Page 60 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

Alice slowly stepped out of the stable and into the light of the lantern the man held in front of him. She recognised him as one of Anthony’s grooms. His eyes widened as he clearly realised who she was at the same time.

“Miss Fairfax!” he said, lowering his lamp so the glare was out of her eyes. “I must apologise, I did not realise it was you.” He looked around anxiously, presumably unsure what to do in this very bizarre situation. He was rescued by Anthony calling, “Is there a problem there?” as he came back through the gate. “What is going on?”

Alice wished the ground would swallow her whole. Her first instinct was to run, but it was far too late for that.

“Alice!” Anthony said, astonishment clear in his voice. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“I . . . um . . .” she faltered.

“What has happened?”

“I came to see you,” Alice admitted.

“On foot?” Anthony’s gaze flicked to Rosalind’s stall as though expecting London’s murderers to be lined up inside it.

“Yes,” Alice said quietly.

Anthony turned to his groom. “Thank you, John. I will deal with this.”

Once the man had withdrawn, Anthony looked her up and down. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“So that I could slip out of my aunt’s house unnoticed . . . ”

“Please tell me you did not walk here alone.”

Her silence was answer enough. Anthony sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Come inside. You are soaked through.”

“No, I should not - ”

“You have come all this way and now you do not wish to speak with me?” His patience was clearly wearing thin. He turned and began heading towards the garden gate again.

Alice felt completely ridiculous and the only thing that could possibly make this worse was more people seeing her and knowing about how silly she had been. Yes, she had not expected Charlie and Sarah to be with Anthony, but what did she actually think her grand gesture was going to achieve? This is what came of reading too many novels, she told herself firmly.

Alice followed him meekly through the garden and into the house. They encountered no one until they reached the entrance hall, where Anthony’s butler appeared.

“Ah, Wilson,” Anthony said calmly. “It appears we have an unexpected guest. Miss Fairfax will be staying the night.”

Wilson bowed without a flicker of surprise. “I believe Mrs Baker has a room prepared for such eventualities, My Lord.”

Sarah came down the stairs. “He is settled. Did everything . . . Oh, Alice! What are you doing here? And why are you dressed as a maid? You’re soaked through!”

Alice did an awkward little wave of her hand before placing it firmly down by her side.

Anthony intervened smoothly. “Alice was caught in the rain. Would you have something she might change into for the night?”

A meaningful look passed between Anthony and Sarah. Alice glanced away.

“Of course,” Sarah said kindly before disappearing upstairs again.

“Wilson, if you could arrange for a note to be delivered, please. It will be ready shortly.”

“Certainly, My Lord,” said Wilson, who left, presumably in search of a delivery boy.

Anthony turned back to Alice. “I shall write to your aunt explaining that I required your assistance with an unexpected matter and that you will return to her after breakfast tomorrow.”

Alice opened her mouth to protest, but Anthony held up a hand. “It is late, and I am far too cross with you to speak properly tonight. The horses are already stabled, and it would be unfair to turn out my driver again. I suggest we retire and discuss matters in the morning.”

Alice nodded. As she moved toward the stairs, Anthony caught her arm. “For God’s sake, Alice,” he said, his voice low and intense, eyes dark with a mixture of anger and something far deeper. “You have lived protected in the countryside your whole life, yet you must have some idea of the dangers you could have faced. What were you thinking?”