Page 95 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

Alice felt her legs almost give way underneath her, and she was glad of Lord Westcroft’s arm supporting her own.

‘Perhaps we could take a walk along the beach, Miss James,’ Lord Westcroft said, his voice calm. ‘We have much to talk about.’

‘Everyone will know,’ Alice said, shaking her head. She felt sick and hot and as if her whole life were about to implode around her.

‘Please, Miss James. I implore you to remain calm,’ Lord Westcroft said, his voice silky smooth, and Alice felt some of the panic recede. Perhaps he had a plan, some way of diverting suspicion from her.

In front of her Lydia stood, eyes wide, hardly able to believe what was happening.

‘You should do what Lord Westcroft asks, Alice,’ Lydia said, motioning for them to go ahead of her across the sand dunes. ‘I am sure you have much to discuss.’

Thankfully the wind had kept most people away from the beach, and there were only a few couples in the far distance strolling along the damp sand. Alice picked a path through the dune and onto the beach itself, having to hitch up her skirt as she traversed the soft sand. The climb up the dunes was strenuous even though they were not high along this part of the coast, but the sand was powdery soft, and if you didn’t put your feet in exactly the right place you slipped down again. Once at the top she paused for a second to catch her breath and check Lord Westcroft was following her, thinking he might find the unfamiliar terrain difficult, but he was directly behind her, traversing the dunes like a steady-footed mountain goat.

She slipped and slid down the other side, stopping at the bottom to wait for Lord Westcroft and Lydia.

‘I’ll walk behind,’ Lydia said, giving Alice’s arm a reassuring squeeze. ‘Close enough to count as a chaperon but far enough to give you some privacy.’

‘Thank you,’ Alice said. She knew how lucky she was to have Lydia as a friend. Not only was the young woman full of spirit and the joys of life, she was loyal and kind too. One of her greatest fears about leaving Bamburgh and starting her life anew, apart from the horror of being married to vile Cousin Cecil, was leaving Lydia behind. She desperately wanted to know how Lydia had fared at the ball the evening before but pushed her questions to the back of her mind. There would be plenty of time for her to catch up with her friend later.

‘Come, Miss James. Our time together is short, and we have much to discuss.’

Lord Westcroft led her across the sand. They walked just below the high-tide mark, the sand still damp under their feet. The beach was beautifully clean, the sea clear, with hardly any seaweed deposited on the sand. Alice adjusted her bonnet as they walked, pulling it down a little lower to protect her from the sun.

‘My sister-in-law came to see me earlier this morning,’ Lord Westcroft said, wasting no time now they were alone. ‘She tells me last night we were seen in the garden.’ He paused and glanced at her before returning his gaze to the horizon. ‘Kissing.’

‘Someone actually saw us kiss?’ Alice asked, horrified. It would have been ruinous to be merely seen sneaking off into the gardens unchaperoned with the earl, but if someone had seen them kiss, it was impossible to argue there was some innocent explanation for their presence in the garden.

‘They did,’ Lord Westcroft said. He was looking straight ahead, his posture stiff, and Alice realised he must have come straight to seek her out after he had been informed they had been seen. She felt a swell of gratitude for this man who had shown her kindness the night before and for a short while had made her dream of something other than the future that she was destined for. He could have brushed away the gossip; it would hardly have touched him. A few people might whisper behind their hands when they saw him, but being subject to such gossip would hardly affect his life at all. There were no consequences for men of his social status, not like there were for women of hers. Yet he had still hurried to her, seeking to reach her before the gossips identified her as the mystery woman and ruined her life.

‘There is a chance no one will find out who you are,’ Lord Westcroft said, glancing at her and grimacing. ‘Although, you do have quite distinctive hair. I doubt there is anyone else in all of Northumberland with hair the same shade as yours. Now I think of it I am sure it is why Lady Salisbury was so suspicious at the ball.’

‘So the likelihood I remain unidentified is small,’ Alice said quietly. She could see her whole life crashing down around her. The devastation it would cause her parents, the end of her life as she knew it. Even Cousin Cecil would declare her too damaged for marriage. She wondered if her sister might take her in: surely the scandal wouldn’t reach all the way to Devon. It would be a horrible existence, though, always wondering if someone might know someone who had told them of her infamy.

‘Yes. I think you have to prepare yourself for the very real possibility that you will be identified. Of course, there is no proof. You could decide to bluster the whole affair out, especially if you can get your parents on your side. If they swear you did not leave home last night, then I am sure no one will come out and call them liars directly.’

Alice considered the suggestion. ‘You mean let people gossip and speculate but deny everything and hope with time things settle down.’

‘It might work, and it would mean you could continue your normal life.’ He stopped walking for a moment, turning to her and running a hand through his hair. ‘I haven’t even said I’m sorry, Miss James,’ he said and gave her a sad smile. ‘I am, from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I have been playing society’s game for long enough. I should have been more careful.’ He shook his head. ‘I pride myself on being a practical person, yet I let myself get carried away.’

‘It was not all your fault,’ Alice said. ‘I kissed you first.’

‘I think we were both caught up in the magic of the moment,’ he said, his eyes flicking to her lips for a fraction of a second. Alice felt a bolt of anticipation run through her, and she wondered if he felt it too, for he turned away abruptly, offering her his arm again.

For a minute neither of them spoke, and Alice got the sense Lord Westcroft was building up to something. She looked out to sea, trying to imagine her life with the shadow of this kiss hanging over it. She realised, despite what was to come, she couldn’t bring herself to regret the evening entirely. She wished she had been more careful, that no one had seen their moment of intimacy in the garden, but she could not wish she had never gone. It had been the first time she had abandoned caution and allowed herself to enjoy the moment, and it had been wonderful from start to finish.

‘Vile Cecil arrived as planned I see,’ Lord Westcroft said, surprising Alice with his change of direction.

‘Yes. I understand he stayed over in Belford last night so he could ride the last few miles this morning. I thought I might have a few more hours before he descended upon us, but it was not to be.’

‘Has he proposed yet?’

Alice shook her head. ‘No.’ She bit her lip and felt her heart sink. ‘You think I should press him to before any of the rumours reach him.’

‘No,’ Lord Westcroft said quickly. ‘I would not wish that on anyone, not unless that is what you want.’ He paused and then looked at her intently again. ‘I just want you to realise what options you have. All is not lost. There is the possibility to live a normal life.’

Alice felt a sudden spark of anger. It felt as though he were doing his very best to come up with a solution that did not involve him. If he were any sort of gentleman, he would at least mention the idea of marrying her. Alice was not so naïve to think an earl would ever actually end up with a young woman like her, but it would be courteous to at least pretend he would consider it.

She was about to say something to that effect when he stopped walking and waited for her to turn to face him.