“No!” Alice snapped; her tone was unduly harsh. She’d meant to keep it between them but the whole carriage had gone silent. Mellowing her tone, she said, “Not tonight, Penelope. I have a lot of things on my mind. I just need to sort things out.”
“I cannot fathom what could ever be worrying you,” Eliza replied snidely. “You have the catch of the Season.”
“I do not.”
“No, she is right, dear Alice,” Aunt Agatha tittered happily. “We know Duke Valhaven is handing his title over to his brother, so if you do marry, you will be a Duchess. I cannot think of anything better for this family, can you, dear? Our dear niece, one of the most prominent women in the land. La!”
“Aren’t we putting the cart before the horse here?” Alice said pointedly. “His Lordship has yet to mention marriage.”
“Then you should start dropping hints,” her aunt nodded sagely. “Such as how you would decorate your rooms and the colors you’d love to see on pillows.
“Perhaps even mention the meals you would love to have made for him. Men operate better when they have directions, dear. They are not the masters of the subtle art,” her aunt pressed. “When was the last time you took a gander atThe Lady for the Lordby Dame de LaMontague? The practical lessons there are priceless, dear, especially the ones about leading the house.”
As her aunt rattled on about a dusty old manual, Alice pondered what to do when Benedict came by on the morrow. Nothing came to mind, so she put the matter off to the next day when she had a clearer head to think the matter over.
“That is what you should do, dear Alice,” her aunt said as the carriage entered their drive.
Even while she had not heard a word of what her aunt had said, Alice nodded. “Yes, Aunt.”
Inside, Alice ignored Eliza’s scowl and went to her rooms with Penelope behind her. She invited her sister in wordlessly, knowing that she had questions.
The moment the door closed, she hugged her sister, “I am sorry about snapping at you. It was not any fault of yours.”
It’s all right,” Penelope murmured while sitting on the edge of Alice’s bed, “What is the matter?”
“I don’t know what to do with Lord Brampton,” she said bleakly. “I thought we had a connection, but now that I have spent time with him, I am not as certain.”
“Why?” Penelope asked.
“I don’t think he will love me the way I have envisioned for so long,” Alice admitted. “And he is still very young, you know.University men are not known for their fealty to their wives, especially when they are so young.”
Shaking her head, Penelope said, “I don’t think he will stray, Alice.”
“I think I’d prefer someone older,” Alice admitted while unpinning her hair. “Someone who is past those years and is mature, but not over the hill, if you get my meaning.”
“A couple of years ago, you didn’t have the leeway to choose,” Penelope laughed. “Or was that two months ago.”
“Both,” Alice sighed.
“Well, I hope you’ll find the answer soon,” Penelope stood. “Aunt already has her heart set on the two of you marrying.”
“I hope she hasn’t started publishing the banns yet,” Alice replied.
“She most likely has, and we don’t know.” Her sister laughed her way out the door.
While sipping her weak tea, Alice listened attentively to Benedict’s recount of his week, the trials of his studies, and the outings he and his fellow classmates took.
“I think I need to start carrying an ice pack with me when I finish rowing,” he shuddered. “My arm felt like it was ripped out of its socket the last time.”
She sat the cup down. “You know, my mother would make salves that can ease such pain, and I think I have her notebook around here somewhere. Perhaps I should unearth it.”
His brows lifted, “As much as I appreciate the gesture, it is simpler to buy such remedies from an apothecary.”
Dropping her gaze, Alice worried her lip. “My lord, I—I do not know how to state this, but do you feel the connection we have, orhadis—”
A brisk knock on the door drew her attention; her uncle’s footman was at the door, “Pardon me, my lord and misses. Lord Rutledge is here to see Miss Penelope.”
Her gaze flitted to Penelope who was sitting quietly in the corner, her back to the man. “Send him in, then.”
