Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

ALEXANDER

A nne didn’t stir as I opened the study door. A light snore escaped her nose as I approached. I smiled. She would murder me if she knew I had even heard the sound. She lay on the blue sofa, one arm tucked under her head. Her dark lashes were like crescents on her cheeks where the last of her tears had dried. I hated to wake her out of such a beautiful slumber, but I also hated to think of her sleeping the entire night on a stiff sofa. The room was dim, lit only by a single candle. The wick had almost burned out.

“Anne,” I whispered.

Her eyes fluttered open with a dazed look.

“You’re an heiress now, you mustn’t ever sleep on a sofa again.”

The party had ended several minutes before. Lady Tottenham had been concerned about Anne’s whereabouts, but I had explained that she was feeling unwell in her room. Thankfully Lady Tottenham seemed to be taking a break from her midnight parlor games, so the house was quiet. All the remaining house guests had gone to bed.

Anne stretched her arms, brushing her hair off her face with an embarrassed smile. Her eyes were still half-closed.

“You look exhausted.”

“I’m not.” She tried to sit up.

I hid my amusement the best I could, but it was to no avail. “I’ll carry you.” I slipped one arm behind her knees and the other around her back, lifting her off the sofa.

She laughed. Her eyes were wide open now. “You are going to drop me.”

“Are you underestimating my strength?”

Her laugh rustled the hair at the nape of my neck, sending a thrill racing across my skin. She squeezed her eyes shut as I descended the stairs, clinging tight to my collar. I could easily envision a future where we stayed up late together and she fell asleep on the sofa. I would carry her to her room every night if it made her smile the way she was now. Eventually she would trust me not to drop her.

I struggled to open the door to Anne’s bedchamber, which only made her laugh harder. She helped turn the knob, and I used her legs to push the door open. By the time I reached her bed, we were both laughing. I dropped her softly on top of the blankets.

She blinked up at me. I would never kiss her again unless I knew it was welcome, and her eyes were tugging me forward. I fought the temptation. My sense of propriety had been tainted by Lady Tottenham’s house party. I was still a gentleman.

“Sleep well,” I said.

“Alexander.” She sat up, curls askew. “Thank you.”

My hand was on the doorknob. I found the strength to turn it. “Goodnight.”

She returned my smile. “Goodnight.”

I closed the door behind me with a deep breath. She couldn’t possibly be more beautiful and enchanting, especially with her wild curls and drooping eyes. If I had taken any part in drying her tears, I would sleep soundly.

I walked down the corridor to my bedchamber. When I opened the door, I found a folded note just inside the room. “What the devil?” I muttered. I had assumed the midnight parlor games were over.

I unfolded it, scanning the page.

Alexander,

I have in my possession a banknote for two-hundred pounds. It is yours if you leave Birch House and stop meddling in my affairs. Meet me outside Russell’s at nine o’clock tomorrow morning to receive your payment. In addition, I offer you two thousand pounds after Anne and I are married and the old crone dies. If you require further incentive, I will personally arrange for your transportation to York.

Miles

ANNE

“Toads cannot hurt me,” I told myself as I waded into the cold pond water. The early morning air held a slight chill, but I wouldn’t allow it to change my mind. I didn’t stop walking until my dress was completely submerged. In one fast motion, I ducked my head under the water. A delighted laugh escaped me as I broke the surface.

I never would have admitted it to Alexander, but I had been tempted to test the water ever since I had seen him swimming in it. My sole purpose was to prove to myself that I could do something that seemed completely opposite of my nature. In the past, I would have scolded any young lady who did something so untamed as swimming in a murky pond at dawn.

In the past, I would have never been able to let go of Miles.

All the years I had spent desperately trying to grasp at some sort of control over my future had left my hands raw. I had clung to Miles without noticing the damage he caused, and the true character he possessed. My own sense of worth had changed, and it had nothing to do with the fifty thousand pounds. I deserved someone who wanted me before I had anything but my heart to offer.

I trudged out of the pond, stepping on the wet hem of my dress. I tripped, landing on my belly in a puddle of mud. Scrambling to my feet, I picked up my skirts and walked back to the house. I had informed Jane of my plan, so she awaited me outside the door with a linen towel. She didn’t question my actions, but I saw the hidden dismay in her eyes.

Ever since the announcement about Lady Tottenham’s will, the servants at Birch House had been particularly attentive to me. They knew that I would one day be responsible for their employment.

I took a hot bath, leaving my hair time to dry in rags before Jane arranged it for breakfast. My anticipation over seeing Alexander was a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

Somehow, I had to make my feelings known to him.

I had never been so bold in my entire life, but Lady Tottenham seemed to have influenced me. Nothing good came from waiting and wishing. If I knew that I loved Alexander, I had to tell him. With the house party winding down to its final days, Lady Tottenham was sure to have a full schedule. It would be difficult to find a moment alone with him.

There was also the matter of breaking my ties with Miles. My heart ached, resisting the idea. He had etched himself on my heart long ago, leaving behind an open wound. But now, that love was like a scar. It had grown over and healed, and nearly disappeared, but it would always be there to remind me of him. The memory of him was dear to me, but the truth of his character had tainted it. I had fallen in love with his facade, and now that the layers were peeled back, my feelings were gone.

I took a deep breath, preparing for what was sure to be another eventful day. My heart fluttered with nerves as I walked into the breakfast room.

Alexander wasn’t there. I sat beside Victoria instead. She was the only woman besides Lady Tottenham who didn’t seem to despise me after learning of my prize.

“You look lovely,” I told her as I glanced yet again at the empty doorway.

“As do you.” She smiled, touching one of her blonde curls. “You must be so very excited to form your new wardrobe. You will be able to afford the most fashionable fabrics and trims.” She sighed. “You must allow me to come with you to the modiste when you plan your new evening gowns.”

I hadn’t even thought about building a new wardrobe, but I supposed it would be essential if I planned to attend events in London. Given the public knowledge of my wealth, dressing the part would be expected of me. I hated to speak of the money that was not yet mine, especially with a living, breathing Lady Tottenham sitting in the same room. “Of course,” I said in in a quiet voice. “If I can, I will buy you a gown as well.”

Her eyes lit up.

Victoria prattled on about her favorite fashions of the year, and I listened, taking note of her observations. I kept one eye on the door.

Alexander never came to breakfast. A walk around the square was planned for the later hours of the morning, but he didn’t join us for that either. A seed of worry planted itself in my stomach. Where was he?

I matched my pace with Lady Tottenham’s. She had informed me at breakfast that she had further training required of me that afternoon in the study, but I hadn’t spoken to her since. The day was cold enough that she didn’t require a maid to follow her with a fan, but she did have one holding her parasol. Her pace was slow, her cheekbones appearing more prominent than I remembered. Her mood indicated that she was feeling well, but her appearance contradicted it.

“I wonder where Alexander is this morning,” I said, wringing my fingers together. “Have you seen him at all?”

She glanced at me with one eyebrow raised. “I haven’t. Perhaps he feels disregarded after your constant attention to his brother yesterday.” Her unmasked disapproval made my steps falter.

“There is a long history between Miles and me.” I searched for the words to explain what I meant.

“I suspected as much. Tell me more.”

I explained as much of the history as I could without boring her. “Yesterday was the first time I had seen him before marrying the baron. He claims to have noble intentions, but…I have lost trust in him.”

Lady Tottenham’s nose wrinkled. “The moment I met him I smelled a fortune hunter. I have cast away a multitude of such men in the decades since my husband’s death. I have quite a sense for it. Mr. Miles Holland is charming, but marrying him will not result in your happiness. I strongly advise you against it. I do not like him. Not one bit. My endorsement will be for dear Alexander until my dying breath.” She shot me a stern look.

I straightened my shoulders. “I assure you. My decision became clear yesterday evening.” I took a deep breath. “You were right. I do love Alexander.”

“Good.” She pursed her lips. “If you had married his brother, I fully planned to retract my inheritance.”

I hid the shock from my face.

“Has Alexander proposed?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Not…officially. I am worried about why he isn’t here today. He and Miles have fought before, and I dread what will happen if they do so again. I cannot bear the thought of a duel.” My heart sank. Would it come to pistols or swords? Terror shot up my spine. What if they had met at dawn?

Lady Tottenham sighed. “With Mr. Miles Holland’s inept ability at archery, I would wager my entire fortune on Alexander’s success were they to duel.”

I scowled at the ground as we walked, my mind racing.

“Oh, stop fretting, child. Alexander will return soon enough, I am certain of it. When he does, I will provide you with an opportunity to speak with him alone.” She winked. “I have proven my competency at the task before, have I not?”

She most certainly had.

Her devious smile left me with no question that she had been responsible for the locked door of the hexagon room the night I discovered the key.

My stomach still twisted with dread at the notion that Alexander might have dueled Miles. Their argument hadn’t been completely settled the night before, and Miles was undoubtedly angry about how Alexander had intervened. If their quarrel over me put either of them in danger, I would never forgive myself.

The day carried us into the afternoon, and Victoria took me to her room to show me her favorite fashion plates. I enjoyed her company, but a sinking feeling followed me everywhere I went. At dinner, Alexander’s chair was still empty.

Lady Tottenham took a bite of roasted pigeon. “Mr. Miles Holland attempted to call upon you this afternoon,” she said to me with a look of distaste. “I told him you were not accepting visitors.”

My eyes flew to her face. “Did he mention Alexander?”

Lady Tottenham shook her head. “I’m afraid not. His location is still a mystery.”

I wanted to thank her for sending Miles away, but I couldn’t find the words. I wasn’t ready to face him again, though it would have been helpful to ask him if he had seen Alexander. This was the second time he had disappeared without warning, and it troubled me even more than the first. How dangerous was Miles? Had he done something to harm Alexander? The thought made me ill. I set down my fork.

When the meal was over, the ladies withdrew to the drawing room. Octavia’s continuous notes on the pianoforte clunked soundlessly. Lady Tottenham arranged a game of hunt the slipper. I tried to enjoy myself, but my worries consumed me. My distrust of Miles had been building all day, flooding my mind with paranoia.

I stared out the dark window and the raindrops that fell on the glass until Octavia finally abandoned the bench of the pianoforte.