“I appreciate what you have told me of your parents. But I maintain that apart from attending a few events in Bath, there can be nothing more between us. Please, Adam, let go your romantic notion,” she begged, taking the steps to the terrace.
“Lady Fairclough?” said a female voice at the top of the steps.
With her blood instantly thick from fear and her skin clammy, Alice forced herself not to turn, flinch, or make any sign of recognition.
Adam, however, looked in the speaker’s direction.
“I believe this lady is addressing you,” he said.
Alice glanced sideways at him, hoping the stranger would go away when she ignored her.
“Lady Fairclough, is it you?” the voice persisted.
Adam hesitated. Alice turned at last, keeping her face placid. Staring at the woman, Alice frowned as if she had no idea who she was or why she was speaking to her. In truth, she recognized her as a ballroom acquaintance from years earlier who might have been an old friend of her late husband, too.
“I am sorry, you are mistaken,” Alice said firmly and continued past.
As they re-entered the Kingswood School’s main hall, she held her breath for a moment or two, stiff with worry the woman would call out after her. Heads would turn, others might know her name and know her, as well.
When nothing happened, Alice released a sigh of relief. If Adam wasn’t holding her arm, she might fall to the polished wood floor from the rush of terror that had surged through her, leaving her shattered and exhausted as it dissipated. Just like that, the best night had become the worst.
“What was that about?” Adam asked.
“I know not,” Alice said, her voice weedy, but then she tried to make a joke. “Someone in need of spectacles, apparently.”
“Indeed.” He set his glass down and hers, too. Ignoring their unfinished conversation, he asked, “Shall we dance?”
She knew him well enough — he was postponing the discussion of marriage until he had her alone in his carriage. Strange to be back in a life of champagne, festive ballrooms, and persuasive, titled men.
How had she let this happen?
Of late, Alice had detected an unwelcome restlessness during the long hours she spent playing her part with her Beasley pupils. Where before she had accepted the tedium of a dull, chaste life, Adam had awakened in her the desire for a richer existence.
Having grown up with parties and concerts, a library at her disposal, scintillating conversation across many a dinner table, and dashing, sparkle-eyed suitors after being presented at court in the Queen’s Drawing Room, Alice had given it all up. A governess enjoyed none of that. And in exchange, she had stopped worrying, stopped looking over her shoulder.
Now, thinking she should tell him her head ached and leave immediately, she was desperately clinging to that boring, lonely,securelife.
The alternative was too frightening, represented by a stranger outside who’d called her name.
But Alice didn’t claim a megrim, and they didn’t leave. When she allowed him to take her again upon the dance floor, she soon spotted another familiar face from London — an acquaintance who would probably also yell out“Lady Fairclough, where have you been?”if she were noticed. It signified the end of her time in Bath.
“I am ready to go home,” she said.
Alice would have to do something drastic. Even before that evening, he had mentioned her moving to London after he left. For he had been clear in his determination to make her his lover, while she was equally determined not to give in.
Tonight, Adam had asked her in earnestness to become his wife. Tears pricked her eyes again as they exited the grand hall. If she told him the truth, he would feel duped and possibly hate her. If she didn’t tell him, he would not allow her to slip back into her secluded world, despite her professing her absolute delight at being a governess for the rest of her days —an outright lie.
Worst of all, Alice couldn’t resume her easy-going enjoyment until the Autumn. For if she continued this dangerous game of going into society, dressed as though she were still a member of Mayfair’s upper echelon, her ruse would be revealed. Eventually, another person would say her real name in Adam’s presence.
The horrible past and everything she had lost would be on display for anyone to pick over, like a falcon with a rabbit in its claws. She could not face such humiliation once more. Worse, if her brother-in-law found her, she would be dragged back to London, possibly in chains.
“Is anything amiss?” Adam asked when the music ended.
Possibly everything,Alice thought, unable to shake the feeling of dread.
“No, not at all.” Only that she was already planning her escape, something she had known might be necessary when she agreed to let him escort her around town. Having loved every minute of his company, she would pack the memories in her trunk along with her belongings when she fled Bath.
He squeezed her arm.
