CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Giff arrived at three o'clock and was led to the same room in which Alice had written the missive. The family was already gathered including the Great Danes. He had not even been able to greet anyone before Posy came to him immediately asking for attention. "You are a beautiful girl, but I must say good day to the rest of your family."

"I am glad you are here," Alice said. "I believe you know everyone."

"Good afternoon." He bowed.

"Welcome," Lady Worthington said. "I hope you do not mind. This is a family occasion."

"Not at all. It is a pleasure to be in company who does not stand on precedent."

Worthington shook Giff's hand. "Welcome. I'm glad you've joined us."

The two youngest members of the family, Gideon and Elizabeth, looked at him almost suspiciously if he was not mistaken. Ladies Mary and Theo smiled encouragingly.

Giff felt both welcomed and inspected. Just like when he first went to Scotland. No one knew what he was about. He'd love to put everyone at ease, but he had no intention of misleading any of them regarding his desire to marry Alice. And she was not ready to hear a proposal. "I am very glad to join you."

Alice led him to a sofa. He took a seat after she did. Posy sat next to him on the other side. "I must say, I have never seen a dog sit on a sofa like a human."

"They are people too," Elizabeth said protectively.

Interesting. "They are." There was no point in arguing with a member of the infantry. "I have always wanted to have a dog in the house, but not one of the small ones."

Mary nodded approvingly.

"Are you a member of the Lords?" Gideon asked.

"No. And thankfully so. That would mean my Papa had died."

The boy looked at his father. "I would not like that at all."

"You see what I mean."

Gideon nodded. "But what do you do? My uncle Phinn is not a peer, but he and my Aunt Augusta study languages and foreign architecture."

That was a very good question. What was Giff's role in life? "You make a good point. Other than preparing to be a duke, I must find another occupation. It has been suggested that I can be politically active before I am a peer. I will look into it."

"Very good," Gideon said approvingly.

"You could become involved in charities," Theo suggested. "Our family has some that help a great many people."

She sparked his curiosity. "Such as?"

"Taking in and training children who have no one to care for them. We hold classes here to teach them to read, write, and do sums. When they are old enough, they can select jobs for which they wish to train."

Was that who had delivered the messages to his house, and taught Lady Mary to slip them into pockets? Lady Theo could no doubt pick them as well. "What else?"

"We hire former military men and train them as footmen or in other professions," Worthington said.

"As you know, we also take care of widows and their children," Alice added.

She had mentioned that. Giff hadn't known anyone who did more than give money to charities. He wished he had been pushed into a direction before now. Because Alice had such a large family, he'd gone to Debrett's to find out more about them. Title and bloodline wise, they had married well. But there was something more. A bond that knitted them all together. When he married her, he would have to fit in.

He stroked the dog. "I have heard you have family meetings. My mother's family in Scotland do the same thing."

"We do." Edward's face lit up. "Every summer and every other Christmas we are together at Worthington Place. Do you meet at the same place?"

"We do, or rather I do. My mother comes in summer for a few weeks. I am there for New Year's. In Scotland, Christmas is not much of a celebration. That takes place on New Year's Eve. It's called Hogmanay. One of the important parts of the night is welcoming a dark-haired man. He's called the first foot." Giff pulled a face. "Unfortunately, anyone with red hair is considered bad luck. We have to stay well away from a front door until a dark-haired fellow shows up."

Gideon's grin split his face. "I would be welcomed."

"You would indeed. Perhaps sometime in the future you can come to Scotland and be a first foot."

"May I, Papa?"

"When you are older," Worthington said. "Alice told us you have inherited a property in Scotland."

"I have. Just recently." Giff told them about the estate and whisky production.

Alice seemed to listen intently. He wished he knew more about it. "I understand you have visited the farm in Norfolk."

"I have as have my brothers-in-law," Worthington said. "There are many very good practices. The only difficulty is sometimes convincing our tenants there are better methods than the old ones."

"Yes, but that is the way with most things," Lady Worthington said. "You remember the problems starting schools."

Schools on estates? Giff considered the challenges and the possibilities. "I must look into that."

"The husband of a friend came up with the perfect solution," Alice said. "If you are interested, we may discuss it."

"I am extremely interested." The time had gone so quickly. He was surprised to look at the clock when it struck the hour to see it was already five o'clock. "We should be going."

Standing, she drew on a pair of leather gloves. "My carriage will be waiting."

He helped her into the high-perched phaeton before climbing into his own side. At a nod from her, the groom let the horses go, and she expertly feathered the corner on to Hill Street. Giff folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the comfortable squabs. He could get used to this. Not saying anything, she cast him a quick look, then turned her attention to her horses. He studied her profile. Her rosy lips turned up slightly at the ends, and her jaw was relaxed. She must have a good deal of experience driving a carriage to be so calm. "How long have you been driving?"

"Since I was quite young. My papa"—her voice broke when she mentioned her father—"started teaching me. Later Grace had her friend Phoebe Evesham instruct us."

That was impressive. Her ladyship was one of the best whips in the country as well as being an excellent judge of horseflesh. "No wonder you are so good."

Alice's smile broadened. "Thank you."

They passed through the gate and onto the carriage way. As expected, they stopped every few feet as they were greeted by friends and acquaintances. His mother was riding with Lady Bellamny. He'd known her since he was a child, but neither that nor his rank saved him from the sharp edge of her tongue when she chose to use it on him. She greeted Alice as if she was a granddaughter. More pieces about the lady he wanted to marry fell into place. She had been raised amongst the haut ton, giving her a poise beyond her years. And she had not been sheltered from the suffering of others. She did not stand on ceremony, but she could give one an excellent garden-bear jaw when she thought it was needed. If only he had not been so full of himself when he'd first met her. He caught her ladyship's knowing look and inclined his head slightly. It was time to be seen with Alice enough to cause speculation about his intentions. And for her to see him as a possible husband.

Alice saw the look her ladyship gave St. Albans but could not work out what it meant. She was a little concerned about greeting the duchess. After all, she had not allowed St. Albans to attend her come out ball. She took a breath. "It is very nice to see you again, your grace."

The duchess's face was wreathed in smiles. "I am delighted to see you. I trust you are enjoying your ride?"

"I am." Alice could not resist shooting St. Alban's a grin. "His lordship has not attempted to hang on to the rail once."

"Never let it be said I'm pudding-hearted," St. Albans said.

"No, my dear," the duchess said. "That you never were. Much to my consternation at times."

Alice found herself wanting to hear about his mishaps as a child. Many times they told more about the person than their good behavior. Alice glanced behind her. "We must be moving on."

Her grace opened her mouth to say something and stopped. "We will see you later, I am sure."

"Will you be at the balloon ascension tomorrow?"

"I shall, indeed." Her grace smiled. "I would not miss something so exciting."

"Mamma, whose ball is it tomorrow evening?" St. Albans asked, sounding just like Matt.

Gentlemen never seemed to be able to keep track of a social calendar. "Lady Tuttle's."

"Ah yes. I remember now." He turned to Alice. "Would you grant me the supper dance? I promise you I will not serve you lobster patties."

Alice struggled not to laugh out loud. "Yes, you may have the set."

"Just in time. Here come Hereford and Bury."

Each of them asked for a dance as well, and Lord Bolingbrook rode up. "Lady Alice, may I have a set for the ball tomorrow?"

"You may. The third dance." Soon her dances were filled. When they reached the gate, it occurred to her she had spent most of the day with St. Albans and was reluctant to leave his company. "Shall we go for ices?"

"That is a wonderful idea." He smiled at her, and butterflies took up residence in her chest. That was in addition to the tingles. This was not good. "I'm looking forward to seeing what their special flavors are today."

It was a warm day, and Gunter's was already crowded. A harried waiter ran up to them. "Our flavors today are blueberry, melon, raspberry, and lavender."

St. Albans glanced at her. "You pick first. Perhaps we can share."

She was between two of the ices. "If you select the melon. I will have lavender."

"Excellent. Lavender and melon," he ordered. "This should be interesting."

"I hope they both taste good." Not that she thought they would not be. Gunter's had wonderful ices.

"It is Gunter's. I'm certain they will." Alice had never noticed how much they thought alike. "Although, I am not particularly fond of the cheese ices."

"I seem to remember Harry saying the same thing." Alice wondered how he and Madeline were enjoying their honeymoon. It was sad Alice's children would not be born around the same time as her sisters' but wanting that too much had caused her to make the mistake with Normanby.

"Here they are." St. Albans took the cups from the waiter, handed them to her, and paid the man. She gave him the melon and he ate a bite. "Very good. Try yours."

She did, and it was excellent. "You should try this."

He dipped his spoon into her ice and tasted it. "You're right. It is much better than I thought it would be. Try the melon."

She felt like a child again as they each ate some of the other's ice. She had not shared like this in years. "We should do this more often." Alice slapped her hand over her mouth. "I should not have said that."

He looked at her in surprise. "I don't know why not? I enjoy your company a great deal and would be happy to accompany you to Gunter's anytime you desire."

That was nice of him to say. "Thank you."

She was not ready for the day to end. "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

"I would. What time should I present myself?"

"We dine at six-thirty. It used to be earlier, but it is hard to get back from the Park in time."

"I must send for my kit."

"There is no need. We do not dress when we are dining with the children."

St. Albans tilted his head and stared at her. Did he not like the idea of being so informal? And why was she so tense? "What an excellent idea. I have often wondered why one must dress to have the evening meal with one's family."

She immediately relaxed. The prickles started again. What on earth did they mean? "We should go."

They arrived at Worthington House and strolled into the hall. "Thorton, Lord St. Albans will be dining with us."

"Yes, my lady. I shall inform her ladyship and Cook." He glanced at St. Albans. "My lord, if you will follow me. I will show you where you can freshen yourself."

"Thank you."

* * *

Grace was with the toddlers and Matt when they received the message that Lord St. Albans was joining them for dinner. "I like him. What do you think?"

Matt bounced their youngest son on his knee. "He's a much better choice than Normanby. I blame myself for letting that happen. I should have followed my instincts."

"Sweetheart." She placed her hand on his arm. "Even you are not all seeing. According to what the duchess said, he hid his financial difficulties extremely well along with his betrothal."

He grimaced. "At least St. Albans is an open book, so to speak."

Grace held Gaia up for a kiss. "What an interesting way to put it. I have never heard that saying before."

"One of the gentlemen at Brooks said it, and it seemed apt."

"I do hope something develops between Alice and St. Albans. She seems to think he is interested in another lady, but he has not been seen with anyone else. Do you think he might have said that because of the set-down she gave him?"

"I believe that is entirely possible. The story gives him a way of spending time with her without her knowing he is still interested. The night Normanby was carried out of the ball, I asked St. Albans if he was still wanted to marry her, and he told me he did."

That did not surprise Grace at all. "I have always thought there was something between them. A spark if you will."

Matt's gaze heated. "Like the one we have, my love?"

"Exactly like the one we have." She put her daughter down. "I only worry that Alice will turn to him because she was hurt."

"Before this morning, I would have agreed. But you saw the way he encouraged her to hit him as if he was Normanby. Sometimes that can be the perfect way to rid oneself of unwanted feelings."

It had seemed to help a great deal. "An unusual method for a lady, but you might be correct. I never liked how she was rushing it with Normanby. In a way it seemed desperate. We should have planned for what would happen when two of them married and one was left behind."

Matt nodded. "We have several years to come up with a plan for the next two. I am concerned about Theo coming out. She and Mary are so close, but the three years between them makes it impossible for them to come out together."

Matt was right. Grace sighed. "Let us go down to dinner."

"Ah yes." He grinned. "Another meal with St. Albans today."

"Hopefully, it will not be the last one. You remember Con coming to breakfast in his attempts to convince Charlotte to wed him."

"I do indeed. Like St. Albans, he started on the wrong foot." Matt tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "All we can do is help guide. That is especially true with Alice."

"She never did take well to being pushed to do anything." The worst thing about being a mother to her sisters was seeing them hurt. Grace straightened her shoulders. "It will all turn out well."

Matt smiled. "It always has before."