Page 6 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

A week later, Alice sat playing cards with her brother in his sunlit bedchamber. Henry was thoroughly bored of his confinement, his plastered leg elevated on a pile of cushions.

He had just beaten her for the third time when Anthony came into the room, looking his usual confident self.

“Hello, old man,” he said with a grin. “How fares the leg?”

“The same,” Henry replied gloomily. “This had to happen at the very beginning of summer.”

“Nothing for it but to follow the doctor’s orders,” Anthony said. He glanced at Alice. “Though I hear sitting in the gardens may soon be permitted.”

“I am sorry I cannot take you riding as I promised,” Henry said, turning to his sister.

Alice shrugged. “That is not your fault.”

“I know, but I feel bad. It is frustrating for you to have to stick to our estate when you are riding by yourself.”

Alice gave a smile, he knew her so well.

“Anthony, you will take Alice out for a ride a little further afield, won’t you?” said Henry, suddenly. “Our father will only allow her to ride our estate without an escort and, as you can imagine, it gets rather dull.”

“Of course,” said Anthony easily.

“There you go, Alice,” Henry said. “I am afraid my fall has probably meant Father’s rule will stick around far longer than it would have, but at least while I am incapacitated Anthony can help.”

Alice was desperate to be able to take Lucy out on a longer ride, but had absolutely no desire to do so with Anthony by her side. All he ever did was either ignore or tease her. He would probably just play a trick on her, like the time he lent her a world map he had drawn to help with her geography, and he mislabelled all the countries. Or when he thought it would be hilarious to put a flour and water mixture in her riding boots.

“Thank you,” she said, doing her best to keep her expression neutral. She clearly did not succeed because Anthony laughed. “We shall have fun,” he said. “We can head out this afternoon, if you would like.”

Alice was trying to think of a polite, or even an impolite, way to refuse, but she caught her brother’s eye. He looked so pleased with his plan that she did not have the heart to spoil it. “That sounds lovely,” she managed to say without a grimace.

“I will meet you at the stables at three then,” said Anthony cheerfully, and he got up and left the room.

“I am sure you will enjoy yourself,” said Henry to his sister once Anthony was well out of earshot.

Alice raised an eyebrow.

“He is really not that bad!” Henry laughed.

“Compared to what?”

“You will be nice?”

“If he is nice to me!”

“He is taking you out. You could maybe go to Peddlar’s Wood… You said you wanted to explore some of the trails there.”

“I did,” admitted Alice.

“And now you can. Just ignore him if you have to.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “I shall come and see you again later. Have you got everything you need?”

“Yes, thank you, Alice,” said Henry. “Have fun.”

Alice threw him a glare as she left.

The horses were saddled and waiting when Alice arrived. She fiddled unnecessarily with Lucy’s bridle, reluctant to appear too eager.

She heard Anthony walking across the gravel behind her and turned to greet him as pleasantly as she could. He was her brother’s friend after all and he was doing her a favour. He certainly did not have to take her out riding. And it would be good to take her horse somewhere different. Anyway, she was fifteen now, far too old to be holding on to petty childhood feuds.