Page 26 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

“Because this is very private, and it cannot go any further.”

“It will not.”

“Very well…” There was clear hesitation in Anthony’s voice. “Meet me in the entrance hall tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. Wear your riding clothes. If your aunt asks, we are simply taking the horses to Hyde Park again.”

He gently released her arm. Alice had been so focused on his face that she had not even realised he was still holding it. She managed a nod and continued upstairs to her room, her head full of questions and emotions, her arm tingling from his touch.

Alice did not wear her riding clothes to breakfast the next morning. Part of her still wondered whether Anthony would appear, but when she entered the breakfast room he was there, sitting beside her aunt, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper with a pile of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of him.

“Good morning,” he said. If Alice had to guess, she would say he looked nervous. It was strange to see his usual confident demeanour unsettled, and it made her feel a little uneasy.

“Good morning,” Alice replied. “And good morning, Aunt.”

“Good morning, dear,” said Aunt Jane. “I understand you two are going riding this morning.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I hope it stays dry for you, the weather seems rather undecided.”

“I don’t mind getting a bit wet,” said Alice.

Aunt Jane laughed. “The weather’s never bothered you! I imagine the park will be rather devoid of other riders though.”

Alice ate her breakfast quickly and then returned to her room where Beth was waiting to help her change into her riding habit and plait her hair. She felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Where exactly was Anthony planning to take her? She trusted him to keep her safe - Henry would doubtless kill him if he took her anywhere unsuitable - but she still could not quite believe she had agreed to this mysterious outing.

Deep down, however, she knew Anthony would never do anything to truly harm her. He might tease and infuriate her, but he would never place her in real danger. Of that she remained strangely certain.

She pulled on her riding boots and gave herself a last once over in the dressing table mirror before thanking Beth and going downstairs.

Anthony was waiting for her as promised. He gave her a questioning look, silently checking she was still willing to go through with their plan. She nodded back and followed him from the house and to the horses waiting outside.

“We shall return in a couple of hours,” he told the groom as Alice greeted Rosalind and was helped up onto her.

They rode down the street. “We’ll leave the horses in my stables,” Anthony said. “I have a carriage waiting for us there.” Alice felt herself becoming more anxious by the minute. What exactly had she got herself into?

They rode into the mews built behind Anthony’s house again and climbed into the carriage all set up with horses and driver, who seemed to know their destination without being told.

“I am sorry for all the secrecy,” Anthony said quietly as they set off. “It will become clear soon enough.”

He tapped his foot nervously against the floor of the carriage. Alice had never seen him so tense. Even as a younger man, when he had landed himself in all sorts of scrapes, he had usually appeared remarkably unconcerned. This was different.

After only ten minutes the carriage stopped and they climbed out. They were on a smart street with rows of neat terraced houses behind tiny front gardens. The area looked quite respectable, though not one Alice was likely to frequent when she went on calls with her aunt.

“This way,” Anthony said. She followed him through a gate of one home and up a little path. He knocked on the sage green front door.

The door was opened by a very pretty dark-haired woman, who appeared to be a few years older than Alice.

Alice instinctively took a step back. Was this Anthony’s mistress? One of his mistresses? What on earth were they doing here?

“Hello Sarah,” Anthony said warmly, “How is he?”

“Doing much better. He will be pleased to see you,” the woman said.

“This is my friend, Miss Alice Fairfax,” he introduced.

“I’ve heard a great deal about you,” Sarah replied with a kind smile.

“I apologise for the way I am dressed…” Alice said, gesturing to her riding habit.