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

by Michele McGrath

  On the fifth day after her adventure, a surprise awaited Alice when she came down to breakfast. A letter, written on foreign paper and much franked, lay by her plate. Only one person could be writing to her from the continent and she hurried to open it. She gave a sigh of relief when she had read its contents. She waited until the servants had withdrawn and then she said,

  “Philip is safe, Aunt. He has almost reached Paris and will be journeying on to my uncle’s home just outside Grenoble. I am so thankful.”

  “And Mrs. Staunton?”

  “She is with him and well, although very tired from the journey.”

  “For your sake, I am glad he is out of harm’s way.”

  As the days passed, Alice began to dread Edward’s return. Surely something important had happened to keep him away so long. Kitty often speculated on his destination, thinking perhaps that he might have followed the fugitives but, with what motive she could not guess.

  Why ever should he? Alice thought to herself. Philip will not come back. He can’t. So what purpose would it serve?

  “Where do you think he has gone?” Kitty asked about ten times a day but Alice had no answer to give her. His real destination never occurred to her. When the ladies heard a commotion outside the house and Lizzie, peering down from the window told them that Edward’s coach had just arrived, Alice felt sick. Taking a firm hold on her courage, she made herself sit still and, when he entered, she was able to greet him with propriety if not with enthusiasm.

  “Good day to you, Edward,” Lady Mary said, giving him her hand. “We had almost given you up, you had been so long away. I’m sure Eastham, your agent has called quite three times to see you on business and Reynolds has had to send him away.”

  “I am sorry you had the trouble, ma’am. I will ask Eastham to call tomorrow. I was away rather longer than I expected because one of the wheels broke and I had to wait until it was mended.” He turned to his sister. “Kitty I would be obliged if you would write to Roper and ask him to meet me here at his earliest convenience.”

  Kitty cast a startled glance at his face and realised he was smiling down at her.

  “Of course, Edward, I will do so right away but I am not sure when he will receive the letter. He has not been to visit us since the day you left. I don’t even know if he is even in London.”

  Edward nodded and turned to Lady Mary. “Now ma’am, if you will excuse us, I have something of a private nature to discuss with my cousin.”

  “I beg you will let her stay here with us, Edward, at least until the end of the season. It would be very unkind to send her home in disgrace and cause tongues to wag. You might jeopardise her whole future.”

  “You need have no fear of that, ma’am. Come, Alice.”

  Alice could feel her legs shaking as she followed him down the corridor to the library. He held the door open for her, and she walked past him to the fireplace to warm her hands. She was freezing, although the day was fine. Even Edward’s words to her aunt did not give her much comfort. She had not really understood them. Now, looking into the fire and unable to stand the silence a moment more, she blurted out,

  “Well, Cousin, do you want me to leave your house?”

  “Only if you really want to,” Edward said.

  She turned around to look at him and realised that he was regarding her with a slightly puzzled frown between his eyes.

  “Would you like to know where I have been these last few days?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I have been to visit your parents at Kirkmore.” Alice sat down hurriedly. If he had told her father about the scrape she was in for helping Philip, she shuddered at his reaction. But Edward was continuing to speak, “While I was there I met an acquaintance of yours, Mr. Hardwick.”

  It took a moment or two for his words to penetrate the fog of fear that lay over her thoughts. When it did she exclaimed, “Goodness!”

  “He had come to ask your Papa for permission to pay his addresses to you.”

  “Oh no!” Alice moaned. “Do you know what Papa said to him?”

  “He refused him.”

  “He did?” Relief flooded through her. “Hardwick was behind the fair. You see, your father had already given me his permission to marry you!”

  “What?” Alice bounced up from her seat, with no thought as to propriety. “He did what?”

  Edward came up to her and caught her hands in his. He was laughing. “What else could I do after all the things you said to me on our drive from Richmond?” He put a finger under her chin and tipped her face up to his. “I must say, cousin, that if you did not mean those words then I have to tell you, that you are a shocking flirt.”

  His lips found hers and she responded to his touch.

  Some time later, they were sitting on the couch when Alice asked,

  “Did Papa receive my letter about Mr. Hardwick?”

  “If he did, he did not show it to me.”

  “Thank goodness you got to Kirkmore before him,” she said with a little shudder. She would never have to listen to Mr. Hardwick again.

  She was so happy at that moment that she wanted everyone to share her happiness. Perhaps she could now do as she had promised and plead Kitty’s case to Edward.

  “Why did you send for Captain Roper?” she asked him.

  “To tell him that he might marry Kitty with my blessing.”

  “What!” Alice exclaimed. “But you said you would not condone the match.”

  “I know I did but if she is sure this is what she wants, who am I to cause her unhappiness? I intend to send my wife to visit her and keep her from becoming bored whenever Roper is away. What do you say to that, my love?”

  “That I am happy to obey you. How famous! Kitty will be over the moon. When did you change your mind?”

  “She was so sensible and courageous the night you vanished that I realised she had grown up and was not the little sister I had left behind me. Roper is an intelligent man. I cannot stand in the way of their happiness when I am about to get married myself. Now, shall we go and tell the family that you are about to become Lady Maitland rather than Mrs. Hardwick?” He held out his hand to her and together they walked out of the library.

  Copyright 2015 by Michèle McGrath

  All rights reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the author.

  All characters and events in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  My books are fiction set in history.

  Front cover artwork:

  Copyright © Sheri McGathy 2015

  All rights reserved

  No part of the cover image may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the illustrator.

  Written in English (UK)

  Published by Riverscourt Publishing

  Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or the site you bought it from.

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  About Michèle McGrath

  Award winning author, Michele McGrath, was born on the beautiful Isle of Man in the middle of the Irish Sea. She has lived in California, Liverpool, France and Lancashire before returning home. Living in Paris and Grenoble taught her to make a mean ratatouille and she learned the hula in Hawaii.

  Michele is a qualified swimming teacher and manager, writing self help books on these subjects. Although she writes in many genres, her real loves are historical romance and fantasy. She has won numerous writing competitions, had second places and been short-listed many times. She has had tens of thousands of sales and downloads.

  **Visit her blog at http://www.michelemcgrath.co.uk/blog

  **Follow Michele on Facebook at https://w
ww.facebook.com/michele.mcgrath.books. She loves to chat with readers.

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  What others are saying about Michele's books:

  "From the very first and magical sentence, I was hooked on this novel."

  Eddie on Kindle, reviewing Manannan's Magic.

  “Set in post-revolutionary France, Duval and the Infernal Machine captures the atmosphere of suspicion and intrigue that reigned in Paris at the time. The author does a splendid job of immersing the reader into the darker corners of the city." Simon on Kindle reviewing Duval and the Infernal Machine.

  “I have been terrified of the water ever since nearly drowning in Lake Michigan. My wife has tried to teach me to float - with no success - for 40 years. The techniques outlined in this book are easy to follow. Maybe finally, after all these years, I'll be able to swim and NOT be afraid of the water. Thanks Michele, wish you lived in the States so I could get private lessons." Steven on Kindle reviewing Learn to Swim, even if you are terrified."

  “An intriguing and haunting short story, which the author says is based upon a real wartime experience. The fitting and satisfying ending will stay with me for a long time. An excellent story."

  Gunnar on Kindle reviewing Five Lamps.

  “Beautiful! Just 12 short pages, but it left me in tears. The author has such a delicate, lovely way with words that the sentences and sentiments were whispered over the pages. I will save this on my kindle to read again."

  Tina on Kindle reviewing The Carpenter's Bench.

  Books by Michèle McGrath

  Novels

  Regency Belles & Beaux

  Lady Alice’s Dilemma: Lady Alice is enjoying her first London Season until her disgraced brother appears in disguise.

  Miss Ridgeway’s Privateer: Following her father’s death, Lucy is sent to her grandmother in Ireland, where she is to be presented at the Viceroy’s court. These plans are interrupted when the ship she is travelling on is captured by French privateers. Lucy is held for ransom. One of her captors is the Irishman Patrick O’Rourke, the ship’s surgeon whom she has met before in unusual circumstances. How can she possibly fall in love with a pirate?

  Lord Philip’s Christmas: More adventures of Lady Alice’s errant brother culminating in Brussels at the time of Waterloo.

  Regency Belles & Beaux: Box set of three books.

  The Manannan Series (Historical Fantasy)

  Manannan’s Magic: Manannan McLir flees from a blood feud in Ireland and finds a tragic love with a young Celtic girl, Renny. Betrayal, a Viking invasion and a narrow escape all feature in this novel.

  Niamh of the Golden Hair: Niamh is captured by Viking raiders and unexpectedly falls in love with her captor. When he is badly injured, she must find her father, Manannan, who may be able to cure his wound.

  Emer’s Quest: Emer, Manannan’s granddaughter, dreams that her father will be shipwrecked. She rides after him to prevent him leaving but she is too late. She persuades friends to follow him. On her journey she meets Atli, a trader who offers to rescue her father if she will marry one of his sons. Unfortunately his son Hari does not want her.

  Manannan Trilogy: Box Set

  Duval Series (Napoleon’s Police)

  Duval and the Infernal Machine 1800: Rookie police agent, Alain Duval investigates the attempted assassination on Napoleon Bonaparte. The book features romance, terror and an unexpected ending.

  Duval and the Empress’s Crown 1804: Police Agent Alain Duval is tasked with finding the crown but time is very short and his suspects many. Present when the crown disappeared are Napoleon's sisters, Princess Elisa, Princess Pauline and Princess Caroline. Are they involved or merely witnesses? Aided by his wife Eugenie and his friends Lefebvre and Fournier, Duval sets out to unravel the mystery.

  Duval and the Italian Opera Singer 1805: Carla Cortini arrives in Paris claiming that her son is Napoleon’s child. She relates the story to Duval and enquiries seem to confirm that it is true. When Duval goes to tell her and take her to the Emperor, he discovers that the mother and son have been kidnapped.

  Duval at Waterloo 1815: The last Duval book. Duval travels to Paris and gets caught up in the preparations for Napoleon’s last battle.

  Napoleon’s Police: Box set of the first three Duval books published.

  Short Story Collections

  Bible Women: Five short stories of women in the New Testament, starting from the birth of Christ until his death.

  Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen short stories in a range of genres including romance, fantasy, crime and history.

  Books for Children:

  A Night at the Manx Museum: Meet Manannan, a Manx cat, the great deer and many more characters.

  Stories for Seven Year Olds: Three stories in one. A magical harp takes Shannon far away to a land of magic carpets and evil viziers. Rory is scared of heights, which is a problem because he is a robin who needs to learn to fly. Sun Sun Lau is a Chinese dragon who wakes up to find himself in the British Museum and has to escape from those who want to put him in a zoo.

  Non Fiction

  Learn to Swim even if you are Terrified

  Teach your Child to Swim: The Easy Way.

  Easy Business Skills Box set

  Easy Self Confidence

  Easy Time Management

  Easy Assertiveness

  Easy Communication Skills

  Easy Presentation Skills

  Look out for free days and promotional offers on my website.

  Gigi’s Guardian, A Night in the Manx Museum and Manannan’s Magic are available in paperback through Amazon and booksellers on the Isle of Man.

  Find out more on:

  http://www.michelemcgrath.co.uk

  I would love to hear from you:

  email: riverscourt@gmail.com