“Alice, good morning.” Her gaze shifted between Charlotte and me slowly. “Will you be joining us on the Steine?”
My heart pounded quick and shallow in my chest as anger overtook my judgment. If Charlotte was going to sneak out to ride with Mr. Croft—for I was now certain that was what she was doing—then there was nothing stopping me from doing the same. “Yes. I would be delighted to join.” I turned calmly toward the nearest footman. “Will you ensure a horse is prepared for me?”
He nodded.
I cast a glance in Charlotte’s direction. Her mouth was clamped shut, her eyes fiery. A deep sense of betrayal tore through my chest as I marched up the stairs with Eliza in tow. I would need her help to change into my riding habit. Fortunately, it was just as fashionable as Charlotte’s.
Perhaps even more so.
A few minutes later, I smoothed my hands over the dark blue fabric in front of my tall looking glass. My skin burned hot with anger. Charlotte’s innocent smile flashed in my mind. That deceitful, wicked girl! Of course she would not give up on pursuing a man with a fortune, even if it meant damaging our friendship—perhaps even beyond repair this time. I had been succeeding in thinking of Mr. Croft less often and caring about him very little. But this was no longer about him and the hopes Charlotte had crushed. This was about her complete lack of regard for my loyalty and friendship.
I sniffed hard to dispel the tears behind my eyes.
Most of all, I felt betrayed.
It was like the day she had pretended my doll had fallen into the fire, when she had actually kept her hidden away for herself.Had she not learned her lesson since then? Had she not matured at all?
In the past, I would have easily forgiven her. I would have stepped back and allowed her to take what she wanted. But this time I was desperate to prove something. I felt that desperation building in my chest as I descended the staircase until I could hardly draw a breath. I kept my expression cool as Mama’s gaze took me in. I suspected that she knew me well enough to see that I was upset, but she didn’t make mention of it as we walked out the door to our waiting horses.
Charlotte and I exchanged a glance as we each settled into our side saddles. Determination reared up inside me as I looked out over the expansive grass of the Steine. We both knew that I was the superior rider. Charlotte had learned when she was young, but she had rarely practiced. I, on the other hand, rode Millie every morning that I could.
Charlotte’s cheeks were rarely flushed, but at the moment they were a ripe shade of pink. Her jaw was tight, eyes narrowed down at the pommel as we set off toward the grass. Very few riders were out this early, with even less people promenading on foot.
But in the distance, two men in dark jackets were astride two dark horses.
Edmund and Mr. Croft followed the perimeter of the beach at a slow pace, seemingly engaged in conversation. My heart picked up speed the same moment my horse did. Charlotte kept up easily enough, but we left Mama in the distance as she walked with her parasol across the grass. The brisk air cooled my skin, just as chilled as it had been that morning at the secluded beach. The mist from the nearby sea made my hair frizzle against my face, yet Charlotte’s somehow remained silky smooth.
I led my horse into a smooth canter, and I even managed to smile through my nerves. I caught Edmund’s gaze first, offeringa wave—and also demonstrating my ability to maintain my seat with the reins in one hand.
Mr. Croft turned his head, his eyes landing on mine. He studied me for a brief moment before bringing his horse to a halt. His gaze shifted to Charlotte, then back to me, a furrow in his brow. A pinch of regret almost made me drop my reins. Perhaps I should not have joined Charlotte. Would he think me too forward?
“Alice.” Edmund gave me a curious look as I led my horse up beside his. I hoped he knew that I wasn’t still attempting to match him with Charlotte. As angry as I was with her now, I would never wish her to be my sister-in-law. She did not deserve a man as wonderful as my brother, that much was certain. My blood still boiled with anger beneath my veins, but I held my head high, a pleasant smile on my lips.
“A fine morning, is it not?” I beamed up at the sky, which was covered with just the right number of clouds. I was proud of how calm I must have appeared, but beneath the brass buttons of my riding habit, my heart was pumping fast. My hands were sweating inside my gloves. Mr. Croft watched me with those dark brown eyes, and I sensed a wall of sorts between us. He must have still been thinking of the punch incident.
“Indeed,” Edmund replied. I was grateful he didn’t question my decision to join them after I had already refused multiple times. I had been keeping my promise to Charlotte, and all the while she had been plotting to betray me.
She stopped her horse beside mine, tossing her head to one side as she glanced at the landscape behind the two men. “I have never gone riding with the sea behind me before. It is undeniably exnihilating.” Her lashes fluttered downward before she lifted her gaze to Mr. Croft’s face. “I simply could not resist such a beautiful view.”
He looked down at the mane of his horse, his jaw tight. Little did he know that he was the beautiful view Charlotte was referring to. Her method of flirting involved a certain tone of voice and movement of her features rather than anything direct. I, on the contrary, had never been good at flirting. I simply smiled far too much instead.
As a frequent recipient of Charlotte’s flirtatious behavior over the years, Edmund had become quite skilled at recognizing it. He cleared his throat. Even though Charlotte had directed her remarks at Mr. Croft, Edmund was the one to reply. “A swim in the sea is the most exhilarating, I think.” He chuckled. “Mr. Croft convinced me to visit the dippers this morning.”
I gasped. “You went out in one of the bathing machines?You?”
Edmund’s smile spread wider. “It was a dare that I couldn’t refuse. I expect all my future ailments to be prevented by that single dip in the healing waters of Brighton.”
Mr. Croft laughed. “I never made such a promise.”
“But it is implied,” I quipped. “Do you frequent the waters yourself, Mr. Croft?” The question was more abrupt than I intended, but I wanted to prevent Charlotte from speaking first.
His gaze flickered over my face for a moment, then shifted to the sea. His manner was much colder than before, and it sent a pang of disappointment through my stomach. “I have on occasion,” he said. “But not in the traditional way.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh? In what way?”
His mouth quirked upward, but he was silent for long enough for Edmund to interject with a laugh.
“I don’t think Mr. Croft wishes to paint such an indelicate picture of himself in the company of ladies.”
