by Tamara Gill
Her father, a great believer in helping those less fortunate, would be happy knowing what she was about to embark upon with her little row of houses.
She continued through the narrow streets toward the local inn, where their lawyers from Town had sent the building designs and where, Alice hoped, her brother was now collecting them.
Her groom followed close on her horse’s hooves as she came up to the inn, but she used the hitching posts outside the local butcher. Something told her should her mama find out she tied up Juno before the inn, the notion wouldn’t be seen favorably. Even Alice had to draw the line at how scandalous that would be.
Looking across the gravel road, she dismounted. Her brother’s horse dozed in the sun, its head hung low as it awaited Josh to claim him again.
And thankfully, within only a few moments of her arrival, her brother exited the inn’s front door, a tubular container in his hand as he strode across the dirt-lined road. “There you are. I worried you had forgotten.” Her brother halted before her, grinning. “I have gossip.”
Alice gave her brother a quick kiss on the cheek and took his arm. “Sorry I was late, but it was such a beautiful day I thought to take the longer route into the village and enjoy the county a little. We’ll be in London only too soon, and I’ll miss all this beautiful green.”
Josh nodded. “I agree. And I like going up to Town, but even I must admit, this Season I’m not as keen as I usually am.”
“Why?” Alice studied him.
“I feel this Season both you and Victoria will marry and I’ll be the only Worthingham left at Dunsleigh. As the youngest in the family, even if I am duke, I’ll miss you and V.”
Alice hugged him to her, her eyes smarting at her brother’s words. And he was probably right, they would all marry, if not this year, in the not too distant future, and the life that they had lived as children would be no more. But then, one must grow up, even if one did not wish to. “We will miss you, too, but I promise should we marry and move away, we will visit often. So you will not be rid of us so easily.”
Josh smiled. “I’m glad.”
Alice sighed, looking about a village she knew as well as herself. “Now, what is this gossip you have? I can see by the parcel in your hand you have the housing designs. So what news?”
“I ran into your little friend Benny earlier today. He was waiting outside the inn.”
“Was he with Lord Arndel?”
Her brother raised a curious brow. “Oh ho ho, what’s this? Lady Alice interested in the whereabouts of a gentleman?”
Alice cursed her stupidity at sounding so eager to know if Arndel was in town. Now that she suspected him of being the Surrey Bandit, the eager beating of her heart in her chest really ought to stop. His lordship was a criminal, a thief, and one who had tried to kiss her while robbing her at the same time.
“Don’t be absurd,” she said, sniffing her disdain at such a stupid question, that wasn’t so silly at all. “I was merely concerned for Benny’s welfare. He’s so young, he shouldn’t be on his own.” Alice didn’t bother to mention the boy used to live in this very town and had run about often on his own or with his friends.
“We are talking about Benny, your friend Bess’s youngest lad, who, I might add, is more street-smart than you are.” Josh laughed, shaking his head as they continued their way toward where her cottages were located.
“Even so.” She paused, not wanting to sound too eager to hear what news Benny had imparted. “What is your news? You were going to tell me something.”
“Ah yes, well, apparently Lord Arndel is traveling to London. His house is in an uproar as only yesterday he’s decided to go.”
Alice frowned. “Did Benny mention why his lordship had to travel to London? He’s leaving for Town only a few weeks before the ball. I wonder what would take him there?”
Josh shrugged. “Gentlemen, my dear, travel to Town often, with little or no excuse but to get away. I would suggest he’s merely doing such a thing.”
“And Benny’s going with him, I suppose.”
“He is.” Josh helped her over a small rut in the road. “He’s very excited about it. What with seeing London for the first time, even if only for a night or so.”
“Only a night.” Alice stopped. “Do you not think it odd that he’s only going for one night?” She chewed her lip. “I wonder what the trip is about.”
“You forget, Sister, we traveled up for only one night. Now come on, the builders are waiting for us,” he said, pulling her along.
Alice’s mind whirred with thoughts about his lordship’s trip. Was he up to something? Was his trip linked to being the Surrey Bandit? When she returned home she would consult with Victoria as to what she thought of Arndel’s spontaneous trip to Town. It was too coincidental that, after she’d seen his horse Bandit, he was now high-tailing it to London. He didn’t know that she suspected him, but perhaps he was smarter than she was giving him credit for.
And Lord Arndel had to be particularly intelligent, for he’d been stealing for a while and authorities were not even close to knowing who was doing it. Come to think of it, whenever she’d seen the drawing likeness of the thief nailed to trees and shop buildings, none of them had even looked like Arndel.
They passed another coaching inn and Alice walked over to it upon seeing an image, weatherworn and torn, but still nailed up on the outside wall. She shook her head, the image did the Surrey Bandit no justice, and, with such pictures to go by, it was no wonder he’d not been caught. All but one of the features were incorrect, the eyes—that, at least, someone had drawn correctly—and it set in stone what Alice suspected. With such eyes staring back at her, she was, without question, right in her assumption that Lord Arndel was the highwayman.
“Alice, come. We’ll be late.” Her brother gestured for her to join him, and without hesitation she pulled the image from the inn and joined him.
“What are you doing with that?”
She shrugged. “Victoria wanted to see what he looked like, and this will explain it to her adequately.” And it would give her something to confront him with when she met with him again, if she decided to do such a thing, that is. Nerves fluttered in her stomach at the thought of such a conversation and his reaction to being called out as the bandit. Although Alice didn’t know what he may do on the occasion, something told her it would not be pleasant.
“You look pensive. You’re not worried about the cottages?” Her brother studied her a moment. “It’s a little too late to pull out of the escapade now.”
Alice smiled up at him, if only to hide what was really bothering her. Josh didn’t need to know what she suspected, for if he knew, if anyone were to find out, Alice hated to think what would happen. “Not at all. Everything’s well. I’m merely worried about whether the architects have achieved everything that I wished them to.”
Josh patted her hand. “I’m sure they’ve done exactly as you ordained. They wouldn’t dare upset a paragon like you.”
“Well, aren’t we the epitome of hilarity today.”
“I do try,” he said, grinning as they came up to the first cottage on Pitt Street. “And here we are.” A shining black carriage stood before the first house, the gray-matched pair quietly waiting. On the side of the door were the golden embossed letters that read: Brown and Co Master Builders.
For the remainder of the afternoon, with the guidance of the two master builders from London, they discussed the plans of the dwellings and how to make the best use of the space that was available to them. It was agreed that all homes would have the same basic layout with identical features like stoves and built-in furniture, where possible. They would use the central chimney to heat the upstairs rooms during winter and ensure the parents in the house would sleep separately from their children. All the beds would be built-in, a suggestion from Mr. Brown that Alice couldn’t help but think was a marvel of an idea.
There were other cosmetic repairs, such as new doors and windows, to limit t
he weather from impacting those who lived there. The houses would be stripped bare and repaired and refurbished to an adequate standard, or at least the standard in which Alice thought appropriate.
“This is going to cost you quite a large portion of your inheritance,” Josh said, taking her arm as they took their leave. “Are you quite certain?” He rolled up the plans.
Excitement rushed through her and she couldn’t wait to begin. “I am well aware of how much it will cost. Isn’t it wonderful?”
Her brother shook his head, expelling a resigned sigh. They stepped out onto the street and started back toward the main thoroughfare of town. “These houses are going to be marvelous, Alice. If I haven’t said it before, I’m proud of you and I know Papa would be proud, too.”
Alice’s eyes smarted at her brother’s words. “Thank you, Josh. And thank you for helping me with it all, even though I know you had your reservations about it. I know it’s going to be grand.”
“You’ve inspired me to do more, and I think I may also look into a venture where I can help those in need.”
As they turned a corner, Juno looked up and neighed at Alice in welcome. “I think that is the very best idea, and if you need any help, you know who to ask.”
Chapter Eight
Alice huddled down beside the blackberry bush, keeping her head lower than the surrounding foliage. She pushed away the absurd thought of how silly she would look if caught in this situation, a duke’s daughter acting like a spy in the British government.
But she doubted even a spy would scamper about on the ground as she was doing.
Victoria slid in beside her. Her sister, too, dressed in boy’s breeches and a shirt that had surpassed its public use. Their hair was pulled back in simple ribbons and neither resembled who they should. Just thinking about what their mama would do to them should she ever find out about this escapade sent her stomach to coil in knots. The duchess, a normally placid soul, would not see this at all acceptable. They would both be married off to the first gentlemen their mama saw.
They lay there for a time, watching the workers of Kester House. A gardener dug and raked a large garden bed that was waist high with weeds, his sweat-stained shirt evidence of the laborer’s hard work.
Over the last few minutes, Benny had come and gone from the stables multiple times, busy with his chores, while other men had pulled a traveling carriage from a nearby shed and oiled the leather straps and polished the equipage until it shined.
“Well, what can you see?” Victoria asked, remaining hidden.
“Nothing yet. Just a few workers going about their business, but I do think his lordship will be traveling to London tomorrow.”
“How do you know that?” Victoria lifted her head to look and frowned.
“Because the carriage is out, and his lordship never goes about the county that way. He’s always on a horse.” Speaking of which, Alice hadn’t seen nary of Bandit. Furthermore, all of the stable doors that led out into individual pens were open, but there was no sign of the stallion.
“I think he’s done something with the horse he used to rob us, but I may be wrong. We should look at the other fields to see if he’s hidden him from view.” Alice watched in silence for a moment, her sister Victoria gasping and hiding when a maid on the first-floor landing hung a worn floor covering out a window and started to hit it quite forcibly with a cane.
“Get down or she’ll see you,” Victoria hissed, worried that they’d hear them as well, even though they were quite a distance from the house.
“We’re too far away for anyone to see or hear us here.” Alice bit her lip, wondering if she should confront Lord Arndel before his trip to London or after. The weight of knowing he was the Surrey Bandit lay heavily on her mind, so it was probably best she spoke to him before.
“We should tell Josh. I know you do not wish to, but I think it would be best. We don’t know how Lord Arndel will react to us knowing, and even though up until now the Surrey Bandit has never been violent, I’m not sure we should take the risk and find out if his lordship has a breaking point.”
Alice sighed, knowing her sister had a point. But then an idea came to her—wickedly inappropriate but keeping them free from censure due to the nature of the plan.
“What are you grinning about?” Victoria clasped her arm. “Please remember the Worthingham name will only protect you so far, Sister, and by the scheming look on your face, I have a feeling whatever it is, I’m not going to like it.”
Alice threw her the most innocent look she could muster. “Do not worry, for what I have planned will only ever be between you, me, and Lord Arndel. And no scandal shall ever darken our door because of it.” Looking back toward the estate, she stilled when spying his lordship. Her attention fixed on the strong muscled line of his legs and broad shoulders that were on show as he strode his determined path.
“What is it?” Victoria asked.
“Stop being a ninny hammer and look for yourself.”
“Just tell me,” she pleaded.
Alice sighed. “Lord Arndel has entered the stable.”
Out the corner of her eye, Alice noted her sister roll her eyes. “I fail to see how seeing the gentleman enter a stable proves anything.”
Alice waved her comment aside. “Of course it doesn’t prove anything, but we’re not here today to prove anything absolute. We’re merely observing the workings of an estate. From afar. Undetected.” And should Alice find him guilty of the crime, he would pay for it dearly.
Regaining her gumption, Victoria looked. “We should go, before someone sees us and we’re made to explain our presence.”
“We don’t have to explain anything to anyone.” Arndel certainly played by those rules and thought nothing of it, so why shouldn’t we?
“What do you plan to do about this, Sister, if you’re not going to tell Josh or the authorities?”
His lordship came out of the stable on his usual brown gelding and anger reverberated through her that he’d had the audacity to steal from them, his so-called friends, have luncheon with them and talk about the theft, while all the time being the low-bred whelp who’d orchestrated the whole thing.
How dare he…
Revenge coiled about in her mind as a plan on how to get back at his lordship outlined in her head. “Let’s be off, and I will tell you all when we’re ensconced safely in my room.”
…
“This is the most absurd, dangerous thing you’ve ever made me do.”
Alice glanced over at her sister, and behind the brown bandanna that covered all but her eyes, a sheen of tears threatened to topple over.
“Don’t you dare get upset. Nothing untoward will happen, and we’re merely taking back what is ours.”
“You cannot be sure he’s even the bandit, and you’re going to confront him! This is madness, Alice.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s the thief, for no other gentleman has eyes like his lordship.” Eyes that were as dark as the deepest oceans and as stormy as the high seas. That had looked at her with such hunger that she’d felt like the most delicious treat. “We know he’s not traveled to Town for quite some time, so there must be a reason behind this hasty departure.”
Victoria swiped at her eyes. “He might be buying a suit for the ball.”
“It’s too coincidental. He knows I saw the horse and he’s going to London so he’s not caught with all his plunder. He thinks I’m going to go to the authorities and is protecting himself by ridding himself of the jewels.”
“What if he’s not, Alice? What if he has no contraband on him at all?”
Alice shrugged. “We will worry about that, if it eventuates that way. But it won’t. Trust me. I know to the very core of my soul that he’s up to something.” Lord Arndel was the Surrey Bandit and Alice would prove it.
“He could shoot us.”
Alice didn’t disagree with her sister’s statement, for Lord Arndel could very well shoot them both, or his driver could, for that matter, bu
t nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that.
“I wish you had never talked me into this.” Victoria’s grasp on her reins was brutal and her horse’s prancing only paid heed to its rider’s rioting emotions. “Relax, you’re making your horse nervous, and I don’t need him to bolt. I need you here, helping me.”
Victoria glared at her. “Thanks for the concern.”
Alice turned her attention back to the road. “You said you would help me. I don’t understand why you’re acting the princess. You’ve never been afraid of doing what you know is right. And this is right, no matter how nervous it makes you feel.”
“There is a difference between stating your opinion, giving a set down to a too high-in-the-instep lord, and robbing one at gunpoint on the road.”
Alice ignored her. Lord Arndel needed to feel what it was like to be stolen from, for his opinion and feelings to be trampled and ignored, all because money and fortune beckoned with pretty earbobs or emerald brooches.
“He may have nothing in his carriage besides himself and then what will you do?”
“We will go home.”
Victoria huffed out a breath. “You will look like a fool and, by the way, these costumes are not adequate enough, and he’ll see through my bandanna and your mask. This escapade of yours, which I truly do not think you’ve given enough thought, could ruin us.”
“It shall not and you will see that I’m right and you’re wrong and then, my dearest little sister, you may apologize.”
“I shall do no such thing. This could kill me, and I refuse to act contrite to anyone who may put me in harm’s way.”
The sound of an approaching carriage rumbled down the lane and Alice smiled a little to calm her sister’s startled visage. She adjusted her seat, ensuring the flintlock that was seated in her lap was ready. “He’s going to London to sell the jewels. I’m certain of it. Now,” she said, walking Juno to the side of the road and behind some hedge groves. “Join me here. We need to surprise him.”