Page 136 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

Alice smiled. Maria had a motherly, protective instinct that sometimes went a little too far, but it came from a place of affection and love.

‘I hardly think Alice need quit London for good,’ Simon said quickly, ‘just avoid certain areas.’

‘I can’t stay away from St Benedict’s Orphanage for ever. The London Ladies’ Benevolent Society has great plans for that place.’

‘You are incorrigible,’ Simon muttered. ‘You were stabbed outside its doors, and still you will not give it up.’

‘It is a worthy cause.’

Simon shrugged. ‘I am going to invoke my privilege as husband and insist you do not go there ever again unless I am by your side.’

‘I will agree without argument, as long as you make yourself available to me whenever I wish to visit.’

‘I can see no problem with that,’ Simon said softly.

Two hours later Alice was back in bed, resting. She had not wanted to admit she was fatigued by the short spell she had spent downstairs, but as Simon had carried her back up to the bedroom she had leaned in close to him and nuzzled her face into his neck.

‘Was it too much for you, my dear?’

‘No,’ Alice said quickly, ‘just enough. I am a little tired now, but I enjoyed seeing a different view of these four walls.’

Simon helped her to get comfortable in bed and then made to sit in the chair next to her.

‘You should spend some time with Maria,’ Alice said, trying to stifle a yawn. ‘It will do you good to get some fresh air, and I can hardly accompany you out anytime soon.’

‘What if you need anything?’

‘I am sure Miss Stick will be more than happy to check on me at regular intervals, and I have a loud voice to call out if I need something desperately.’

A day ago he would have dismissed the idea immediately, but Alice’s strength was returning quickly now, and he realised it would be good to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.

‘If you are sure?’

‘I am. In fact, I insist.’

Half an hour later he and Maria were on horseback, riding side by side towards the park. Maria was an excellent rider, confident and at ease around the horse he had chosen for her, even though she had never ridden it before. It made Simon think back to the pleasant ride he had shared with Alice a few weeks earlier. They had still been feeling their way through their relationship at that point, wondering if they could even live companionably in the same part of the country. Now the idea of living apart from her made him feel a little sick.

‘Thank you for coming down. I know Alice enjoys your company immensely.’

‘I packed my bags as soon as I received the news she had been hurt.’ Maria paused before continuing mildly, not looking at him. ‘I was worried she would be gravely wounded with no one who cared about her to look after her.’

‘I am here,’ Simon said quietly. He had known Maria a long time and knew she wasn’t lashing out to hurt him and would get to her true point soon.

‘Yes, you are, but when I last saw you we spoke of your wife who you had left in London after not bidding her farewell. You told me you did not know what you planned to do with her, but that you would try to accommodate her wishes, unless of course she wished to have a true and full marriage with you.’

‘I was young and naïve.’

‘It was four weeks ago, Simon.’

‘A lot has happened in four weeks.’

‘Evidently. I rush down here thinking Alice might be all alone, and I find you devoted to her comfort, the very picture of a loving husband.’

‘Would you rather I abandoned her?’

‘Good Lord, no. This is exactly what I have always hoped for you. Marriage is a wonderful gift if done right, and I think with Alice you have the chance to build something truly special.’

He remained silent. It was difficult to deny the feelings that had grown inside him over the past few weeks. He had always felt an attraction to Alice, but the more time he spent with her the more he realised he liked her too. She was kind and generous and entertaining to converse with. She had an opinion on most matters of politics or social dilemmas. Added to that was her natural warmth, the way she could get virtual strangers to trust her, to feel like treasured confidants.