“Not true at all. I don’t know much, but even kings and queens marry widows and widowers. Besides, that’s for his lordship to decide.”
“No,” Alice said, starting to pace the room, glad for once it was empty because it gave her space to walk. “I must decide for both of us because ... because ...”
“Do you want to tell me what happened? Mayhap I can help you see clearly how to leave the past where it belongs. I know you would rather have your mother —”
“God, no!” Alice exclaimed. Not that she held anyone to blame except herself, but her distant, indifferent parents had turned out not to stand behind her, nor even beside her, when problems arose. She’d fended for herself when she had most needed support.
“I should have confided inyouthe first time Fairclough came to this house,” Alice said. “He followed me from London after ... well, after we were discovered alone, only kissing, mind you,” she added, not wanting the cook to think badly of her. “He had done the honorable thing, or so I thought, and asked for my hand. Then my parents had whisked me back here, most likely so I wouldn’t reconsider marrying a stranger, nor discover more about his less-than ideal nature.”
Mrs. Georgie shook her head. “We didn’t have as close a friendship as we have now,” she reminded her. “But I wish I had told you I thought the man had tiny, beady, untrustworthy eyes even then.”
“He did, but I didn’t notice until too late. And my mother thought him extremely handsome.”
“Pish!”Mrs. Georgie said. “Your former husband was like an ogre compared to Lord Diamond.”
That wasn’t exactly true, but it made Alice smile for the first time. Her mother was a terrible judge of character and had passed that trait down to her only daughter — until it was too late.
“I wish I had come to the kitchen, asked to peel some potatoes, and had a chat with you. My life would be so different.”
“You probably wouldn’t have listened to me then, but I hope you listen now. Your life can still be different. Take the chance that nice gentleman is offering you.”
“I wish that I could.”
“Then tell me why you cannot.” Mrs. Georgie sounded heated. “I am no fool, and neither is Lord Diamond. If it’s because you were previously wed, that’s no matter. He doesn’t care about that, so why should you?”
“In London, I was threatened by my husband’s brother.” Alice hated hearing the words out loud.
Mrs. Georgie frowned. “What kind of threats?”
“Frightening ones about how Richard died. I swear I had nothing to do with it, except ...”
“Except for what, m’lady?”
“Wishing it would happen. Praying, in fact, nightly for some way to be free of him.” Her voice broke, remembering her desperation.
Mrs. Georgie shook her head. “You cannot credit your hopes and prayers with a man’s death.”
“If I return to London and Fairclough’s brother discovers me, I don’t know what he will do.”
“The Fairclough brothers already stripped this home of everything of value —”
“Not our books,” Alice reminded her.
“Except for the books, because the men they sent were too stupid to realize their worth, and because we stood at the door of the library with guns and knives drawn.”
“Did you?” Alice’s eyes widened with wonder.
“Yes!” Mrs. Georgie said proudly.
Alice hugged her again. “I had no idea.”
“I knew you would be back, even after your parents moved away.” This time Mrs. Georgie’s voice cracked with emotion. “I was shocked at how they left.”
Alice couldn’t say the same. Her parents held no great sentiment for the country home that had passed down to Alice from her grandfather and his father before him. Even though she’d been in London, she knew her parents felt a sense of relief when everything had been taken, forcing them to move. The burden of Stonely Grange had been lifted.
“Then how can I possibly go away again? How can I leave you all who stood by to protect our home?”
Mrs. Georgie shook her head. “Marry that young man. Don’t let the Faircloughs spoil anything more for you. Maybe someday, you’ll decide to refurbish this place. Then come back and we’ll be here.”
