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

by Michele McGrath

  “She’s a tartar; I wonder how you are able to live in her house.” Kitty gave a sudden giggle. “You should have seen her face when I asked for you.”

  “I can imagine. Don’t do it again, please, there’s a good girl. It is not at all the thing as you well know.”

  “You sound just like Mama or Edward.” Kitty pouted at him.

  “For once I agree with them. Where is Edward? It is high time that I spoke to him about you,”

  “He’s not here.”

  “When will he return?”

  “I am not perfectly certain.” Kitty frowned fleetingly and Roper caught her expression. He had seen that his love looked heavy eyed and was not at her best this morning. He had thought it was due to her anxiety for him but maybe there was some other cause? Was she ill perhaps?

  “My love, are you feeling quite the thing?” he asked anxiously.

  “I am perfectly well, only a little tired.”

  “Has something happened to upset you?”

  Kitty’s eyes widened but before she could answer, the door opened and Lady Mary entered. She looked cross and the young people immediately sprang apart. Roper jumped to his feet.

  “Kitty! Captain Roper!”

  “Ma’am, I can explain…”

  Lady Mary stood right in front of him. “You had better do so at once.”

  Roper turned. “Kitty, will you leave us please? I have something I particularly need to discuss with your mother.”

  “But why must I leave you? I know what you are going to say to her.”

  Before Lady Mary could speak, Roper said in a voice that brooked no dispute,

  “Kitty, go!”

  He opened the door for her and, with a startled look, she went through it without a murmur. He shut it firmly behind her. When he turned he saw Lady Mary sitting on the sofa, a faint smile on her lips.

  “Well, Captain, you seem to have acquired the knack of managing my daughter.”

  He smiled as he said,

  “Dear ma’am, I love Kitty and I would like to make her my wife. Will you give her to me? I will cherish and protect her all our lives.”

  She looked at him for a long moment before she said,

  “I think you would and, for myself, I do not object. I have observed you throughout these months and you would be a good husband to her, but I am not Kitty’s guardian, my stepson is. It is his permission you would have to seek rather than mine.”

  “Kitty tells me that he objects to our marriage. Do you know why he does so?”

  “He does not like the match on the grounds that you would frequently be away from home. You have no doubt already realised that Kitty is sometimes a silly and heedless girl. Edward is concerned that, when you are at sea and she is alone, she will become bored and get into mischief.”

  “And do you agree with him, Ma’am?”

  Lady Mary looked closely at him.

  “Edward has been abroad for many years and has not been back long enough to come to know Kitty well. He remembers the child she was, not the young lady she has become. Each year I see an improvement in her but she is not yet a mature adult. She still gets bored although she no longer indulges in distempered freaks as she used to do when she was younger. She will have her own house to run, her friends around her and perhaps children to care for. I think she’ll be quite satisfied with her life, when you go away. I trust you to ensure that she has these things or some of them at least before you leave her. That she already cares for you, she has made plain to all of us. Now I have seen that she obeys you as well.”

  Roper’s tired face beamed and he smiled.

  “So you will lend us your support?”

  “I will speak to my stepson when he returns and say to him what I have said to you. I cannot be sure that my opinion carries any weight with him, however.”

  “I must call on him as soon as possible to make my proposal. When do you expect him to return?”

  “He did not tell me, perhaps later today, perhaps tomorrow. I will give orders that you are to be informed when he does so.”

  “Then I will take my leave of you and see Sir Edward when he returns.”

  “You had better speak to Kitty before you go.” Lady Mary smiled. “I place no reliance on her not pursuing you down the road if you do not.”

  “Very true, Ma’am.” Roper grinned. “When we are married I will make certain she leaves off such hoydenish behaviour.”

  “I am hopeful that you will be able to do so.”

  They went into the corridor and, sure enough, Kitty was sitting on a bench in the hall, in an obvious fidget. She jumped up as soon as she saw them and Lady Mary spoke quickly,

  “You may speak with Captain Roper in the library. Ten minutes only.” She looked at Roper. “I rely on you not to exceed the time limit.”

  “You can trust me, ma’am.”

  Lady Mary was returning up the stairs when she heard a knock on the outside door. Naturally she turned to see who it was, so she was unable to retreat when Reynolds showed Mr. Hardwick into the hall.

  “Lady Mary, I give you good-day,” Mr. Hardwick said heartily before she could draw back. He took off his hat and bowed to her.

  “Mr. Hardwick, what a charming surprise.” Lady Mary tried to keep any trace of emotion out of her voice although it was difficult.

  Oh dear, whatever will happen next? she thought. Good manners compelled her to give him her hand and ask him to accompany her to the salon on the first floor. “You must forgive us; we are rather late this morning.”

  “I am delighted to find you on your own, Lady Mary. I have something most particular to say to you in private.”

  Oh no, let’s hope this is not a proposal. I am really not in a fit state to discuss another one, Lady Mary thought. Then she said, “I will ask Reynolds to ensure that I am denied to other callers.” She rang the bell and gave the instruction to the butler.

  “Please sit down, Mr. Hardwick. What is it you wanted to say to me?”

  “Thank you.” He seated himself fussily on one of the chairs, taking care not to crease his coattails. “You must be conscious of my interest in your niece, Lady Alice?” Mr. Hardwick had spent many hours preparing his speech, but it was harder to repeat than he had imagined.

  Lady Mary nodded politely. “I am aware, of course, of your visits and the fact that you often seek her company.”

  “It is my ardent desire to make her my wife.”

  “And what does Lady Alice say to that?”

  Mr. Hardwick looked shocked. “Dear ma’am, surely you do not consider me the sort of rogue who would approach your niece without first gaining her guardian’s permission to address her?”

  “Of course not.” Lady Mary repressed her smile. “I realise you are a gentleman who would always act with the utmost propriety.” How strange to have received two very different proposals of marriage in a single morning. One so ardent and the other so proper. Poor Alice, she thought. Let us hope she does not accept him.

  “May I have your permission to pay her my addresses?”

  “Indeed, I would like to help you if it were possible,” Lady Mary said untruthfully, “but I am not Lady Alice’s guardian. I am not in a position to give you the permission you seek.”

  He looked thunderstruck. “Who is then?”

  “Her father, Lord Kirkmore.”

  “Did he not delegate his guardianship to you?”

  “While she is staying in my house, then she is, of course, in my care, but for something as important as her marriage, you must apply directly to her father. It is usual, you know.”

  “But he lives miles away and I am such a poor traveller!”

  Lady Mary stifled the gurgle of laughter in her throat as she realised that Mr. Hardwick had blurted out the first words that came into his head. What a passionate lover! She restrained herself and said,

  “You may, of course, write to him but, knowing my brother, I’m sure he would want to see you in person and enquire into your circumsta
nces. You will not help your cause merely by writing to him.”

  “Do you really think so?” His voice sounded so unhappy, Lady Mary had to struggle with herself yet again before she could answer.

  “Indeed, I do,” she said firmly. “Now I suggest you go home and consider carefully what is the best thing for you to do in this situation.”

  “May I see Lady Alice before I leave?” Mr. Hardwick asked.

  “She is not here. She has gone to visit her old governess and we do not expect her back until late.”

  “How unusual.”

  “Not at all. They are sincerely attached to each other. Certainly Lady Alice shows Miss Fennimore the most devoted attention.”

  “How kind of her.”

  When Mr. Hardwick had taken a long and fulsome leave of her, Lady Mary retreated to her own boudoir where she was certain that she would not be disturbed. There she could enjoy her laughter in private. It was a pity she had no one with whom she could talk over Mr. Hardwick’s proposal. Her late lord would have enjoyed the jest and kept her confidence private. She missed him very much at times like these.

  The other events of the morning and the night before had exhausted her. As she thought about them her laughter died. She really could not bear any more excitement. She summoned Reynolds who brought her a glass of ratafia and a sweet biscuit, which soothed her spirits. When she eventually felt able to leave her room and go down to the salon, it was only to be set upon by Kitty. Kitty immediately asked her what she was going to do.

  “Do?” Lady Mary exclaimed in bewilderment. “About what, pray?”

  “About Alice and Edward. Surely we should have heard something from them by now?”

  “Oh dear.” Lady Mary sat down suddenly. How could she possibly have forgotten even for a few moments. “I suppose we should!”

  Chapter Fifteen

  A sudden disturbance made Alice involuntarily open her eyes Shouts, thuds, a door slamming shut and the clink of a lock. Staunton had carried her to the bed some time before. She’d kept herself limp, as if she was still unconscious, and he had not disturbed her. Now she saw above her the embroidered canopy and heard clanking, a swishing noise and stumbling footsteps somewhere in the room. Whatever was happening? She rolled over and raised herself on one elbow. As her eyes regained their focus, she realised she was in the middle of a swordfight. Her mouth dropped open as she recognised the protagonists. Edward and Staunton were attacking each other. It seemed to her as if Edward had burst into the room for a table had overturned and ornaments lay shattered on the floor while the men almost danced around the debris. He must have found time to lock the door behind him for she could see the handle turning and hear hammering.

  She watched in horror. Although she had seen her brothers fencing, this duel was totally unlike their schoolboy efforts. This was a battle where both opponents were intent on inflicting real harm upon each other, of that she could not doubt. What if Edward is killed? A little voice said in her mind. He is fighting for me. If he dies, I don’t want to live. Alice started to pray, more fervently than she had ever done in her life before. As she watched, clinging onto the bedpost for support, she realised with relief that Edward was by far the better swordsman. Staunton was breathing hard already, his sword point wandering away from his opponent’s. Several times it seemed to her that her cousin might have brushed aside his guard and wounded him but he did not. He appeared to be waiting for something. Then Staunton lunged and, for a second, Alice thought that his foil had entered Edward’s breast. Her heart seemed to have stopped beating. The blade was swept away and she breathed again. Staunton staggered back, dropping his sword and clapping his hand to his shoulder which was streaming with blood. He fell to the floor and Edward cautiously approached him. When Staunton made no move, Edward knelt down beside him. Staunton’s eyes flickered open.

  “You’ve killed me!” he muttered.

  Edward pulled his fingers away from the wound and opened his jacket. “Not this time,” he said. “You’ll recover.”

  Edward ripped the cravat from Staunton’s neck and used it to staunch the blood. He tied his own neck-cloth to keep the pad in place.

  Alice had been so intent on the fight that she had forgotten the blows on the door, which were increasing in violence. The door was moving as the lock and the hinges came under pressure from outside. Edward shot it a considering look.

  “That door won’t hold much longer,” he said. “Alice can you stand?”

  Alice got to her feet a little unsteadily and walked towards him.

  “Good girl.” He smiled at her. “Stay here, take my sword and if Staunton moves, prick him in the throat.”

  Alice took the hilt in both hands and held it ready, thankful that Philip had taught her the rudiments of swordplay one summer long ago. They had used wooden swords though that left bruises rather than wounds. She wondered whether she would actually have the courage to stab a man with steel.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Get us both out of here and back to London.”

  He went swiftly to the door and kicked away the broken table and cleared a path in the debris. He was very quick and returned to her before Staunton began to stir.

  “I wouldn’t,” Edward said to him, taking the sword from Alice. Then he turned to her. “Stand beside me and do exactly as I say. There won’t be time to explain to you or help you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Edward.”

  “Can you do it?”

  She forced herself to smile. “Of course I can!”

  As he looked at her, there was a great crash as the door sprang open and smashed against the wall, its lock broken. Three servants tumbled into the room.

  Edward stood there with his sword pointing towards them.

  “What have you done?” the oldest of the men gasped as soon as he had recovered his balance.

  “I’ve given your master what he deserved for kidnapping this lady,” Edward replied grimly, “and, if you don’t fancy the same medicine, get out of this room.”

  It seemed to Alice, standing where she was told and ignored by them all, that even with a sword in his hand, Edward could not prevail against three men unaided. She looked around her quickly for a weapon. A pair of candelabra which stood on the mantelpiece, lighting the scene, drew her eye. Keeping Edward between her and Staunton’s servants, she took three steps backwards and picked up one of the candle sticks.

  Staunton raised himself with his uninjured arm and shouted,

  “What are you waiting for? Take them!”

  Obediently his servants moved forwards. A man rushed Edward from the front and fell with the point of the sword in his shoulder. The other two came at him from the side. Holding the candles by the shaft, Alice swung them straight into the face of the man attacking from the right. There was a scream and a crack. The man’s knees crumpled. As he fell, he caught at her dress and ripped it. Fearing he would get up again, Alice hit him once more, harder and was satisfied this time he would not move.

  Edward and the third man were wrestling on the floor. Edward got an arm free and punched his opponent on the jaw. The man slumped back.

  “Alice, are you all right?” he called and Alice could hear the strain in his voice.

  “Yes.”

  Edward scrambled to his feet and held out his arms. Alice went into them very willingly, feeling that she had come home at last.

  “Hurry now, we must leave here at once.”

  Retrieving his sword, Edward led her from the room and down the stairs. No one stopped them although there were a few rustles and the sound of doors closing, which betrayed the presence of other servants. They were obviously keeping well out of the way.

  When they had opened the front door, Edward called in a loud voice,

  “Your master assaulted and kidnapped this lady. He attacked me when I came to rescue her. I will be bringing a charge against him with the magistrates in the morning. If you don’t want to be part of his disgrace, don’t
follow us or do anything to prevent us leaving. There are sufficient witnesses against him to support our case and you already know what an unsavoury reputation he has in this area. If you are sensible, leave this house now and don’t return.”

  He closed the front door and, taking Alice’s hand, guided her back to where he had left his curricle. He helped her up and, in a very short time, they were bowling along the high road towards London and home. They did not speak much on that journey but the words they spoke that evening were never forgotten by either of them for the rest of their lives.

  A very shaken Alice, as soon as the darkness closed around them and she heard no sound of pursuit said,

  “Thank you for coming after me. I was so very afraid.”

  “Did he hurt you, that scoundrel?”

  “He threatened me but he did not do anything else. I tripped and fell, so I pretended I had fainted. I must have been a good enough actress because he did not perceive that I was foxing him.”

  “Thank God that he did nothing worse to you.”

  “How did you know where to come for me, Edward?”

  “Your governess told me.”

  Silence fell for a few moments while Edward negotiated a sharp bend. When the carriage had straightened up again, Alice said,

  “I suppose it is nothing to a soldier, but it was very brave of you to fight for me.”

  He chuckled, then he asked,

  “What else could I do? I was afraid I had lost you before I had even told you how much I love you.”

  “You love me?” Amazement made her stutter. “I thought you disliked me excessively?”

  “I do. I think you are a penance sent to me for my sins.” He smiled. “Yet I would not be without you.”

  Responding to his mood, Alice retorted, “No doubt you have heaps of sins to repent?”

  “An excessive number but they are almost gone now, thanks to you.”

  She laughed, hearing a note of hysteria in her voice. Of all the strange happenings of this evening, this was the strangest.

  “Well?” he asked.

  “Well what?”