Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

ANNE

I didn’t stop walking until I reached my bedchamber. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. My lips still burned from Alexander’s kiss. I burst through the door, closing it firmly behind me. I paced across the room, wiping at a tear on my cheek. I stopped in front of the looking glass, catching sight of my wild eyes and flushed lips.

What had I done?

That kiss had not been part of a game. It hadn’t been a forfeit. I had no excuse. Though Alexander had started it, I had been a willing participant. Butterflies still raged in my stomach. I should have pushed him away from the first touch of his lips, but I was weak. Pain radiated around my heart, spreading through my arms and fingers. I pressed a hand to my chest as a lump formed in my throat. A sob rattled my body, and I leaned over the vanity table to steady myself.

Was it true? Had Miles changed his mind?

How could he change his mind before seeing me one last time? It wasn’t fair.

The day had been exhausting and confusing enough already before Alexander had all but proposed to me. He had left me with no question about his feelings. My heart had never been more conflicted. How could I trust what Alexander told me about Miles? He had initiated the brawl with Miles on the street that day.

Was it his jealousy that caused it?

What if Miles did plan to be true to his word, but Alexander was simply making one last attempt to turn me against him? He could have lied about his conversation with Miles. I needed to find him to learn for myself what his intentions were.

I wiped the last of my tears from my cheeks. For the moment, it would be wise to bury my conflicting emotions. I had nothing to cry about. Today should have been the most thrilling, happy day of my life. I was the heiress of Birch House and Lady Tottenham’s fortune. That needed to be at the front of my mind. Her announcement would be made in the morning. I needed to rest.

But as I fell asleep, all I could think of was Alexander. His dark eyes, his wet hair, his white shirt clinging to his chest, his sweet words, his kiss, his arms around me…it all played out in a never-ending circle. I couldn’t turn back time. That moment would haunt me forever.

My eyes were puffy as Jane arranged my hair in the morning. I chose my brown floral morning dress before making my way downstairs. I was more restless than usual, jumping at every sound behind me on the staircase. I didn’t know what I would do if I encountered Alexander before reaching the safety of the room full of guests. I didn’t know what I would say to him or how to behave.

I stopped at the breakfast room door with a forceful breath. Relax, I demanded. My nerves had multiple causes, one of which was about to unfold. If Lady Tottenham was well enough to join us at breakfast, she had promised to make an announcement to the household about my victory in her game. I squared my shoulders before entering the room.

Lady Tottenham sat at the head of the long table. Victoria, Octavia, and Mrs. Pike stood at the sideboard. All the men had already assembled their plates and were sitting at the round table.

Alexander wasn’t there yet.

Relief streamed over me. I released the breath in my lungs. Upon noticing my entrance, Lady Tottenham waved me forward, gesturing at the open chair nearest her place at the head of the table. I gave a gracious smile, crossing the room to join her.

“You look well,” I said. “Are you feeling much improved?”

Her thin brows lifted. “Oh, yes. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to make my announcement this morning.”

My stomach twisted. Octavia was listening. She set her plate down at the table, tipping her head to one side as she observed my position beside Lady Tottenham. I usually sat at the round table beside Alexander, but that would not be happening today.

Where was he? Was he still avoiding the party? I dared a look at the doorway, my heart beating a shallow rhythm. I didn’t know whether I wanted to see him or not. What would he think when he heard Lady Tottenham’s announcement? I wanted to explain everything to him—how I had found the locket, gone to London, and dared to knock on Lady Tottenham’s bedchamber door.

But how could I face him?

How could we ever interact the way we used to?

That kiss had changed everything.

“Are you all right, my dear?” Lady Tottenham’s round green eyes tugged me out of my thoughts. I had been staring at the door for too long.

“Yes, of course.” I forced a smile.

“What would you like? Eggs? Toast? Nectarines?” She snapped her fingers, apparently signaling the nearest footman to pick up a plate.

“Oh—the fruit would be sufficient.”

“You must never serve yourself from this day forward. The wonderful thing about my efficient staff is that you shall never have to lift a finger.”

I cast my gaze around the table as the footman lowered my plate to the table in front of me. I wasn’t certain my stomach could hold any food at the moment. Victoria’s fork paused, her jaw hanging open. Before that morning, Lady Tottenham had only ever utilized servants for her own benefit. She seemed to enjoy stirring up gossip prior to her announcement. I could tell by the smirk on her lips.

“Eat, child. You look like a ghost.”

I glanced at her from the corner of my eye. Lady Tottenham was the one who had practically matched her white sheets the day before. How had she managed to regain so much energy?

I stabbed at a slice of nectarine with my fork. My grip loosened when I looked up at the doorway. Alexander strode into the room. He wore a light blue waistcoat with a navy jacket—the same jacket he had draped over my shoulders the night before. I stared down at my plate before he could meet my eyes, my pulse picking up speed. Lady Tottenham knew that our ruse was over, but what would the other guests think if Alexander and I began ignoring one another?

They might not even notice. They would soon have a much larger piece of gossip to chew on.

Lady Tottenham perked up in her chair, watchful eyes examining the entire room. I didn’t dare look up from the table. I could feel Alexander’s gaze on me as he passed. He must have taken a seat, because Lady Tottenham spoke in a loud voice. “Now that you are all present, there is a very important announcement I should like to make.”

Taking a gulp from my glass of water, I prepared for the scrutiny I was soon to be under. I straightened my spine. I offered my hand when Lady Tottenham rose shakily to her feet.

“On your first day at Birch House, I offered all of you one vital piece of information. Not only would we play many games during the course of the party, but the entire party itself has been a game. I watched for those among you who showed the most wit, the most independence, and determination. Some of you received clues and riddles. Some of those riddles went unsolved or ignored, but Lady Daventry played my game to the end. She showed that she was dedicated enough to win my prize.”

I met Octavia’s gaze. She did not look pleased.

“Lord Tottenham and I were never blessed with children of our own, but our wealth has multiplied fruitfully enough, given my wise investments in the past decades. But my physician has recently informed me that my health is in rapid decline, so I was forced to face the question of whom to name as the sole beneficiary of my will. Lord Tottenham’s fondness for games led me to the idea of organizing a competition amongst my acquaintances, with the prize unbeknownst to any of you. If you had known what you were competing for, there would have been bloodshed.” She laughed, placing one hand on my shoulder. “Alas, Lady Daventry was the only one to solve my puzzle, and so I have named her the heiress of Birch House and my fifty thousand pounds. Let us all give her a congratulatory round of applause.”

The shock in the room was palpable. The air was too thick to inhale. Mrs. Pike gasped, and Victoria choked on her water.

Mr. Lymington was the first one to applaud. The others joined him one at a time. The scattered, bewildered clapping made me want to sink into my chair and disappear. The overall reaction was shock, but I sensed the immediate regret of all the women at my table. Mr. Lymington was the only person smiling. Mr. Hatcher put his head in his hands.

I accidentally looked at Alexander. His shock was written all over his face.

Lady Tottenham continued, “Lady Daventry solved my puzzle much more quickly than I expected. Nevertheless, we shall not dissolve the house party just yet. You are all welcome for the remainder of the week as promised, so long as you keep the rules and offer your full participation. You may have noticed that Lord Kirkham, Mr. St. Vincent, and Mr. Barnwall were… eliminated , if you will. They declined my invitation to a midnight game.” She sighed. “At any rate, we shall carry on with another diverting day. The game is over, but the party continues. Tonight I will hold a ball celebrating my new heiress. You are all welcome to attend, of course.”

She settled into her chair. She appeared completely unaffected by the sense of dismay in the room. She knew that none of the guests dared question her. I aspired to her level of confidence. She spread a large dollop of orange marmalade on her toast before taking a bite.

“Congratulations, my lady.” Mrs. Pike’s voice was kind, but her eyes shone with envy. Her modest living could have benefitted from such a fortune, to be sure. I was not more deserving than Mrs. Pike, or Victoria, or anyone else. The inheritance felt like nothing short of charity, and I had never been comfortable with receiving that from anyone.

“How did you solve the riddle?” Victoria asked with an awed expression. “Octavia and I had clues of our own, but we never finished.”

“The key was the most difficult bit,” I said. “It was hidden in the hexagon room.”

“I thought so!” Victoria stabbed at her plate with frustration. “We must have been close to finding it ourselves. Tell us more.”

I told them the entire story. I was overly aware of Alexander from the corner of my eye, observing the conversation. I felt guilty for being the sole beneficiary when he had accompanied me on so many of my quests for the riddles. I wanted to discuss all the details with him and to hear his thoughts on the matter. He must have been eager to speak with me, but I was surrounded.

The attention from the others was just as suffocating. Finally, Lady Tottenham excused everyone but me from the breakfast room without any manner of subtlety. The prattle seemed to be overburdening her as well.

My stomach sank when Alexander stood from his seat at the table. I nearly jumped out of my chair to follow him. The awkwardness between us had to be resolved somehow. I was slowly drowning in it.

When the room was empty, Lady Tottenham leaned toward me. “One of my connections has made a publication this morning that might interest you.” She waved a footman forward, whispering an intelligible request. Less than a minute later, he returned to the room with a silver salver. A document rested on top.

Lady Tottenham gestured for me to take it. My eyes widened when I read the name of the column.

September 10, 1818

A widow nearing the age of thirty would be a subject of pity if she were to enter the marriage mart this Season. However, one such widow could prove to be the greatest competition to any young debutante with or without a sizeable dowry. It has come to my attention that the widow of the late Baron of Daventry has been named heiress of Birch House of Lockhart Square. Prepare, my dear reader, to be further astonished. Lady Daventry will also inherit the respectable widow Lady Tottenham’s entire fortune of fifty thousand pounds.

During the course of a house party hosted by Lady Tottenham herself, fourteen guests were presented with the challenge of playing a series of games, solving riddles, and remaining in Lady Tottenham’s favor. I, and many others, will surely find the method quite peculiar, though the outcome cannot be argued with. In the end, Lady Daventry prevailed. Will she join the marriage mart this season? A fine beauty, an accomplished mind, and fifty thousand will make her an incomparable this Season. She has won a life-altering prize. Now the true question remains: Who will win her hand?

My sources have informed me that this very fortunate woman will not settle for less than true love. Has someone already stolen her heart? Or is it available for the taking? Mr. Alexander Holland, a fellow guest at Birch House, has already been in steady pursuit of Lady Daventry. I suspect he is soon to have a great deal of competition.

For an article written by Lady Teignmouth, I was surprised by the lack of insults. The final lines brought a wave of heat to my cheeks. My fake courtship with Alexander was never meant to spread outside of Birch House, but now all of London would learn of it. I exhaled through my lips. “How did Lady Teignmouth discover the news so quickly?” I whispered.

Lady Tottenham smiled. “We are well-acquainted.”

“You know her?” As far as I knew, there was no woman in London called ‘Lady Teignmouth.’ It was a nom de plume . After years of writing hateful gossip about the people of London, I doubted she would ever reveal her true identity.

Lady Tottenham gave a deep chuckle, lowering her voice. “I thought you were more clever than that.”

I raised my eyebrows. The mischievous smile on her face made my jaw drop. “You?”

She touched one of her ginger curls, a gleam of pride lighting up her face. “It will be our secret.”

I gasped. “You wrote about my sister and Lord Bampton? About Leonora and Mr. Ball?”

“The incident with Lord Bampton was what first brought you and your sister to my attention. Ever since then, I have been intrigued by you—a respectable widow with a wild younger sister and a very dismal future. I invited you here for a reason. I always hoped you would win.”

All the new information I had gathered over the past day made my head hurt. A laugh escaped my throat. “I want to be angry with you for writing those articles, but how can I? You have improved my life forever.”

She laughed, patting my arm. “It’s the least I can do.” She winked. “Now, since I am feeling well today, we must take advantage of it. Come with me to the study. We shall begin your training. You have a natural grace and elegance about you, but the mistress of Birch House must be incomparable .”

I helped her to her feet with a nod. “I will never live up to you,” I said with a nervous laugh.

“No, you will not.” She looped her arm through my elbow with a pompous smile. “But I should like to see you try.”

She led me out of the room with a chuckle.

I never would have expected it, but it seemed Lady Tottenham was now my only friend at Birch House.

In the study, she spent the entire morning showing me all the ledgers, listing all the servants that had been most loyal, and explaining all the positions of the household. She showed me the menu of her cook’s most successful dishes, the housekeeper’s schedule, the contact address for her steward, solicitor, and physician, and countless other items of business that would surely flee my mind after a night’s rest. It would take more than one morning for me to memorize all of it. Lady Tottenham’s high spirits gave me hope that she would live longer than expected. I had much to learn.

My head spun as I left the study two hours later. Perhaps I could write a letter to Henrietta. She would be positively bewildered to hear about all that had transpired in my life. I desperately craved her advice and good humor. I needed it now more than ever.

I held up my skirts to keep from tripping as I made my way down both flights of stairs toward the ground floor of the house. I doubted there was anyone amongst the guests who wanted to see me. They must have all been enjoying their time gossiping about me. I would ruin their conversation if I walked into the drawing room now.

Was Alexander in his room? Was he outside? I doubted he was in the mood for socializing. My heart pounded at the thought of facing him. I had to eventually. The recent memory of our kiss galloped through my mind.

A knock echoed at the front door as I passed through the vestibule. I paused, stepping behind the bannister to watch as the butler opened the door.

I felt the blood drain from my face as I heard the voice beyond the doorway.

“Yes, come in,” The butler said as he stepped aside, giving me a clear view of the man crossing the threshold of Birch House.

It was Miles.