6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

A licia had been watching this scene play out from a distance. She felt confused as to Ernest’s interest in Caroline Pickering – and her interest in him. Her conversation with Ernest had been a pleasant one – after the embarrassment of the spilled punch had been forgotten – but the arrival of Caroline had changed things. It had seemed to Alicia as though Ernest was in thrall to the viscount’s daughter – he had done just what she had told him, and now they were deep in conversation by the small podium on which Ernest was about to give his speech.

“It’s been a delightful afternoon, hasn’t it? Where did you go?” Lily said, as Alicia came to stand next to where her friend was sitting beneath a parasol, fanning herself in the heat.

“Oh… I ran into Ernest. Quite literally – I spilled punch all over his shirt. It was terribly embarrassing, but then we were talking…” Alicia said, thinking back fondly to the conversation she had shared, and still feeling surprised as to his recollection of the dance they had shared.

Lily looked up at him and smiled.

“You see…” she said, and Alicia rolled her eyes.

“I don’t see anything – apart from Caroline Pickering, of course,” Alicia said, glancing over to where the viscount’s daughter was hustling Ernest towards the stage.

Lily’s eyes narrowed and she nodded.

“Yes…she always gets what she wants, doesn’t she?” she said.

“Well… I don’t know what she wants, or what he wants. He remembered our dance, but…he was very pleasant. But then she appeared, and it was as though she was jealous. I’d offered to help with the school. I’d like to help with the school, but I don’t think she’s going to let me,” Alicia said, feeling suddenly sad at the thought of rejection.

Caroline Pickering was a snake in the grass. She had been polite enough, but behind her facade, Alicia had seen a jealous look in her eyes. She had not wanted Alicia anywhere near Ernest and had been certain to steer him rapidly away from any potential threat. Alicia had seen the same look at Lily’s tea party, and she felt certain Caroline Pickering could make herself a formidable opponent if she chose to be.

“Oh, nonsense – what business is it of hers? If the Duke’s son wants your help, so be it. You’ve offered it, he can choose to accept it,” Lily said, waving her hand dismissively.

But Alicia was not convinced…

“I don’t know… I like him, but I’d be stepping on another woman’s feet. He was very pleasant, but if he’s already spoken for…” she said, even as Ernest called out for the attention of the gathered crowd.

“My friends, good afternoon, and may I welcome you all to Leamington Grange on this fine and sunny afternoon. I do hope you’ve all enjoyed yourselves. It’s been my pleasure to have you here as our guests, and I extend to you the warmest greetings of my mother and father, the Duke and Duchess, too,” he said.

A polite round of applause rang out across the garden, and Alicia watched as Ernest stood on the stand with Caroline at his side. What were her intentions? Were the two of them to be married? It was all very confusing, even as Alicia wondered whether she wanted to be involved at all…

It could be very complicated, she thought to herself, sighing, as Ernest continued.

“In welcoming you here this afternoon, I’m afraid to say I had an ulterior motive, though I’m sure you’ve all realized what it is,” he said, and a murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd.

“We certainly knew that,” Lily said, glancing at Maximilian, who smiled.

“A worthy cause,” he replied.

“But my friends, this ulterior motive seeks to bring hope to those who so often feel hopeless – those without their sight. And not just those whose sight fails them in later years, but those poor, unfortunate souls, born without the gift we each take for granted. As a child, I grew up knowing my father was different. He was blind – he is blind – and only rank and privilege have allowed him to live a full and satisfying life. Too many blind children are left behind, and I want to change that. My school for blind children in Manchester is already seeing remarkable results, and I want to extend that opportunity here, to Lancaster,” Ernest continued.

Another round of polite applause rang out, and heads were nodded in agreement and support.

“An excellent idea,” Ralph, the Duke of Lancaster, said, and others expressed similar sentiments.

“With that in mind, I’ve already identified a building, and made preliminary enquiries as to the feasibility of establishing a school there. The first signs are promising, and I feel certain – with your help – we can make the dream of a school here, in Lancaster, for blind children, a reality,” Ernest concluded.

He was about to step down from the platform when, to his surprise – and that of the crowd – Caroline Pickering stopped him.

“I want to say a few words in support of Ernest,” she said, and Alicia watched as Ernest drew a sharp intake of breath and forced a smile onto his face.

“That’s…very kind of you, Caroline,” he replied, as the viscount’s daughter addressed the crowd.

“The establishment of these hospitals wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of my father, the Viscount Pickering. We’d like to thank him, on behalf of all the children under our care, and urge those of you with the means to help, to do so. A few guineas might not seem a lot to those of us with plenty, but it can mean the difference between a life of poverty and a life of productivity for the children we take care of,” she said.

Alicia glanced at Lily, who rolled her eyes.

“If we were on the continent, she’d expect to be canonized. Look at her showing off – it’s quite distasteful,” Lily said, tutting, as Caroline’s words were met with polite applause.

She beamed, turning to Ernest, who looked thoroughly embarrassed.

“Well, I’ll happily contribute – but Ernest’s speech was enough to make me do so,” the Duke of Lancaster said, and it seemed Caroline’s words had served only to annoy, rather than encourage.

The philanthropy of the Viscount Pickering was well known – he made sure of that – but Alicia knew the generosity of the Duke of Lancaster, whose kindness had helped many in need, and without the show of allowing the left hand to see what the right hand was doing.

“I think it’s admirable,” Lily said, as the garden party continued.

“I offered to help, but I don’t think Caroline would let me,” Alicia said, feeling disappointed.

She needed something to do. Her parents were back and forth between London and Bath, and despite being in the midst of the season, Alicia felt directionless. She lacked a purpose – or so she felt – and was not content with the purpose assigned to so many other young ladies of her privilege. Tea parties, soirees, picnics, and balls were all very well, but they gave little by way of purpose. Alicia wanted to feel useful, and the prospect of working for Ernest’s cause had presented that possibility, only for it to be seemingly snatched away by the jealousies of Caroline Pickering…

“Oh, nonsense. Since when did she dictate what you can and can’t do? If you want to help Ernest, and if he wants you to help, so be it. You should do so, Alicia,” Lily said.

Alicia sighed. She was not possessed of her friend’s outgoing nature. Lily always got what she wanted, but Alicia always seemed to be two steps behind. She did not have the confidence of the woman who had once spent her days discovering scandal and publishing it to the ruin of any who dared stand in her way…

“I don’t know…do you think he still wants me to help?” she asked, and Lily nodded.

“I’m certain he does – you saw the look on his face when she stepped up to speak. You’re a far better choice than her. Go and speak to him – look, he’s over there by himself. His sister’s just been talking to him. Now’s your chance,” Lily said, and to Alicia’s surprise, she gave her a hard shove, pushing her towards Ernest, so she had no choice but to step forward and speak to him.

He looked up at her and smiled, even as Alicia felt the blush rising in her cheeks.

“I… I see you changed your shirt,” she said, uttering the first thing she could think of.

He looked down at his clean shirt and laughed.

“You’re not going to the punch bowl again, are you?” he asked, and Alicia blushed an even deeper shade of red.

“No… I… I thought what you said was very fine. I’m sure lots of people are going to donate to the cause,” she said, hoping she would not sound foolish, even as he smiled at her and nodded.

“That’s kind of you. I hope they will. I think they will, it’s—” he began, but he was interrupted by that same, shrill, voice from before.

“Ernest, you must go and speak to the Countess of Lingerby. She wants to make a substantial donation. I’ve told her we’ll be only too pleased to accept,” Caroline said, glancing at Alicia with a forced smile.

But behind her smile was a different expression, one Alicia knew to be jealousy. The Countess of Lingerby might have promised a few guineas, but Caroline’s intention was to draw Ernest away. It was a competition, one Alicia had no intention of taking part in. The duke’s son looked embarrassed.

“I was just speaking to Miss Saunders. She’s going to help me with establishing the school here – just as I explained,” Ernest said.

Alicia was glad to hear him stand up for himself, and surprised, too. She had assumed the two of them were caught in a romantic tryst, but it seemed Ernest had little desire to do as he was told, despite Caroline’s forceful personality. For a moment, the viscount’s daughter looked taken aback, but a smile was quickly forced onto her face, and she nodded, taking a deep breath and nodding.

“Yes… I’m sure we’ll be…delighted to have her assistance,” she said, and Ernest nodded.

“I know we will, and I hope you’ll agree to it, Miss Saunders?” he said, turning to Alicia, who had now made up her mind to help.

Lily would not have been cowed by Caroline, and neither would she.

“I will, thank you. I can think of no better cause to lend my support to,” she said.

But at that moment, Caroline began to sob. It was all theatrics, of course, but she made a great show of emotion, causing Ernest to look at her with concern.

“Oh…Ernest, when I think of those poor children, it brings me to tears. I don’t know how you and Miss Saunders can keep from weeping. Blindness…it’s terrible,” she exclaimed, holding out her arms, so as to force Ernest to comfort her.

Alicia rolled her eyes. Caroline was being ridiculous. Her concern for the blind children was secondary to her intentions for Ernest. He was the reason for her weeping charity, and it was becoming ever clearer what her intentions were.

“It’s quite terrible to think of it,” Alicia said, glancing at Ernest, who had his arms awkwardly around Caroline, who was now clinging to him with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Oh…yes, Miss Saunders. You’re quite right. It’s just terrible. How grateful we are to you for coming to our aid,” Caroline said, once again emphasizing her connection to Ernest, who was looking thoroughly uncomfortable.

“Here, Caroline – take my handkerchief,” he said, pulling away from her embrace and offering her his handkerchief, which she took with a look of the utmost gratitude.

“I’m sorry, but one can’t help but be moved to tears over the plight of those poor children. We’re so fortunate in you, Ernest, and with Miss Saunders’ help, I’m sure it won’t be long before the school opens and we welcome the first children through its doors. Think of what we can do,” she exclaimed, the tears now replaced with a beaming smile.

But in her performance, Alicia knew Caroline had intended a message to be conveyed. She had wanted Alicia to know her intentions towards Ernest, and that she was capable of manipulating him to do her will, leaving Alicia wondering if he would be strong enough to resist her.

“I’m sure we can achieve a great deal,” Alicia said, and Caroline nodded, reaching out and taking Alicia’s hand in hers.

“I know we’ll be the best of friends, Alicia – I just know it. We’ve got so much in common,” she said, glancing at Ernest, who smiled.

“I’m glad you both agree,” he said, even as it seemed he was less keen on the proposed match than he was forced to state.

“Well, then, that’s settled, isn’t it? We’ll do such good work for the poor children, and we’ll see the school built in no time. Now, Ernest, come and speak to the Countess, then you can speak to my father. He’s keen to discuss some things with you,” Caroline said, pulling Ernest away, even as he glanced back at Alicia, who sighed.

Caroline’s strategy was clear. She would not allow Alicia and Ernest to spend any time together, and would make out as though she being with them was necessary for the success of the project. But Alicia would not be cowed – knowing what Lily would say if she backed down now, and as she returned to her friend’s side, she felt determined in the task ahead.

“Well, did you do it?” Lily asked, and Alicia nodded.

“We’re going to work together – the three of us,” she said, and Lily raised her eyebrows.

“The three of you? A menage a trois? I wrote about enough of those to know they never end happily, Alicia. Don’t let yourself be hurt,” Lily said, looking at Alicia with concern.

“But I thought you’d be happy for me – she’s got her talons in him, but he’s not comfortable with it. I can see it in his eyes. She burst into floods of tears just now, weeping for the children. But they were crocodile tears – she only did it to get his attention, and it worked. She doesn’t care about the children, not really. She cares about her own position, and she wants to marry him. She wants to be a duchess,” Alicia said.

Lily smiled.

“Don’t most women? Well… I didn’t, I suppose. But you’re right, Alicia, you shouldn’t back down. Let her think what she likes about the two of you working together. But when it comes to it, Ernest can’t favor her over you – it’s impossible. I know just what she’s like,” Lily said, and Alicia nodded.

She, too, was realizing what Caroline was like, and if Ernest was not careful, he may well find himself in a situation he could not extract himself from…