alice leant against a shelf and asked,

  “Now tell me, why did you come back to England?”

  “I came to see whether Staunton was still alive. You must remember that Uncle Jonathan bundled me onto the first packet to the continent before we found out what had happened to him.”

  “He lived. You didn’t manage to kill him if that’s what you mean.”

  “So there is no warrant out for me?”

  “They gave up searching for you a long time ago. If you suddenly appeared, though, I don’t know whether they would arrest you or not. Staunton is said to swear that you set out to murder him.”

  “He’s right, I did.”

  “Philip! How could you!” Alice felt slightly sick. She stared at her brother as she remembered the boy he had been, honest and upright but with a tinge of mischief. A companion who never let her down. Why would he even consider such an appalling thing as killing someone?