***
The day of the lunch arrived, bringing with it a beautiful sunny and cloudless sky. Alice could not have hoped for a better day. Now everything else needed to be perfect, including the dress she would wear. She was undecided, not having the eye for fashion that her sister had. Violet had planned what she would wear and what she would do to her hair yesterday, and yet here Alice stood without a notion in her head of what is most suitable for a lunch in her own home.
She had selected several dresses and laid them out on her bed, but she had not a clue as to the most appropriate one for today. Perhaps she should have paid more attention to Mama when she covered this subject some years ago.
Confused, she sat on the floor, head in hands. Alice cried out when her head jerked back, realising that she had accidentally sat on her waist-length hair. She rubbed her smarting scalp. Could anything else go wrong?
“What on earth are you doing on the floor in your night clothes?” asked Violet.
Alice glanced at her sister before looking down again. This was what could go wrong – Violet was dressed and ready, which meant that Alice would be late. Oh, bother. “I do not know what to wear, Vi.”
"Then why did you not say something sooner? We are expecting our guests any minute now, and I expect my sister to be with me when Gregory arrives."
Alice would not look up, so embarrassed was she by her tardiness. The one day her sister needed her to make an effort for such a momentous occasion was also the day that she chose to do something that she obviously could not. What had she been thinking? Also, why was she so concerned about what she should wear? Usually, she was not so concerned. As long as she looked presentable and did not have any paint stains, she should be content.
"I wished to do it on my own, but clearly I cannot do something as simple as picking a suitable dress and hairstyle."
“Oh, do get up, Alice. We have work to do.”
She only looked up when Violet came to stand before her, holding her hands out to her. Sighing, Alice took them and allowed her sister to pull her up.
“Good. Now that you are up, let us pick your dress, have you freshened up, then I shall do your hair, or would you prefer Mary do it?”
"Heavens, no! She will give me a headache with her incessant chatter. Besides, I much prefer Clara's hand to hers."
“She is not here so we will have to make do between us. Do you have any ideas?”
“Not yet, but do let us pick the dress, then you can think of a hairstyle while I tend to myself.”
Alice went behind the screen, pouring some water out of the urn to bathe as quickly as she could. Mary had brought her some hot water earlier on, but now it was lukewarm, her most hated temperature. As far as she was concerned, water should be hot or cold, not in between.
“What are you muttering about, dear sister?” asked Violet.
“Nothing of great import. Have you decided on a dress yet?”
“Yes, the white one with the blue lace trimming.”
“But I did not put that option on the bed.”
“Are you questioning my choice?”
“No, I am merely surprised that I was so far off the mark. It is a great indication of my inadequacies in anything fashion-related. I promise to pay more attention from now on.”
Alice popped her head around the screen when she heard a heavy drop to the floor. She dropped her soap and cloth to rush to her sister who, to her great annoyance, began to laugh. Her sister sat up, her voice full of mirth.
“Violet! What is the matter with you? Why did you fall so suddenly?”
“Well, I had to do something dramatic to show how truly shocked I am by your words.”
“My words? What did I say that warranted such a reaction?”
“Have you already forgotten? You said that you promised to pay more attention from now on.”
Alice shook her head. She was not impressed in the slightest. How could her sister jest during such a time? She gave her sister a light slap on her knee and stood up.
“I am clearly more anxious about this than you are. Do you not recall that Papa will be keeping a close eye on Gregory? He wishes to know the man who will court his daughter. And you know how Papa has a tendency to ask inappropriate questions.”
Their father thought nothing of asking questions about money, yearly income, family connections, previous courtships, education and the like. While some were acceptable, her father had the ability to change his questions into an interrogation. Alice did not know how Gregory would fare under such conditions, but she hoped that the man had a strong character and was able to take everything that their father said with a pinch of salt.
"Oh, I am not worried about Papa, Alice. He is harmless. I am sure that Gregory will be able to handle whatever Papa asks him. However, I am certain that it is not Papa whom you are concerned about, but a dashingly handsome marquess."
“Do not jest, Violet. I do not find the humour in what you have said. Now, if you are quite done wasting my time, I need to complete my ablution.”
Alice returned behind the screen with her sister's giggles following her. I shall not entertain her, she thought to herself. No, I shall not. I am not anxious about seeing Luke! Frankly, I do not care if he does or does not come.
Gregory had sent a reply within hours of receiving the invitation, but Luke had not. Alice did not know what to make of his silence. Perhaps he did not see a reason to come? The thought did not sit right with her. She believed that they had something in common, but he may think differently after all. She should not think on it, but it did leave her feeling disappointed.
“Alice, when will you come out? I am sure that Mama must be wearing out the carpet with her pacing, and I must still do your hair, or have you forgotten?”
“Will you drape the dress over the screen?”
“Yes, but do hurry. I shall do your hair in a simple style due to time.”
“I do not mind, simple is best.”
A few minutes later, she came out from behind the screen to have her sister help her with the dress and undergarments. Violet had a deft hand at arranging hair, and with a few pins and a mother of pearl comb, Alice's hair was done.
"The only thing remaining is a bit of perfume and your shoes. I suggest that you apply the light floral scent with a hint of green. Anything else will be too strong for such a summery day."
Alice took her sister's advice, lightly applying perfume to the heat points on her body. They were out of her door seconds later, making their way to all that awaited them downstairs.
***
Luke had not been sure about whether or not he wanted to go to Lord and Lady Campbell's lunch. When his father found out that he had accompanied Norton to the Campbell's townhouse, he had been thrilled. Luke had questioned his father about his reaction, although he soon wished that he had not. How could he face Alice, knowing what he knew? His father had a habit of ruining everything with his gambling and scheming. And this time, he had gone too far.
And yet, here he found himself travelling to the Campbell's home with Norton, not sure about how he would behave towards her. Should he keep his distance? No, she would know that something was wrong. He would have to pretend that all was well, as though he knew nothing of their situation. He certainly could not tell her that their fathers had arranged a marriage between them.
“You have hardly said a word, Shore. Is something on your mind?”
“Nothing that I can discuss at this moment, Norton. I wish to keep it to myself for the present.”
“I respect your decision, but do not show that face to the Campbell sisters or they may be more concerned about your dark mood than the courtship between Violet and I. I do not wish for anything to go wrong.”
“And nothing will go wrong, old chap. You have my word.”
Norton seemed satisfied as he leaned back against the plush velvet seat of the Richley carriage. Luke thought that they would make a grander entrance if they came in the family carriage rather than
his friend's simpler one. It was not that Norton was a penniless man, but he was a penny pincher. The man saw no need to spend money on frivolous items like the rest of his family did. If anything, he preferred to spend it on the less fortunate patients he treated in his offices.
Norton came from a wealthy family, but as the fifth son of a viscount, he was not in line for the title himself. He, along with his three brothers, had all found employment in various fields with one going into the church, another in the army, and the last a merchant. If his grandmother had not taken such a liking to him and left some of her fortune to him, he may very well have found himself dependent on his eldest brother, Marcus.
People naturally made the assumption that his friend was a penniless physician, and that was how Norton preferred it. Luke hoped that he had found someone suitable in Violet Campbell, that she would fit into his lifestyle with ease. It would be disappointing to Norton if the woman he decided to set his hat at were not compatible with him.
And what of Alice? Luke could not deny that they were similar in many ways. It was why he enjoyed being around her. It was just unfortunate that their friendly relationship was doomed from the beginning by their meddlesome parents.
Their journey was over once they arrived at the townhouse, a footman running to them to open their carriage door. Luke could feel Norton's excitement and anxiety as acutely as his own. In fact, he could not tell who was the more anxious. It was not he who would be judged today, but Norton. Thus, he should keep a clear and level head, not giving away anything of his own troubling thoughts. His friend needed him for support today, and by golly, he would give it.
They stepped down, his hand going to Norton's shoulder. “They will love you, Norton. You have nothing to fear. You must be yourself. Let them see the good man that you are. I know that Violet is already taken with you, and her parents will be so as well once they speak with you.”
“I hope that you are right, Shore, for I am worried. I am quite taken with Violet, and although her parents agreed to the courtship, there is no guarantee that they will not decide to refuse it if they find me wanting. Do you think I should tell them about my financial position? They must think me a penniless physician.”
Luke almost smiled. Had that not been the thing that he had been thinking about himself?
“Do not say anything unless asked. And even then, rather state that you have the means to keep their daughter in a state of comfort for the rest of her life. Make no mention of the sizeable inheritance from your grandmother, or you might find that they may push a betrothal for the wrong reason. Well, it would be wrong for you, but society feels no shame about it.”
Norton nodded nervously. “I shall take your advice, dear friend. I do not want them to force Violet to marry me because of my money. She must come to me of her own accord.”
“Judging by our last visit, you need not worry about that.”
Their conversation fell away as the door opened to reveal the same pretty servant who had admitted them into the house the last time.
“Good day, My Lords. They are waiting for you in the drawing room. Let me show you the way.”
Luke felt like telling her that they already knew where the room was, having been there before, but he did not want to take the wind out of her sails. It seemed as though the maid took great pride in guiding them through the house as she held her head up high and moved her hands gracefully as she spoke. Was she wearing a new uniform as well? If that were the case, then the Campbells had undoubtedly put much effort into this lunch. He was interested to see who else they had invited, as he could hear quite some murmuring coming from the drawing room.
Miss Charpentier came to mind, and it was not a pleasant thought. What if they had invited her? He told himself not to be so silly. They did not know each other well enough to invite her. Had the woman been here, she would have fought to remain by his side throughout the lunch, this he knew with every fibre of his being. He would much rather Alice remain by his side and keep him company than that woman. Luke only hoped that his behaviour would not be altered by his father's words.
***
Alice was enjoying herself. Everything about the lunch had so far gone well, and now her sister, Luke, Gregory and Mrs Jersey were taking a light stroll to settle their food. Alice did not think that Mrs Jersey would last long as she had been complaining about her sore leg for quite some time. But as their chaperone, she needed to accompany the sisters for propriety sake. Woe on the maiden who decided to venture out with her beloved alone, their little rendezvous would be all over town by the next day.
“Miss Campbell, is there anything that interests you? I imagine that you have a hobby of sorts, or rather, a passion,” asked Luke
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I enjoy painting, Lord Shore, and sketching to a lesser extent. I often spend my days painting for pleasure or for my family. Is there anything that you enjoy doing during spare moments? I take it that you are a busy man."
“Archery. I have loved it since I was a child.”
“Archery? I admire the sport and the people who have mastered it. It requires much skill and practice, does it not?”
He smiled. “No more than painting, I presume. You have likely put in hours to achieve your present skill. I would like to see your work, if you would permit me.”
Alice felt terribly shy about that. It was one thing for family and friends to see her work, but quite another for Luke to view it. She would hate for him to see something and not like it. While she was not closed to criticism, it would somehow seem worse if it came from him. She would most certainly take it to heart, although she did not know why.
“I am rather possessive of my paintings, Lord Shore. I seldom allow strangers to see them.”
Luke lifted a brow. “Do you regard me as a stranger, Miss Campbell?”
Alice coloured. Goodness, she seemed to have put her foot in her mouth. “Uh, no, My Lord, not at all. I merely meant that I am not comfortable with just anyone looking at my work.”
“Just anyone, Miss Campbell?”
If the ground beneath her feet would just swallow her whole, she would feel much relief. She was sure that she had offended him, and it was not her intention. Why must he take everything at face value? Could he not read betwixt the lines? She stopped walking to fully face him as she tried to explain herself.
“Lord Shore, to put it plainly, I am not confident enough of my skill to show you my work. You are a cultured man. I am certain that you have seen many paintings in your lifetime. Not only that, but you likely own a great many paintings by artists who are far more accomplished than I. It would be a source of shame to me to show you anything that I have done.”
She was perplexed when a wide grin spread across his face. Surely nothing she had said could warrant such a reaction? Alice was almost too worried to hear what he would say next.
“I see that you are a true artist, Miss Campbell.”
Her jaw dropped. "How do you suppose that? Did I not state that I am not confident about my work?"
“Yes, and that is the mark of a true artist.”
“I am not ashamed to admit that you have confused me, My Lord. How can you equate what I have said with the mark of a true artist?”
“First, let us find somewhere to sit in the shade. I am finding the sun a tad too aggressive today.”
“Oh, of course. Let me just speak to our companions.” Alice turned to her sister, only to find that they were nowhere near them. “Heavens! When did we part? Were we not just walking with them?” How had she not realised that they had walked away from them? It was best they return to them before anyone could misconstrue their isolated position.
The Way to Capture a Marquess's Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 12