She had always been glad that Elizabeth had stayed in Swaffham. She couldn’t imagine confessing about going to dances to their oldest sister, Mary, who married into a family with even more land, and who only liked to talk about sheep. Not that she liked confessing anything. She’d rather depend on herself and not communicate any of her worries.
Which was probably why, now that she was here, she didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t lie and she couldn’t tell the truth. Her sister was cunning and knew her too well. She would have to talk in half-truths in order not to raise her sister’s suspicion. And she would have to find a reason to get invitations into everyone’s homes.
As a wealthy merchant’s daughter, she used to receive such invitations, but she had been refusing them for so long she was no longer offered any.
Now, not only did she need to be invited, she needed a reason that she wanted to be invited. Unfortunately, the only thing she could think of would force her to swallow her pride. But what was pride compared to a king’s order?
‘I think it’s time...’ she began.
‘Time for what? Do not be coy with me. You know I cannot stand it.’
She had expected Elizabeth to interrupt. In fact she needed her sister to interrupt so she would have time to prepare each sentence.
‘You know how you are always saying that one day I’ll be over Hugh?’
Elizabeth’s hands flew to her chest. ‘You are not making some cruel joke?’
‘I’m not.’
Or at least a part of her was telling the truth. And her anger at him made the lie easier.
‘I think that day has come.’
Elizabeth sat down hard on the edge of her bed. ‘I am speechless. I never thought I would hear you say those words. Even if you felt that way, I never thought you would actuallysayit. How did it happen? You have met someone? Were you introduced?’
Oh, she’d met someone. She met the man she had foolishly fallen in love with, and he’d thought her a whore. Simply the memory of him tightened her guts and coiled her innards with irritation.
‘Nothing like that!’
Her sister’s brows rose and she gave her a knowing look.
Needing to be calm, Alice forced her mind to erase Hugh. She wouldn’t tell her sister of seeing Hugh again. There would be no point. It wasn’t as if he would ever return to Swaffham. He hadn’t returned to the town in years. Here, she was safe from his presence.
If only her thoughts were safe from thinking of him.
‘I have met many men,’ she amended. ‘It was difficult not to at Court. There was eating, dancing and games. I could hardly go to London and not meet someone.’
‘Well, then, who was it that took your eye? Please tell me. Do I know him? You know I always thought Mitchell would be a fine match for you—especially now he’s returned from his travels.’
Mitchell was close to her age, and as sensible as her sister’s husband. He was indeed a perfect match for her. If only she could force her heart to agree to such a bargain.
She’d have to tell a truth.
‘No one in particular took my eye.’
Elizabeth frowned. ‘None ever do. You have always been this way. Ever since that ridiculous incident when you were six.’
‘It wasn’t ridiculous!’
‘You defend him again?’
‘I can hardly not defend him. I broke his nose!’
Elizabeth shook her head. ‘You didnotbreak Hugh’s nose; Allen broke his nose.’
‘I’m the one who swung my fist.’
‘But Allen and his friends lowered you into that empty well.’
