CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

Alice heaved a sigh of relief when Lord St. Albans said he had to go back to his mother. When she had first seen him tonight, it struck her how handsome he was. His auburn hair curled perfectly. His eyes were so green they vied with the emerald he wore in his elegantly tied cravat. He danced better than any of the gentlemen she had stood up with at the entertainments they had attended in the country. All that male beauty and grace, and there was nothing inside. It was a shame his parents had not taught him to be more charitable to others. On the other hand, she had no idea what his family was like. The duchess could be the reason he did not appear to care about anything. Or it could be the duke. Or even his nurse.

She rode home with Matt, Grace, and her sisters. Both the inner and outer lanterns had been lit allowing them to see each other.

As soon as they were settled, Grace said, "What did you think of Almack's?"

"It was not as oppressive as I thought it would be," Madeline said. "Yet, that might have been because I was surrounded by my family and friends."

"I was happy to be able to waltz." Eleanor looked delighted.

Alice wished she had had as much fun. "It was fine." She was not looking forward to attending again. "I suppose we must go back next week."

Grace gave her a sympathetic look. "We will. But there are many other entertainments to which to look forward."

"We were supposed to attend Lady Castlereagh's no, Lady Londonderry's ball tomorrow, but they are now in mourning," Eleanor said.

"Is there anything thing else to attend?" Madeline asked.

"Lady Markham has arranged a ball to take its place," Grace replied.

"The following night is Lady Harrington's ball," Eleanor added.

Hopefully, Alice would meet other gentlemen who had more to offer than Lord St. Albans.

"You will not have to worry about being well entertained." Matt's tone seemed almost unhappy.

Well, he need not worry about them. "We will not give you any trouble at all."

He raised both brows and pinned her with a stern look. "I've heard that before."

"It was not Dotty's fault those ladies mistook what she and Dom were doing." Madeline said. Although, that ended up well. "Or that Charlotte was kidnapped. Or that Louisa announced her marriage a bit too soon. Or that Augusta wanted to attend university." In fact, they all had happy endings.

Matt dragged a hand down his face. "Be that as it may, I would like to get through this Season without any of those things occurring again."

Her sisters, brothers-in-law, brothers, and cousins joined them for the supper Grace had planned. While everyone was getting settled, Alice decided to voice her opposition about St. Albans coming tomorrow morning. "Grace, did you have to invite St. Albans to breakfast?" Alice took a glass of wine from Thorton and was tempted to toss it down. "I am not at all certain I want him there."

"She did not have much of a choice," Matt pointed out. "He was rather like a hungry puppy."

"I suppose so." If one could call such an elegantly dressed and experienced gentleman a puppy. Alice sat down next to Charlotte and Con on one of the two large sofas in the drawing room.

"What has put your back up about St. Albans?" Con asked.

"He does not appear to care about anything. When I asked him about charitable works, he was not at all interested."

Con's eyes sparkled with mirth. "When Charlotte and I met, I was the same. I cared only for my own entertainment."

Alice had not known that. Then again, she had only been twelve years old. And he was nothing like that now. "But you changed."

"Very true. I did. Something happened that proved to me Charlotte was right about an argument we had been having. It caused me to step back and look at the life I was leading."

Were most gentlemen like that? Matt had not seemed to be, but he was responsible for his sisters. "Maybe I could talk to Lord St. Albans and make him understand how important it is to do even small acts of charity."

"You can always try. Although, I believe a gentleman must have something happen in order to effect lasting change." He glanced at Matt. "Take Worthington. He led much the same type of life I did until he decided to marry and found the lady he wanted to wed." Con's brows drew together. "I might even remember when it happened. We'd both been invited to a hunting party, and he suddenly left saying something about needing to go to Town." Con glanced at her and shrugged. "The next thing I knew he had wed."

Alice had not known that about Matt. And she did not know how she could create an event that would change someone. She should take Georgie's advice and simply enjoy Lord St. Albans's company. Yet something told Alice that it was not something she was likely to do. "Surely, he must do something other than have fun. How can one live like that? He must have some purpose in life."

Con raised a brow. "If he does, I don't know what it is. I do know he doesn't have any horrible habits."

Which habits was he thinking about? "Such as?"

He stared at her as if he did not know what he should tell her. "Gambling for instance. He hardly gambles at all, and I have only once seen him drink to excess."

Well, that was something. However, not wasting money on cards or drinking moderately did not seem such a great thing. Then again, the ton was full of people who ruined their families engaging in those habits. Alice nodded. "Thank you for telling me."

Con inclined his head. "It's my pleasure. Just ask if there is anything I can do to help."

Louisa suddenly broke out into laughter. "She is setting a test for him."

What was going on?

Charlotte leaned over Con. "Eleanor thinks we should bring the children to breakfast tomorrow."

Alice had to smile. That would give both her and her sister more insight into the gentlemen.

Rothwell groaned. "He's in for it now." He glanced at Eleanor. "If you are sure that is what you want, we'll bring them."

"I for one think it is a very good idea," Dotty said. "After all, if he cannot deal with the whole family, then what good is he?"

"I agree." Charlie said. "We are an extremely close family. As evidenced"—he grinned—"by the extra trunk I had to purchase to hold all the letters I received from you."

"One does not marry the person, but the family." Rothwell appeared chagrinned. "As I have reason to know."

"It was not that bad." Louisa looked at him lovingly.

He glanced at Matt. "It did teach me to listen to more experienced heads."

"It's settled then." Con tossed off his glass of wine and stood. "Any potential spouse must get on with all of us." He helped Charlotte up and turned to Alice. "If we are going to participate in Morning Mayhem, we must be off."

"Not you too!" Eleanor sounded disapproving, but her lips were twitching. "Morning Mayhem indeed."

"You must admit"—Grace finally stopped laughing—"it does fit. Marquises picking egg from the table—"

"And dukes wiping eggs from faces," Dotty added. "The ton would be in shock."

"They would expect the footmen to run around cleaning up after the children, if"—Charlotte gave them an arch look—"they would even have children join them at breakfast."

Eleanor rose. "I'm for my bed as well. Morning comes earlier and earlier. Good night."

Alice was tired too. She stood and glanced at Madeline. "I'll join you."

"Yes, I am coming. It is past my bedtime."

The three of them followed Con and Charlotte out of the drawing room to the hall then to their rooms. Normally Alice would have joined her sisters in their parlor, but this evening she wanted to keep her thoughts to herself. Even though she did not think she could fall in love and marry Lord St. Albans, he needed help. She could provide that while she was waiting for her eventual husband to appear. She still did not want him joining them to break his fast in the morning.

* * *

Giff went back to the ballroom and found his mother, who was speaking with a lady who had two young ladies both with brown hair and rather sallow complexions standing next to her.

"St. Albans." His mother took his arm and looked at the matron. "Susan, allow me to present my son, St. Albans. St. Albans this is Lady Woodville."

He bowed. "A pleasure, my lady."

The lady curtseyed. "I have heard so much about you."

Mamma glanced at one of the ladies. "Lady Ester, please allow me to present my son, Lord St. Albans." Mamma squeezed his arm. The only thing she could be suggesting is that he dance with the lady. "St. Albans, this is Lady Ester Powell."

Giff bowed and Lady Ester curtseyed gracefully, but not as gracefully as Lady Alice. "May I have the next set?"

Her lips trembled, and he didn't know if she was afraid of him or of smiling. "You may, my lord."

"Thank you. I will come for you when the prelude begins." He turned and stopped himself before he could tell his mother he wished to depart after the next set. He'd have to have a word with her when he brought Lady Ester back.

Giff circled the large room and was not pleased to see the Marquis of Normanby had been admitted. Giff hadn't liked him at school, and nothing had changed. He couldn't cut him, but he could pretend not to have seen the man.

"St. Albans," Normanby said.

So much for that idea. "Normanby. I trust you are well."

The man started to raise his quizzer, but the look in Giff's face must have made him change his mind. "Never better. I didn't think to see you here."

Giff was not at all happy with the idea that Normanby was wife hunting. "I suppose you are looking for a wife as well?"

"Indeed. It is time," the man confirmed.

It was time for Giff to have a life other than one of frivolity. But that was a subject he wouldn't mention.

Normanby sketched a shallow bow. "Good luck."

"To you as well. Please excuse me. There is someone with whom I must speak." Giff walked off. Fortunately, the prelude to the next set began. He circled around to where Lady Ester was still standing with her mother and led her to the dance floor for a country dance. She appeared more at ease than she had previously.

They took their places, and he bowed as she curtseyed. "Are you enjoying yourself this evening?"

"I am, my lord." She gave him a polite smile, and it occurred to him that she had the same expression most of the ladies had. Except for Lady Alice who had clearly showed her delight and her displeasure. "We are at Almack's, are we not?"

He gave the same smile back to Lady Ester. "We are." Complete with weak tea, sour lemonade, stale bread and butter, and dry cake. They moved forward with the movement of the set then turned to dance with the next partner.

She danced well though she was not as graceful as Lady Alice. When they came together again, she said, "Will you be at Lady Winter's ball?"

Lady Winter? He knew who she was but did not recall that being one of the events he was attending. "I am not certain. I will accompany my mother to whatever event she wishes to attend."

"I understand." The smile remained pasted on Lady Ester's face. "We have been having lovely weather."

The weather had been favorable lately. "Yes, it has been lovely." At this point he would have dropped a tidbit of gossip, but the gossip he normally discussed was not suitable for young ladies. What the devil was he to talk about? They had a new monarch. That might work. "Have you been reading about the coronation?"

Lady Ester's smile broadened a little. "Yes, indeed. How exciting it will be. Papa said we will attend. I suppose you will be there as well."

Not if he could avoid it. Giff hoped he would be on his honeymoon by then. "I imagine I will."

When they came back together again, Lady Ester said, "Did you hear that we will all be in Tudor costume?"

Giff had not and was very glad that the dance did not allow extensive conversation about the subject. It appeared being king would not halt Prinny's spending at all. He was looking forward to hearing what his mother would have to say. The set ended and he escorted Lady Ester to her mother, who had been edged out from his mother's circle. He bowed. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

"I shall, my lord." She gave him a coquettish look.

Giff made his way to Mamma. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Yes, my dear." She made her farewells, took his arm, and they strolled to the stairs. "Who were the ladies you danced with earlier?"

"Lord Worthington's wards. Ladies Alice and Eleanor Carpenter and Lady Madeline Vivers."

"How interesting. Lord and Lady Worthington's love story was all the rage several years ago. I hear the family is quite large."

"It is. I am joining them for breakfast after my ride tomorrow morning." They waited while their coach was being brought around.

She tilted her head as she gazed at him. "Where have you been breaking your fast?"

How did she even know he'd been dining elsewhere? "At Montagu's house. They breakfast early."

"You poor boy." Mamma patted his arm. "Soon you will have your own house, and you may eat as early as you wish."

"I trust you are correct." He noticed that she didn't offer to have Cook make him breakfast. Giff helped her into the town coach. "I have been having a problem making conversation with the young ladies."

Mamma went into a peel of laughter. "I did wonder. After all, your normal charming chatter is not suitable for them. Dear me. I suppose you should start reading some of the gossip sheets and pay more attention to court news."

He pulled a face and she laughed again. "I am glad to have amused you, ma'am."

Mamma rapped his arm with her fan. "It is your own fault. You must have known you would have to make some changes."

Giff leaned his head against the soft leather swabs and tried to form a list of suitable topics. The weather was always appropriate, as his mother had said, the royals, fashion. He knew a few gentlemen who attracted a lot of female attention because they could discuss gowns. Horses. Lady Alice had a very fine Cleveland Bay mare. Good works. She also seemed interested in those. On the other hand, he was the heir to a dukedom and what lady didn't want to be a duchess?