Page 9 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

Aunt Jane explained the hosts were very keen to improve their situation in society, and had been thrilled when Lady Jane, a marchioness no less, had agreed to attend at rather the last moment. The room had been newly decorated for the Season, its previous decor having been declared out of fashion now. Certainly, everything looked very new and shiny. In fact, the glare from the chandeliers was quite blinding when Alice made the mistake of looking directly at them.

Her own gown felt painfully outdated among the frothy confections around her. She smoothed the silk nervously. As she had already missed the start of the season and she and her aunt had decided not to waste any more opportunities, she was wearing one of only two ballgowns she owned, neither of which was as fashionable as her aunt would have liked. In fact, Aunt Jane had given a little sigh when she had seen them, and declared the one Alice currently wore as the 'better of the pair'.

Alice was booked into the modiste the following morning with a promise that her order would be prioritised, thanks to her aunt's position, years of custom, and skills of persuasion.

The dancing had not started yet, but her card was filling up nicely thanks to her aunt's introductions. Aunt Jane currently sat with some of the other matrons on the other side of the hall. She glanced over at her niece every now and again to check on her, and Alice knew she only had a limited time before Jane came over to encourage her to mingle.

Five more minutes, she promised herself. Then it would be almost time for the dancing to begin and she would have to find her partner. She hoped she could recognise him again...

Alice felt a tap on her shoulder and jumped. She spun around and scowled at Anthony, leaning against her pillar with casual elegance like he did not have a care in the world, which he probably did not.

He looked entirely at ease in his black evening clothes and was by far the most handsome man in the room. She was sure he knew this was the case.

"Did you have to startle me?" Alice snapped.

"If the wind changes, your face will be stuck like that," Anthony quipped, the corner of his mouth twitching. His gaze moved slowly over her, taking in the outdated gown and the flush in her cheeks.

"Stop staring at me. You are being peculiar."

"It is a pleasant change to see you out of your riding habit."

"Leave me alone, I am busy," hissed Alice.

“So I see,” he said, taking a sip of champagne.

“Give me some of that,” Alice said, stealing the glass from his hands.

He watched her drink, an amused smile playing on his lips.

“What are you doing hiding back here?” Alice hissed. “Have you not got a game of vingt-et-un to go and lose your estate at?”

“Have you forgotten I am supposed to be watching out for you?”

“I appreciate your concern,” said Alice, sarcastically, “But my aunt is just over there. I am certain my virtue can be maintained until the first dance.”

“I would rather not take any chances and, anyway, you have chosen a rather good vantage point.”

“For you to observe your next conquest?”

Something flickered across Anthony’s face. Alice ignored it. She had seen for herself on numerous occasions how women gravitated towards her brother’s best friend. Their behaviour had led to her resolve not to choose a husband based on looks alone, they could turn out to be as awful as Anthony - flirting with anything in a dress and out drinking and gambling most nights. If it was not for the steadying influence of her brother, he would be turning into his late father even faster than he was. Actually, that was not fair. As much as she disliked Anthony, she had to admit he was very different from his father. He may tease her, but he was never actually unkind and she was never afraid of him, like she had felt about his father.

“Has it not occurred to you,” Anthony drawled, “that now I am settled on my estate, I might have decided I am ready to take a wife? If you recall, I did say I was planning to come to London for a time.”

“I suppose that is not completely unbelievable,” replied Alice. “Perhaps old age is creeping up on you, and you cannot handle your drink as well as you once did.”

“I’m four and twenty,” said Anthony, laughing.

“You look older,” shot back Alice. “Maybe the thought of having someone to care for you in your dotage is becoming more appealing, but I sincerely doubt it somehow. You are destined to be an eternal bachelor.”

“That would certainly be kinder. I could not bear to break the hearts of at least half the single women of the Ton by marrying.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “Of course, the alternative is that you came to town for a prolonged period of parties as you have become bored of running your estate.”

He checked his cuff links absentmindedly, “Yes... that is another option.”

“Well, whatever you are doing here, please leave me alone.”

“I promised your brother I would look after you.”