“No! Why would I?” Aubrey threw up his hands. Did she think he was a mind reader?
Vinnie made an impatient tsking sound, looking at him like he was utterly stupid. “Because it’s been obvious for years. Well, to anyone with eyes, at least. Lord, I wish I’d not said anything now. For heaven’s sake, keep it to yourself. Della would murder me for telling you.” She sighed and touched a reverent finger to the diamonds. “I’m so happy to have these back. I remember Mama wearing them at Christmas, and when she went out all dressed up with Papa. How beautiful she was.”
“You’re very much like her, Vinnie.”
His sister blinked in surprise, her eyes glittering as she reached out and grasped his hand. “Oh, Aubrey, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Well, it’s true. But you must remember, you cannot wear these in public. As far as our uncle is concerned, they’re stolen goods.”
“Yes. Not until he’s dead,” she said sadly. “I do hope that day’s not too far off.”
“Vinnie!” Aubrey was quite shocked by this cool remark, even if he secretly hoped the same thing.
Vinnie just laughed, entirely unrepentant.
Ocean View Villa, Little Valentine, 29thJanuary 1816
“Well, here we go!” Lill exclaimed, leaping to her feet the second she heard the front door knocker.
Alice laughed, her stomach erupting with butterflies, not least because she had to face Hawkney, who had agreed to escort her to the church. She picked up the beautiful little bouquet of narcissus and snowdrops that Aubrey had sent her and followed Lill to the door. Alice nodded to Lill, who pulled the door open.
“Surprise!”
Alice gasped, astonished to see members of the Venturesome Ladies Club gathered on her doorstep.
“Well, we haven’t had a chance to congratulate you properly, what with it all being such a whirlwind romance,” Mrs Fairway said, smiling her approval as she looked Alice up and down. “Well, now, don’t you look a picture? I always thought it were a shame you didn’t make more of yourself.”
Alice bit her lip, amused and touched by this frank observation. She looked around and smiled at Clara Halfpenny, who gave her a little wave, Benny clutched under one arm.
Miss Eustacia Foxworthy, an artist who had recently moved to the town, winked at her. “Congratulations, darling. You’ve done splendidly. He’s a very handsome, strong-looking fellow.”
An older, rather plump lady whom Alice recognised from the vicarage looked a little shocked by this observation, but the young girl beside her giggled, earning herself an elbow from her companion.
“We’ll have none of that, Polly,” she said sternly before turning to Alice. “We’re all very happy for you, miss. Mr Seymour is a fine young man, but if you wish to be married, we’d best be on our way. Don’t want to keep the vicar waiting, do we?”
“Or the handsome husband,” Eustacia murmured provokingly.
Alice shot Eustacia an amused glance before turning to the ladies. “Thank you, Mrs Adie, and that is excellent advice. Are you all to be my entourage?”
Alice looked around at their smiling faces, only some of whom she recognised, but all seemed intent on wishing her well.
It seemed they were indeed to accompany her and had arranged for the duke to attend her outside the church, which amused Alice, as she imagined Hawkney waiting upon her arrival. She walked arm-in-arm with Lill, the ladies of Little Valentine surrounding them, all chattering happily.
“Congratulations, Alice. I’m so glad for you.”
Alice turned to see Isabelle Honeywell walking beside her. “Izzy! Thank you, that’s kind. How are you?”
Alice thought she looked tired, dark circles beneath her eyes. Izzy straightened and smiled, rather too brightly, as she pushed her spectacles firmly in place. “Very well, thank you.”
“You look a bit peaky, love,” Lill remarked, never having been as tactful as one might like.
“She’s not sleeping, is why. Up all hours of the night. A ramshackle way for a young girl to behave,” Mrs Adie scolded, earning herself a reproving look from Izzy.
“I am perfectly fine. Never better. If you’ll excuse me, I’d better run ahead. Papa gets in a terrible muddle if I don’t ensure everything is ready for him.”
Izzy ran off ahead of them as Mrs Adie tsked, shaking her head. “She’s up to sommat, that girl. You mark my words.”
They made it to the church without incident, where the Duke of Hawkney was waiting, looking as imposing as ever. Alice braced herself as he gave her a cool nod. Lill winked and gave her hand a quick squeeze and then hurried off inside the church with the other ladies.
