Alice’s Shameless Spinster’s Society

by Charlotte Stone

  “Sophia Taylor.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You don’t work here.”

  “I do not, sir.” Sophia lifted her chin.

  Ralph nodded. “Friend then.”

  Sophia’s hold on her tightened and she nodded.

  “Don’t let her return to the club.”

  Sophia nodded again and they watched as Ralph left, leaving behind more questions than answers.

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  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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  Alice and Sophia left through Christine’s and waved her goodbye.

  “What do you think this all means?” Alice asked as they walked away from Christine’s door and passed Madame Margaret’s from the front.

  Sophia’s eyes seemed to take in everything around her. Alice supposed the writer within her was coming out, seeing the busy street in a different way that Alice ever could.

  Alice thought of this because she was not ready to face the truth but knew she had little choice. “It’s possible that the woman had not been aiming at Calvin after all. She might have been aiming at me.” Then she sighed and said, “Which means I didn’t save Calvin’s life after all.”

  “Of course you did.” Sophia turned to look behind them.

  “Of course I didn’t.”

  Sophia grabbed her hand and started briskly across the street and away from the carriage where Calvin was to meet them.

  “What are you—”

  “Someone is following us,” Sophia said.

  Alice body came alert as she was dragged around a corner. “If we are being followed then why didn’t’ you—”

  Sophia leaned against the wall and placed a finger over her lip before turning back to look the way they came.

  Alice’s heart raced and she watched as two men turned the corner, conversing with one another but neither glanced their way. She felt herself calming as she watched a cloaked older woman walk by as well but Sophia reached out and pulled the elderly woman’s cloak from her head.

  “Sophia, whatever are you doing?”

  The woman spun around and Alice realized she was not old at all. In fact, she was young, pretty, and frightened. Her dark eyes widened as she looked between Sophia and Alice and she turned and took off at a run.

  Sophia ran after her.

  “Sophia!”

  Alice stood at the corner of the street and watched Sophia and the woman move through the crowd before her. She felt her own feet move in their direction until she was also at a run. “Sophia!” She followed Sophia’s light green skirts as the hems spun around the legs of those she passed.

  Not used to exerting so much energy, Alice began breathing hard quite quickly. She felt moisture break out over her skin. Her stitching soon itched.

  Up ahead, she watched as Sophia moved around a corner.

  Because of her delay, Alice was far behind them and when she made it to the corner, Sophia and the woman were nowhere to be seen. Then she looked around her and realized that she had no idea where she was. The eastern parts of London were not a place she’d gone often and never alone. Her father, though working class, only came east when visiting Madame Margaret. Otherwise, he was one of the rare people who could sustain a life in the west without having much means because he slept on top of his business.

  Alice felt a hand brush her back and jumped.

  A man was standing close to her. He was well-dressed and she recognized him as one of the gentlemen who’d passed her earlier with another man. He grinned at her. “Well, aren’t you lovely.” He chuckled. His eyes and hair were dark. He was not an unattractive man but then not every man who picked up courtesans was.

  Alice took a step back but straightened her spine. “I fear you mistake me for what I am not.”

  “Oh?” He took a step toward her. “And exactly what is it that you are? A daughter of the peer? A lady?” He chuckled again.

  Alice backed further away. “Don’t come near me.”

  The man didn’t seem to hear her or didn’t seem to care because he continued to back her into what Alice soon realized was an alley.

  She turned to run but collided with a soft wall. Hands grabbed at her shoulders. Fear gripped her when she saw the first man’s friend. Unlike his friend, he was unattractive with a reddened nose and cheeks. He was large in the middle but thin everywhere else, including his blond hair. He was also grinning at her. His fingers tightened as Alice tried to fight to get away.

  “Don’t worry,” the thin one said. “We’ll pay you for your services.”

  “Help!” Alice cried and tried to turn toward the street.

  “We’ve an actress on our hands. She plays the innocent,” the one who’d led her to the street said. She felt him touch her. “I like my girls rather experienced, but you caught my eyes. It’s only by luck that you’re no longer with your friend.” His breath was in her ear. “I—”

  His words were cut off. Alice felt him leave her back. The man in front of her let her go and moved around her.

  “What in the—”

  A loud thud sounded and Alice turned to see both men on the ground, groaning and rubbing their heads. Over them stood Jane with scissor tongs in her hand. She was holding the tongs that were meant to place hot coals back into the fireplace by the end, the brass ball where one usually held it was extended from her, and Alice knew instantly that it was the side she’d hit both men with.

  A vicious look was in Jane’s eyes as though she were not quite done with the men and was waiting for one of them to get up, even praying they would if only so she could put them back where she’d placed them.

  “Jane?” Alice called cautiously. She wanted to know why the woman was there but then decided it didn’t matter. Jane had saved her life. She immediately assumed that Lorena had sent her and was reminded of Emmett’s words about those who found themselves loyal to Lorena.

  They both looked up just as another figure created a shadow and filled the entrance to the alley.

  Calvin.

  His eyes moved over everything quickly before cutting to Alice. He moved to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, “Are you all right? Why did you run from the carriage?”

  Alice gripped his waist and realized she was trembling.

  “Let’s get you home.”

  “Not the club.” The reply came from behind her.

  Sophia filled the alley. Her black curls had fallen and her face was red from her run. “She got away.”

  “Who did?” Calvin asked her as he pulled Alice closer to him.

  “I don’t know but I knew her to be following us and decided to chase her and get answers.” She sighed and came forward and looked at Alice. “Does she look like the woman who shot you?”

  Alice thought about the woman and shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. She seemed to be the right height but Calvin and I were standing across the room when she shot me.”

  More footsteps sounded and they turned as Jane came back into the alley with two police.

  “There they are!” She pointed to the men on the ground with her face and voice reflecting her utter disgust.

  The police picked up the men and started to ask the group questions.

  The taller one turned to Calvin. “I’d suggest you not allow your woman to stray far from home.” He gave Alice accusing eyes.

  Calvin, whose arm never left her, pulled her closer. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Alice felt her mouth fall open but before she could even mention that she did not belong to Calvin, he was pulling her toward the carriage which now waited at the end of the alley.

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  CHAPTER NINETEEN

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  Alice and Calvin were b
oth inside the carriage before she said, “How dare he blame me for two men almost raping me!” She placed her hands in her skirts and prayed her body to relax soon.

  “It’s Covent Garden,” Calvin said dryly before shutting the door behind him.

  Her heart rocked in her chest. “A courtesan can still be raped! I said no!”

  He turned to her. “You had no business being down here. I meant to meet you at the carriage simply to avoid people believing that I was purchasing your service. I simply should have forgone propriety and seen you to the carriage myself.”

  Alice felt the carriage jerk and asked, “Where is Sophia?” She wanted Sophia. She’d never been so scared in her life. There had been a few occasions when men had propositioned her while she’d been at the club but never had two men cornered her in such a way. She’d shouted to the street and no one had come to her aid.

  If Jane hadn’t been there…

  She covered her face with her hands and caught the first sob.

  Her body was engulfed in Calvin’s hold before the second broke. She sank into him as her body shook with fear and anger. He handed her a handkerchief and through it all she heard him whisper calming words but it wasn’t until he shocked her that she truly stopped crying.

  “This is my fault.”

  She lifted her head and looked at him. His expression was pained.

  Sniffing, she asked, “How is this your fault?”

  “I shouldn’t have let you walk alone. Covent Garden is unsafe.”

  “I wasn’t alone,” she said. “Sophia was with me.”

  Calvin shook his head. “I should have been there with you.”

  Alice put aside all the many things she’d planned on saying to him after meeting with her father and instead allowed her body to concentrate on how he was holding her. She leaned into him and listened to the strong pounding of his heart.

  His hand stroked her arm. “Thank God Jane was there. I might have been too late.”

  She lifted her hand and placed it on his chest, wishing they were not wearing gloves and that their hands were bare, and she could feel his warm skin against hers. He felt like the sun. She moved closer to him. “You were there.”

  “It could have been too late,” he said again.

  She hated that he was blaming himself. “You can’t be everywhere, Calvin.”

  He grunted and said, “I suppose you also believe me not capable of saving everyone either. They are words I’ve heard before.”

  “By whom?”

  “My brother.”

  Her hand had been rubbing against the soft fabric of his shirt but stilled. “Who did you try to save?”

  “My mother.”

  Alice pulled away and stared at him. She’d known for years that his mother was dead, had gathered all the information she could on the man she’d managed to fall in love with at first sight. She’d heard that Mrs. Lockwood had died while her sons had been young but she’d never known how or that Calvin had tried to save her. It sounded like a major piece to the puzzle of the man that he was.

  “How old were you?”

  His expression was bland. “Eight… or seven. I can never truly remember.”

  They were still touching. Still holding. She hoped he didn’t let go but if he did she would respect the distance so long as he continued to speak.

  “What happened?”

  His fingers moved to her back and settled low. “She was leaving to spend the evening with her paramour. She spent most her nights with him, only returning when my father demanded it to host parties and dinners for his friends.”

  “It wasn’t a love match?” Alice asked.

  “It started out that way,” Calvin said. “At least for my father. He was madly in love with her but somewhere along the way, my mother claimed that she stopped loving my father.”

  Alice’s brows went up. “She told you this?”

  “Yes,” he told her. “The night she died wasn’t the first time I’d asked her not to go. My mother’s affair was no secret to anyone. I’d even met the gentleman at a party once that had been given by a friend of my mother’s. He seemed nice. My father hated him for obvious reasons.”

  She shook her head. “I’m so sorry.” Her heart felt like a hand had wrapped around it and squeezed, feeling agony for his father. She imagined Mr. Lockwood in her mind and thought him an average-looking man who grew more handsome when he smiled. He was nice and didn’t seem the sort to deserve a cheating wife… not that she thought anyone did but Mr. Lockwood had great humor, which reminded her much of Calvin. Did he use his smiles to hide inner pains?

  Calvin was looking away when he continued. “On the night my mother died, I knew something was very wrong. It could feel it.”

  Alice’s heart sped and she was unsure if she wished to know the rest of the story but didn’t dare stop him. If Calvin was in pain then she wanted to share that with him and find a way to make it better. She’d do anything for him.

  Though that was already obvious.

  “It was an accident. The carriage they’d been riding in was open. On impact, they flew and landed on the street. They both died.”

  Alice leaned into him and wrapped her arms around him. Calvin pulled her closer.

  “Calvin,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  He sighed heavily but said nothing.

  “What did your father think?”

  Calvin remained silent enough for Alice to feel the need to look at him.

  His eyes were ready for hers. “He strongly advised that we married ladies. That way, as least our status would rise, we’d have no illusions of love, and when they eventually got around to cuckolding us, it would be acceptable so long as a legitimate heir was born.”

  Alice pulled away further and said, “Strongly advise?”

  He said nothing.

  “It was a command, wasn’t it?”

  He leaned over and rested his head against hers. “My father will approve of you.”

  “He won’t,” she whispered. “It’s why your brother doesn’t approve as well, isn’t it?”

  “No.”

  The carriage stopped, Calvin leaned away, and a footman immediately opened the door.

  Alice didn’t move. She wanted to flee but she couldn’t without knowing it was all right.

  Calvin smiled and this time she knew it was to hide his pain. “Go inside.”

  Since the footman stood by the door, she felt as though she had little choice.

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  CHAPTER TWENTY

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  “You’ve a visitor,” Mr. Zedock Sudworth, or Zed as he insisted everyone call him, said as she entered the house.

  Alice turned to him and not for the first time noticed just how very handsome he was. He was much too young to be a butler. He had deep blue eyes and dark hair and he walked with a confident swagger that made her wonder at his story.

  “Who is it?”

  “Lady Rose Beck.”

  Alice sighed heavily and wondered if her day could get any worse.

  “I charged her upon entrance.”

  Alice lifted a brow at that. “You did?”

  He nodded. “I charge anyone I fear is unliked. It discourages them from returning.”

  Alice smiled and laughed. “Oh, Zed, I could hug you.” She’d have loved to see Rose’s face when she’d been forced to pay a butler for entry and though she knew it to be cruel, she hoped it was a large sum.

  Zed bowed and said, “She is in the drawing room.”

  Alice thanked him again and went to see her cousin, feeling only slightly prepared thanks to Zed’s warning. She mentally told herself that she wouldn’t cry and remembered how utterly done she was with her cousin but her mind was distracted when she noticed that Rose was not alone.

  Lorena, Maura, Genie, Sophia, and even Tabitha were
all in the room with a mixture of expressions on their faces. Her friends were all gathered on one couch. Lorena’s face was blank. Maura looked worried. Genie looked pained. Sophia and Tabitha both looked angry. They’d all squeezed into one couch, basically sitting on one another.

  Rose sat on the other couch alone and she was weeping.

  She looked up when she spotted Alice. Her face was red and tears tracked her face. “Oh, Alice, I’m so sorry.” She stood, crossed the room, and threw her arms around Alice.

  Alice allowed the hug but did not return it.

  Rose pulled away and said, “I don’t know what I was thinking the other night.” Then she glanced over her shoulder at the others before whispering. “Perhaps,” she hiccupped, “we could speak alone?”

  Alice watched her cousin blot at her eyes and sighed before turning her friends. “A few minutes, please.”

  Lorena stood first. She walked over to Alice and placed her hand on her shoulder. “Ring for a maid to fetch me if you need anything.”

  Alice nodded and watched the others leave. Tabitha kept her face averted from Rose but Sophia had no trouble showing her cousin exactly what she thought of her tears.

  The door closed behind them and Rose threw her arms around Alice once more.

  “Oh, Alice! Forgive me.”

  Alice stood still and silent. This was not the first time Rose had cried for forgiveness. The scene had occurred so many times in their life that Alice no longer found the energy to even pretend that she cared. Rose would do something that no normal person would forgive and Alice would forgive her. If there was blame to be taken then Alice would take it. Then it would happen all over again.

  Alice was done.

  Rose moved away and sat heavily back against the couch. Her handkerchief was pressed to her nose. She glanced over at Alice expectantly, and Alice moved to sit, but instead of sitting next to Rose as she usually would, she sat on the other couch.