A Marquess and a Secret

by Joyce Alec

"You look beautiful, Miss Faith but there is something missing," Edmund said mischievously as he produced a jewelry box from behind his back. He opened it up and presented Alice with the most dazzling diamond necklace and earrings she had ever seen.

  "Are you quite sure, my lord, they look fit for a queen," Alice whispered as she realized they were for her.

  "You will be my queen some day. These were my mother's. It would give me great pleasure to see you wear them. They were designed to dazzle, as were you," Edmund blushed as he spoke.

  The duke tried to contain a snicker as he watched two young people in love, one more flushed than the other. He couldn't be more proud if either were actually his own child.

  Embarrassment abated, the couple left the duke alone.

  "I hope you have a wonderful time with me, Miss Faith, but I must admit, I am rather hoping no one recognizes you. I know it is selfish, but I do not want this to end," Edmund said.

  "I understand what you mean. I am rather afraid my life will be rather dull. But we'll see what happens. I am so happy with the duke, but I grow concerned in case my parents are fretting about me."

  Alice frowned. Why had she no feeling when it came to family? Now wasn't the time to for a philosophical debate on her lack of emotions.

  "Why the frown, Miss Faith? Did I say something to cause you distress?" Edmund sounded apprehensive.

  "No, you have been a wonderful companion. Now, tell me about this place again."

  Edmund was afraid he had rather built her hopes up, when in fact, Almack's was really just a place to be seen, especially as the vouchers were hard to get. It was too late to change his mind now; they had arrived.

  7

  The music wafted to Alice's ears. Her heart began to beat faster and faster and as they walked through to the dance floor. Sensory overload made her feel quite emotional. Tonight was possibly going to change her life.

  There was so much noise, with excited talking over the music and the groups of young people milling about. Edmund and Alice looked so handsome as a couple. The discussions stopped and it was as if all eyes turned upon them. Edmund, for once, didn't mind being the center of attention, for he knew it was Alice that drew the attention.

  "I must say, my lord, I feel like a queen," Alice said.

  She was beginning to feel self-conscious, but the moment passed as attention moved to the next young ladies making their entrance. Edmund looked around and saw some friendly faces, but he wasn't ready to mingle as they deposited their capes. He didn't see Bosley smirking in the corner. In fact, he didn't expect Bosley to attend at all.

  For now, he was content to lead his lady to the dance floor, and his eyes never left hers as they spun around.

  "I'll let you be happy for a few dances, old friend. No one can ever say I didn't give you a sporting chance. My whole scheme still needs some more players to arrive before the show can commence," Bosley said to himself.

  He had always been a jealous sort. He took what he wanted, when he wanted. If people didn't do as he said, he found a way to make them pay, and poor Edmund was his next victim. There had been rumors circulating about the altercation between Edmund and Bosley, and Bosley didn't like what he had overheard, especially when someone said, "…at last, someone had stood up to him."

  Commentary sided with Edmund, but tonight's show would end that for sure. Before the night ended, Edmund's place in society would be tarnished. His name would never be mentioned without Bosley's plan in tow. Bosley was feeling very chuffed with himself. It was going to be a magnificent evening.

  "Here she is now," he brightened up as he saw his guest arrive, but timing was everything, as he led the young lady away before she could give the game away. Another pawn in Bosley's game.

  As the music stopped, Edmund escorted Alice from the dance floor to mingle with the crowd. After all, they were in pursuit of someone who would know Alice. It pained him to do this, but if he wished to marry her, he could only do so with her father's permission.

  His friends were courteous, and Edmund asked for their help in seeking Alice's family. There were new faces in the crowd tonight, and therefore, possible one of them would know Alice. She felt anxious as she scanned the room for any familiar face. But no visage registered with her as she looked around. Who am I, he asked herself.

  Suddenly, there was a hush that ran through the crowd. So much so, that it caused the music to drop. Bosley was garnering attention as he ushered his guest through. His face lit up, the feeling was more magnificent than he had anticipated, as he made his way to Edmund and Alice.

  "Cholmosley, I have found someone who may know our mystery guest," he called out as he saw how Edmund and Alice turned at the sound of his voice.

  Everyone gathered was intrigued by the mysterious beauty, especially as no one had seemed to be missing any one. Alice looked at the young woman on Bosley's arm, but again, the young woman didn't look familiar to her at all. However, it was plain to all there that the young woman knew who Alice was.

  "Alice Sinclair, what are you doing here? And dressed like that?" Lady Jane admonished Alice. "My lord, it pains me to see my former lady's maid trying to pass herself off as a Lady," Lady Jane Guildford declared to all and sundry.

  "I beg your pardon, your what?" Alice gasped.

  Bosley's moment had arrived.

  "May I present Lady Jane Guildford. Lady Jane, this is the Marquess of Cholmosley, whose great uncle is the Duke of Donningford. This young lady was found by the marquess, but appears to have lost her memory," Bosley was in his element.

  "This is Alice Sinclair, my lady's maid until recently, when she stole some jewelry from our family."

  The onlookers gasped.

  "My lord, there must be some mistake, I have never seen…I can't remember…is it possible?" Alice became breathless as she turned to look at Edmund who was so pale as he tried to take in the news. His beloved was in service.

  "How did she come by you, my lord? We dismissed her some weeks ago," Lady Jane looked at Alice.

  "It was an accident, and she suffered a head wound…but your lady's maid?" Edmund looked from Jane to Alice. He didn't know what to say or what to do.

  "My dear friend, she had obviously tried to trick you into marrying her. But I have saved you," Bosley said.

  Alice couldn't bear it. The snickering had already started, and she saw the smugness on Bosley's face. She was feeling overwhelmed as her body began to go into shock. She wasn't a lady at all. She served these people. She wasn't one of them.

  She turned towards the door and began to make her way out of the room. She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't take the judgment.

  "I don't think so," Bosley held his hands out for her jewelry. What was it about him that annoyed her so? He could have come to them quietly, but no, he needed a spectacle. Alice felt like a common thief as she removed the jewelry and handed it over before she ran out of the door. She just took a moment to look back at Edmund. He was so crestfallen, and she watched as the ton moved in around him, offering him condolences on being deceived by Alice.

  She ran as fast as her delicate shoes would allow. She couldn't believe it, of all the things she thought possible for herself, being a maid was not one she considered. Did she even have a family? Why couldn't she remember anything? Or was it all just a ruse, a set-up by Bosley to disgrace Edmund?

  Alice just kept going. She had no idea of where she was headed, but she couldn't stop herself. Her shoes were slippery on the cobblestone walkway, and Alice lost her footing as she fell to the ground banging her head.

  "Ouch!" Alice touched her head, and as she looked at her hand, saw there was blood. How long had she been lying on the street? What on earth was she wearing?

  If her head hurt before, it was now ready to explode as all her memories came flooding back and the recent events. She was an orphan. Without anyone to care for her except for Betty. She would go to Betty's until she could figure out what to do. It pained her to think of the upset she had caused Ed
mund and no doubt the duke had already heard about what happened. She hoped they would forgive her and understand that she never intended to deceive them.

  Where did Betty live? She had to get her bearings as she set off in search of the one place that would give her shelter for the night.

  Betty had continued to worry about Alice. The police weren't interested in looking for a disgraced maid, and therefore, there was no option for Betty except to imagine the worst. She had gone to the morgue day after day in case Alice's body turned up. The dark streets of London were no place for a sheltered woman like Alice. She didn't know whether to be relieved or not when Alice's body wasn't there. Although she hadn't known her very long, it seemed peculiar for her just to disappear like that.

  She didn't sleep much, and that night was no exception, as she sat by the burning embers of her fire. Jim was sound asleep, judging by his snoring, as Betty's thoughts were on Alice. A tapping on the door broke her thoughts. She thought about waking Jim, but usually, men would bang on the door rather than just tap. Could it be Alice coming back to her? She ran to the door and opened it.

  "Yes, m'lady," she said.

  "Betty, it's me, Alice."

  "Get in here. You look so fancy. Where have you been?"

  Alice was shivering and no wonder, wearing just her ball gown, as Betty fetched a blanket for her. Alice seemed different to her. It took her a few moments to recognize her, but as Alice let her hair down, and washed off her make-up, Betty could see it was her.

  "I've been so worried, Alice. I tell you that every day I expected to identify your body. You must tell me what happened. Are you bleeding? Where is that blood coming from? You must get changed and tell me what happened."

  Between her sips of broth and her tears, Alice managed to tell Betty what had happened.

  "That Lady Jane was always a little jealous of you from what I read in my letters. It doesn't do when the maid outshines the mistress. Loyalty works both ways. It must have been awful for you. I think you should sell the dress you're wearing. You'll get a good price for it."

  "No, Betty, I cannot have the duke and Edmund think badly of me. Well, no more harshly than they do now. This belonged to the duke's wife and must be returned. I never gave the bracelet back; it must go, too. Promise me you'll take them to the duke for me. They were so good to me, Betty. I thought Edmund was even going to propose."

  Alice broke down in tears, and Betty offered her a hug. Alice had a gotten a glimpse of a life she would never be part of, but Betty didn't think now was the time to tell Alice this. She was hurt enough as it was. The toffs were going to think she planned it, and Betty's mind was that Alice should keep what she had, but it wasn't her place to decide for Alice. She would do as Alice asked, but not before washing out the markings from Alice's fall.

  "You must try to go to sleep. Give me the address, and I will ensure that the dress and bracelet are returned."

  Despite herself, Alice soon fell asleep as Betty dealt with the ball gown. She couldn't help trying on the bracelet. The money it could bring was more than her husband would earn in a lifetime.

  After sending Jim off to work, he had overheard the whole conversation but felt it better to stay in his bed, Betty folded up the dress and bracelet in brown paper and left Alice sleeping.

  Betty made her way to the duke's house. She placed the parcel by the door and rang the bell as she turned on her heel. A carriage was pulling up to the house as she walked away.

  "Miss, who are you?" the man shouted from the carriage.

  Betty kept walking.

  He saw the parcel by the door and ran after Betty.

  "What did you leave by the door?" Edmund asked.

  "It's from Alice. She's very sorry, but she really did forget who she was, but it's all come back now. She's not keeping nothing that wasn't hers," Betty defended her friend.

  "Is she safe? I've been driving around all night looking for her. I'm afraid I froze at the news and did nothing to help her. Where is she?"

  His demeanor was of concern and it touched Betty that even after hearing about who Alice was, he wanted to ensure she was safe.

  "She's safe now, my lord. You needn't worry on that score. I think it's best that you go home now. No need to think about her. She didn't do no harm."

  "I wish to see her," Edmund said. "tell me where she is."

  "No, my lord, I will not do that for I fear you may call the police. It doesn't do for the likes of us to pretend to be who we aren't."

  The butler of the house came to them asking his Lordship to return to the house. Betty could tell the butler wasn't happy about Edmund talking to her, but it gave her the opportunity to slip away.

  "Where is she?" she heard Edmund say as he turned back to seek more information.

  She watched the marquess and the butler return to the house. Alice was right; the marquess had fallen in love with her, but it would never come to pass. Love didn't cross the upstairs-downstairs divide. Alice would have to move on with her life, Betty told herself.

  "Who was that woman?" the duke asked as Jarvis opened up the parcel.

  "I can only presume, Faith, I mean, Alice, is with her, but she didn't tell me her name. She was afraid I'd send the police for her. As if…"

  "I know it's a shock for all of us Edmund, but you know there can be nothing between you. I don't care for what Bosley did. He should have come to you like a gentleman, and we could have sorted this out quietly. You are a social pariah, for now at least, well, until the next scandal takes over. I do not get the impression she was trying to deceive us in any way, but it's a mess. I only wish I got to hear her side of the story, presuming she remembers her past now."

  The duke became quiet. In fact, the whole house was somber with the news. It was as though a death had occurred. Alice had brought so much life into the house. The duke was concerned that Edmund would now fall back into his delinquent ways again. Why hadn't he just escorted her out of Almack's and come back home? But Edmund had never been one to move quickly. He had to think things through, the duke reminded himself. The only time he had shown any backbone was when he knew Bosley had deceived him, but Bosley's actions at Almack's had been too much for Edmund to process.

  He was at a loss for words as the duke took in the news himself.

  Edmund went to his room. Why had this happened to him? How could she have forgotten who she was? No wonder no one was looking for her? But he was just going through the emotions of being angry. Angry that he hadn't jumped to her defense. After all, Bosley could easily have set the whole thing up. It hadn't dawned on him to check his bonafides, or those of Lady Jane Guildford. He knew he was hoping it was still a mistake, but deep down Edmund knew Alice was a maid. He couldn't possibly break with tradition and marry her; it just wasn't the done thing. He had a duty and responsibility to his title. The duke was right; it was a mess.

  8

  Alice woke feeling very hungry. Was this how she usually reacted to stress? No, it was her body looking for sustenance. She smiled as she looked at the table. Betty had left her some bread and soup. She wondered where Betty had gone. Anything to avoid thinking about last night. Her dress was gone as well as her reticule. Betty must be returning them to the duke, she told herself. Then it hit her.

  "Oh no, my necklace," she exclaimed, remembering it was still in the purse.

  She couldn't be without the only connection to her family. It was the only thing of value she owned. Now she would have to call upon the duke, but perhaps Jarvis would just give her the necklace. After all, he would know it was hers as it had been with her on the day she arrived at the duke's home. Her little case was where she had left it, and she took out the better of her two dresses to call upon the duke.

  As she readied herself to leave, Betty returned.

  "Where are you going?" she asked and Alice explained herself.

  "No, Alice, I do not think that is a good idea. Just let it go. It isn't worth it. My fear is that you will be arrested and then you'll
be done for. You won't survive prison."

  Was she right? Alice asked herself. Alice knew she didn't know much in the way of the world. She had always held the view that to tell the truth was the right thing to do but recent circumstances had taught her this wasn't the case. It didn't seem right to her, but she couldn't risk it. The duke and Edmund would be socially shamed for believing her. She could hear the gossip in her mind, wasn't it obvious she wasn't of their class, imagine how she must have used her feminine charms to fool them. No, Betty was right. She couldn't waltz back and expect them just to take her word of having amnesia. They would be looking for atonement.

  "I saw your young man. He did seem quite charming," Betty wasn't going to reveal any more. It wouldn't do for Alice to get her hopes up. Edmund was just being a gentleman by looking for her. Betty's duty was to protect Alice now.

  "What did he say, Betty?"

  She looked into Alice's hopeful face. Alice had to be taken out of her fantasy. Betty knew that love clouded judgment.

  "No, Alice, I didn't get to speak to him much. The butler called him away. We shall have to think about what kind of work you can do. Jim has heard that a family is looking for a nanny. He owns the factory Jim works in and they would be interested in you. Jim has said you are his sister who has been recently widowed, and therefore, have no references. It's something until you can find better."

  "Betty, I don't know what I'd do without you. Last night, I realized I was alone with nowhere to go, except to you. You were the only one I could turn to. How lucky you are to have Jim. God bless you both for looking after me."

  "You are a nice young woman and you need someone on your side. It wasn't right what was done to you, and I have no doubt that Connie was involved, but unless we can prove it, then you are to blame. Alice, did I ever show you the photograph from the newspaper that Mrs. Dempsey sent showing us the toff that Connie said she was involved with? It was too funny to throw away. We always thought she was a liar. It was from last Season." Betty knew Alice needed to find humor in something to break her state of mind.