Alice had to strain her own ears to hear what was being said and though she missed Nancy's words, her husband's were quite clear, "Do you not remember me inviting the Earl? He was one of the few names I placed upon the guestlist."
Nancy scowled at her husband, perhaps even looking horrified and Alice could not help but cover her mouth with her hand to hide the smirk that had begun to play upon her lips. She could not help but find amusement in Nancy's carefully laid plans being thwarted, even if it was merely by the invitation of one unexpected guest.
That shall teach her for trying to arrange things so perfectly,Alice thought, only slightly regretful at thinking such an unfriendly thing toward her dearest friend.
"Do not worry, my love," Owen announced to his wife as though he saw the fret upon her face. "Lord Warrington is merely here to keep me occupied in the topics of hunting and drinking and business while you entertain all of your wonderful guests."
Nancy looked slightly relieved by that and then began to nod, offering her husband a kiss upon the cheek before she stated, "Then I shall not begrudge you your one friend."
Placing his hand upon Nancy's where she held onto his arm, the Viscount stared lovingly into his wife's eyes as he vowed, "You are much too good for me, my lady."
Alice's stomach twisted with envy once more and she was forced to look away. It was then that Nancy set her sights upon Alice once more and detangling herself from her husband, she hurried back to Alice's side, insisting, "Alice, you must allow me to introduce the two of you."
She appeared a far cry from the worried woman she had been a moment ago and Alice wondered if it was the disheveled appearance of the Earl amongst her bright and glossy dinner guests that had worried her so. She did not get the chance to ask or even to protest as Nancy gripped her by the arm, causing Alice's long evening glove to begin to roll down, and she felt even more awkward even as she guided her toward the new arrival.
"Lord Warrington, you must forgive me for not greeting you formally upon your arrival," Nancy announced, distracting him from whatever conversation he had been having with Philip. "I must admit your late arrival has quite thrown me."
"Then I offer you my apologies also, Lady Kendall," Lord Warrington responded, bowing even as he turned to face them. Alice felt her heart racing all over again the moment that he straightened up and their eyes met once more. This time, with his standing much closer than before, Alice found she was unable to look away and she found that an amused smile began to play begrudgingly upon her face.
"Lord Thomas Nott, Earl of Warrington, please allow me to introduce you to my dearest friend, Miss Alice Skeffington, daughter of Viscount Skeffington," Nancy introduced them extremely formally, and yet Alice found that she barely heard a word, her attention drawn, her interest piqued, every sense trained upon the man before her. Unlike everyone around him he was not trussed up like a Christmas turkey in all his finery.
In fact, his riding clothes were quite plain though they were anything but dull as Thomas Nott appeared never to be dull. His very face shown with something that intrigued Alice far more than anyone else around him.
Perhaps it was his eyes, the way they locked onto her and seemed to stare deep into her soul, shining with a brilliance that reminded her of the very air that glowed in a dappled forest whenever the sun was shining greatly upon a summer's day.
Whatever is the matter with me?Alice thought even as she felt a rush of heat in the most forbidden of places. Her thighs clenched and she could only hope that nobody had noticed the way his presence caused her to shiver.
"Miss Skeffington, are you quite well?" Lord Warrington asked, and Alice suddenly realised that it was not the first time he had spoken. Heart racing, she quickly recovered herself, clearing her throat as discreetly as possible and pulling calmly on the glove that Nancy had accidently rolled down before she offered the man her hand in greeting.
"Forgive me, Lord Warrington, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again," she said, forcing a smile upon her now pale face. She had never been caught so unawares in public before. "I do believe that we have met once already. At the wedding of our dear friends."
Though she gestured toward Lord and Lady Kendall, she found that she could not entirely bring herself to look away from the nobleman. His gaze was still locked upon hers even as he took hold of her gloved hand and lowered down into a bow to kiss her knuckles with his free hand upon the small of his back.
Though Alice was certain she must have imagined it, she was almost sure she could feel the warmth of his breath caressing her skin through the thick silken material of her glove before he pressed his lips upon her knuckles.
"I can assure you the pleasure is all mine and I remember the evening well," he stated, beginning to speak even before he had risen from kissing her hand, making her certain that she could most definitely feel the warmth of his breath.
Her own breath caught in her throat and for just a moment she quite forgot herself, beginning to step forward, her body urged toward the man even as everything and everyone around her began to fade into insignificance.
It was not until the cheerful voice of Philip drew her back again that she came to realise her mistake. It was only the proffered arm of Nancy's cousin that allowed her to catch herself without causing too much a scene as he offered, "Miss Skeffington, please would you allow me the honour of escorting you into the dining room?"
Almost at the very same moment, the raucous sound of the dinner gong began to chime, and Alice almost jumped right out of her skin. It was clear from the smile upon Philip's face and the gleam in his brown gaze that he believed he was doing Alice a favour, saving her from the man who currently stood before her and yet, for just one wild moment, she found herself wishing that Lord Warrington would contest the offer.
Disappointment befouled her stomach as the Earl merely stepped out of the way, offering a bow as he gestured them forth to the dining room. "Please, do not allow me to stand in your way. I rather believe I should hurry to change before joining the dinner table."
Though there was a distinct pong of horse about the air around the gentleman, Alice found that she did not entirely dislike it. There was something else beneath the scent, something wild and masculine that once more caught her interest.
"How nice of you to offer, Mr Tulk," Lady Skeffington hurriedly said for her daughter as though she had seen that she was quite out of sorts. "Perhaps you would do us both the honour while Lord Warrington goes to correct himself?"
"I would be happy to," Philip responded with an ever-pleasant grin, offering his free arm to Alice's mother. He then turned to Nott and offered him a nod as he said, "Do hurry, Lord Warrington. I find I am quite famished and would hate for you to miss all the delicacies my cousin has had prepared for the evening’s festivities."
"I shall endeavour to be as quick as humanly possible," Lord Warrington stated, offering the man a nod in return before offering a bow to each of the women on his arm. "Lady Skeffington, Miss Skeffington, I do hope to see you both again this week."
"We are to reside in the same house for the duration of the week, Lord Warrington," Lady Skeffington reminded him with a smile. Alice was almost certain there was an edge to her mother's tone. Perhaps she imagined it for when she glanced at her mother there was nothing but friendliness in her gaze. "Therefore, I imagine you shall be seeing us again."
With that, the lady seemed to urge Philip forward and he, in turn, did the same to Alice. Though she did her best to keep her gaze forward facing, heading into the dining room after all the other guests, Alice could not help but glance over her shoulder in the hopes of catching one final glimpse of the man who disappeared up the manor stairs two steps at a time, clearly adhering to his promise to hurry.
"I do rather wonder where he shall deem to be seated when he returns," Alice heard one of the women comment and looked around to see that she too was following Lord Warrington with her unquestionable gaze.