“Then I suspect I shall marry her regardless, so long as she is contented to marry a pauper,” he replied a little brusquely. “As I have said, I have not spoken to her at length, but I shall do so. It is the only course I have available to take.”
Chapter Six
“Ihear Henrietta has done very well.”
Alice immediately dropped her gaze to the table, refusing to look at either her sister or her parents. She had no wish to hear her father simpering over his youngest daughter when she was so clearly a disappointment despite doing nothing to deserve such displeasure.
“Yes, Henrietta has done very well. There are many gentlemen eager for her company. I am certain that you will have many gentlemen callers, although it is a shame that we are to be out this afternoon.”
“Where are we to go, mama?”
Having not heard of any intention to take themselves out of the house, Alice looked inquiringly towards her mother, whose gaze was still focused on her youngest. Lady Blackford waved around one hand in her direction as though her question was irritating.
“Henrietta requires a new pair of gloves and a new bonnet. We are all to take ourselves into town for a short while. You will accompany us, of course.”
There would be no new gloves for Alice, of course. This did not come as a surprise to her, although her disappointment rose into a growing frustration that took over every part of her. Her fingers curled into fists under the table, and she dropped her gaze to her hands once more so that she would not permit any frustration to escape into her expression. Henrietta was the chosen child. Beautiful, where Alice was not, her character was slowly becoming spoiled and selfish. Not that such a thing mattered to their mother, however, for she was only interested in just how good a match Henrietta could make, so that she might boast of it to her acquaintances and revel in the wealth and status that her new son-in-law would bring.
Alice did not matter at all.
She would trail after her mother and sister this afternoon, looking at all the beautiful things, but being permitted to purchase none, given she did not even have any pin money of her own - but Henrietta would be given more than enough to satisfy any whim.
“And Henrietta, you shall wear your new gloves to this evening’s soiree.” Lady Blackford’s words were sickly sweet. “I am certain you will draw the attention of evenmoregentlemen.” She laughed brightly. “You will have your pick of suitors.”
Looking away quickly so that her mother did not catch the grimace which pulled at her expression, Alice let out a surreptitious sigh. There would be no suitors for her. Her only hope had been Lord Foster, but he had turned down her offer of an alliance by laughing in her face. The only gratification she had resulted from an awareness that he would not be able to spread what she had done into society, given that he was so disregarded already. However, she did not regret asking him, and if she should come face to face with him again, she would not drop her gaze with embarrassment. No, he would see thathewas the one who had made the mistake, not her. It might take a little time, but Alice was certain that he would come to regret turning down her offer of aid.
A gentle rap at the door indicated that one of the servants wished to enter, and Lord Blackford called them forth. Alice gave them very little attention as the footman came in with a note in his hand. She was entirely astonished, however, when the note was subsequently delivered to her. The whole room fell silent. Alice did not very often receive notes, for there were no gentlemen to call on her, no one to write her sonnets. Occasionally, she might hear from Lady Florence, but given that they were in each other’s company on an almost daily basis, there was very little need for notes to be written between them.
“Alice.” Her mother arched one eyebrow. “Who has been writing to you?”
Opening up the note quickly, Alice glanced at it and instantly the astonishment caught tight in her chest.
Lord Foster.
“It is no one of importance, Mama.” Folding the note up quickly without even reading it, she slipped it into her pockets and smiled. “It is only Lady Florence. She is in deep despair.” Her smile faded as she quickly came up with an excuse. “I am sure that you have heard that the gentleman who courted her has lost his fortune, and therefore, their courtship has come to an end.”
This served as an excellent distraction from the note she had received, and soon her mother and Henrietta were busy discussing Lady Florence’s beauty, her gowns, and her canceled betrothal. Alice slipped away from the table before they even had a chance to notice she was gone, hurrying up to her room and closing the door tightly behind her. Turning the note over in her hand, she took a moment before she opened it. What would be his reasons for writing? To apologize to her for his laughter? Was it to thank her for her offer, but to kindly refuse again? Could it possibly be that he had changed his mind?
Letting out a slow breath, Alice closed her eyes, then turned to the letter. Unfolding it, she read it quickly. The letter was short, but his hand was neat, his meaning quite clear after only the first line.
‘Miss Lawrence.
After some deliberation, I should like to speak to you again about the matter we discussed previously. I have some questions, but I am of a mind to accept you, should the answers to my questions be acceptable. I shall be at the ball this evening, although keeping back from the crowd, given my status in society at present. Indeed, I am grateful that my invitation to the ball itself has not been rescinded! Perhaps you might seek me out so that we can discuss the matter together.’
Alice did not keep the note for long. Reading it over once more, she quickly ripped it into small pieces and then buried it into the coals of the as yet unlit fire. It would be burnt up when the maid laid the fire the following morning. Her mother was often a devious creature, and Alice did not want her to read the letter which Lord Foster had sent. The situation and her plan were entirely her own, and Alice did not require her mother’s input or permission.
A small smile spread across her face. Now, at least there was hope. It might not be a fiery hope, but it was hope, nonetheless. Hope that she could have a future with a husband, and perhaps even a family of her own. A hope that she would no longer be looked at as someone only fit to be a companion and, instead, might have the chance of a life of her own. It was certainly not the most common way to achieve such a desire, but it was the only option available to her. She could only pray now that whatever questions Lord Foster had for her, she would be able to answer them in a way that he would find satisfactory - for then, her future might hold a brilliant brightness instead of dull and shadowy clouds.
* * *
“You have found me.”
“Yes, Lord Foster, it would appear so.”
Alice, who again was not missed at all by her mother and sister, had made her way slowly around the room, not looked at by any gentleman or lady. Her eyes had lingered on almost every gentleman, but it was not until she reached the French doors that she finally spotted her quarry.
“You received my note.”
Alice studied him for a moment. There were dark shadows under his eyes and no smile on his lips. He appeared to be brooding, but she could not blame him for that, given the circumstances. Everyone here would be talking of him - no doubt further invitations would be rescinded, and he would have less and less opportunity to appear in society. Thetonwould not tolerate a gentleman who had lost his fortune in a foolish game of gambling. Almost everyone knew of it now.