‘I can’t bear it when society misses pretend to be so dim they do not see what is going on all around them when such liaisons are happening with lords, ladies, even princes…’
‘Especially princes,’ added Lady Alice.
‘Not to mention in the press, on stage, in the cartoons. Ignorance is not a convincing pose for anyone.’
Lady Alice returned the smile. ‘I believe we ladies are supposed to be like donkeys on the mill wheel, blinkered with the carrot just ahead.’
Dora reassessed her companion. Beauty was coupled with wit: a devastating combination. ‘Plodding ahead to your destination of marriage?’
‘And yet the wheel takes us nowhere. Wouldn’t it be better to step off?’
‘Perhaps, but you might want to ask if there are any carrots to be found that way. We all need the equivalent of carrots to live. So what carrots are you after?’
‘As I was telling Dr Sandys, my passion is for botany.’ A sparkle brightened her eyes as she hit on a favourite subject. ‘I would like nothing better than to travel to other countries and paint what I can collect. I’ve heard that the flora of Cape Town is exceptional– and the climate is very favourable to English people. I dream of going there.’
‘Indeed?’
‘My ideal husband is someone who would make it possible to travel, who would join in the adventure because he has a questing mind. Someone who also likes collecting.’ She cast a significant look at Jacob.
There was no point pretending ignorance after Dora had just extolled the virtues of plain speaking. ‘Collecting rare books is hardly the same as botany.’
‘But Cape Town is on the way to India– and there are many fascinating manuscripts to be found in the libraries of the rajahs. Illuminated ones. Sanskrit. Items from the Mughal Empire. I would imagine that would appeal to both the collector and artistic side in someone we both know.’
‘I imagine so. You have been giving the subject much thought.’
‘It needn’t get in the way of your business dealings– I would never begrudge him that. Once we return, we’d live mainly in town, and that would suit me. I like to imagine that my life might not be the humdrum one of marriage to some acceptable country squire and a clutch of tedious children.’
‘I see little danger of that.’ Lady Alice would have a country squire eating out of her hand and her offspring were unlikely to be boring.
‘And if he tired of investigating– something his brother considers a passing fad– I was thinking that the East India Company would rush to employ the brother of so influential a peer. If Dr Sandys wished, he could have a say in the governance of a nation. What an adventure life in India would be while we are young!’
‘That is where your understanding of the man is at fault,’ said Dora mildly. ‘He would no more wish to run a nation than run for parliament.’
‘Oh? I would have thought a seat in the Commons is a logical step for a man of his learning and experience. War hero, medical expert, brother to a peer who doubtless has several boroughs in his pocket. Dr Sandys won’t be content living in this backwater for the rest of his life, surely? And if he does take his place in society again, he will need the right lady at his side, someone who will say “yes” to going to India, or to hosting a dinner party in Westminster. Someone who allows him to realise his dreams and is approved by his family.’
‘You are painting a very convincing picture, my lady,’ conceded Dora, ‘but why do so to me? Should you not be making your case to Dr Sandys?’
Lady Alice patted her horse’s neck. A thoroughbred mount, it was the colour of the bracken, a shade or two browner than her copper hair. ‘Oh, I am doing so, don’t mistake me. However, I have no interest in fighting unfairly with another lady for what I want. If he is already promised, then I will withdraw from the field and pick another to pursue. Neither of us have our hearts involved in our relationship– not yet.’
‘That is fighting talk.’
‘Courtship is the only time when we women have any power in making decisions over our future. I plan not to waste it.’
Dora studied the enquiring face beside her, the perfection of the mole placed by nature to highlight the well-shaped lips, the pale skin and hint of freckles: Lady Alice was a mixture of delicacy and fire. A little voice asked how Jacob could not resist falling for her. ‘I applaud your clear thinking, Lady Alice– and your decency in speaking to me. I can lay no claim to Dr Sandys.’ How could she? She had repulsed every overture he had made so far to take them towards marriage. ‘Or perhaps I should put it another way. Jacob and I have known each other for four months and are bound by strong ties of affection and respect; I believe there is a kind of commitment between us, but we are not engaged. He would be breaking no promises to me if he chooses another.’
‘You mean that?’
‘If he decides he wants you rather than me, then the ties between us are not strong enough to bind, are they? I would be merely acknowledging a truth.’
‘Are you saying I am free to make my case to him?’
‘I am saying he is free to choose what will make him happiest.’
‘Then there is no petty rivalry between us?’
Dora smiled. ‘If there is rivalry, then it isn’t of the petty kind.’ She wasn’t going to give up Jacob that easily.
Lady Alice chuckled. ‘I like you, Miss Fitz-Pennington. Thank you for that answer. So, how shall we entertain ourselves today? Tell me: are you a decent horsewoman?’
