But then Alice heard Middlesex’s voice and the sound of someone sitting down heavily.
“Thank goodness for that. We’ve finally got some peace, now the ladies have left.”
“I thought they were never going to go.”
That was Hampshire. Alice lowered her book. She knew she shouldn’t listen to this, whatever they were going to say would hurt her, surely. This wasn’t right. But Alice couldn’t bring herself to reveal her presence to them.
“If you’re relieved to see them go, why did you invite them at all?” Middlesex demanded.
Hampshire sighed. “Because they’re family friends, and I’m too nice. Father always said I wasn’t assertive enough.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to flirt with them. Now they think they have a chance of being the Duchess of Hampshire.”
“I know.” There was the tinkling of glass. “I guess I was trying to make someone else pay attention.”
“How do you mean?”
Alice was wondering that as well. Then her heart stopped when Hampshire began talking about her. Or rather, Harriet.
“You noticed that Harriet disappeared a while ago?”
“I did wonder where she was. She’s so quiet in the evenings after we’ve spent time with her during the day, that I almost forgot she was there.” Middlesex paused. “Wait a moment. Are you saying you were being overly charming to the girls to get Harriet Green’s attention?”
“I was. She seemed… quieter than when it’s just us. More subdued. I thought she was beginning to have second thoughts. And I wanted to see how she really felt about me.”
Alice bit back a gasp. He had been trying to make her jealous? Middlesex snorted.
“Well, when you’re paying a lot of attention to four women, that’s going to be painful for anyone. So is this your way of saying you like Miss Green?”
“Yes. I really do.” Hampshire moved. It sounded like he was pacing. Alice was sure she could hear the smile in his voice. “There’s something about her that clicks with me, if you know what I mean?”
“I do. It’s like pieces of a puzzle fitting together.”
“Exactly. She’s charming but not brazen or brash. She’s got poise and a smile that makes me weak at the knees. That’s not happened before.”
Alice felt like she couldn’t breathe. That was how she felt about him. Had he noticed it as well?
Middlesex sighed. “Oh, dear. You are in trouble.”
“Not exactly.” Hampshire sounded very sure of himself. “I think that means I know who I want as my wife.”
Now Alice felt as though she was going to faint. He wanted to marry her? This would be something any woman would love.
But she wasn’t being herself. She was pretending to be Harriet. And that was the person Hampshire wanted to marry.
Alice didn’t hear anything else of what Hampshire and Middlesex said, or even heard when they left again. She was too busy trying to stifle the tears.
***
Hampshire was determined. He was going to do it tonight. Harriet Green was not going to be snatched away from under his nose.
Chapter 5
The Proposal
A group of his acquaintances, Harriet included, had gone on a picnic on Hampshire’s grounds. He had a beautiful view from the top of the hill, and it was a perfect place to eat. Harriet had been quiet on the way up, purposefully avoiding Hampshire, and she couldn’t even look in his direction. Hampshire had been surprised about that, when they spent time together before, she had been all smiles and laughing. Now she wouldn’t go near him.
What had he done wrong? Had he paid too much attention to the other girls? Had he gone too far? They weren’t here today, so Hampshire would be able to focus on Harriet.
However, it seemed that Harriet had other ideas. A nephew of a friend, Vincent Stapleton, had got to talking to Harriet on the way to the picnic site. Now they were sitting together on one of the blankets as they ate, discussing music in a way Hampshire could never do. Harriet was laughing, and Vincent was lapping up the attention.
Hampshire couldn’t do anything except sit at a distance and scowl. This was not turning out well at all. He wasn’t one for rash decisions, but Hampshire felt that he had to do this now. Otherwise, Harriet would end up engaged to Stapleton and Hampshire wasn’t about to attend that wedding.
That evening, once dinner had finished, everyone congregated in the living room. The guests were full and happy, even Stapleton, who had managed to wrangle an invitation. But Harriet was nowhere to be seen.
Hampshire left Middlesex to entertain the guests and left. He couldn’t find Harriet with the other women in the parlour room, and she wasn’t in the library, her sanctuary when she was overwhelmed. And the upstairs maid admitted she hadn’t seen Harriet in her room.
So that left only one place.
Harriet had shown she loved horses and enjoyed riding. Hampshire was surprised how good she was on a horse, despite not having been raised with them. She was an outdoorsy person, so if she wasn’t in the library, she would be in the stables.
That was where Hampshire found her. She was in one of the stalls with the horse he had let her use for the duration of her visit, grooming it down. It was a strange sight, seeing her groom a horse in her evening finery, but Hampshire wasn’t complaining. Harriet just looked endearing like this. She just didn’t care.
He reached her stall and coughed.
“Miss Green?”
Harriet jumped and spun around. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped when she saw him. “Your Grace!” She barely dropped into a curtsy. “I didn’t realize anyone had seen me leave.”
“Because nobody was watching you like I was.”
“I don’t understand.”
Hampshire had been playing the words he was going to use over and over in his head. He couldn’t find a way that sounded romantic but not soppy. He hated soppy. So, he just went with it. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something all day, Harriet.” He entered the stall, aware of Harriet backing up. “I wasn’t sure how you would react, though, so I’ve been biting my tongue. But after today, I can’t stop myself anymore.”
“What are you talking about?” Harriet had gone white. It was like she was afraid of him. Hampshire didn’t like that.
He reached for her hand. It was ice cold. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I feel we know each other really well. You’re everything a man would want and more. I’d be a fool to let you go.” There wasn’t enough room for kneeling and Hampshire didn’t want to be trampled by the horse which was starting to get antsy. He squeezed her hand. “Harriet Green, will you marry me?”
Harriet’s eyes got even wider. She looked like she was about to faint.
Hampshire had expected her to nod, give her consent and embrace him. Not this. What was going wrong? Had he gone about it the wrong way?
“I…” Harriet swallowed hard. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say yes. That’s the only thing you need to say.”
Harriet’s eyes were watering over. She closed her mouth and tugged her hand away from him, clasping her hands around the brush she had been using. “Can you let me think about it?”
“Pardon?”
“Please, just let me think about it. It’s rather sudden and I…” Harriet floundered and turned away, her shoulders shaking. “Oh, God, I’m not good in these situations.”
Hampshire hadn’t expected this. A yes or a no, maybe, but he had been expecting more of a yes, not a “Can I think about it?” He didn’t know what to do. Harriet turned back to him, her bottom lip trembling.
“Please, Your Grace, just let me give you my answer in the morning. I need to think.”
Then before Hampshire could answer, Harriet was pushing past him, dropping the brush and hurrying towards the house. Hampshire stared after her, trying to comprehend what had happened.
Of all the things that could have happened after his proposal that wasn’t the one
at the top of the list.
***
Alice couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned in her bed, unable to find a comfortable spot. And all because of her mind. It just wouldn’t stop.
The duke had proposed to her. Alice had hoped that wouldn’t happen and she could go back home without worrying about a broken proposal. But Hampshire had done it, and now Alice was stuck.
She had dreamed about a handsome man who understood her and loved her for who she was asking her to be his wife. And the fact he was a duke was immaterial. Hampshire would be perfect for Alice Green, in her mind.
But Hampshire hadn’t been asking Alice to marry him. He thought he was talking to Harriet. The popular one of the sisters, the one everyone wanted to be around. Once he knew about Harriet and Alice duping him, he wouldn’t want anything to do with her again.
Alice knew she had to get out of there. It was already a mess and it would get even worse if Alice accepted this proposal.
She rose at dawn and got herself ready. The servants were up and getting about with work, but none of the guests was awake. Breakfast wouldn’t be ready.
Alice took that opportunity to snag an upstairs maid and ask for her help in packing. The maid was startled, but she helped, speedily packing Alice’s trunks and fetching two footmen to get them to a carriage. Alice wasn’t about to hang around after what she had to say.
Then, as her belongings were being taken outside, Alice went to Hampshire’s study and sat by the newly made fire. She stared at the young flames, clutching her hands tightly enough to cut her skin with her nails. This was not going to go well, but Alice wasn’t going to leave a note and run, that wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
It seemed like an age before Hampshire entered the study at the strike of eight on the clock. He stopped and stared when he saw Alice.
“Harriet. What are you doing in here?”
“I needed to speak with you.” Alice stood, smoothing her hands on her skirt. “This couldn’t wait.”
Hampshire raised his eyebrows. He looked startled at that. Then he frowned. “Are you the reason there’s a carriage outside and my servants are running around?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Why?”
Alice swallowed. The words were going to get stuck in her throat, she knew it. “My apologies for doing it like this, Your Grace,” she spoke barely above a whisper, “but I cannot marry you.”
Hampshire stared at her. “What? Why not?”
“I…” Alice wanted to tell him the truth but couldn’t. The scandal out of this would be enormous. “I can’t. There’s a reason behind my thinking but I don’t want you to…” Now she was about to cry, after all the time she tried to keep herself calm. “I don’t want you to hate me when you find out.”
“What are you talking about?” Hampshire approached her, reaching towards her. “Harriet, what is it? You’re talking in riddles.”
Alice stepped away, dodging his hands. She couldn’t have him touch her, or she would break down and ruin everything. “No!” She swiped at her tears. “I can’t. Please, Your Grace, I want to go home.”
“You’ve only been here six days.” Hampshire was still looking like he was trying to figure out what was going on. “You’ve got another week here.”
“I have to get home.” Alice was beginning to panic. “After your proposal, I don’t think it would be right if I stay here.”
Chapter 6
The Rejection
S he had to leave. But Hampshire wasn’t going to let it be easy for her. He was still staring at her like he had never seen her before.
“Are you sure you’re well?”
Alice was miserable. He had proposed to her, thinking she was her sister. The man thought she was Harriet Green, the woman everyone wanted to marry. He was in love with a lie, and she wasn’t about to indulge the lie. But she would take an excuse when she saw one. She nodded. “I don’t think I am very well.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Please, I’ve just got to go home.”
Hampshire looked like he didn’t want her going anywhere. Finally, he scowled and walked away, almost stomping towards his desk. “Very well. The servants will help you.”
“Thank you.” Alice knew he was angry, but there was nothing she could tell him that would make him feel better. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but when you hear the reason why, you’ll understand.”
“Why don’t you tell me now?” Hampshire demanded.
But Alice couldn’t. She knew she couldn’t. Turning away from him, Alice ran to the door and out into the foyer, very much aware this might be the last time she saw the Duke of Hampshire.
***
The next week felt like Alice was living in a bad dream. She was miserable and exhausted, her depression during the day was stopping her from sleeping properly in the night. There were times when she was so tired, Alice took herself up to her room in the middle of the day to try to lie down. But she didn’t get the deep rest that she needed.
That rejection she had given had gone as well as she expected. But Alice couldn’t stop thinking about the distraught look on Hampshire’s face when she turned him down. He was a nice man and a good fit for her. But in the real world, when Alice would be herself and in the shadow of her sister, Hampshire wouldn’t give her a second look.
He didn’t deserve that rejection, and Alice wished she hadn’t had to give him one. But the damage had been done and Alice felt awful about it.
Her father was at Parliament, so he hadn’t noticed that one of his daughters was home, never mind the fact that daughter was upset. But Annabelle Green had. She kept trying to talk to Alice about it, but Alice managed to keep out of her way, hiding out in her room or the library.
Alice didn’t want to tell her mother what had happened. She was going to be in big trouble if she did.
But it wasn’t going to be easy avoiding the woman who knew the secrets, nooks, and crannies of her own house. Annabelle finally caught Alice in the parlour room, sitting at her desk staring at the papers in front of her but not seeing the words.
“Alice, dear?”
Alice looked up. Her head was pounding and her eyes hurt. Then her heart dropped when she saw her mother. “Mother.” She sat up. “What are you doing here?”
“I came looking for you.” Annabelle sat on the arm of the couch, giving her daughter a concerned look. “Are you well, darling?”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’ve been very withdrawn since you came back from your friends’ estate. And you haven’t looked the right colour, either.”
Alice hated lying to Annabelle. They were close and didn’t keep secrets. Except for this. Alice needed to talk to Harriet first before she confessed anything. Harriet would be furious if she even mentioned something about it. Alice wasn’t in the mood to deal with Harriet’s wrath.
“I’m fine, Mother.” Alice managed a smile at Annabelle. “It’s nothing, really. I guess I caught something while I was away, and it’s taking a while to get out of my system.”
Annabelle nodded, but her expression said she didn’t believe her. “Are you certain that is the case?”
“Yes.”
Annabelle pursed her lips. Then before she could say anything more, the doors burst open, and Harriet came running in. She was beaming and looking the happiest Alice had seen her in a while. Harriet squealed and hugged her mother.
“It’s happened, Mother! It’s happened!”
“What are you talking about, Harriet?”
Harriet stepped back and showed the ring on her finger. “Lancaster’s asked me to marry him, and I said yes!”
Alice’s stomach dropped. So there had been an engagement. Harriet was now going to be the Countess of Lancaster. And Alice was going to be nothing.
Because Hampshire had been deceived and Alice couldn’t follow through on the lie.
Annabelle was beaming and hugging her daughter. “Oh, darling! That’s marvellous!” She inspected the ring with a grin.
“Your father is going to be so pleased.”
“I know.” Harriet preened. “Lancaster wants to do the wedding next month.”
“That doesn’t leave much time, does it?” Annabelle bustled towards the door. “I’ll go and get the housekeeper. We’d better get started on sorting out a dress for you!” She hurried out of the room.
Harriet turned to Alice, her smile fading when she saw Alice’s expression. “Alice? Aren’t you happy for me?”
“You’re engaged to Lancaster?”
“Of course. I love him, he loves me.” Harriet sat where her mother had been sitting, hand on her chest and sighed. “It’s perfect.”
Alice swallowed. Her hands were balling into fists in her lap. “So, are you going to stop making me pretend to be you for the Duke of Hampshire?”
“I will. I’ll send the letter later today and say I can’t see him anymore.” Harriet giggled. “Not that I have seen him. Then you don’t have to be around him.”
Before, Alice would have been relieved. But now she felt sick to the stomach. “It’s going to be very complicated for you and that letter.”
“Why?”
Alice swallowed. “He proposed to me.”
Harriet raised her eyebrows. Then she grinned and clapped her hands. “Well, that’s brilliant! You can marry him, and we can have a double wedding.”
Alice couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Harriet seriously thought they could carry on as if nothing had happened. She stood up suddenly, making Harriet rear back. “We can’t do that!”
“Why not?”
“Harriet, are you dumb? He thinks I’m you! He was proposing to who he thought you were. How can I marry him with that hanging over my head? There can’t be two Harriet Greens getting married at the same time.”
“Then tell him who you are.”
It wasn’t going to be that simple. Alice knew that. Then he won’t want to marry me. He’ll push me away. She didn’t say it out loud but Alice was sure something in her face had Harriet staring at her. Maybe the penny was finally dropping.
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