Page 23 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

Time passed in a blur as Alice worked her way along the stalls, making friends with their inhabitants as she did so. She was deep in conversation with a bay gelding when a tap on her shoulder made her jump.

She spun around to find Anthony watching her with amusement. “Did you have to do that?” she exclaimed.

“My apologies.” It was clear he was attempting not to laugh. “I would have thought you might have heard me coming.”

“Well, I did not,” Alice said grumpily.

“I see you have been keeping my horses company.”

Alice felt her face burn. She had worked her way down the whole row of stalls. She cleared her throat. “I may have become carried away…”

“Not at all. The horses are very grateful, I am sure.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Though my servants may never recover from the shock of you demanding a shovel.” Sensing her embarrassment, he quickly added, “They are merely not used to young ladies who take as keen an interest in everything equestrian as you do.”

“I do hope I have not kept you waiting,” she managed to say.

“Not at all,” Anthony said, graciously. “I merely thought I ought to check how you were getting on.”

Alice pushed a lock of her hair that had come loose behind her ear. She glanced down at herself and her face must have turned several shades redder. She was a sweaty, hay covered mess. What had she been thinking? She was not at home on her family’s estate now, she was in London society! What if she had been seen by a potential suitor? Well, that was quite unlikely given the likelihood of an eligible young man wandering down the mews behind Lord Tonbridge’s house, but the servants had seen her, and likely been scandalised! Servants talked. They talked between themselves and with servants from other houses . . .

As if guessing what was going on in her mind, Anthony said, “Do not worry. You have not done anything untoward. I am sure my horses are very grateful for your service. And my servants are discreet.”

Alice managed a little smile. It was good of him to attempt to reassure her.

“You must be tired from your exertions,” Anthony said. “Let us go inside and have some tea. You can get cleaned up while my housekeeper prepares it. I shall have the carriage prepared to take you home afterwards.”

“Thank you,” Alice said. It was the sensible option, she could not very well travel home on foot or horseback like this.

“It might be best if we did not go in the front entrance,” Anthony said, not even attempting to hide his grin. “Come this way.”

He led her through a gate into a walled garden. She followed him along the path, taking in as much of her surroundings as she could. She loved the ivy clinging to the back of the large white house as they approached it.

He continued through an open door which led into a large hallway. The staff did not seem overly surprised to see their master walking in. Alice entering directly behind him definitely raised a few eyebrows though.

“Martha?” Anthony addressed a young girl who came through a doorway carrying a pile of linen. “Would you be able to aid Miss Fairfax, please? She would like to freshen up.”

“Of course, My Lord,” replied Martha with a curtesy. “This way, please, miss,” she said to Alice.

Alice followed the girl along the corridor and into the house’s impressive entrance hall. They went up the ornate sweeping staircase and Alice was shown to a bedroom where she was left while Martha went to fill up a jug with warm water for her to clean her hands and face with.

Alice braved glancing at herself in the large mirror standing in a corner of the room. It was as bad as she thought. What must Anthony’s servants think of her? It was clear to anyone that she had been mucking out the stables. And doing it rather zealously at that. Her hair was a mess and even had a couple of pieces of straw in it, and there were various suspicious markings on her riding habit. At least she had not been stupid enough to do something like that in one of her beautiful dresses, she supposed.

Martha returned with the water and helped Alice to tidy herself up. The maid made no comment about Alice’s appearance, but she clearly found it amusing judging by the twitching at the corners of her mouth.

Without an outfit to change into, there was only so much that could be done, but Alice was infinitely more presentable when she went to join Anthony in the drawing room. Though she definitely still smelt a little of horse.

Anthony was waiting for her. He had changed out of his riding clothes and looked as impeccable as always, making Alice feel even worse about her own appearance. He stood as she entered and indicated to an armchair opposite his in front of the fireplace. A table between the chairs was laden with a tray containing a teapot, sugar bowl, milk jug, two sets of cups and a plate with some finger sandwiches.

“I thought you might be hungry,” Anthony explained.

Alice sat down tentatively. This was a very strange situation.

She looked around the room. It was very tastefully decorated. No one could deny that his home was impressive and beautifully situated in the heart of Mayfair. Distant banging signalled that workmen were still doing whatever improvements Anthony deemed necessary, though Alice could not imagine that the place could be improved on; it was immaculate.

“I told Mrs Bateman we would serve ourselves,” Anthony said, lifting the silver teapot and filling her cup with quiet competence.

Alice surprised herself by realising how pleased she was that they were essentially alone - save for the footman who stood discreetly just inside the door, far enough away to grant them the illusion of privacy while still preserving the barest requirements of propriety. She told herself it was merely because she was still untidy from the stables and would have been mortified to be seen by more of the household. Yet there was no denying the truth: she felt herself relaxing in a way she rarely did in London. As they spoke easily of Anthony’s horses, sipped their tea, and shared the delicate finger sandwiches, the warmth of the fire and the quiet intimacy of the moment wrapped around her in a way that felt far too pleasant for her peace of mind.

Eventually, Alice built up the courage to say, “I really must apologise for my behaviour outside. I did not think through my actions.”