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Chapter 10
Alice rodeatop her horse in trousers and a man’s great coat. The attire was warmer than her usual skirt and pelisse, though such was a rather small consolation, since, so long as she was Mr. Allen, there was no chance Lord Brooks would hold her as he had yesterday. Neither did it make up for the annoyance of wearing glasses in the cold. Why hadn’t anyone warned her that they often fogged up to the point that she couldn’t see what was directly in front of her?
It was a blessing that her horse had a good head about him, otherwise she might have ended up lost among the trees.
“I appreciate you making time to join us today,” Lord Brooks said from his horse beside her.
“It’s nice to get out of doors on such a fine day,” she said, careful of her voice. This morning, instead of simply riding over, Lord Brooks had written first to see if “Mr. Allen” might join him. She wasn’t sure what to think about the note. Her first thought was to be thrilled that she was being given the chance to see him again, even if it was as Mr. Allen and not as Lady Nightingale. But that was closely followed by the realization that, if Lord Brooks was writing instead of simply riding over as he had the day before, it was probably because he was trying toavoidseeing Lady Nightingale altogether.
She was grateful, all the same, that she’d painted her face yesterday before going out in the snow with Joseph. Lord Brooks didn’t seem to have any suspicions regarding Lady Nightingale or Mr. Allen. It was a small victory, but one that brought her relief all the same.
Just past Lord Brooks rode Lord Robins. “You should have seen Aunt Margarette’s reaction when Brooks returned to Cresthearth yesterday and admitted he’d never made it to call on Miss Dowding.”
“Was she much displeased?” Alice asked.
“Was she?” Lord Robins laughed. “Few things put that woman out, but Brooks ignoring her express wish that he pay a visit to Miss Dowding...well, it was a sight, that’s for sure.”
Lord Brooks only cast his gaze heavenward. “I explained the matter.”
“What?” Lord Robins continued with a snort. “That you went toEvergreen Cottagefirst, of all places? And then, after waiting a time to see if Mr. Allen could join you and learning that he couldn’t, that your horse was too cold to continue? What kind of a story is that? Even I could have thought up a better excuse to not call on a lady.”
Was that all Lord Brooks had told his friends and aunt? He’d stopped by and had to wait in the cold? Alice suddenly felt far less joy in riding next to him. He’d not only completely failed to mention that they’d spent what she considered a most enjoyable afternoon together, but Lord Brooks had made it sound as though he’d been met with rudeness at her cottage and had been forced to stay out of doors, in the cold, while Mr. Allen considered if he would go riding or not.
“I am sorry I was unavailable yesterday.” Alice wasn’t sure what else to say but felt she had to saysomething.
“It wasn’t your fault,” Lord Brooks said with a wave of his hand. “I understand business sometimes creeps up, and there’s nothing for it but to set aside everything else and resolve the issues.”
“If I were as poor as the two of you,” Lord Robins said with a teasing smile, “Imightbe inclined to agree.”
Rumors had started about a week ago, little whispers that Alice only heard bits of, saying that Mr. Allen had come to stay with Lady Nightingale because he was nearly broke and was relying on her hospitality to get by. Alice hadn’t done anything to stop them, and they had quickly grown. It seemed an accepted fact now in Carlaby; since it helped to explain Mr. Allen’s presence, Alice didn’t mind overly much.
Still, that didn’t mean she appreciated Lord Robins acting so high and mighty. “There’s no shame in working hard, no matter if one’s a butler or gentleman.”
“Precisely,” Lord Brooks said. “I’ve been trying to get Robins to understand that since our days at university.”
They reached a turn and angled their horses down the new road. The large estate owned by Mr. Dowding came into view.
“I, for one,” Lord Brooks continued, “have learned much from men of every walk. I’ve learned husbandry from my farmers, I’ve learned applicable law from my solicitor—”
“You’ve learned obstinacies from the town drunk,” Lord Robins added with a smirk.
Lord Brooks brushed him off. “I’ve learned about breeding horses from my groomsman, and I’ve learned mathematics from my vicar.”
Alice’s head turned toward him. “From your vicar?”
“Indeed. He went into the church as a means of supporting himself and his aging mother, but he actually has quite the mind for numbers.”
Alice found herself smiling. She liked to imagine Lord Brooks speaking with his farmers and the vicar and all sorts of men. Her own father and husband had never so much as glanced the way of any man who wasn’t equal to or above their own station. It was refreshing to spend time with someone who realized the folly of such a life and who cherished others’ expertise and experience no matter who they may be. It was exactly the virtue she was hoping to instill in Joseph.
“Rubbish,” said Lord Robins. “I still say that estate problems are for our men of business to handle.”
There was a short pause, during which Lord Brooks’s light-hearted expression seemed to harden. When he did speak, his voice was lower, almost empty. “You’ll end up being hoodwinked with an attitude like that. I certainly was.”
Alice could hear the anger that still lingered inside him whenever Lord Brooks brought up her father. She shifted about in her saddle, though it wasn’t it or her horse that was causing her distress.
“Come off it,” Lord Robins said. “Besides, you’re on your way, right now, to pitch woo to a lady who could solve all your problems.”
Alice’s heart dropped.
