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“Yes,” Harold replied. “Then deal with the matter we were discussing.”
Harris bowed deeply and walked from the room. Harold took his seat.
I will not tell her of the matter. It would only disturb her to know that someone was attempting to spy on her. If I find out that it was Harris, creeping at keyholes, I will thrash the man. Comrade or not.
Alice’s beaming smile told him that all of his worries were unfounded. There was no sign on her face that she was troubled by his actions of the previous evening. Or regretted them.
“I was worried that you would think less of me after my impulsive actions last night,” he admitted.
“As was I,” Alice said, coloring deeply. “A lady should possess some mystique, should she not? Once you have seen what I allowed you to see…”
“It leaves me wanting more,” Harold said, simply. “It did not and does not sate me. I admire your courage and the strength of your will. You are a remarkable woman.”
The color in her face made her eyes sparkle. Alice did not look away from him.
“If only my family did not regard you as the devil himself,” she said, “I have spent a long time pondering over that. I would not like to sacrifice my family for a…courtship.”
“And I would not allow you to do that. We must win them over. Or find the truth of the events for which I am blamed.”
The door of the breakfast room opened but it did not admit servants bearing food. Instead, Harris stood in the doorway.
“What is it, Harris?” Harold snapped.
“Your pardon, Your Grace. The Lord Gordon Warmsley and Lady Ruth Warmsley of Mattingley Hall have arrived and have requested to speak to Lady Hathway.”
“I expected it,” Alice said. “Ruth would never allow a significant amount of time to pass, knowing where I was, before coming to try and persuade me home.”
Harold saw Harris’ eyebrow raised. Alice had her back to him and did not see.
“Get out! Send Lady Warmsley in!” Harold barked.
Alice’s eyes widened and she turned to look towards the butler, then questioningly at Harold.
“The man overstepped himself. I gave him notice of termination just before you entered. Pay it no mind,” Harold said, glowering at the door.
“Did it have something to do with me?” Alice asked. “I would not like to think that I played a part in a man losing his employment.”
“Nothing to do with you,” Harold lied. “The man was no longer suitable for his post.”
The lie did not seem to sit well with Alice. She looked into his face searchingly for a moment. Then the doors opened again and Ruth hurried into the room. Alice sighed and stood as her sister bustled towards her. Harold forced a neutral expression to his face, rising and greeting the Warmsley’s. Ruth paid him the barest of courtesies, for which her husband had the good grace to look mildly embarrassed.
“Your Grace. May I be permitted to speak to my sister alone?” Ruth asked.
“Of course, Lady Warmsley,” Harold replied. “Mattingley, will you join me in the smoking room for coffee?” Harold said.
“Certainly, Your Grace,” Lord Warmsley said. “I wonder if you could direct me to the privy first. I have already had coffee this morning and…well.”
“Nothing could be simpler. I will point you to it,” Harold said.
The man gave the impression of being something of a bumbling oaf and Harold had put him from his thoughts the moment he had been directed to the nearest bathroom. Harold walked to the smoking room which contained a billiard table and collection of periodicals and newspapers, tugging on the nearest bellpull to summon a servant to bring coffee. His thoughts remained in the breakfast room where Alice would begin the task of trying to persuade her family that Harold was not the devil incarnate.
CHAPTER36
“Alice, I insist that you return home with me this instant,” was Ruth’s opening gambit.
Alice looked at her older sister. “Would that home be to Lindley Manor? The season isn’t over yet. I thought Simon would want to remain to find me a husband.”
It was a biting remark and she regretted it as soon as it left her mouth. But the high-handed attitude of her siblings towards her was beginning to grate.
