Page 27 of To Steal a Kiss

Dear Alice,

For the love of God, marry Nate. This life is not for you, darling girl. The world is cruel and cold and lonely.

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Matilda Hunt to Miss Alice Dowding… never sent.

The early hours of the 25th June 1814. The Eversley’s’ Ball, Regent’s Park, London.

Once the marquess had gone, Bindley went to open his mouth, but Nate advanced on him with such a look in his eyes that the man wisely changed his mind and headed for the door.

“You’d be a f-fool to refuse me, Alice,” Bindley said, once he was far enough away from Nate to make a run for it. “Your p-parents will disown you if you m-marry that scoundrel.”

The vile creature hurried through the door before Nate could thump him, but Matilda had seen that remark hit home and knew it had hurt. Was that why Alice had refused? Nate believed it, she could see the pain of it in his eyes.

Nate turned, staring at Alice.

“I’m so sorry, Alice,” he said. “I….”

Matilda shook her head. Alice had begun to cry, and for once she thought the marquess was right. There was too much emotion here for a sensible decision. She must discover why Alice had rejected Nate and see if she could address the problem.

“I’m going to take Alice home, Nate,” she said, smiling a little at her brother. “I’m sure you can speak to her again once she’s had a good night’s sleep. Go home now, it’s late and we’re all tired.”

Her brother stared at her, and she could see the turmoil in his eyes, the desire to make the problem go away, to beg her pardon too.

“Matilda,” he began, his voice breaking with emotion.

“I know,” she said softly, not needing to hear him say the words to understand. “We can talk when I get home.”

Nate swallowed, his eyes over bright and full of emotion, still watching Alice, and then he gave a slight nod, and left the room.

Matilda let out a breath.

“It’s all right, darling. They’re all gone now,” she said.

“Oh, Matilda,” Alice sobbed.

Matilda held her closer as she wept.

***

By the time Matilda had seen Alice home and returned to Half Moon Street, she was exhausted. She hadn’t questioned Alice about her decision yet. The girl was too miserable to speak with her, and Matilda hoped a good night’s sleep would give her perspective.

Perhaps Nate’s reputation was rather colourful, but he was a good man, a kind one, and Matilda felt sure he cared for Alice. Judging on what she’d seen to date, she believed he cared a great deal. She had to admit to surprise at the discovery. To her knowledge, Nate had had nothing but brief affairs. He never dallied with women liable to expect marriage or commitments. That he’d done so with Alice of all people… he was serious about her, he had to be.

So, perhaps in the morning Alice would come to see that, and realise he was her best option, even if her parents disliked the idea. It had to be better than marrying Bindley. Everything about him set Matilda’s teeth on edge.

Matilda climbed the stairs with what remained of her energy and went to the front parlour to find Nate standing by the window, glass in hand. He turned to stare at her as she came in.

“Tilda,” he said, his voice rough. “I—”

“Don’t you dare tell me you’re sorry,” she warned him, squaring her shoulders. “And give me one of those. I think I’ve earned it.”

Nate raised his eyebrows. “Whisky?”

Matilda glared at him and he said nothing more, just poured her a small measure.

“Thank you,” she said, easing off her satin dancing slippers with a sigh of relief before reaching for the glass. “Now then,” she said, gesturing for Nate to sit down with her. “Explain what the devil you were playing at tonight?”

For the first time since he was a very young man, Matilda saw a tinge of colour at his cheeks, but he held her gaze. “I wasn’t playing, Tilda. Not this time. I want to marry her. I intended to ask her, anyway, and then that cretin poked his nose in.”