Page 45 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

Drinks were handed around in the drawing room and everyone caught up with each other’s news. Promises were made to Margaret and Charlotte by Aunt Jane after many entreaties that they would come to London to stay with her for their own first Seasons when the time came. The look on Henry’s face at the thought of his youngest sisters being unleashed into society was priceless. Alice was not one hundred percent sure he had even accepted the idea of her attending some of the Ton’s finest functions, to be honest.

The chatter continued throughout dinner, with much laughter ensuing, when Aunt Jane was out of earshot, from the idea of Alice dressing up as a stable boy just so that she could clean out some horse muck.

“What are we going to do with you, Alice?” said Henry affectionately. “And there was I thinking that London would change you. If anything, it appears to have made you more determined in your preferences.”

“I for one am glad that London has not changed Alice,” said Anthony quietly. A look passed between him and Henry, and Henry said, “Well, if everyone’s finished, what say we retire to the smoking room, Anthony, and set the world to rights?”

“That sounds like an excellent idea,” replied Anthony.

“Will you show us your new dresses?” Margaret asked Alice.

“I hope you had them made with long hems so they can be let down for us,” joked Charlotte.

“You girls go and enjoy yourselves,” said Aunt Jane. “I will be quite happy in the drawing room by the fire with my embroidery, as long as you promise to come and have a game of cards with me when you’re done.”

“Of course, Aunt,” said Alice. “We will be back to join you again soon.”

Anthony and Henry made themselves comfortable in the two wingback armchairs positioned in front of the fireplace in the drawing room and lit a cigar each. On a small table between them were two glasses of rather good whiskey they had both been looking forward to sampling.

“It is good to see you,” said Henry. “Thank you again for what you have been doing for Alice. Yes, even that little stunt with the stable boy’s outfit,” he added with a shake of his head. “You have made her time in London far easier for her than it would have been without you there, and I am glad she had you looking out for her.”

“It is nothing,” said Anthony, with a wave of his hand. Henry gave a roll of his eyes at his friend’s playing down of his actions.

“Oh, before I forget,” said Henry, taking a sip of his whiskey and nodding at it approvingly, “I bumped into Marcus Payne while out riding the other day. Do you remember him from Oxford? Anyway, he is back in the country and he is Sir Marcus now. Just inherited that huge estate down by Tunbridge Wells.”

“I was aware of his good fortune,” said Anthony.

“Anyway, he does not really know people in this neck of the woods so I invited him along to your house party. He will stay at Fairfax and ride over with us. I hope I have not imposed?”

“No, not at all,” Anthony replied.

“You do not look exactly thrilled at the news . . . I did not think it would be a problem . . .”

“It is not,” Anthony sighed. “I am just being ridiculous to be honest. Alice has been asking about Sir Marcus since we bumped into him on Rotten Row a little while ago. I did not invite him to my house. I should have.”

“Why did you not?” Henry asked.

Anthony groaned, but admitted, “Because he is handsome and wealthy and intelligent and loves horse riding and now has an estate close to yours.”

The puzzled look on Henry’s face led Anthony to continue, “He would be a perfect match for her.”

Realisation hit Henry, “And you still have feelings for Alice?”

Anthony nodded and took a large sip of his drink.

“And you are still determined to marry Sarah?”

“You would do the same if you were in my position.”

“Maybe,” Henry admitted, “but I suspect you would caution me against it.”

“Maybe,” said Anthony with a little smile. “You know I would not be able to live with myself if I abandoned Sarah.”

“I am not talking about abandoning Sarah . . .”

“My mind is made up, Henry.”

“I understand that, but it does not mean I will cease advising you against it. I should be a pretty poor friend if I did. Even if I consider your taste in women very strange, it would make me very happy to see you marry my sister.”