Page 49 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

"I have coffee if you would like some," he said, holding up a large and rather rough steaming cup.

"Thank you," Alice said, sitting down next to him and accepting the proffered drink.

"So, Sir Marcus…” When Alice did not say anything he continued, “He appears to be rather taken with you.”

“Do you think so?”

“He hardly took his eyes off you yesterday,” Anthony said. Neither did you, Alice wanted to reply but she held her tongue. He had been very clear that he was destined for Sarah. He was just looking out for her like he had promised Henry he would. She was reading more into his actions because she wanted there to be more from them.

“He was certainly very attentive,” Alice said. She could not help checking Anthony’s face to see his reaction. She thought she saw him flare his nostrils, but it passed so quickly she could have been mistaken.

“And do you think him a suitable suitor?” asked Anthony. He fiddled with the top of his left boot.

Alice handed him his coffee back. If she stayed around Anthony much longer, she was liable to say something she might regret. “I do, and if I want him to propose before we head back to London, I had better go and make myself look presentable for him.” She stood up, brushed the hay off her skirts and headed back towards the house, leaving Anthony staring after her.

Anthony watched Alice walk away and took a sip of his coffee. This was torture. He had hoped he was a decent enough man that he would be able to put his own feelings aside to help Alice in her quest and find some solace in the knowledge that she would be happy, even if it could not be with him.

But he hated Sir Marcus, hated him with every fibre of his being. Which was ridiculous as he did not even really know the man. He had no evidence that he was anything other than a gentleman. When he had seen Sir Marcus kiss Alice’s hand the previous day, he had wanted to punch the man for his impertinence. How dare he think himself worthy of so much as touching that beautiful hand, let alone placing his lips upon it. How was he going to get through the next few days without resorting to bodily harm?

He would have to control himself though. He had said he would help Alice find a husband; this was the whole purpose of this house party after all, and he would keep that promise so he was just going to have to show some self-restraint.

He would ignore Sir Marcus, and Alice, as much as was possible. They could go about their business together and he would go about his. He would talk to Henry, make sure his guests were all having a good time, maybe flirt with some of the other women . . . But he did not want to flirt with any other women; he wanted to flirt with Alice, and have her flirt back in response. He put his head in his hands. What a mess he had managed to get himself into. He had thought he had been in love with Alice before but, honestly, that was nowhere near what he felt for her now. The way she made him feel when they were riding together, or just talking. The way she had accepted his half-brother so easily and chatted, read, and played with him. And the way she made his body react when they danced together . . . He stood up crossly. Time for a wash in some very cold water before he needed to be back playing the perfect host. He could not wait until he had his house back to himself so that he could brood in private.

An hour later Alice entered the breakfast room with her hair done and wearing another one of her new dresses.

Sir Marcus stood as she entered and pulled a chair out for her next to him. “You look charming today, Miss Fairfax,” he said, bowing.

She responded with a curtsy. “Thank you, Sir Marcus. You are here early this morning.”

“I was advised to be here for breakfast so I could be part of the planning for today’s activities. I was hoping we could walk to the ruins you told me about yesterday, but I fear the weather this morning might be against us,” he said, gesturing to the window.

He was quite right, the clouds that had been gathering while Alice was in the stables were now black and heavy rain had begun to fall.

“I do not think it would be sensible for anybody to be out walking in this,” said Aunt Jane from the end of the table. “I do not want any of you getting soaked through and coming down with a chill.”

“Quite right,” agreed Anthony, coming into the room. “Might I suggest we play some card games and hope the weather clears up after luncheon?”

“That sounds delightful,” said Aunt Jane and the other guests murmured their assent.

Alice sighed inwardly. She found it so much easier to be outside, but it could not be helped. The rain did not bother her, but Beth would be very displeased if Alice got her hair wet and spoiled all her hard work, and her aunt was right; it would be a shame to end up in bed unwell through insisting on going out in the rain. Card games inside it would be.

More tables were quickly produced and brought into the drawing room and the guests began dividing themselves into groups to play the various games on offer.

Sir Marcus was by Alice’s side immediately, and asked her Aunt Jane, “Lady Marlowe, would you care to join us for a game of whist if Miss Fairfax is amenable?”

“Certainly, Sir Marcus, but we will need a fourth player…”

“May I offer myself?” said Anthony, appearing at Alice’s other side.

“Wonderful,” said Aunt Jane. “Why do we not take that table by the window? I do so love watching the rain from the warmth and comfort of a house.”

They went over to the table and Aunt Jane began to shuffle the cards.

“Shall we play ladies against gentlemen?”

Alice glanced between Anthony and Sir Marcus to see if they were happy with this arrangement, but they were both looking at her, so she said, “That sounds perfect,” and sat down opposite where her aunt had taken her seat.

Alice and Aunt Jane beat the gentlemen easily several times, which was hardly surprising as the two men had completely ignored one another for the entirety of the game. In fact, neither of them said more than they absolutely had to, which made the whole experience rather awkward. Alice was very glad then they stopped to have a cup of tea and discuss the weather and their plans for the rest of the day.