Lady Alice's Dilemma (Regency Belles and Beaux Book 1)

by Michele McGrath

  “If you would be so kind. Aunt, please may I indeed borrow William’s horse to ride with the Baron tomorrow?”

  “Certainly. If you are quite sure you can handle her. I am told that she is rather lively.”

  “I have ridden many types of horses at home…”

  “But none belonging to my family,” Edward interrupted. “Before I allow you to ride any of ours, I must satisfy myself that you are competent to do so.”

  “Let me tell you, cousin, that I have never met an animal I cannot ride, even this black beauty.” Alice frowned and looked down from the carriage into Edward’s face as he stood holding Diego’s bridle. “I have ridden since I was three and hunted for the first time at eight.”

  “Nevertheless, you shall show me,” he said implacably. “Fancy is not an easy ride for a lady. I won’t have it said that I allowed you to break your neck, all for want of a little care.”

  “Then will you ride with me this evening and allow me to demonstrate my skill to you?” Alice asked.

  “You will be too tired by the time we return to London.”

  “I am never too tired to ride but if you are, cousin..?”

  Chapter Five

  Edward accepted Alice’s challenge. Brown, the head groom, duly brought William’s chestnut mare to the door a little after seven o’clock. Alice had to admit that Fancy did look lively and wondered how she would react to the bustle of the London traffic. Riding over the moors and fields on a skittish horse was much easier and something she had often done before. But she would not allow Edward to see her concern or the weariness that she was trying hard to conceal. The carriage ride had not tired her, she thought ruefully. The stress of her brother’s appearance definitely had done so.

  Edward sat waiting for her, astride another of his horses, this time a handsome grey. Whatever his faults, Edward can choose a horse, Alice thought. He seemed perfectly composed as if he had not ridden at all earlier in the day and had harsh words with both his sister and his cousin.

  She did not feel at her best although she tried not to show it. Her appearance she knew to be good enough to pass even critical approval. She had been told many times she looked well on horseback. Her new riding habit had been made especially for this visit to London by her old dressmaker at home, an excellent woman, well regarded in the neighbourhood. Miss Wimshaw’s clever fingers could recreate any of the outfits that she found in the latest copies of the Lady’s Magazine. For the dark haired, blue eyed Alice she had fashioned a skirt and jacket of deep blue velvet, severely cut but decorated with silver frogging like a hussar’s tunic. She had even made a tall hat made to match in the very latest style. York tan gloves, black boots and a silver handled riding whip, completed her outfit.

  Alice blushed when she realised her cousin was staring hard at her. She dropped her eyes and wondered if he was admiring her or if she had a smut on her face. That was the more likely, she thought, but if she had, there was nothing she could do about it now. Brown threw her up into the saddle. She gathered Fancy’s reins into her gloved hands. The horse shied a little and side stepped. Edward leaned over to catch her bridle but Alice quickly twitched it out of his reach. She controlled the animal skilfully, making her take a pace or two away from the grey.

  “Are you ready, cousin?” she asked, forcing herself to smile at him.

  “Quite ready.” Edward ranged beside her as the horses walked forward.

  “This is another fine fellow,” Alice said, forgetting for a moment her annoyance with him. “You are certainly a judge of horseflesh.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What is his name?”

  “Candidus.”

  “Whiteness?”

  “You understand Latin?” he asked her in surprise.

  “A little. I helped my brother with his studies.”

  “That is unusual. Tell me about it.”

  “Little to tell. Philip was at Eton and he wasn’t good at Classics so he had to study in the holidays. I used to ask him questions to test him and I remember some of his answers.”

  “Philip? Wasn’t he the one..?”

  “Yes,” Alice said curtly, urging Fancy slightly ahead to put an end to the discussion. The last thing she wanted to discuss with Edward at that moment was Philip. Whether he agreed with her decision to avoid the subject or was conscious of Brown’s presence behind them, Edward allowed the conversation to drop. He talked of indifferent matters when he overtook her, for which she was grateful.

  As they negotiated the busy streets leading to Hyde Park, at first Edward stayed close beside Alice, ready to hold Fancy if she reared or bolted. Certainly she took exception to all sorts of street noises, including hawker’s cries, barrel organs and the shouts of urchins. Nevertheless, Alice kept the horse on a tight rein and Fancy went forward with relative smoothness. She had indeed been well trained. When they reached the gates of the park, Edward relaxed his attention somewhat. They trotted into Rotten Row. The end of the avenue was crowded. Alice had many acquaintances in London now, and it seemed to her that most of them arrived to greet her, just when she did not want them to. It was some little time later before she could rid herself of them.

  “You must allow me to go,” she protested at last. “My cousin is here to find out whether I can ride well enough to be allowed to exercise his horses. I am determined to show him, before he becomes out of all patience with me. Isn’t that right, Edward?” She cast a saucy glance at him. He immediately replied,

  “Quite right. Let us be off, gentlemen, if you please.”

  The men drew back and Alice trotted between them and then broke into a fast canter, once the way was clear. Edward followed.

  Such a pity I cannot gallop, Alice thought, but Aunt warned me most stringently that I must not here. If we were in Kirkmore, I would really be able to show Edward my horsemanship.

  Edward did not need to be shown. Alice sat in her saddle with the grace of the born horsewoman. It was if horse and rider moved as one, sharing their very thoughts. When they slowed and turned at the end of the ride, Edward said,

  “You are indeed an excellent horsewoman, cousin. You may use any of my horses with the single exception of Diego. He is a contrary beast. It took me some time to master him and even now he surprises me occasionally. He does not like strangers and certainly he is no fit mount for a lady.”

  “Thank you, Edward,” Alice murmured, having no wish to antagonise her cousin after having won his permission to ride his other horses.

  I could manage Diego, a little imp whispered in her brain, but he is only one horse among many. Perhaps in the future, I will ask again when Edward knows me better.

  Alice returned to the house in charity with Edward for the first time since his hard words of the morning. Perhaps he is not so bad as I thought he was. Certainly he is fair in his judgements, she decided.

  Alice promptly took advantage of Edward’s permission to exercise his horses on the following day. Riding on Fancy and accompanied by Brown, Alice trotted into Rotten Row at the early hour of eight o’clock. The sun was shining and birds were singing. It was a lovely day, just right for riding in the park. They were by no means alone, but most of the ton frequented the rides later on. The pathways and aisles under the trees were not crowded. Although she acknowledged one or two salutes from her acquaintances, she did not stop, afraid that she would not be able to escape if she did so. She cantered to the far end of the Row and was returning when she saw Philip, coming to meet her. It was reasonably easy, after he had greeted her and ranged his horse beside hers, to trot on a little way ahead. Brown would not be able to overhear their conversation.

  “Bad news yesterday?” she asked immediately.

  He nodded. “No one has seen Celia for weeks. She keeps to her room and has not visited anyone in the neighbourhood for months. Staunton used to come to Kew regularly, but lately his visits have become less frequent.” He frowned.

  “What is it?”

  “Jacques went up to the h
ouse, on the pretext of looking for work. He fell in with one of the dairy maids. He’s a handsome chap, and as you can imagine, he found it easy to talk to her. They have met several times since. She seems to be a most indiscreet wench, agog to tell him about all the old scandals. She said that the mistress often became ill after the master visited.” His hand tightened on the reins and his horse skittered.

  “Go on,” Alice said, a feeling of foreboding coming over her.

  “He hasn’t been there for a while but the last time he came, she kept to her bed for a whole week. She cries a lot, the wench told Jacques. Celia has become strange, talking to herself and flitting around the corridors in the middle of the night like a ghost. I think Staunton’s up to his old tricks. I didn’t stop him by fighting that duel; in fact, I probably made her situation worse.”

  “What will you do now?”

  “Get into the house and see for myself how she is. Help her if I can. Take her away from there if she agrees to come with me.”

  “But what if Staunton finds you there?”

  “He’ll try to murder me and I feel just the same about him.” Her face must have changed because he said hastily, “Don’t worry. It’s not my intention to fight him if I can avoid doing so. I undertake to be like a ghost myself as long as I can speak to her and do something to help her this time. Direct confrontation doesn’t work. I realise that now.”

  “You will tell me when you make the attempt to see her?”

  “I must for I may need you. If I take her away, I want a female to come with me and you are the only one I trust.”

  Not surprisingly, Alice found it difficult to sleep that night. This was one of the very few evenings on which the family had no engagements, so, they dined at home. She longed for it to end and had to force herself to take part in the conversation. When the tea tray was brought in after dinner, her aunt asked her if she was feeling quite well. She seized on the excuse and pleaded a slight headache. Retiring to bed early, however, proved to be unwise since it left her far too much time to think. She saw difficulties on all sides and tried hard not to allow herself to imagine lurid images of Philip being shot or hanged for murder. With an effort of will, she diverted her thoughts into other channels, wondering what kind of person Celia Staunton was. She remembered her when she was a child, of course, but the difference in their ages and temperaments had stopped them from being close friends. Alice considered Celia rather colourless and had preferred more exciting companions. Yet Philip obviously thought differently. Celia must be special in his eyes to attract and hold her brother’s affections for so long. Philip was good looking and he had once been entitled to a fair inheritance. He had engaging manners and an unconscious charm, so he had never lacked admirers while he was growing up. Too many of them, his sister had often thought, the silly little chits. He had been in danger of becoming vain until the unfortunate duel had changed his life forever.

  Celia was the only one who seemed to have touched his heart. What would the future hold for them? Even if Celia consented to be rescued, she was still married to Staunton and that was a bond that could never be broken. Philip was a fugitive in England and the servant of a deposed Emperor in France. They could not marry until Staunton was dead and Philip was able to support a family. It was the duty of a good sister to persuade him to give up the whole idea. Equally she knew Philip would never listen to her. He had always had a stubborn streak. Once his mind was made up, there was no shifting him. Papa, who had whipped him when his misdemeanours had been brought to his attention, had only had limited success in curbing him. A younger sister had no chance at all. At the very least he would break into Staunton's house to talk to Celia. Alice would have to help him or she would not be able to live with herself afterwards. What happened next would depend on what they found at Kew.

  Alice tossed and turned for hours. She eventually fell asleep in the dawn light, to be aroused, it seemed, only minutes later, by Kitty storming into the room, saying in a loud voice,

  “Alice! Whatever do you think Edward has done now?”

  Alice sat up and rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?” she groaned

  “After eight. What’s that to signify?” Kitty asked petulantly, plonking herself down on the bed.

  “I didn’t know it was so late. I must get up. Would you please ring for Sarah.”

  “No, listen to me. Edward has forbidden me to see Captain Roper any more!”

  “How gothic of him, but surely he does not mean it? Forgive me. I am not quite awake yet. When did this happen?”

  “Just now at breakfast. Mama was not down and neither was Lizzie, so we were alone. That’s when he decided to tell me that he would not agree to my marrying Charles if he should ask him for my hand.”

  “Is he likely to do so?”

  Kitty blushed and half smiled. “We have discussed it. In fact, he was going to approach Edward in the next few days.” Her face hardened. “So you can imagine what I said to him. Edward pointed out that Charles was becoming far too particular in his attentions to me and is attracting unbecoming notice as a result. He told me I must hint him away. As if I would do such a thing for a moment!”

  “How dreadful! Did he give you any reason for rejecting the Captain’s suit?”

  “He said I would be lonely as a sailor’s wife! Such stuff.”

  “But Kitty, have you thought? He might be right. You would be alone at times.” Alice told her. “Sailing men often go on voyages and their wives may not see them for months even years.”

  “Charles works in London and I would see him every evening if we were married.” Kitty pouted.

  “But for how long? He could be sent to America or India at any moment. He has to go wherever his superiors send him as you know. How would you manage without him?”

  Kitty stared at her. “Very well, thank you. I am not such a pudding heart that I cannot live on my own without my husband. I have had enough doubts from Edward. You are supposed to be my friend.”

  “I am your friend.”

  “I would be a poor creature indeed to go into a decline just because Charles and I were parted for a little while. We have talked about this. I would have far more freedom as a married woman, with a home to run and duties to perform. I could take lodgings at whichever port Charles is based in. Lots of Navy wives do. Later on, there would be children for me to care for. My life would be so full; I can’t imagine ever being bored. Even if we were apart for a while, our reunions would be wonderful.” She smiled and her eyes lit up.

  “You must be very much in love with him to contemplate such an uncertain future.”

  “I am,” she said simply.

  “No other man has ever caught your fancy? You have so many beaux.”

  “No one but Charles. The others are old friends or acquaintances. They pay me pretty compliments and dance with me. It’s enjoyable, but it doesn’t count. I have known Charles is the man I want to marry ever since the very first time I saw him. I am going to do so, no matter what Edward or Mama says. Will you help me to persuade them?”

  “They won’t listen to me, why should they? I am only a guest in your mother’s house, a female and scarcely older than you are yourself.”

  “Mama told me that you are sensible and she said you are a good influence on me.” In spite of her afflictions, Kitty suddenly giggled. “She doesn’t really know you of course, does she? Edward likes you as well.”

  “He does? He has never given me the smallest suspicion of it.” In spite of herself, Alice’s heart jumped.

  “He can be quite horrible at times. When he was growing up he would be awkward. The army seems to have made him worse and Papa’s death has given him the right to meddle in my affairs. Papa would never have used me so.” Kitty sounded aggrieved and Alice remembered being told that Kitty had been her father’s favourite.

  “He was rude to me yesterday,” she said. “He gave me a scold for encouraging the attentions of the Baron de Vezey.”

  “Did he? I didn’
t know he had spoken to you. Do tell.”

  Alice told her what Edward had said about both of them.

  “I can understand why he thought you liked the Baron de Vezey. You seem to seek out his company.”

  “It’s nothing, a friendship, no more. I enjoy his company but I am not in love with him. Although he’s entertaining and nice to be with, I could never marry someone like him.”

  Kitty stared at her. “If you say so of course I believe you. Now we are both in trouble with dear Edward. I wonder why you consented to go riding with him yesterday if he upset you so badly.”

  “I wanted to prove my skill to him.”

  “And did you?”

  “Yes. He says I may borrow any of his horses, save only Diego.”

  “Good, if you like such things. You are not quarrelling with him at this moment?”

  “No.”

  “Then will you help me and Charles? Please?”

  “If I possibly can, but I should not count on my intercession carrying any weight with either Edward or your Mama.”

  “Thank you.” Kitty hugged her. She went over to the bell pull and gave it a tug. “I knew you would not desert me. Get dressed. I must go and tell Charles what has happened, so we can decide what to do next. You will come with me, won’t you? I daren’t trust Lizzie with such a secret, she’s a little chatterbox and my maid is worse. They would certainly betray the whole story to Mama even if they never intended to do so.”

  Alice nodded, realising she had no alternative and replied as warmly as she could,

  “Of course I will.”

  Once Kitty left, Alice lay back on her pillows. I did not realise that Kitty’s affections were so deeply engaged, she thought. There’s a note of sincerity in her voice I can’t mistake. Even if she changes her mind, Kitty’s in earnest now. I wish I had known that before Edward spoke to me but even if I had, what good could I have done? She groaned. She was involved in two difficult situations at the same time, neither of which were her own making. Her head started to throb with the headache she had pretended last night. She wanted to sink into bed and stay there for the rest of the day. Yet, when Sarah eventually appeared, she forced herself to wash and dress. She made a belated entry into the breakfast parlour where Lady Mary was sipping a cup of china tea.