CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next morning, Alice's sisters and brothers-in-law gathered in the breakfast room with their older children. Because they had been promised a trip to London Tower if they behaved, each one of her nieces and nephews were on their best behavior. Even Hugh, Charlotte and Con's son, was trying his best to behave. Unfortunately for him, it had not stopped a piece of egg from his fork from flying across the table, or his sister taking him to task for it.

She watched Lord St. Albans's interactions with her family, especially the children. Or rather his lack of interaction as he said very little. Yet, after Alice's talk with Con last night, she had decided to give him another opportunity to prove himself. It had not happened. He had not appeared to like having the children there at all. Of course, that did solve her problem of whether he could be made a suitable husband. In fact, she was glad he had failed the test. Every time she was around him she felt as if her skin no longer fit her properly. How or why that could be she had no idea. Alice tried to catch her twin's eye, but Eleanor was focused on Lord Montagu who had just risen from the table.

"I regret to say I must take my leave if I am not to be late for the vote today." He bowed to Grace. "Thank you for inviting me."

"It was my pleasure." Her sister smiled.

"I must be going as well." St. Albans stood abruptly.

Alice was glad he had decided to leave.

Matt pushed back his chair and rose as well. "I'll walk you to the door."

Then the rest of her brothers-in-law departed as well.

Her sisters and Dotty remained for a while longer before going. As Alice started up the stairs, her twin gave her an odd look. "You are happy this morning."

"You obviously did not see how disgruntled Lord St. Albans was by having to share his breakfast with the children." It occurred to her she was almost gleeful about his behavior. "I do not believe he approved at all."

"You think this will convince him to look elsewhere for a lady?" Eleanor's tone was dubious.

"I certainly hope he does." Alice reached the landing and waited for her sister. "He must understand that he does not fit with the lives we have."

"We knew not many gentlemen would," her sister reminded her.

"Very true. I hope you discover Lord Montagu is one who does." Alice opened the door to her bedchamber. "I shall meet you in our parlor."

An hour later, they and their footmen made their way to the new Burlington Arcade. "It is a shame the Pantheon Bazaar has become so shabby. It used to be fun going there."

"And so inexpensive," Madeline said.

Eleanor nodded. "But the Burlington Arcade is much nicer now."

They entered a store with personal ornaments.

"I need a fan for this evening." Eleanor said, glancing around the offerings. She picked up a fan with a scene painted in emerald green, deep pink, cream, and yellow. "What do you think?"

Alice tried to remember what her twin was wearing this evening. "You are wearing your yellow and cream gown?"

Eleanor nodded. "Yes."

That would go well. "It will brighten it up."

"Oooo. Look what I found." Madeline pointed to a pair of garnet combs displayed in a glass case.

"They are beautiful." Eleanor said. "They will sparkle in the candlelight."

Alice glanced at Eleanor. "I was going to have my maid use pearls, but now I think I would like the hairpins."

"I agree." She chose emerald glass-tipped pins and held them up.

"Yes." Alice imagined them with her sister's gown. "They would be perfect. I like the purple hairpins."

She could see her sister doing the same thing she had just done. Eleanor grinned. "I agree. The purple will go well with your gown."

Once they made their purchases, they went to Hatchards, then home for luncheon. Alice was thrilled Charlie was there as well.

"Can you give me time to speak with Matt and Charlie about my coal mine idea?" Eleanor asked.

"Of course." Alice wished she was as drawn to a cause like Eleanor was. It had been fortunate that she had inherited land that included a mine. "Try to be quick. I am quite puckish."

She smiled over her shoulder. "I will."

Alice waited with Madeline until her stomach started to growl. "I am going to have luncheon."

"I will go with you." Madeline looped her arm with Alice's. "I am a little envious of Eleanor. She has found her cause, and Lord Montagu seems to be coming along nicely."

Alice sighed. "I was just having the same thoughts. I wish I would meet a gentleman who meets the qualifications."

* * *

Giff had been rather shocked to see young children allowed at the breakfast table, especially when guests had been invited. His father would never have permitted it. Giff had even disapproved. But on his way to Cleveland House, he remembered the times he'd visited his mother's parents. Her eldest brother and his family lived in the castle along with the youngest brother and his family. As they'd been doing for centuries, everyone still broke their fast in the great hall, including the children. And his cousins had been no better behaved than the little boy whose eggs landed on the table at Worthington House. He could see his mother raise a brow at his initial reaction and question his reasons. He'd get a child, but not want it around? How, she would ask, could he possibly think such a thing was natural? The only answer, of course, was that it wasn't. Drat it all. What was it about Lady Alice that had him questioning himself? He gave himself a shake. Of course, he might question himself. He was about to change his whole life. He'd be stupid not to look at things a bit differently.

When he arrived home and dismounted, Fergus was there to take Horace. "I heard her grace wants to see ye."

"Thank you." If Fergus knew then Gunn knew and was probably getting Giff's bath ready. He wasn't going to his mother smelling of horse again. He reached his chamber and found he'd been right. Once he'd bathed, he went to Mamma's parlor and tapped on the door.

His mother's maid opened the door. "Oh good. Her grace has been waiting for ye."

"Good morning." Mamma sat behind her desk. "I wanted to go over the next few days of entertainments with you."

He slid into the plush chair in front of her desk. "I'm all ears."

She gave him a doubtful look. "I will also give the list to Gunn." She picked up one card and put it in front of him. "Tomorrow afternoon we are going to Lady Thornhill's." Giff nodded. "The next evening, we will attend Lady Markham's ball." Giff nodded again. "Two days after that is Lady Brownly's musical evening. Do not forget and plan to be somewhere else. That is all for now."

He didn't know where the hell she thought he might go. He'd refused all the invitations he'd been sent. And he'd told her he'd do as she said. Something must have got under her skin. "Yes, ma'am."

* * *

The next day Giff accompanied his mother to Lady Thornhill's afternoon soiree. "Aren't these things usually held in the evening?"

"It will most likely continue to early evening," Mamma said. "A number of artists attend. I have always thought it was not just for the connections, but the food as well."

"A charitable venture then." Was this the type of thing to which Lady Alice had been referring?

Mamma's eyes twinkled as if she wanted to laugh. "Something of the sort. It is a way for artists to meet patrons. Although, I have never thought of it as charity. Merely a helping hand." She glanced at him as they entered the house. "Why do you ask?"

"Someone mentioned charitable activities to me the other day." He was damned if he'd tell his mother about Lady Alice. She was perfectly capable of stirring the pot in the name of assisting.

Lady Thornhill greeted them as they entered her enormous drawing room. Giff was surprised when she bussed his mother's cheek. "Mairead, it is good to see you again. Is all well with your family?"

"In general." She drew him forward. "I'd like to present my son, the Marquis of St. Albans."

Her ladyship gave Mamma a look of approval. "Well done, my dear." Lady Thornhill offered her hand. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my lord."

No curtseying then. Taking her digits in his hand, he bowed. "The pleasure is mine, my lady."

By the sounds of it, another group came in behind them. "Your grace," Lady Thornhill smiled at Alice and her sisters. Why the devil were they here? From the little his mother had said, this wasn't a place for young ladies. At least that's what he'd thought. "Allow me to introduce to you Lady Eleanor Carpenter, Lady Alice Carpenter, and Lady Madeline Vivers." They curtseyed. "Ladies, the Duchess of Cleveland."

"It is very nice to meet you." His mother did not seem at all surprised they were here. "May I present my son, the Marquis of St. Albans?"

They curtseyed, and Lady Alice's eyes narrowed slightly. "We already know his lordship."

Mamma got a look in her eyes that did not bode well for him. "Indeed?"

"Yes, ma'am." He cleared his throat and bowed. "We were introduced by Montagu one morning when the ladies were riding and again at Almack's." When his mother didn't respond, he kept talking, "I waltzed with Lady Alice and danced with Ladies Eleanor and Madeline."

"I see." Mamma gave her attention back to the ladies. "I hope he entertained you."

Why in the bloody hell-hounds had she said that?!

"Yes, your grace," all three of them said at the same time.

At least he could take the opportunity to ask her for a set at the next ball. "Lady Alice, I'd like to ask you for the supper dance at Lady Markham's ball."

"I would be delighted, my lord." Her words were what he had expected, but she didn't sound as delighted as she should.

"Thank you." He glanced at her sisters. "I'd like to ask you for sets as well. Whichever ones you choose."

"The first country dance," Lady Eleanor said.

"The Quadrille," Lady Madeline replied.

"My pleasure." He offered his arm to Lady Alice. "Will you do me the honor of strolling with me around the room?"

Alice wanted to tell him she would not, but that would be not only churlish, but impolite, especially after she had accepted his offer of a set to be polite. "Of course."

"I've been told there are artists here."

That is what Grace had said. "I have been told that as well."

"There are also some politicians and philosophers. Lady Thornhill gathers a rather eclectic group." He sounded different than usual.

"Are you speaking with a Scottish accent?"

Lord St. Albans's reddish-brown brows shot up. "Am I?"

Well that had surprised him. "You are."

"I've been with my mother a great deal lately. I'm probably getting it from her. She can be very Scottish when she's not in public."

That was interesting. "Have you spent much time in Scotland?"

He seemed uncomfortable for some reason. "Part of every summer and almost every other Hogmanay. New Year's. It's what my maternal grandfather insisted upon in order for my father to marry my mother."

"I see." She glanced at a group and started in their direction.

"Who are they?"

"One of them is the artist that painted my sisters and me last year." The gathering was having a lively discussion. "I do not think I should interrupt them. The artist in the blue gown is Louisa Stuart Costello. She is extraordinarily talented."

"I shall mention her to my mother. She will know someone looking for a portraitist."

Alice was almost shocked. That was the first helpful thing he had said. "Thank you."

They had almost finished their stroll. "I wanted to tell you that your breakfast the other morning reminded me of my mother's family. Two of my uncles and their families reside with my grandparents. They all dine together as well."

Alice had been so sure he had not enjoyed the meal. She had to search for something to say to him. "I suppose they are better behaved."

He shook his head. "Not at all. I hope the little boy didn't get into too much trouble."

Poor Hugh. "He does try, but according to Worthington he takes after Kenilworth a great deal."

Lord St. Albans put a hand over his lips. "The poor child. I trust he will not inherit all of his father's bad habits."

There it was again. Con had not been funning when he said he had been different when he had met Charlotte.

They arrived near the door where Grace was speaking with Dotty. Harry Stern was standing next to Madeline, and Eleanor was with Lord Montagu. Grace had been right about these soirees being well attended. Alice was glad she had come. She was even pleasantly pleased with Lord St. Albans. Even if he had not said anything of note.

He bent his head to her and whispered, "Will you accompany me on a carriage ride tomorrow afternoon?"

"Thank you. I will." Perhaps he would turn out to be better than she thought. Her skin started to prickle again. Maybe agreeing to a ride had not been a good idea.