Alice smiled and looked over to see the other women smiling at her as well. Then, one by one, the men came over to her, taking her hand, and giving her permission to use their given names. Alice felt like a queen as her hand was grabbed by one man after another. By the third kiss to her hand and darkly whispered introduction, Alice was sure that her face looked like a cherry. She was embarrassed, flattered, and slightly mesmerized by them all.
William, Hugh, Aaron, and Rollo all left lasting impressions on her mind while Morris on other parts when his lips grazed her knuckles. She recalled Francis and Julius’ story about an All Girl’s School. Then Julius, though she already knew him, had made sure to leave his impression on her heart when he’d avoided her hand altogether, cupped her chin, and placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth.
“Oh, my,” she whispered when he pulled away.
He gave her a dimpled cheek and lavender-eyed grin before saying, “Come to me, day or night, and I am yours.”
Alice pressed her lips together and watched as he moved on.
Then Franklin Lockwood was there, and Alice sensed something different about the way he’d held her hand and her eyes with his. His hazel was more gold where Calvin’s was greener and there seemed a battle of emotions on his face when he spoke.
“You saved my brother’s life.” His eyes seemed to search hers for something. “He means a great deal to me.”
“We don’t truly know if I saved him,” she decided to say. “The bullet could have missed us both had I simply stayed still.”
“I doubt it,” he told her and frowned. “You’re a brave woman.”
Since he didn’t seem to enjoy saying the words, Alice didn’t reply. She didn’t think what she’d done was brave. She’d only known she didn’t want Calvin dead. She liked him alive.
Frank released her hand moved away.
Then her hand was taken by Calvin. He pulled her from the chair and forced her to meet his eyes. The tenderness in his gaze made her slightly dizzy.
“I’ve not been able to properly thank you,” he told her.
Alice tried to take her hand from his hold. “There’s no need—”
His fingers locked more firmly. “Alice.”
She stilled and swallowed.
He touched her cheek with his free hand. “You saved my life.”
“Calvin—”
“And so, my life is yours.”
She fell silent again because she wasn’t sure what he could mean by such a statement.
His hand moved from her chin to grab her other hand. He lifted them both, keeping the injured arm in mind as he brought both sets of her fingers to his lips. “You’ve bled for me.” His kissed each finger. “I will live for you.”
Alice blinked and asked quietly, “What are you saying?”
He gently pulled her hands to his chest, holding them with one hand, and placed them over the rapid and powerful beating of his heart. A heart everyone believed still beat because of her.
“Alice?”
Her eyes moved to his. “Yes?” Her voice trembled because her heart was racing as well. She feared his next words as much as she grew excited by them but so much had happened to her and not even a full day had gone by.
Calvin said, “I’m going to ask you for your hand in marriage.”
Alice swayed because while she’d hoped for those words, she’d feared them. Yet, she was glad that his pursuit of her was honorable. He hadn’t planned to make her his mistress.
His other hand wrapped around her back and brought her closer while steadying her. “I’m going to ask but it will not be today.”
Her body settled slightly and she took a breath. “You won’t ask today?”
He shook his head. “I will not because, if I do, you’ll say no. So I will wait and ask when I am sure you’ll say yes.”
Alice shook her head and struggled to avoid the other eyes in the room. She thought about Frank’s obvious displeasure and Isaac’s plans for a future that had involved her without her notice. She had no idea where her father was and while she didn’t worry about his whereabouts, she needed to see him immediately and find out what he had to say on the matter. He’d forced her to wear ugly dresses to preserve herself for Isaac and nothing from Isaac’s mouth had seemed to surprise Calvin, which bothered her more. It made her feel like everyone was plotting the story of her life without asking her where she wished to be.
And there was the matter of one woman trying to kill him on the same night he’d been found touching her cousin.
Finding her strength once more, she said, “Calvin, I don’t think—”
“I didn’t ask you to marry me.”
She blinked. “Yes, I understand but—”
“You can’t reject a proposal of a proposal.”
She went motionless. “A proposal of a proposal?”
He nodded. “I haven’t proposed yet, therefore, you’re not to reply until I do.”
She frowned and tried to come to understand exactly what he was saying and decided it made sense in its own way. He’d not proposed, so therefore she’d have to wait to tell him ‘no’ later. “Very well.”
He released her hands.
Sophia stood and pulled a small sheet from a pocket hidden in her dress. “Since we are all gathered, I might as well remind you of the remainder of this week’s schedule.”
There were some groans. All from the men.
Alice frowned.
Genie leaned over and said, “A few weeks ago, when the ton heard that the Men of Nashwood were taking part of the Season for the first time since Lorena’s debut, every house sent them invitations. Since they are all either titled or too wealthy to refuse them all, we Spinsters oversee their invites. It’s part of our duty to make sure they appear just enough to keep the ton pleased.”
“Why do they avoid the ton?”
Genie laughed and patted her hand as though she were a silly child then turned to Sophia.
Sophia gave a keen gaze that quieted the room before moving her eyes toward the sheet. “Tomorrow is Lady Ravenell’s Ball. You all agreed to go.”
More groans came.
Francis said, “That was before a gun went off in Lord Dovehaven’s house. Surely the ton will be more cautious than to attend another grand ball.”
Sophia lifted a brow. “It is obvious you’ve been out of Society for too long if you think so, Francis. Not only will it be the last ball of the season but even if it were not, nothing short of a fire stops a ball.” Her eyes moved to Lorena. “I’m sorry if that brought up horrible memories.”
Alice knew what Sophia was referring to since she’d read how Lorena had burned down Lord Emmett’s house two months prior. Or so the ton had believed. It was later revealed that another man burned the house down and that Lorena was simply there in the room that it started in.
Lorena still ducked her head in embarrassment.
Emmett reached out a gloved hand and stroked his fingers down the side of Lorena’s throat.
Lorena went visibly red.
Alice was surprised by the open intimacy. In the carriage, she’d dismissed their closeness since they’d all but been alone except for her and Calvin, but this seemed more public, even though they were amongst friends. It showed Alice just how much they truly loved one another.
Sophia grinned at them then moved on to the next event. “Mr. Langley is holding a charity lecture on the topic of grasshoppers.”
“No,” Francis said.
“I need to kill something,” Morris said.
“I’ll come with you,” Julius chimed in.
Sophia looked at them. “I thought you all would enjoy this. Don’t men enjoy disgusting things?”
“No one enjoys lectures.” Calvin’s voice made Alice jump and reminded her that he still stood at her side.
Sophia pressed her lips together and read off a list of other events, which were all denied. In the end, she said, “One event is not enough. We shall have to have dinner at my house
on Friday and invite some of the ton.”
There seemed to be an agreement to the plan from everyone before they started from the room.
Alice noted Genie’s hand got grabbed by Francis, who spun her around before he said, “Lessons.”
“Now?” she asked as she pressed closer to him.
He nodded down at her and took a very discrete step back.
She grinned and fled the room.
Sophia whispered, “Genie takes riding lessons from Francis. Care to watch?”
Alice shrugged. “Why not?”
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CHAPTER TWELVE
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Alice wasn’t sure if Genie was riding the horse as much as she was trying to ride Francis. She repeatedly needed to be aided in ascending and descending from the large beast and seemed to latch onto Francis at every possible opportunity.
She was currently clinging to him as he helped her down once more so that she could inspect her shoe.
“It feels loose.”
Francis, who had to know what Genie was doing, glared at her. “The shoe cannot be loose. Your father just had this shoe made because you claimed the others were loose.”
“Well, it feels loose,” she insisted. Her fingers were on his shoulders, and she looked to be fighting to press herself closer to Francis; the hands he’d placed on her hips kept her away.
“Her shoe is not loose,” Lorena said as he stood by their tree.
“It never is,” Sophia replied from her spot on the blanket as she ate a currant from the spread they’d been given to take with them. How Sophia ate so much and remained thin, Alice didn’t know.
The women had all gathered for the riding lesson and were sitting under a tree in Green Park. They were close to a place where Alice’s father had brought her once. They’d strolled down the Queen’s Walk hand in hand as her father told her the history of the green haven with its abundance of trees that made one forget they were in a city at all. In the morning, mist would settle in and the space would look enchanting.
“Did you know the Queen’s Walk was built for George II’s wife? It led to St. James’ drinking pool, which they called the Queen’s Basin. What a gift,” Alice reflected.
“Did you know that this was once a burial ground for lepers?” Maura whispered.
Everyone turned to Maura, who’d been looking down at her needlework before she turned to look at them.
“Is that true?” Lorena asked, kneeling onto the blanket.
Maura nodded and went back to work. “We are sitting on the bones of lepers.”
“I hate needlework,” Sophia said. “But I might be able to get something done if I worked with Maura.”
Maura grinned.
The horse’s grunting made them all look in Genie’s direction. Francis knelt before her and looked to be inspecting her shoe while holding her ankle. Genie held the skirt of her riding habit up but her eyes were on the women and she was grinning, wild and victorious. She stared down while Francis glared up at her. His mouth began to move and though Alice had no idea what he’d said, Genie laughed.
“Are one of you supposed to be chaperoning her?” Alice asked.
“Her lady’s maid used to accompany her but since I became an engaged woman, her father has allowed me to chaperone,” Lorena said with a proud smile.
Alice wasn’t sure Lorena had been the best choice, since she had nothing to say about Genie lifting her skirts even a few inches for Francis.
“Enjoying yourselves?”
The women turned just in time to watch Julius take a seat on the blanket. With Alice being on the end, he was closest to her. His eyes moved over the others before settling those lavender depths on her. He was posed casually with one leg propped up and an arm resting on his knee. Alice breathed in his sandalwood and ginger scent. Though he looked relaxed, his eyes were intense on her.
Alice felt her cheeks redden before she looked away.
Genie’s laugh made everyone turn to look at her. Somehow, Francis had ended up in the grass on his back and propped up on his elbows, glaring up at her. Alice had missed what had happened for such a thing to occur.
“Francis was the only one who could get her on a horse,” Julius whispered for her ears only, though he continued to face Francis. “Genie was afraid of them until he showed her there was nothing to fear.”
Alice smiled. “Do you think they’ll marry?”
“Without a doubt.” His mouth twitched, and Alice saw the beginning of a dimple in his cheek.
He turned to her then and asked, “What do you fear?”
Alice felt an unbalancing at the question. “What do I fear?”
He nodded.
She looked down at her lap. “That’s a very private answer you seek.”
Somehow, he seemed to drift closer and his breath brushed her cheek. “What must a man do to gain what you wish to keep private?”
Alice’s body heated, and she didn’t dare look at him. She didn’t know what to say but it seemed her every molecule was paying attention. His words implied that he wished for an answer to her question but also that he wished for other things… very private things.
Julius’ whisper became dark. “Is the answer to such a question kept private as well? Perhaps we should speak privately then.”
Alice bit her lip and turned to him. Her face felt hot but she was glad her embarrassment didn’t shake her voice. “Your friend just announced his intentions for me. Does that not matter to you?”
“Are you planning to tell him yes?”
Alice remained silent.
His eyes drifted over her face before meeting her eyes again. “Calvin is irrelevant.”
“And what of your intentions?” she asked boldly.
He smiled, and she was blinded by dimples. “I intend to do what you’re willing to allow.”
Heat burned her again. “You’re very good at wooing.” Her voice quaked slightly.
His smile seemed to grow. “I’ve very good at many things.”
Alice felt the need to jump into the Queen’s Basin in order to cool herself. “What do you want from me?”
Julius looked away.
Alice looked to find her friends in a conversation.
Julius’ hand captured hers.
She looked down at their joined gloved fingers, hers being much smaller than his, then met his eyes.
His expression was serious without being severe. “I didn’t think women like you existed.”
“Women like me?”
He looked down for a moment before lifting his head again. “I always believed that women had their limits. That they’d never love anyone enough to die for them.”
“A mother would,” Alice said.
Julius’ hand tightened on hers, and his face flashed to stone.
Alice stopped breathing and didn’t resume until he reflexed.
He rubbed his thumb over her fingers. “Some would, I suppose, but not always. I’ve known some very selfish women in my life.”
Alice frowned. “Did something happen to you?”
His lips twitched. “That’s a private question.”
She blinked.
His hold tightened again and his eyes held hers silently before he said, “I’d be willing to discuss it with you privately.”
Alice could tell from his expression that he truly meant what he’d said. He’d trust her with himself if she allowed it. She wondered if there was anyone else who knew his secret and supposed maybe his friends did. “Is that what you want from me? To listen to your secrets?”
He smiled. “No, what I want is you, Alice. All of you.”
“Because I took a bullet for Calvin?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head and studied him. “But I love Calvin.”
“You could love me,” he said with conviction. “I co
uld make you love me.”
Alice’s stomach flipped. She thought he might be right. He could make her love him and possibly even crave him but her heart was somewhere else and until Calvin relinquished it, it wasn’t hers to give to anyone.
She took her hand from his. “I’m sorry but I don’t wish to be anyone’s wife.”
Julius lifted a brow. “Don’t start lying now, darling.”
She looked down at her lap and wondered just how much of her soul he could see.
“Another time,” he whispered before he stood. “Ladies,” he said with a quick bow and then he was gone.
“What did he say?” Lorena asked quickly. “He’s probably the most secretive of them all.”
Sophia said, “You mean there’s a story you don’t know?”
Lorena looked at her. “There are millions of stories I don’t know. Those men rarely tell me anything.”
“Perhaps,” Maura said with a sigh. “You can get Emmett to be just a little more forthcoming?”
Everyone laughed.
Maura smiled.
Genie came over and said, “We’re done.”
Alice looked over at Francis and noted he seemed more tired than the horse.
“Poor man,” Sophia said as though reading her mind.
“His own fault,” Lorena said, getting to her feet. “Take it from one who knows, fighting love is futile.”
Alice immediately thought of Calvin and hoped Lorena was wrong, though she knew in her soul she was right.
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
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The next morning, Calvin entered the room Lorena had given to Alice and closed the door behind him. He watched Alice jump up in the bed and felt the very air getting pulled from the room, leaving him with nothing. She was simply that beautiful. Even with the gray midday sky, she made everything brighter. Her dark hair was tousled. He was not surprised that she slept wild enough for her braid to come undone in the night.
Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society (The Spinster’s Society Book 2) Page 8