CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Normanby had woken to his mistress swearing as she dressed. She must have sensed he was awake. "When are you going to ask her to marry you?" Celeste's tone was tense. She detested not being allowed to entertain him in her house. The one he'd given to her after telling his father's mistress she had to leave the residence. Celeste hated even more dressing like a servant to travel to and from her home.

"Soon." He would have already done it, but he wasn't quite sure of Lady Alice yet. If only her guardian would have immediately agreed to the wedding. "I must ensure she will accept me."

Her lips formed a moue, and she lifted one shoulder in a dismissive shrug. "You make love so charmingly. How could a young lady resist your kisses?"

"I haven't kissed her." He hadn't even come close to touching more than her arm.

"You English. Always so correct. Send her letters declaring your love. I will tell you what you must say."

Celeste knew nothing of young ladies of the ton. "And how would I explain the letter when her guardian read it?"

Her eyes widened in confusion. "But why would he?"

"All correspondence addressed to a young unmarried lady is read by her parents or guardian."

"Bah. In France it would not happen. I received les lettres d'amour all the time before we had to flee."

The only thing he knew to be true about her was that she came from a titled family in France. That had been proudly confided to him by the Austrian diplomat he'd stolen her from. Normanby didn't know, and doubted he ever would know, what had caused her to become a courtesan. Perhaps it had something to do with the love letters.

"Bah! Kiss her where everyone can see you. Then she will have to agree."

"I would if we were ever alone. She's more closely guarded than the crown jewels."

She stamped her dainty foot now covered in a poorly made shoe. "Mon Dieu, Normanby! Can you not bribe her maid?"

"Footman." The damned footman. "Her guardian does not allow her out with a maid. She has a footman who's large enough to stop anything I might try." He pulled Celeste into his arms. "It won't be long. I promise. I am walking with her again today, and tomorrow evening I will ask her."

Celeste pressed against him as sinuously as a cat. He wished she didn't have to leave. "I shall wait. Mais, if this lady does not wed you, you must take la bourgeoise, oui? I am serious when I tell you this cannot last."

It was better to compromise Lady Alice than marry Miss Greenway. But he was not going to argue about it with Celeste, and it would be a last resort. "I understand."

"Bon." She glared at the plain, straw bonnet before donning it. "I shall see you tonight."

"I'll be waiting." As he always was.

She threw a playful smile over her shoulder. "I know, mon cher. I know."

He'd have to marry Lady Alice quickly. Mr. Greenway had already had the first of the banns read. Normanby felt as if a noose was tightening around his neck. Damn his parents for putting him in this position. He watched the gentle sway of Celeste's hips as she strolled through the door. If she had money, he'd marry her. She wouldn't be the first Frenchwoman in the family.

* * *

Giff arrived at Hatchards before Alice. He was happy to see the table and the area where the estate books were kept was empty. Fortunately, he didn't have long to wait. One of the many things he'd recently noticed about her was how prompt she was.

She smiled at him. "Shall we get to work?"

"Yes." As he had earlier, he held her chair, then took one across from her. "I am more concerned about the changes I might have to make to Whippoorwill Manor than the estate in Scotland. There is a family who has been the stewards for at least a century. The position is passed from father to son."

"Really? How interesting." Alice tilted her head as she leaned forward. "I have read about that, but I had no idea it still occurred."

"Um. I do need to know how things are done, but I'm concerned that Whippoorwill has been left alone for too long. There might be problems there."

She nodded. "It is never good to ignore an estate or leave the management completely up to someone else. What would you like to know first?"

Giff groaned. "Everything. How the prices are set, who does the selling, and everything else."

She pulled at her bottom lip with her straight, white teeth, and he almost groaned again. But for an entirely different reason. His desire to kiss her, to touch her, was constant. "You will need to consult with other large landowners."

"Such as your brothers-in-law?"

"Yes." She appeared pleased he'd caught on so quickly. "All the crops you are selling are sold to a middleman. He will want to buy as cheaply as possible, and you will want to sell as high as possible. You will end up settling on a price somewhere in the middle. Therefore, you need to know what the going rate is for, oh, say apples."

This wasn't as difficult as he thought it might be. "That way I'll know what is a good price and what is too low."

"Exactly." Her smile almost blinded him. "The other thing you should do is gather together as many of the local farmers and possibly other larger landowners so that you have more negotiating power."

He was tempted to reach across the table and take her into his arms. "For some reason I thought it would be more complicated."

Her finely arched brows drew slightly together. "The important part is to find a middleman who is trustworthy. Where is Whippoorwill Manor?"

"About three hours north of Town."

Her forehead cleared. "If there is a problem, I might be able to help you. It is a long story, but we know of a company in that area." She placed her elbow on the table and cradled her cheek in the palm of her hand. "If you are interested, I could introduce you to the owner."

It was amazing the things she knew. "I wonder if the estate is already a client."

"There is only one way to find out. We will go speak to him."

"Now?"

"Yes. Why wait? It will probably take a few days for him to find out if they do work with Whippoorwill Manor."

"Do we need to go into the City? I did not bring my carriage; do you have yours?" Giff had already stood and was helping Alice rise.

"No, it's not far. I will tell you some of the story on our way." She tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "Before I forget, I am meant to inform you that Theo thanks you for the books. She is finding them quite interesting."

Did her family educate the girls by bringing them into their conversations and starting their educations early? "Were you interested in animal husbandry when you were her age?"

Alice stared off somewhere as her forehead puckered. "Not as much as Theo. Eleanor, Madeline, and I were still more interested in fashion, but we were being introduced to the management of an estate and other important matters. Augusta married when we were fifteen. Charlie was on his Grand Tour, and Grace decided it was time for us to learn. We were the eldest ones at home. Walter and Phillip were at school."

Giff had felt disconnected from his family when he'd been at school. "I remember returning from school and so much had changed. My sisters married when I was away and were no longer there. It was very strange. But your brothers were present."

"Yes." Alice nodded. "Matt sends a coach for them whenever there is a holiday or school break." She appeared thoughtful for a moment, then said, "Now, you are going to meet Bobby Fields. He's still quite young but has a good head. His father was a middleman. After his untimely death, Bobby inherited the business. He is being trained in it as well as in the end result of what happens to the produce. The whole story is rather long. I will tell you it some other time."

They made their way from the bookstore to Bond Street and a grocer's shop. A boy was speaking to customers as an older man looked on with approval.

"Mr. Robbins," Alice said. "We have a matter for Bobby when he has a moment."

"Yes, my lady. Let him finish with this customer, and he'll be right with you."

"Yes, of course." She smiled politely.

This child owned a business? At first Giff couldn't believe it, but in the peerage it happened all the time. A father would die, and a child would be the new peer. He really had to expand his way of thinking. He waited next to her while the customer completed the purchase.

"Lady Alice." He grinned. "How may I help you?"

"Good day." She indicated Giff. "My lord, this is Mr. Robert Fields who we call Bobby. Bobby, this is Lord St. Albans."

Bobby stuck out his hand. "Good day, my lord."

Giff took the smaller hand in his. This was the second time today he'd seen children acting like the adults they would be. "Good day, sir. Do you happen to know if your firm represents Whippoorwill Manor?"

Bobby flattened his lips and his forehead wrinkled. "The name doesn't sound familiar, and I'd remember a name like that." He looked at Giff. "Just to make sure I'll write to Crampton, my assistant, and ask him."

"Thank you," Alice and Giff said at the same time.

That was the very last time he would underestimate a child. "The property is near St. Albans if that helps."

"Yes, thank you. If we do not handle the manor, I shall find out who does."

"Thank you, Bobby. Mr. Robbins, have a good day," Alice said.

"Yes, thank you for your time." Giff strolled off with her. This had been an extremely informative day. "Do you have any shopping to do, or are you going home?"

She glanced at him and tilted her head slightly. "I think I would like to go to the Burlington Arcade."

He inclined his head. "It would be my pleasure to escort you."

Alice was happy to have someone with whom to go shopping. She really missed her sisters. "Do you know anything about ladies' accessories?"

St. Albans gave her an almost wicked look. "You might be surprised at what I know." They retraced their steps to Piccadilly. When they arrived at the arcade, he unerringly led her to the shop Alice and her sisters had gone to for their fans. "Now what are you looking for or are you browsing?"

"Hmm. I am not sure. If I find something that catches my eye, I might purchase it." She really did not need anything. But she had so little to do.

"This would look well with any of your evening gowns." He held up an exquisite fan with a Pomona green background painted with gold and trimmed with gold lace.

From experience, she knew it would cost most of the rest of her allowance. "It is beautiful, but a bit dear for me at the moment."

"At low ebb, I see. It is close to quarter day." He turned back to the fans. "What about this one?"

The fan was painted a pretty turquoise with people wearing Georgian dress. It too would go well with most of her evening gowns, and it was not nearly as costly. "That is perfect."

St. Albans bowed. "I am at your service, my lady." He wandered around the shop and picked up a reticule of Pomona green silk with a silver frame. He and Lord Bury thought along the same lines when it came to a good color for her. "A few seed pearls, and this will be perfect."

He was right. It was too plain as it was. "What a good eye you have."

"Thank you." A smile lurked in his green eyes.

Williams coughed. "My lady. You will not wish to be late for luncheon."

"Is it that time already?" Alice took the reticule and the fan to the clerk. "I would like to purchase these."

"Very good, my lady."

After paying him, she glanced at St. Albans. "Would you like to join us for luncheon?"

He pouted sadly. "I would, but I am promised elsewhere. If it isn't raining, I will see you tomorrow."

"Yes, of course." She should have remembered he was courting another lady. "I will see you then." Alice took her package and left with her footman. "We must make haste. Her ladyship will leave directly after luncheon on morning visits."

"Yes, my lady." As if he did not know the schedule.

This had been an excellent, a perfect, morning. Why was she out of sorts, again?

* * *

That afternoon, Lord Normanby arrived as the clock struck the hour. Alice had stopped waiting to be told he was here, and when the front door opened, she went to the stairs.

He held out his hand as she reached the bottom tread. "How lovely you are."

She fought the blush rising to her cheeks. "Thank you."

He took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. He had never done that before. "Shall we?"

"Yes, indeed." They strolled out the door and down the street. She had only a few more questions before she would know if he met all the qualifications on the list. "How do you like children?"

He glanced at her and chuckled. "I find them delightful. Why do you ask?"

This was very good. "In my family, the children are used to dining with us unless we have guests. I plan to do the same thing with my children."

He inclined his head, and his breath touched her ear. "Of course, if you wish it."

"I do." Alice wondered how bold she could be in her questioning. He had not, after all, offered for her. Then again, he had spoken to Matt. "I also want to continue to support and be involved in my charities."

"I do not know why that would change." Lord Normanby's tone had never been so low, so seductive.

A shiver raced down her back. This must be the feelings she had been told about. Not the prickles she had with St. Albans. Those had been strangely disconcerting.

Lord Normanby gazed down at her. "At the ball, would it be possible to have another set in addition to the supper dance?"

Oh, no! Alice did not have any sets left. "I am so sorry, but I have none."

"I waited too long." He pouted, but it was not the same as St. Albans's earlier pout. It seemed a bit calculated. She shook off the thought. "It is I who should beg your forgiveness."

"There is always the next ball." That should make him certain of her position.

Something, a look she did not recognize, lurked in his blue eyes. "In that case, I would like to ask for them now."

"Of course." If he proposed soon, he could have all her sets. She would like to ask him what he wanted from a marriage. He already met her requirements. Did he not have some of his own? Unfortunately, until he mentioned marriage, she could not ask.

"Then I think I shall look forward to that ball more than the one this evening." He bent his head again as if he did not want to miss anything she might have to say.

What should she say? "I will as well."

"I cannot tarry in Town much longer. I am needed at my estate."

What did that mean? Was he just going to go home? "I understand. Needs must."

They had reached the Park and entered. For a long time, it appeared as if all they would do was to greet friends and acquaintances. Finally, they were as alone as they could be during the Grand Strut. "I would like to settle some things before I leave."

Alice's heartbeat more rapidly. "What would that be?"

"As you must know, I am searching for a wife. Would you allow me to speak with you a bit later?"

He was going to propose! "Yes, I would."

Nothing more was said on the subject, but she knew it was settled. He would ask for her hand, and she would accept. Alice wanted to skip like a girl. Finally, she would be wed.

They finished their walk, and he returned her to Worthington House. She reviewed the list in her head, but hardly remembered what was on it. If he wanted to marry her, he must love her. That she could not forget. When he asked, she would tell him how she felt and wait for him to respond. She did love him. She must. Why else would she be excited that he was going to ask her to be his wife?

"I will see you this evening," Lord Normanby's tone was lower than usual causing butterflies to dash around in her stomach.

"I look forward to it." She entered the house, and he left, glancing back over his shoulder as he did.

When would he ask her to marry him? Would it be this evening at the ball? Alice practically floated up the stairs. Soon he would propose, and she would be married just like her sisters.