“How do you stay so slim if you eat like that?”
“In the first place, I said I could, not that I did, and in the second, I lead a very active lifestyle.” She winked at him and watched his mouth curve into an irrepressible smile.
“Is that right?”
“Mmm-hmm,” she replied, her mouth full of toast and marmalade.
Aubrey laughed and reached for the teapot to see if there was any left. Pouring out the remaining half a cup, he cast her a knowing look that made heat bloom low in her belly.
“Well, I shall look forward to discovering just how active in the weeks to come. Speaking of which, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Alice reached for the last slice of toast and snatched it from the rack a second before he could take it. “Too slow.”
He sighed. “Well, I ought not tell you as you treat me so dreadfully, but after Nat and Meg got married at Christmas, Grandmama offered them a large plot of land. It’s up on top of the hill, looking down upon the village, and has the most magnificent views. There’s a fair amount of overgrown woodland that needs clearing, but it’s a beautiful spot. Hawkney and I rode up there yesterday, and it’s really magnificent.”
“Oh?”
Aubrey nodded and reached for her hand. “I’ve not agreed to anything, love, and if you want to move somewhere else, we shall do just that, but Gee-Gee likes the idea of having the family nearby, and Nat and Meg would make excellent neighbours.”
Alice frowned at him. “But you said she gave them the land?”
Aubrey laughed. “Gee-Gee owns most of the land between here and Rye. Much of it is fit for nothing but grazing sheep, far too marshy to build on, but this hilly stretch that runs down to the sea is different. It will take time, what with clearing and building, but we could have a lovely house up there, close to the village, but far enough away for privacy.”
Far enough away that people would not remark the comings and goings of Alfie at odd hours.
Alice’s heart skipped. “She would really give us the land?”
“She says it’s a wedding present. I don’t know what it is you’ve said to impress her, but I think she rather likes you.”
“I’ve not said anything that I can remember,” Alice protested.
“Well, she says she knows a clever chit when she sees one. That seems to be good enough for her.” Aubrey shrugged and swiped half of her toast before she could stop him, taking a bite that devoured most of the slice. He swallowed, watching her cautiously. “What do you think?”
Alice considered him, wondering how it was possible to be so happy, to have everything work out so beautifully after so many years of struggle and uncertainty. “I think you are wonderful, despite being a marmalade thief—a most serious crime, I might add—and that I would live on the moon with you, if that’s what you wanted. But I should like to stay here above all things, Aubrey. It would make me very happy.”
“Then Little Valentine it is,” he said with a grin, snatching the last piece of toast and running from the room with it as Alice shrieked and ran after him.
Ocean View Villa, Little Valentine, 29thJanuary 1816
Alice sat at her dressing table, massaging her temples with delicate fingers as she willed the remnants of a hangover away.
“Serves you right,” Lill remarked tartly as she moved about the room, tidying. “The whole town is talking about how Alfie celebrated his new brother-in-law’s last night as a bachelor. Buying people free drinks and singing bawdy songs. It’s enough to make a sailor blush.”
Alice grinned despite the lingering pain. It had been worth it. To see Aubrey relaxed and laughing in such a way had been a gift. Even Hawkney had made a brief appearance, though his presence had immediately killed the atmosphere, so he’d not stayed long. Alice had felt for him, wondering if that was what it was like everywhere he went. Of course, The Swan was hardly his natural environment, but still.
“Well, as he couldn’t stay for the wedding, what with getting thatjob offer in town,” she said dryly. “He wanted to share in the celebrations.”
Lill snorted.
Lifting her head, Alice examined her reflection in the looking glass as she fixed her pearl earbobs in place. Though still a little pale, she thought she looked rather lovely. Lill had threaded a simple ivory ribbon through her hair, and she wore two strands of pearls at her neck. The dress had come from Madame Auguste’s, a few doors along, and was the most beautiful gown Alice had ever owned. Though simple, the pearl grey satin was trimmed with ivory satin and worn with a matching pelisse in thick velvet. A charming hat, lined in the same ivory satin and embellished with a full plume of ostrich feathers, was the finest thing Alice had ever seen.
“Well?”
Alice got to her feet and turned to stare at Lill, who promptly burst into tears.
“Oh, Lill!” Alice hurried to her, pulling her friend into a hug, but Lill pushed her away.
“Don’t you dare! You’ll s-spoil all my lovely work. Oh, b-but you do look a picture. I’m s-so h-happy for you!” she sobbed.
