Page 32 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

She was surprised when she heard Anthony calling out to her from the drawing room as she came down the stairs. Had he been listening out for her?

“I hope you are recovered from last night,” he said as she entered the room. Her aunt was with him, along with the remains of the tea they had been drinking.

“Quite, thank you,” Alice said, the humiliating memory of everyone staring at her on the ballroom floor flooding back into her mind.

As if sensing her discomfort, Aunt Jane swiftly stepped in. “Hello, dear,” she said, kindly. “I trust you slept well.”

“I did. Thank you, Aunt,” Alice replied.

Apparently her answer satisfied Jane that her niece was unscathed from the previous night’s ordeal, and she continued, “Lord Tonbridge kindly agreed to stay on last night and keep his ears open as to what everyone was saying about your little mishap.”

“Oh!” said Alice, mortified. “That really was not necessary . . .”

Aunt Jane waved her hesitation away. “If he had not, then I would not now be able to tell you that everyone is blaming your partner, Mr Woodrow, for what happened! Apparently, he has quite the reputation for causing his poor dance partners injuries. You are very lucky you were not seriously hurt.”

“But it was my fault,” Alice explained quickly. “I lost my balance when I was … looking around.”

Her aunt tutted. “If he had any skill whatsoever on the dance floor it never would have happened. Half the Ton is in uproar on your behalf.”

“Oh no!” Alice covered her face with her hands.

“My dear!” said Aunt Jane, immediately getting up and putting an arm around her niece. “You have done absolutely nothing wrong, and, if anything, what happened has worked in your favour! You have already received two invitations this morning! And one is quite a prestigious event!”

Alice’s stomach dropped. More things to attend…

Sensing her distress, Anthony intervened, “Your aunt thought some fresh air might do you good, but did not think you would be up to riding today. Would you join me on some errands though? My carriage is outside…”

Seeing the hesitation on Alice’s face, her aunt added with a twinkle in her eye, “Of course, it would mean you would not be able to join me for my calls this afternoon…”

“Very well,” Alice agreed.

“That is all settled then,” said Aunt Jane. “I must go and prepare for my calls. Have a lovely time. I will see you both later.”

As soon as Jane had left the room and was out of earshot, Anthony said, “Would you be interested in casting your eagle eyes over my stables, to check they are up to your exacting standards?”

“Yes,” said Alice immediately. That was exactly what she needed.

“Collect together what you need, and we can leave as soon as you are ready,” said Anthony.

Alice nodded. “I will not be long.”

She forced herself to walk up to her bedchamber slowly and retrieved the package from the back of her armoire, hugging it to herself. She jumped as Beth emerged from her dressing room.

“Oh!” Alice said, attempting to hide the package behind her back. “Beth, I did not realise you were here.”

“You look brighter now, miss,’ said Beth.

“Yes, I am going out in Lord Tonbridge’s carriage to help him with some errands.” Alice did not know what to do, the package was so large, it was impossible to hide it.

“How pleasant,” Beth commented. “Would you like to change before you leave?”

“No, thank you, Beth,” Alice said. “I think I will be fine like this.”

“Very well, miss. Allow me to take your parcel for you and place it in Lord Tonbridge’s carriage.”

The women locked eyes, a look of understanding passing between them. Alice could have hugged her.

“Thank you, Beth. That would be very helpful,” Alice replied, with a grateful smile.