The next night Alice and her sisters arrived at Lady Brownly’s musical evening. She had no sooner entered the drawing room when Lord St. Albans sauntered over to her, took her hand, and placed it on his arm. “Come, let us find a place to sit.”
How dare he? What gall!It was all Alice could do to rein in her temper. The prickling affecting her hand and arm only increased her anger. It must be due to her dislike of him. She was tempted to remove her hand from his arm, but people were watching. “I am so sorry, my lord. I have promised my friends I will sit with them.” She trusted her raised brow was sufficiently imperious. “Perhaps if you had asked earlier, I would have been able to join you.”
His jaw went slack, and she turned so that no one could see her drop her hand. “I wish you a good evening.”
Turning on her heel, she strode over to Penelope and Eloisa. Madeline and Harry came up to Alice. “Now what happened?” Madeline asked.
Alice pressed her lips together. “He assumed I would sit with him without even asking me ahead of time or at all.”
“Not the brightest thing to do,” Harry said.
The other two ladies nodded in agreement.
It was good to know that there were some reasonable gentlemen. “You see, even Harry agrees.”
She tried to enjoy the singer who was indeed excellent, but Alice could feel St. Albans’s gaze on the back of her neck. She would have to do something drastic to make him stop annoying her. She did not like hurting anyone’s feelings, but it might be kinder to tell him she was not interested in his attentions. The problem was that one could not just go over to a gentleman and tell them to leave one alone. She could, however, avoid him and hope he got the hint. Fortunately, she would be busy with the preparations for her come out ball.
The following morning, St. Albans sent roses again. Well at least she was not allergic to them.
“What did the roses do to offend you?” Grace asked.
“The flowers? Nothing. The gentleman is another matter.” Perhaps Grace could help. “Have you ever known a gentleman who was all wrong for you, but he had the entirely different opinion?”
“No, but I only had half a Season. Augusta has had that experience. She solved it by leaving the country and marrying Phinn before she returned.” Grace frowned. “Matt could tell him you are not interested.”
That would be the easy way out. “No. This is something I must do myself.”
“My lady.” Thorton held out a note. “This just came for you.”
“Thank you, Thorton.” Grace took the letter, opened it, then handed it to Alice. “Lord Normanby would like you to go walking with him during the Promenade this afternoon.”
Alice scanned the letter. “I wonder why a walk and not a carriage ride.”
Her sister shrugged lightly. “You will take Williams with you.”
“Of course.” Matt always insisted a footman accompany them. “I shall write to accept.” There was a request she had to make to Grace, and Alice did not know quite how to phrase it. She took a breath. Directly might be the best way. “Have you sent the invitations to the come out ball yet?” Alice, Madeline, and Eleanor had spent the better part of two days writing and addressing them.
“They are to go out today. Why do you ask?”
“I do not want Lord St. Albans there.”
“Very well.” Grace’s eyes narrowed a little. “You do realize that I will have to make a note on his parents’ card that he is not invited otherwise they might think he is included in their invitation.”
“I am sorry.” This was probably a huge breach of etiquette. “But I just cannot have him there.”
Her sister let out a sigh. “I will think of some way to put it that will not be an insult.”
“Thank you.” She was not looking forward to facing the Duchess of Cleveland. Alice went to her writing table and penned her acceptance to Lord Normanby. Walking might give them more time to talk. That could be either good or horrible. Even Lord Bury, who was very entertaining, would drive her mad if there were not constant interruptions when he took her out in his curricle. She had only met Lord Normanby briefly, and her first thought was that she wished she could have exchanged partners, but it had nothing to do with Lord Normanby’s looks. They were rather ordinary. He was tall, but not as tall as Lord St. Albans. Lord Normanby’s hair was a dark blond that lacked the depth of Lord St. Albans’s deep auburn hair, and Lord Normanby’s eyes were blue gray. Nothing out of the usual. Not like Lord St. Albans’s deep green ones. However, she knew that a handsome gentleman did not necessarily equate to a handsome person on the inside. This was an opportunity to get to know a new gentleman. Perhaps he was the one she would wed. Provided, of course, he was looking for a wife. Alice gave herself a shake. She was too concerned about finding someone to marry when no one was putting any pressure on her at all. Then again, Eleanor and Lord Montagu were becoming closer, and Madeline and Harry already seemed as if they belonged together. That left Alice alone. She gave herself a shake. She was worried over nothing.
His lordship arrived promptly at four o’clock. That was one mark in his favor. Almost immediately, Williams knocked on the parlor’s open door. Never one to be late, Alice had already donned her hat and gloves. She picked up her reticule and stepped into the corridor. “I hope you’re ready for chaperoning.”
“My lady, I’m ready for anything.” He patted the side of his jacket where she knew all the footmen had a thin holster pocket to carry a pistol.
“Hopefully, he has nothing nefarious on his mind.” She had read a book not long ago where the heroine was strolling with a gentleman, and he had hidden a closed carriage near to the path they were taking. She had only had a young maid with her who had gone into strong hysterics. Which was no help at all. Alice took a deep breath. She was letting her imagination run away with her sense. It would be very hard to abduct someone in the Park.
As she reached the bottom tread, his lordship came forward and bowed over her hand. “Thank you for agreeing to a stroll with me.”
She smiled as was expected. “It is my pleasure.” Alice took his arm and Thorton opened the door. “Shall we?”
