CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Normanby was escorted into Mr. Greenway's office for the purpose of discussing the settlement agreements Normanby was now almost certain he wouldn't require. Miss Greenway's name had been given to him by his man of business as a way to alleviate his financial situation. The Greenways had only been told that Normanby had seen Miss Greenway and was smitten by her. They were grasping enough to believe it. Subsequently, an introduction was arranged. She was quite beautiful and practical and was willing to do as her parents wished. Ergo, marry into the peerage. Her manners and speech were acceptable. She could pass as gentry. If it were not for the fact that her father was a Cit, she would have done. However, her father was a Cit. Her mother was a daughter of a Cit, and a chill snaked down his spine every time he thought of sullying his bloodline. God only knew what kind of mongrel blood would run through his children's veins. Normanby repressed a shudder. Thankfully, he would only have to play this game for a little longer. Soon Lady Alice Carpenter would agree to wed him. Yet for the present, his creditors knew he was betrothed to the daughter of the very wealthy Mr. Greenfield of the City and that would keep them at bay until he secured Lady Alice.

The man rose, bowed, and came forward as Normanby entered the faintly ostentatious office. "My lord. Thank you for meeting me here."

Normanby inclined his head. What he did not want was for the man to see his reduced circumstances. He could probably explain it, but why go to the bother when he could bestow such a boon on his so-called future father-in-law. "It is my pleasure."

"Please have a seat." Greenway indicated a chair situated at a round table. "Tea will arrive shortly."

"Thank you." Normanby settled himself into the plush, dark, leather chair. At least the tea and biscuits would be of good quality. One clerk entered the room with a tea tray and another with a sheaf of papers. Once the tray was placed on the table, he poured and handed Greenway a cup.

"Thank you." The man waited while he added sugar and milk to his tea before fixing his own. "I have a draft of the settlement agreements for you to review. Of course, you will want your solicitor to look at them as well."

He bit into a ginger biscuit and savored the sharp taste. "Naturally."

Greenway nodded nervously. "There is one, ah, issue that has come up. Your mother is still living. Naturally, we all want her to continue to a long life. However, in the event of your untimely death, we wish to know that Miss Greenway would have a place of her liking in which to live."

Normanby could not imagine a circumstance under which his mother would tolerate the daughter of a Cit living under the same roof as she. "I see your point."

"Good, good. Mrs. Greenway suggested that our daughter and you, of course, might find a property that would be acceptable as a dower property."

"Mrs. Greenway is extremely astute." As long as he wasn't expected to pay for said property, he didn't care. "How would that be arranged?"

"I would put forth the funds for payment. I see that as only fair considering it is my daughter's desire."

Perfect. "A very satisfactory arrangement. Might I suggest that, as it will be Miss Greenway's house in the event of my passing, she and Mrs. Greenway will wish to choose it?"

The man ventured a small smile. "I am sure they would like that, my lord." He stared at the papers and frowned. "My wife would like to ensure that our daughter will be presented at court."

With any luck at all that would never occur. "I will see to it."

"Thank you."

As the meeting was coming to an end, he finished his tea and biscuits. When Greenway stood, Normanby did as well. He took the sheaf of documents. "I will have my solicitor look at these and get back to you as soon as possible."

"At your convenience, my lord." Greenway took a breath. "My wife would like to know if you have a particular date for the wedding in mind."

"I shall leave that to the ladies." It occurred to Normanby that he did not want banns called at St. Georges. "Do you have a parish church?"

"Oh, yes. Yes. St. Mary-le-Bow. Our families have been attending for years."

"As I said, leave it to the ladies." Not that they were "ladies." Yet it appeared to make Greenway happy. "I shall see you soon." Normanby donned his hat and took his cane from a clerk. It was a long walk back to Mayfair, but he didn't want to spend the price of a hackney. He should probably stop in at White's on the way home. If only to be seen. It would give him something to do until his appointment with Lady Alice.

* * *

The afternoon had turned out warm and sunny, causing Alice to choose her light-yellow walking gown for her stroll with Lord Normanby. By the end of their outing, she would not know the answers to all her questions, but she would have more of them answered. And the sooner the better. She stared at her image in the pier-glass. The pale-yellow did look good, but she wanted brighter colors from which to choose. It was silly to wish to wed for more colorful gowns, and she would not do it only for that. But the colors denoted a change in status in her life she wanted almost desperately.

Bertram strode into the room. "Lord Normanby is here."

Something about the dresser's tone made Alice take notice. "Do you not like him?"

"Not me, my lady. I've not met him. Posy wouldn't go to him the other day." Her maid shrugged. "They say dogs know."

Alice also knew of dogs that were devoted to cruel masters. "When was that?"

"When you were in Richmond at the breakfast. He came to see his lordship."

He must have come to ask permission to marry her. "I see." Perhaps Posy was merely not up to meeting anyone new. "I must be off." Alice left the room before her dresser could say anything else. When she reached the main landing, Lord Normanby glanced up and the corners of his lips rose. She descended the remaining stairs. "Good afternoon, my lord."

"A good day to you, my lady." He held out his hand. "I trust you have been well."

She placed her hand in his. "Yes. Very well. Thank you for asking."

They turned and walked out of the house. She smiled at him. "Do you like dogs?"

"I do, very much." He returned her smile. "I thought I was going to meet one of your Great Danes, but she changed her mind."

Ah, so it was Posy and not him. "I wonder what got into her?"

"Who can tell with dogs and other animals."

He did not seem to be surprised the Danes were in the house. "How do you feel about charitable endeavors?"

Looking slightly amused, he said, "That they are necessary. I must suppose you are interested in them."

"Yes, indeed." This would be a good time to let Lord Normanby know that she intended to continue her work. "I give part of my pin money to a few charities. Although, I plan to become more involved in them."

They entered the Park, and as usual it was full. She thought he had a moue of distaste on his mien, but it disappeared so quickly, she might have been wrong. "I would be interested in hearing about them."

"My sister Worthington and my brother-in-law as well as other members of my family help war veterans, their children, and widows by providing training and positions. The children attend school. My sister Kenilworth is involved in aiding poor children as is my sister Rothwell and our cousin Merton."

"All worthy efforts," Lord Normanby said.

She was happy he agreed. That made three stipulations on the list he met. One more, and she would stop for the day. "You mentioned an older sister to Lady Bellamny; is your family close?"

He barked a laugh. "Not at all. But I have seen that your family is."

"We are." This was going very well. "We even have yearly gatherings."

"That must be delightful." He smiled at her again.

"We all enjoy them very much." She returned his smile.

Lord Bury stopped his curricle next to them. "I say, is this a new fashion?"

A growl seemed to emanate from Lord Normanby, and Alice hid a grin. "Bury." Lord Normanby raised his quizzing glass. "Do you mean to tell me you have not discovered the joys of walking?"

Lord Bury glanced at her. "My lady, it would be my pleasure to stroll with you."

Now what was she to say? They had an appointment for a ride tomorrow afternoon. "I think a carriage ride is also enjoyable."

He inclined his head. "As you wish, my lady. I shall see you then."

As he rode away, Lord Normanby said, "Do you prefer a carriage?"

Alice glanced at him, then lowered her lashes. "With Lord Bury I do."

"That is good to know." They spent the next several minutes greeting others they knew. "Would you be available to stroll with me the day after tomorrow?"

She wanted to say yes, but Lord Hereford had asked her to ride with him. "I cannot, but I am free the day after that."

"Excellent." His tone was rather dry, but he did not appear upset. "I will look forward to strolling with you again."

"As will I." They reached the gate as Lord St. Albans was about to drive in. He stopped outside. "My lord, good afternoon."

He smiled at her and ignored her companion. "My lady."

She had almost forgotten he and Lord Normanby did not get on. "There are a great many people here. I hope you enjoy your ride."

The look in his eyes reminded her of a sad puppy. "It will be poorer without your presence, Lady Alice."

So, this was what the other ladies were talking about. "But you must survive."

He put his hand over his heart. "Only if you insist."

She grinned and waved as she and Lord Normanby strolled through the gate. "Until the next time."

"I shall live for the moment." Lord St. Albans drove through the gate.

"Popinjay," Lord Normanby muttered.

Recalling her conversation with Lord St. Albans about his estate, she turned to Lord Normanby. "I know you have priest-holes in your house, but how is the rest of your estate?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "There are four in total. I want to look into modernizing all of them, beginning with my main estate."

It was good that he wanted to improve his holdings. "Are you conversant with Holkham Hall?"

He nodded. "I have heard something about it. I suppose I should write for an appointment to visit. It is no more than two days ride from Normanby."

"You can also ask my brothers-in-law. They have all visited and come away with excellent ideas."

They reached Worthington House, and he bowed. "I look forward to our dance at Lady Millsworth's ball tomorrow evening."

Alice had almost forgotten about her dance with him. "I shall see you then."

He bowed over her hand. As he left, he was almost run into by a young boy running to the servants' entrance. Lord Normanby stiffened. For a second, Alice thought he might lash out at the lad, but he continued down the pavement. Why would she think he could abuse servants? She gave herself a shake. Then chuckled as she remembered Lord St. Albans' flirtatiousness. He was much more entertaining than he had been before.

She went to her bedchamber, removed her bonnet and gloves, then ambled to her parlor. This was when she missed her twin and Madeline the most. They used to gather together and talk about the gentlemen with whom they had ridden. Alice supposed she could imagine the conversations. She knew them well enough to know what they would say. Still, it was not the same.

Just as she sighed, a knock came on the door. "Yes?"

Theo entered the parlor. "How have you been? It must be lonely for you not to have Eleanor and Madeline here."

What a sweetheart. "It is rather. Do you miss them as well?"

"I ordered tea." Theo sat on one of the sofas. "I do miss them. But I was thinking how Mary would feel when I wed. If I marry before she does."

Theo was three years older than Mary. "Why do you think you would not?"

The girl lifted a shoulder in a light shrug. "I might wait until she is eighteen. We could come out together."

Oh, dear. Alice wondered what Matt and Grace would think about that idea. "I came out with Eleanor and Madeline, and I am the last one to wed."

Theo's forehead wrinkled. "That is true. I must think on it some more." The tea arrived, and they fixed their plates and cups. She ate two biscuits. "How was your walk?"

Alice might as well tell her sister. "It was nice. You probably know we made a list of qualities a gentleman must have. I asked him questions today. He has met four of them so far."

Theo nodded. "Making a list was a good idea. Could I borrow it when the time comes?"

"Certainly." Alice might as well show it to her. She rose, went to the desk, and took it out. "You may read it if you wish."

Her sister's eyes widened as if she was astonished. "Really? That would be wonderful!"

Alice kept her smile to herself and handed the paper to Theo. "It is not a secret."

"Thank you." Drinking her tea, she perused the list. "These are all extremely excellent attributes."

"I am glad you agree with them. You can see at the bottom I added being a friend. It occurred to me that since I will be going off to live with someone else, he should be a friend as well as a husband."

"Yes, indeed." Theo's dark brows drew together reminding Alice of Louisa. "I do not believe anyone else has considered that." Theo handed the paper back to Alice and set down her cup. "It was nice talking to you."

As short as the conversation had been. "I appreciate you coming by."

Her sister rose from the sofa. "I shall see you in the drawing room."

"Until then." She started to put the list away but decided to read through it again.

Intelligent.Lord Normanby seemed intelligent.

Kind.She had not seen that he was not kind. Was there a way she could test this?

Like house animals.Well, he said he did. Perhaps she could give Posy another chance.

Like children.Still an open question.

Make us laugh, and think we are funny.Hmmm. He had laughed today, but he had not made her laugh.

Interested in the plight of the poor and unfortunate.He agreed that charities were necessary.

Must support us in our charities and other ventures.Would he allow her to support her charities? He indicated that they were necessary, and he had not said he did not want his wife involved in them. But would he tell her before he asked to wed her?

Passable looking.He was not the most handsome gentleman she had met, but he was quite good looking.

Allow us to be ourselves. Unknown.

Be able to support a family.Matt would know more about that, but he had allowed Lord Normanby to dance with her and walk with her.

Must love us in return.Did she love him? Could he love her? Time would tell.

Alice slipped the list back into the drawer. It was important she get this right.