5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

E rnest was glad to have escaped the attentions of the other guests, and whilst his shirt was stained red with punch, he could not help but feel glad to have made the acquaintance of the woman in whose company he now found himself. She was a vivacious delight, and the more they talked, the more he found himself attracted to her, even as he knew he still had duties to perform that afternoon.

“It’s very good of your father to promise a donation. He’s in the wine trade, isn’t he? A merchant?” Ernest said, and Alicia nodded.

“That’s right. He started with nothing but his wits, and now he’s one of the most successful wine importers in the country. He supplies the Duke of Lancaster, amongst others,” Alicia replied.

Ernest nodded. He knew it would not be the aristocracy who would fund his plans for the expansion of the schools. Old money was rapidly being replaced by new, and the inheritance of a title was no guarantee of wealth. Ernest knew titled men without a penny to their name, and commoners whose wealth extended far beyond the wildest dreams of most aristocrats. If men like Alicia’s father could be persuaded as to the merits of the schools, then their future was guaranteed.

“He’s done well for himself. I admire that. Too many of my kind rest on their laurels. They spend money, but don’t know how to make it. I’m forever having to think of ways to make money. The school in Manchester doesn’t run itself. We rely entirely on charitable donations, and the school in Lancaster will be the same. I hope I’m not boring you, am I?” Ernest said, suddenly fearing he had spoken of nothing else but his own projects for the past few minutes, but Alicia shook her head.

She seemed entirely enamored by what he was saying and repeated her desire to help.

“I feel quite useless at times. What does a woman like me do? I’m not an aristocrat, I’m not invited to every salon in the county, but nor do I have any need for gainful employment. I want to do something. I want to help, and I can’t think of a better cause than yours,” she said.

Ernest smiled. He was glad to hear it, and he felt certain he could find any number of things for her to help him with. Ernest was good at the business side of things – he could raise money, manage projects, and ensure the schools were run as he wished, but there were times he found it difficult to engage with the children under his care, and this was certainly something Alicia could help him with. He wanted to make those connections, and for the children to know they were loved and taken care of.

“I’m sure you can help. Tell me…do you have much experience with the blind? Or with children?” he asked.

Alicia looked suddenly perturbed and shook her head.

“I…no, I don’t. I know your father’s blind, but I don’t know anyone else who is, and obviously I don’t have children myself. I don’t even have nieces and nephews or younger siblings. Perhaps I’m not really what you need,” she said, but Ernest shook his head.

“Not at all, you’re absolutely what I need. It’s just…it can be difficult. I grew up knowing my father was blind. It never occurred to me there was something strange in leading him by the hand or describing the view across the garden. But most people don’t know what it’s like to be blind – thank goodness. It impacts everything one does, and for children, it can be terribly frightening and disconcerting. A blind child can think themselves entirely alone in the world, but in a school like mine, they find a place of belonging. They realize they’re not alone, and that’s a wonderful gift,” Ernest said.

Alicia smiled at him, and he hoped he had not put her off the idea of helping him in his work. She was a delightful creature, and he felt certain she would be a wonderful asset to the project of building a school for blind children in Lancaster.

“I think it’s inspiring, and if you’ll allow the possibility of my making a few mistakes along the way, I’d be delighted to help you,” Alicia said.

Ernest smiled at her.

“I won’t even mind if you spill punch over me again, Miss Saunders,” he said, and Alicia blushed.

“I’ll try not to,” she replied, as Ernest realized how long they had been talking.

He would have been missed by now, and his shirt was still stained and in need of a change, but he was finding it hard to tear himself away, even as a sudden thought now occurred to him.

“Forgive me for my ignorance, but we’ve shared a dance, haven’t we? Please tell me I’m not imagining it,” he said, for he would have felt a terrible fool had he been wrong.

But to his relief, Alicia nodded.

“That’s right. At the assembly rooms ball. I didn’t like to mention it, in case…well, I’m glad you remembered,” she said.

Ernest felt embarrassed. He did remember, and the memory was a pleasant one. It had been the last dance, and Alicia had been standing by the punch bowl when Ernest had approached her.

“Might I have this dance?” he had asked, and he remembered her pretty peacock blue dress and matching fascinator.

She had gladly accepted, but when the waltz had come to an end, they had gone their separate ways, and Ernest had presumed she had forgotten him. But it seemed Alicia, too, had remembered that brief encounter, and now fate had brought them together once again…

“I do remember, I didn’t want to presume you did, though. I’m sure you’ve danced with any number of men since then, I mean… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” Ernest stammered, realizing what he had just said, even as Alicia smiled.

“Not many, but one does, I suppose – and men dance with any number of women, don’t they?” she said.

Ernest blushed.

“Yes, I suppose they do…but…most are far less memorable,” he said, for he remembered everything about the dance they had shared – the depth of her gaze, the smile on her face, the poise and precision of her movements…

“But you remembered the dance we shared?” she asked, and Ernest nodded.

“I do, and I’m glad you do, too. I’m sorry we lost touch, or rather…I’m sorry I made no attempt to keep in touch. I should’ve offered to call on you, or…it’s just…I get so caught up in my work, you see. It consumes me at times. I don’t think about anything else,” Ernest admitted.

He had often neglected aspects of his personal life for the good of that greater cause he saw as his vocation – friendships, his own interests, romance…all came second to his desire to help others, particularly the blind children he cared about so much. Alicia looked at him sympathetically.

“I understand, and I didn’t expect anything further of you that evening. We danced, it was very pleasant, and we parted company amicably. I thought about you, though – in the days to come, I mean,” she said, and Ernest smiled.

“I thought about you, too, and I’m very glad to make your acquaintance again,” Ernest replied, smiling at Alicia, who blushed and averted her gaze.

He was about to say something else – to tell her she looked very pretty, and to suggest he might call on her – when a shrill voice, that of Lady Caroline, came from the open door of the marquee behind.

“Oh, there you are, Ernest, I’ve been looking for you everywhere, so has my father. Aren’t you coming to make the announcement, oh… Alicia, you’re here, too. What’s happened to your shirt, Ernest?” Caroline asked, glancing at the stains and raising her eyebrows.

Ernest blushed, even as Alicia answered the question.

“It was just an accident, Caroline. I wasn’t looking where I was going. We bumped into one another,” Alicia said, and Ernest nodded.

He did not like the way Caroline pried into his business, even as he knew he had no choice but to be gracious towards her. Upsetting her would upset her father, and if her father was upset, the funding for the school would be withdrawn. Ernest could not afford to lose such valuable support, even as he knew it came at a price…

“That’s right. I’d better go and change before I make the announcement,” Ernest said, glancing at Alicia, who blushed.

“I’ll come with you, I’ll tell them you’re ready to make the announcement,” Caroline said, and before Ernest could protest, she had marched off in the direction of the house, beckoning him to follow her.

Glancing back at Alicia, he felt terribly embarrassed, but had no choice but to follow Caroline, even as he wished he could remain at her side. He had enjoyed their conversation and wished it could be prolonged. But duty called, and the guests were waiting for the announcement.

“Caroline, I…” Ernest called out, and she turned, fixing him with a questioning look.

“Yes, is something wrong?” she asked, and Ernest sighed.

“No…nothing’s wrong. I’m just not sure…well, the announcement,” he said, for he was not entirely sure what to say, other than explaining his plans.

Ernest was not a good public speaker. He preferred to work quietly and diligently behind the scenes, rather than pushing himself forward into the center of attention.

“Oh, you’ll be quite all right, Ernest. You don’t need to say a great deal – just explain the project – mention my father, and I’m sure others will follow suit. You’ll have all the donations you need. Don’t worry, I’ll be there, too,” Caroline said, and Ernest nodded.

That was his fear. She had already ingratiated herself in any number of ways, making out to be an essential asset to the project, one Ernest could not do without. To upset her now would jeopardize his plans, even as Ernest would rather see Alicia as his assistant.

“Yes…well…” Ernest began, but Caroline interrupted him.

“Hurry and get changed. I’ll tell your sister we’re nearly ready for the speech,” she said, and Ernest nodded, resigned, it seemed, to his fate.

Making his way into the house, he found one of the housemaids, instructing her to bring a clean shirt from the laundry and going upstairs to change. As he came to the landing, he was surprised to see his sisters leaving her bedroom, and he looked at her questioningly as she turned.

“Oh… Ernest… I was just powdering my nose… I wanted to get away from Caroline Pickering. She’s insufferable,” she said, and Ernest smiled.

“You’re right, she is. I’ve just met her outside. She was looking for you. But we’ve no choice but to be gracious towards her,” Ernest replied.

His sister sighed.

“You might not have a choice…” she said, but Ernest raised his eyebrows.

“Any offense she takes could be used as an excuse to interfere with her father’s support,” he said, and Isobel shook her head.

“You know what she wants, don’t you?” she said, and Ernest grimaced.

He knew just what she wanted – to have the title of Duchess of Crawshaw. Caroline’s father had made no secret of the ambitions he harbored for his daughter, even as Ernest had no intention of making them come true. If he was to marry, he would not marry her. But the threat of blackmail hung over him, and Ernest knew the Viscount Pickering could be very persuasive if he chose to be.

“Oh, but you don’t think he would go that far, do you?” Ernest asked, and his sister shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know. But you need to be careful, Ernest. You’ve seen what she’s like, the way she takes over…” she said, and Ernest sighed.

“I was just talking to Alicia Saunders. She’s…quite something,” he said, as his sister now looked down at his shirt.

“What happened to you?” she asked, and Ernest now explained how he had encountered Alicia at the back of the marquee, the two of them bumping into one another, before sharing a pleasant conversation.

“I think she’s a delight, and she wants to help our cause, too. She’s keen to be involved, and I want her to be. Her father’s a rich man, but that’s not the only reason. I’d rather she be involved than…Caroline Pickering,” he said, lowering his voice.

“I agree, but will Mr. Saunders give quite so much money? You’d better go and change your shirt. They’ll be expecting you outside,” Isobel said, and Ernest nodded, thanking his sister, before hurrying to his bedroom where the maid had laid out a freshly pressed shirt.

As he changed, Ernest thought back to his encounter with Alicia. He hoped he would see her again before the end of the garden party and wondered how best to approach the possibility of her assisting with the opening of the school in Lancaster.

I can’t offend Caroline, but…I’d much rather it be Alicia who assisted me, Ernest thought to himself, as now he made his way back downstairs and out into the garden.

The crowds were milling about expectantly, and the last of the refreshments had been demolished. A small platform had been erected beneath the shady branches of a tall oak tree, and as Ernest approached, the shrill voice of Caroline called out to him.

“Do you need any assistance, Ernest?” she asked.

They did not know one another well, but Caroline always referred to Ernest by his Christian name, and never with deference to his title. With a sigh, he turned, finding her hurrying towards him.

“I’m just going to make the announcement now,” he said, and she nodded.

“Very good, don’t forget to emphasize the need for donations. We need as many people as possible to contribute – some more than others,” she said, glancing to where the Duke of Lancaster was in conversation with his son, Maximilian.

“I know, and many people have already agreed to contribute,” Ernest replied.

He had raised the funds for the school in Manchester, and he would do the same for the school in Lancaster. But it seemed Caroline was determined to interfere, making the matter her own, and no doubt taking the credit for it.

“Yes, but you need to make sure they understand the urgency. I’m here to help you, Ernest, but I can’t do it for you,” she said.

Ernest did not remember specifically asking for her help, nor did he recall the moment when her interest for the project came to the fore. But she had made it her own, and it seemed Ernest had no choice to allow her interference to continue. The viscount’s donations matched those of all the other donors put together, and it seemed to Ernest there was a determination to buy his affections through charitable donation, thus serving the interests of Caroline Pickering, too. Ernest was not blind to this, even as he felt trapped by the facts.

“I’d better go and make the announcement,” he said, and she nodded.

“Then come back and talk to me – we’ve got a great deal to discuss,” she said, smiling at him flirtatiously.