CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

Later that afternoon, Mamma summoned Giff to her parlor. He entered and bowed. "Mamma?"

She pointed at the chair across from her. "Come and sit. I have had some news."

His mother appeared both apprehensive and excited at the same time. "What is it?"

She poured him a dram of whisky from the bottle on the small table at her elbow. "You asked me to look into Normanby. I did, and I finally have an answer that is reliable."

Giff took a sip. "And."

"He is broke." His mother took a drink as well. "His father beggared the estates and mortgaged everything that he could. If he doesn't marry for money soon, the loans will be called in."

"Only on the property that is not part of the entail." That's the reason he was courting Alice. He knew the blackguard was up to no good.

"Which is most of the holdings. His father did not continue in entail on anything other than their main estate."

Her dowry would go a long way to paying off those loans. "I take it he has put it about that he will soon wed Lady Alice. But how has he kept anyone from finding out?"

"He is betrothed to a young woman from the City. The daughter of a wealthy merchant," Mamma stated flatly.

Giff couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He's betrothed, and he's courting Alice?" He'd murder him. There was another question. "You do not have contacts in the City. How did you discover this?"

Mamma took another small sip. "I might not have contacts, but I have friends who do. The first of the banns was called at a church this past Sunday. My friend also told me about his finances."

Something wasn't making sense. "Why the deuce is he courting Alice?"

One of his mother's brows rose in an extremely haughty way. "Blood."

Bloody, Bloody hell-hounds. He had to get Alice away from the scoundrel. "Betrothed himself to a Cit's daughter to keep the banks happy but court a lady for her dowry and her bloodlines. He needs to be shot."

"I agree, but not by you." Mamma downed half of her glass. "If anyone is going to challenge him to a duel it must be someone from her family."

Giff would rather just run him through. That was much neater than shooting the scoundrel. "You're right, of course. But something must be done. I'll speak to Worthington this evening."

"That would be for the best." She finished the whisky. "I shall accompany you to the ball."

"I will be honored by your presence." Giff stood. "Thank you for the information."

His mother gave him a sly smile. "I admire Lady Alice a great deal and would be most pleased to call her daughter."

He inclined his head and strolled slowly back to his parlor. He could write to Worthington, but even if he sent the letter by messenger, it might not be read until tomorrow. No. The best thing to do was to inform him what Normanby was up to and let Worthington take care of it. He would tell Alice, who would be hurt and furious. Yet, she would have her family and Giff for comfort. He would not be able to ask her to marry him as soon as he would like. But propose he would, and hopefully she'd have him. But what if the devil was going to ask her tonight? He'd have to find a way to keep her away from the cur. The only way to do that was to remain close to her all evening. Giff grinned to himself. That would be no hardship at all.

A few hours later, he and his mother entered the ballroom, and he immediately found Alice and her family. Fortunately, Normanby was not with them. Giff scanned the room until he saw the worm standing with a few of his friends across the large assembly room space from the Worthington family.

He made his way to Alice's circle intending to speak with her guardian when she noticed him. "Good evening."

"Good eve, my lady. That fan goes quite well with your gown." That was the tone to keep. Light as if nothing was wrong. Giff tried to catch her brother-in-law's eye, but he was speaking with someone else. Aside from what he had to tell Worthington, Giff wondered how the vote went today.

"Thank you." Her smile was merely polite, but her eyes danced.

The music started, and a gentleman came over to claim her for the set. Giff positioned himself where he could watch Normanby. There was no way he was going to catch Alice alone.

* * *

Alice finished her set with St. Albans and glanced around for Lord Normanby. She was certain he was going to propose. She just wished he would do it soon. He met all the requirements on the list she and her sisters had written and even exceeded some of them. He was certainly the most attentive gentleman she had ever met, well almost. Alice glanced across the ballroom. Normanby was standing with two of his friends in front of a grouping of plants. Not that he could have avoided the trees and shrubs. There were a profusion of them. The theme was a tropical garden. They looked to be in close conversation, and she would like to know what they were discussing. Perhaps his friends were giving him advice on when to propose. It would not be at all difficult to slip behind the shrubbery and listen to what he was saying. Alice started weaving her way through groups of people and behind the plants. A few minutes later, she was directly behind the gentlemen. She felt, rather than saw, someone come up next to her. A tingling sensation and a light scent that reminded her of the woods reached her. St Albans. She put her finger to her lips, and he nodded.

"When are you going to ask her?" one of the gentlemen said.

"It has to be damn soon," Normanby replied. "I need to get out of Greenway's grip. Him and his daughter's. I will not be wed to a female who is not a lady or one related to a Cit."

"It's a deemed shame your father mortgaged the estates and your mother gambled away the rest."

"My mother's a fool." He spat the words. "Thankfully, I was able to make her understand that she was better off married to her cicisbeo. She and her gambling are his problem now. He took her to the Continent."

"Leaving you with her debt," the other gentleman commented drily.

"As soon as I wed Lady Alice, the debt and the mortgages will be settled. And I'll be free of my betrothal to Miss Greenway."

"You actually proposed to her?" The first man sounded shocked.

"I didn't have a choice if I wanted to keep the creditors away. However, Greenway's mistake in agreeing to the betrothal was that he thinks the rules for people like him are the same as for us, and that I won't jilt her. She's not a lady and doesn't need to be treated like one."

Alice's jaw dropped. She shut it. How could he? He is planning to use my dowry to pay his debts! And he's going to jilt some poor woman. The bounder. The blackguard. She wished she had stronger language to use. It was all she could do to remain quiet. St Albans must have felt her rage, for he gently touched her arm.

"It's a shame you have to marry to afford to pay them," the first man said.

"I have to wed at some point, it might as well be now," Normanby said. "Once I get my bride with child, I can leave her in the country. It shouldn't take long, her family breeds like rabbits."

Alice's jaw was starting to hurt from being clinched so hard. There was no way on earth she would have him now.

"Will her family let you do that?" The second gentleman sounded concerned, and he should be. Matt would never allow her to be treated shabbily. First of all, he would never allow her to wed a man who would not agree to her keeping her property with him as the trustee. What would Normanby do then? Jilt her?

"What can he do? She'll be my wife. My property." The superiority in Normanby's voice caused her hands to form fists. "Aside from that, I have no intention of giving my beauteous Celeste her congé."

A mistress? He was going to keep a mistress? Alice should not be surprised. After all, he was going to jilt another woman and marry her for her money. The cad was thoroughly rotten. To think she had thought he was kind. She was going to hit him hard enough that he fell down.

St. Albans touched her arm again, shook his head, and whispered, "Allow me. You do not want to bloody either your gown or gloves."

Alice did not know how St. Albans knew what she planned to do, but he did have a point. She inclined her head, and he removed one of his gloves. The next thing she knew there was a crunching sound. St. Albans grabbed her hand, and they ran behind the plants to the terrace doors before they stopped. He then donned the glove, and she tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they strolled onto the terrace.

As soon as they reached a part of the terrace that was not crowded, Alice covered her mouth with her hand as she started to laugh. It was a while before she could speak. "Thank you for defending me. What did you break?"

"You're a bloodthirsty minx." He grinned like a boy. "His nose. I was tempted to go for his jaw, but his nose was easier and faster."

"I'm very glad he does not know it was you. He is exactly t the type of person to call you out." Just the thought of St. Albans in a duel gave her chills and not the good kind.

"Hence the reason we didn't stay around." He pulled a face. "It was a rather sneaky thing to do. Not very honorable."

"He did not deserve to be confronted with honor." Anger surged into her again. "Not after what he was planning." She had an idea. "I can put it around that I hit him and did not wish to cause a scene."

St. Alban's lips twitched.

"What?" He should know by now that she had many skills. "I know how to punch a man."

"I am quite sure you do. The only question is if anyone saw the hand that perpetrated the deed, they would know it was not yours."

She glanced at his hands and hers. How had she not realized how much larger they were? "Oh. I see your point. I suppose it will have to be our secret."

His shoulders shook as he tried to stop from going into whoops. She would have hit Normanby if St. Albans hadn't stopped her. That would have caused a scene. Alice doubted she would have stopped there. She probably would have given him a set-down as well. "That would be a much better idea."

"There you are." Charlie strolled up to them. "I've been looking for you."

Thank God he had not been out here earlier. "Lord St. Albans and I decided to get some fresh air."

Her brother glanced from St. Albans to her. "You missed the excitement."

Her partner in crime assumed the most innocent look she had ever seen on a gentleman. "I hate to miss anything thrilling. What happened?"

Charlie glanced from Alice to St. Albans again. Her brother's eyes narrowed slightly as if he suspected something. "Someone punched Normanby."

Alice raised her brows as if she was surprised. "Really? Who?"

Her brother shook his head. "No one knows. He was with some chums and suddenly a fist came out from the foliage."

"That's odd." St. Albans frowned. "Who would do such a thing?"

"Maybe it was a lady he wronged." Alice knew she had to tread carefully if they were not to be found out. "Lately, I have been getting the impression he is not all he appears to be."

"It happened so quickly, no one knows who it could have been." Charlie gave them another look. Naturally, he would know that not many females were taught to fight. "I suppose a lady would be more apt to hit a man and want to remain hidden."

"If she did not wish to cause a scene." Alice couldn't look at St. Albans because she was sure her guilt would be apparent to her brother, and she could not glance at Charlie for the same reason. "We had better go in. St. Albans owes me a dance."

Her brother shook his head and frowned again. "I'll accompany you."

Giff tried hard not to allow his chest to puff out. He not only had a second dance with Alice, but it was the supper set. He still had to speak with Worthington. But at least she did not seem to be as upset as he thought she would be. At any rate, she wasn't now. Who knew what would happen later this evening. For the present, he would do his best to keep her entertained.

By the time they arrived at Alice's family circle, Normanby had departed, and the set was forming. It had seemed like years since Giff had waltzed with her. He took her into his arms, and she suddenly stared at him. Damn, was she missing that rogue's touch? "What is it?"

"Nothing." She shook her head slightly and smiled. "Nothing at all. I am glad you are here."

"I am too." The music started, and he twirled her. No other lady danced as gracefully as she did. He wanted to ask her how she felt, but this was not the place. This, however, was the place to begin courting her in earnest. He caught her gaze and smile. "No other lady dances as well as you."

A blush rose into her cheeks. "I might say the same about you. I never have to think when I'm dancing with you."

It occurred to him she had never been happy with what he had brought to her for supper. "You must tell me what you like at supper."

Alice chuckled lightly. "Not lobster patties."

"Duly noted." They twirled again. "But what do you like?"

"I enjoy asparagus, ices, almost everything else. And champagne."

An image of her naked as he poured champagne into her belly button caused him to tighten. "I shall ensure you are well supplied."

"I would appreciate that," she said in a heartfelt tone.

"Is there anything else you like to eat? Poached chicken, salmon?"

"I enjoy both dishes." Giff wished he could pull her into his arms.

He grinned. "I still like lobster patties. I'll bring one for myself if you do not mind."

"Not at all. You may enjoy them all you wish." The moves of the dance placed her back at his chest. She had such a smooth neck. He wondered how she would taste. "I used to like them. However, when one can eat them most evenings, they lose their desirability."

"I never thought of it in that manner." He was very sure he would not lose his desire for her even if he had her every evening. He bent his head and almost touched the shell of her ear with his tongue before remembering where he was. Then the music stopped. "Come. Let us find your family, and we can all go to supper."

When they approached her circle, Mamma was speaking with Worthington. His visage darkened, and he glanced at Giff. He hoped Alice's brother-in-law was not angry at him for not telling him about Normanby first. Giff escorted her to the table and made his way to where supper was laid out.

Worthington caught up with him. "Is there a reason you did not tell me?"

"Yes. I tried to catch your eye, but you were in conversation with someone else and obviously didn't see me. I was more concerned about keeping Lady Alice away from the scoundrel. I did not want him to get her alone."

"I see." Worthington seemed to relax. "Was that the reason you and she were on the terrace?"

They had kept the knowledge from her brother, but Giff did not think he could keep it from her guardian. "Partly. I found her slipping around the edge of the room to where Normanby was standing with friends. I got to her just as she arrived, hidden behind a plant." They made their way along the line speaking quietly. "She heard him tell his friends what he'd done and what he had planned. Including keeping his mistress."

"Who punched him?" You had to respect a gentleman who knew his family.

"She was about to, but I did it." He grinned at Worthington. "Then we ran to the terrace."

Her brother-in-law bit his lip as he tried not to laugh. "Thank you for looking out for her."

Giff inclined his head. "The pleasure was mine. I'm just glad that I was able to be there for her."

Worthington gave Giff a searching look. "You seem to be getting on better than you did in the beginning."

"Yes, well, it turns out I can be a fool at times." He wanted to cringe.

"Cannot we all." Worthington had a wry look. "It never occurred to me to ask one of the ladies to see what they could learn about Normanby. I had a feeling, but nothing solid."

Giff often thought it was amazing how one's senses attempted to warn one. "I felt the same. That was the reason I asked my mother."

Worthington signaled to two footmen to help them, and Giff slipped them vails. "It was an excellent idea."

"And just in time." A chill struck him. What would have happened if Mamma had not received the information when she did?

"Indubitably. I take it you're still interested in marrying her."

"I am." Absolutely and entirely. "Even more so now than before if that's possible. At first, I was dazed by her beauty and grace. Now that I've got to know her, I'm dazed by her mind."

Worthington smiled. "I think that's the way it is with all the ladies in my family."

Giff wondered what Worthington meant, but they had reached the table, and their conversation ended as they attended to their ladies. The footmen set down the plates and another servant brought champagne. Perhaps Giff would ask later. "I brought you everything except lobster patties."

"This is wonderful." Once again Giff was blinded by her smile. Good Lord! Was he in love?