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

by Michele McGrath

“I must speak her, but not until the Baron is found or it is confirmed that he has left the country. Explain that to her, please, and say that she is always in my thoughts.”

  Chapter Nine

  When they returned to the supper room, Roper made his way over to Lady Sinclair, spoke to her for a few moments and then bowed and left. He did not come back and Alice, glancing at Kitty, saw that she was looking daggers at her.

  “What did Charles have to say to you?” Kitty asked, in a hard tone, as they walked back to the ballroom after supper.

  “He wanted to know if I could tell him where the Baron de Vezey was. Apparently he has left his lodgings taking all his belongings with him. He did not say a word to anyone and left no forwarding address. Captain Roper is concerned for his safety because not everyone is friendly towards Frenchmen.”

  “But why would Charles ask you about him? How should you know?

  “He is asking all his friends and acquaintances. I am one of many.”

  “They why did he not ask me? I have been in his company as much as you have.”

  “I told Captain Roper that you did not want him to come to you tonight because of Edward. I thought that is what you asked me to do. He said that he must see you as soon as the Baron has been found and to tell you that you are always in his thoughts.”

  “Yet he can put out problems aside to run after the Baron? Am I of so little importance to him?”

  “That’s not fair, Kitty. Captain Roper has a task to do. If he says he must search for the Baron, it is not because he does not want to be with you.”

  “It is fair. A man should put his beloved first.”

  “If you think like that, then perhaps Edward is right when he says that you should not marry a sailor. The Captain will have to do his duty on many occasions in the future and you will have to wait for him to return.”

  “Edward isn’t right! How can you say such a thing to me? It’s not true. Go away! If you can’t help me, leave me alone.” Kitty turned her shoulder on Alice and flounced away. For the rest of the evening, in between the pieces of music, she chatted with her admirers and, if her smiles and laughter seemed strained, none of them seemed to notice. She stayed away from Alice but most unfortunately Mr. Hardwick did not. On the contrary, he stayed by her side and she could not find a way of escaping from him. Shortly before the evening ended, she had to stand beside him while she waited for her carriage. He held her cloak for her and she hoped he would not touch her. Having his clammy hands on her shoulders would have been unbearable. There was a line of carriages jostling for position and her Aunt’s was nowhere to be seen. So Mr. Hardwick suggested that they sit in some empty seats, set back in a window alcove. She went with him reluctantly but she was tired, unhappy and there was nowhere else to sit. She sat down and listened to him, interjecting only polite responses to his questions. He droned on as she tried not to show either her boredom or her preoccupation with her worries. She hated herself for quarrelling with Kitty but her suspicion and accusations were too much to bear!

  “My dear…”

  The words hung in the air. Alice had allowed her mind to stray sufficiently that she had no idea of what Mr. Hardwick had just asked her.

  “I am sorry, what did you ask me?”

  “I said,” he raised his voice slightly and she realised that he was annoyed, “that I am coming to see your cousin tomorrow. What do you say to that?”

  “Are you? I’m sure he will be charmed to receive you,” she replied, feeling certain that Edward would order his butler to deny him.

  “I have something of great import to ask him. Can you guess what that is?” His eyes were fixed on her and she tried hard to keep her face bland. Of course she could guess! She felt slightly ill. She must certainly speak to Edward before this hateful bore of a man paid his visit. She forced herself to smile and said,

  “I cannot imagine but I am sure that Edward will be very attentive and help you if he can.”

  Mr. Hardwick took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. Alice felt thankful that she was wearing long gloves. She glanced up, hoping for someone to rescue her. None of her friends were near. She could bear no more. She stood up and gave Mr. Hardwick a curtsey, bidding him good night. Then she strode away, her skirts frothing at her feet. For once she was unconcerned about her unconventional behaviour. Indeed, if Mr. Hardwick took a distaste to her, so much the better. She slipped through the throng, searching for Lady Mary, in whose company, nothing further would be said. She went back through the reception rooms and eventually found her in the cloakroom.

  “Oh, there you are, my dear. I have just been told that the carriage has arrived so we are leaving now. I sent Edward to fetch you.”

  “We must have had the same news, ma’am. I came to look for you thinking that you might be ready to go. Where is Kitty?”

  “There they are now.” Alice looked and saw her two cousins coming towards her. Kitty turned her head away at once. I must apologise to Kitty, Alice thought, but not tonight in case I say the wrong thing. I will speak to her tomorrow.

  As they sat together in the carriage going home, Kitty maintained a brooding silence. Lady Mary and Edward continued a desultory conversation about the people who had been present that evening and the choice of the music. When they reached the house, Kitty bid them a quick good night and hurried off. Alice was about to follow when Edward asked,

  “May I have a word with you, Cousin?”

  “Will it not do in the morning? I am very tired.”

  “I prefer to talk to you now.”

  He motioned her in the direction of the salon. Alice sank into a chair and looked at the flames in the fireplace. When she looked up Edward was frowning at her.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “I am surprised that your Mama did not warn you that sitting in corners alone with a young man is not at all the thing.”

  “What corners? What young man?” she asked bewildered but nettled by his tone.

  “Mr. Hardwick. You sat with him in the window for over half an hour. I saw you and people had turned to look at you.”

  “Oh him! I was only sitting there because I could not escape from him. He’s a prosy bore who can’t be interrupted when he starts on a subject without giving offence. I’d still be sitting there if he had his way. Anyway Cousin, who appointed you the arbiter of my conduct? I am quite able to look after myself.”

  “You are lucky that you are not one of my sisters. I’d put them over my knee if they spoke to me like that.” Edward’s face was flushed. Alice felt a little tremor of apprehension, realising that she had let her tongue run away with her and had spoken too freely. “While you reside under my roof, I am the only arbiter of your conduct. If you do not accept that, you may pack your bags and return to Kirkmore tomorrow.”

  Edward turned on his heel, opened the door, closed it with a snap and left her alone. Tried past endurance, Alice immediately burst into tears. It was some time before she became calmer. Her handkerchief was soaked and she saw in the mirror that her eyes looked fiery red. She peered around the door, hoping that none of the servants would see her in this condition. No one was there and she gained the safety of her own room unnoticed. With a sigh, she fell full length on the bed and slammed her fists into the mattress. How dare Edward speak to her like that! Except for Philip and Celia she would leave this house tomorrow but she knew that was not possible. One thing she did resolve. She would help Kitty to marry Charles if only to pay Edward back. It was not until much later in the night, as she recalled Edward’s harsh words, that she realised there was an odd note in his voice. It was one she had never heard before. She thought about it for some time before she recognised it. She had heard it often enough among her brothers and sisters at home, usually when one of them had a possession another one wanted. Could Edward possibly be jealous of Mr. Hardwick and if so why? She dismissed the notion. It was too ridiculous to contemplate. She must be wrong.

  The coldness between the cousins con
tinued into the next morning. Alice was sorry that Kitty’s ignored her, although she thought that it was not her fault Charles had acted as he had. Kitty had said she wanted to warn Charles to stay away, so Alice did not think she should have asked him to go to her. Again she recognised the small imp of jealousy in Kitty’s behaviour. Alice was determined to tell her that Charles was certainly not a man who attracted her. When she compared him to Edward, for example, she found it difficult to see what made Kitty like him so much. Even in a rage, Edward was handsome. He had the more elegant figure. He was an excellent rider and dancer. His main drawback was his uncertain temper and his wish to dominate others. It was a definite flaw in his character yet it was never directed at the younger children or the servants. He seemed to reserve his ire for adults who could argue back. Perhaps that was the problem. Alice had never liked arguments but if she had to, she would defend herself. While she still lived in his house, she could foresee more quarrels to come. She spent the meal ignoring him and speaking in monosyllables whenever she was addressed.

  Fortunately, everyone was very busy that morning. Kitty’s ball would take place the following day. The house was in an uproar, with servants moving furniture and washing the chandeliers in the ballroom. Kitty’s spirits had lifted as the preparations progressed. Alice realised that, whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, she must be the one to make peace with Kitty. Kitty was hurting and she had given her promise to help her so it fell upon her to resolve the unpleasantness. Alice managed to speak to her when they were briefly alone.

  “I am so sorry if I upset you last night,” Alice said. “Indeed I had no choice. Captain Roper was intent on leaving when he did. I think he did not want to provoke a quarrel with Edward and make you unhappy. Forgive me?”

  Kitty, to her credit, smiled and accepted the apology. “Of course, I do. You won’t desert me, will you? I do need you to help me.”

  “I will certainly try my best.”

  “Then I must tell you that I have written to Charles, reminding him about our ball and charging him to be present without fail,” she confided to Alice.

  “But what about Edward?” Alice asked.

  “Edward can hardly forbid him the house when Mama has sent Charles an invitation, can he?”

  Before Alice could reply, Lizzie hurried into the room to say that Lady Mary needed them to help her. The flowers to decorate the ballroom had arrived. Lady Mary enjoyed the task of directing her helpers to arrange them to her satisfaction. The two girls joined a small army of tradesmen, servants and family, all working hard to ensure that everything would be completed in good time. Alice was unskilled in such things, so Lady Mary kept her by her side, instructing her in the intricacies. Fortunately Alice found the experience enjoyable and she proved to be a quick learner. The colours and the perfume of the blossoms soothed her and helped her to recover from the strains of the past few days. Although she was still tired, her spirits revived and she began to look forward to the ball. For the moment, visiting her brother would have to wait.

  Once the flowers were finished, Alice asked Lady Mary if there was anything further she could do. Receiving a negative answer, she wondered whether she might go for a short walk, taking Sarah as her companion. She made the excuse that she wanted to return her book to Hookham’s. The excuse was true. The book she had borrowed on Egypt did not interest her at all. When she returned to the house about an hour later, several of the male servants stood restlessly in the hall, listening to raised voices in the saloon.

  “What is happening, Reynolds?” she asked the butler.

  “I am not very certain, my lady,” the butler replied. “A visitor has called. Sir Edward and Lady Mary are with him now. There is obviously some dispute between them. I am a trifle concerned, so I sent for James and Robert in case we are needed.” Alice glanced at the elderly butler and then at the two footmen, who looked agog with curiosity.

  “Who is this visitor?”

  “A Mr. Evelyn Staunton, my lady.”

  The last name she had expected. Alice went cold and her fingers started to shake.

  “Mr. Staunton? Why on earth has he come here?”

  “You know him, my lady?”

  “No, but I have heard of him.”

  At that moment, the saloon door was thrown open. A tall, well dressed man was propelled out into the corridor by Sir Edward with more haste than good manners.

  “Reynolds, show this gentleman out!”

  Alice shrank back against the wall, never taking her eyes off Staunton’s face which was bright red with suffused blood. He looked vicious. They swept over her without really seeing her and for this she was thankful. Then they returned to her face and he stared at her. He took a step forward as if he would approach her.

  “If you please, sir.”

  The butler moved forward and James, the first footman, stood behind him while Robert hurried to hold the front door open. For a moment it looked as if Staunton would hesitate. He certainly swung around to face Edward, but Reynolds’s “Sir!” recalled him to the sense of his surroundings and the numbers marshalled against him. Without another word or backward glance, he marched out of the building and down the steps. Edward turned back into the saloon and closed the door after him.

  Alice wondered what she should do. Left to herself, she would have been grateful to slink away to her room, but she had a duty to her brother. There could only be one reason why Staunton would call at the house and leave in such a temper. The other members of the family were not acquainted with him. Certainly they had never mentioned his name to her. She shuddered as she remembered the look on Staunton’s face when he had noticed her. He had recognised her, she was certain of it. How unfortunate it was that she resembled Philip so closely. Staunton had never seen the Baron, but he had often met Philip Sutherland, before he had dyed his hair and grown older. People at home used to say they were like two peas in the same pod. Staunton must have realised she was Philip’s sister. She had to find out what had just happened. Gritting her teeth, she went to the door and tapped on it. It was pulled open roughly and she looked up into Edward’s furious face.

  “Oh, it’s you, is it?” Edward snarled. “Just the person I wanted to see. You’d better come in.”

  He held the door open for her and she walked in. The room was in some disorder. A glass had been overturned on a tray and her aunt’s sewing lay on the floor. Lady Mary was sitting weeping on the sofa, holding her hartshorn to her nose with a shaking hand. Alice went quickly to sit beside her and put an arm around her shoulders.

  “What has happened, dear ma’am? What has upset you so much?”

  “That creature!”

  “Oblige me, Cousin, by telling me what you know about a man called Evelyn Staunton and his wife, Celia,” Edward interrupted.

  “I have heard of both of them but I have never met either,” she lied trying to ignore the memory of Celia’s wan face.

  “What exactly have you heard about them?”

  “There was some quarrel between Mr. Staunton and my brother, Philip, but I was never told the right of it. Philip was sent away from home as a result.”

  “And you haven’t seen him since?”

  “I have not,” Alice answered, trying to keep her voice steady, but not daring to raise her eyes to Edward’s in case he should read the lie in them. “Why did Mr. Staunton come here and what did he say to make my aunt weep and to put you into such a passion?”

  “He came because we are Philip’s only relatives in London, more’s the pity. He wanted to know if we knew of his whereabouts. He would not accept that we did not.”

  “Why would he ask about Philip? No one has seen him for years.”

  “He would not tell us that. He said that he had good and sufficient reason for asking.”

  “He’s an ill bred man without manners.” Lady Mary sat upright and wiped her eyes. “He accused us of hiding Philip from him. The very idea! He swore that this time he would see Philip hanged if he finds him.�
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  “Hanged?” Alice felt the blood drain from her cheeks. “He can’t do that!”

  “Do you know where your brother is?”

  “I have already told you, no! I think he went to France, but I don’t know if that is true or not.”

  “And you have had no letter from him?”

  “I wish I had. What is Mr. Staunton planning to do next? Did he say?”

  “He said he was going to Kirkmore to talk to your parents. I imagine your father will run him off the estate if he presents himself in the same manner as he has just done to us.”

  It was very probable indeed, she thought. Papa would never tolerate being browbeaten by a stranger, no matter what he personally thinks of Philip’s actions. It would be a good thing if Staunton did go to Kirkmore because he would be away from London. I must tell Philip about his absence, so he can take Celia to Dover at once but words spoken in the heat of the moment may not be true, of course. It might be a ruse, to disarm suspicion. I must make sure he leaves and then send the information to Philip.

  “Cousin!” Edward’s voice recalled her wandering thoughts and she looked up at him.

  “I’m sorry, were you talking to me?”

  “What were you thinking about so hard?”

  “I wondered what brought Mr. Staunton looking for Philip after all this time.”

  “We are all wondering that. I will tell Reynolds that he is not to be admitted to this house in future. I must speak to our lawyer and then perhaps we may know more of where we stand if Staunton has the effrontery to call here again.”

  “What a thing to happen on the day of the ball,” Lady Mary exclaimed. “As if we do not have enough things to do and to worry about. What if that dreadful man tries to come here tonight?”

  “Don’t put yourself in a pucker, ma’am. He won’t. Reynolds is trustworthy and he will relish the opportunity of putting Staunton in his place if he comes here again, tonight or at any time in the future. Staunton is a swaggering bully and I am only sorry that you have been distressed by his conduct. I assure you that he won’t be allowed to trouble you or any of the family.”