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“Simon, dear. You look terrible,” Ruth exclaimed.
“Yes, you really do. Are you feeling unwell?” Alice asked.
Simon waved away their concerns. “I have been somewhat fatigued, that is all. Do not let it concern you.”
“Is it worry over money?” Alice asked. “If so, we can cancel our ride. We can as well walk as ride and still get the benefit of fresh air. I know the cost of my debut must have been great and do not wish to add more to your burden.”
Simon smiled, taking Alice’s hands. “Dear sister. Your concern is a credit to you. Mama and Papa would have been proud. But, I have some good news. You remember the Viscount Stanley, whom we visited two days ago for luncheon?”
Alice tried to remember but one social visit seemed much like another. Ruth had a much better memory for names though.
“Why, yes. The Viscount and Viscountess were from Bath. They had a son about Alice’s age, Rafe, I believe his name was. A very handsome young man.”
“And extremely wealthy, even before he inherits. The Stanley lands are extensive and I understand that Rafe has a substantial income of his own. And this morning I received a letter from his father suggesting that we join them for dinner tomorrow evening.”
Simon beamed happily from a face that still sagged with tiredness.
“Oh, how marvelous. A fine catch for you, Alice. Surely, you remember the young man. A shock of golden hair and emerald green eyes,” Ruth said.
Alice could vaguely remember a very handsome young man who had seemed shy and uncomfortable when she, Ruth, and Simon had visited for luncheon a few days before. Most of the conversation had taken place between the two Viscounts, with Alice getting a few words from Rafe. She smiled in reply.
“Now that I think on it, I do recall him. A quiet sort.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Simon said. “Those are the men who apply themselves diligently to their duty and their families. Better a quiet sort than a rogue.”
But a shame that he strikes me as unutterably boring. Just like all of the men I have been introduced to in London. With one exception…
“So, that is a great weight from my shoulders. I know we are only a week into the season but it does not do to wait too long before choosing a man to be courted by. There are many other eligible young ladies waiting to snap up the eligible young men. And a union with the Stanleys would be beneficial to our family.”
Alice was capable of reading between the lines.
So there are concerns over money. Concerns that are still being kept from me. I’m being treated like a child. Worse, like a piece of property to be handed to whichever man will bring in the most money.
At the same time as she felt outraged over this, the guilt was still there. Each member of the family had a duty. For Ruth and now her, that duty was to secure marriage, and in doing so, help the fortunes of the Hathway family. Simon bore the same duty, to find a wife who could provide an heir. But, he would wait until he had seen his sisters married off before looking at himself. That had been accomplished for Ruth. Now it was Alice’s turn.
And if I resist then how long will he wait before thinking of himself? Perhaps too long. Then will I not be responsible for bringing an end to the family line?
It felt too much of a burden for her to carry and stirred resentment within her.
There is only one solution. I must speak to Simon, tell him that I may not be ready to settle down into marriage, and urge him to secure his own future without waiting for me.
“Well, that will be something to look forward to,” Ruth was saying. “First the ball this evening which promises to be a fine occasion, then dinner with the Stanleys.”
“Well, I just wanted to share that promising news. Off the two of you go, enjoy your ride,” Simon said.
Alice followed Ruth out of the house. They walked along a busy pavement towards the park entrance. Just inside, a servant was holding the bridles of two mares, one white, the other dun. Both looked docile and unconcerned by the stream of people passing by. As they approached, Alice saw a man petting one of the horses, while speaking to the servant.
He rubbed the horse’s nose and then patted its neck before touching the saddle girth. Then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd entering the park.
As they reached the servant, Ruth asked, “Who was that man?”
“Just a passerby. A stable hand. He said the girth on my lady’s saddle was a bit twisted and corrected it. Commented on how calm the horses appear and gave a warning.”
“Warning? What kind of warning?” Alice asked.
“Just asked if we had the horses from Tennant's Livery Yard in Stepney. I said, yes, I believe that is the yard that provided the mounts. And he said the Tennants were good at providing horses that looked docile but had some fire in ‘em.”
“Oh, dear. Perhaps this isn’t such a good idea,” Ruth said.
