“My only son is going to have a child,” the earl announced. A cheer went up from the throng. “I wish him and his lovely wife all good health.”
Alice thought it a surreal time to announce a baby, with the myriad and fantastical costumes all around her. She already seemed to be in another world, with unfamiliar masks and wigs around her. And now, she was a mother-to-be, an adored wife, and cherished by her in-laws.
After another dance with Adam, a man in a classic Venetian domino costume asked for the next one.
As soon as they were on the dance floor, despite thebahoohood and black mask, she realized it was Gerald Fairclough. A quick and familiar jolt of fear coursed through her, but she let it pass swiftly. She had nothing to be afraid of from this man or his family ever again. Certainly not while in a ballroom in Lady Clarity’s home.
“Good evening, Lord Fairclough.”
“Good evening, Lady Alice,” he said as impertinent as ever. “And congratulations if it’s true. I am astounded.”
“You shouldn’t be, and it is. I told you before that your brother was the problem and not me.”
He stiffened. The mask only covered his eyes, but his lower face twisted in a sneer. Regardless, his next words were benign.
“I am glad to see you have returned.”
“I cannot imagine my comings and goings could be of any interest to you, certainly not enough to evoke gladness.”
“When you are in London, it is easier to remind you of the money you owe,” Gerald said, “not to mention easier to direct the good men of the Metropolitan police to your door. Thus, Iamglad,” Fairclough insisted. “We cannot conclude our business if you are not in Town.”
Alice didn’t even falter in her dance steps. Amazingly, the words that once filled her with dread now barely registered. Just so much nonsense from an inconsequential man.
“On the contrary,” she said as calmly as possible, “we have no business. Every connection between us ended the moment my former husband fell down the stairs in a drunken stupor. It was a sad and sorry end to someone who could have had a fine, productive life had he not given himself over to vile drink.”
Gerald’s face, what she could see of it, grew redder as she spoke.
“No one knows for sure how my brother died,” he said.
“Again, you are incorrect. After all, I saw it happen.”
Despite how they continued to dance as if they were on amiable terms, Alice had had enough. Where previously, she would have suffered in silence, she glanced around for Adam. Luckily, he wasn’t dancing, and he had his gaze upon her.
“Help,” she mouthed the word, thrilled to have his dependability and strength on her side.
Quicker than she would have imagined possible, her husband was beside her and simmering with fury. Despite the music continuing, he halted them midturn, and Gerald was forced to release her.
“Is there a problem?” Adam asked, stepping half in front of her.
She nearly sighed with the romantic notion of her personal knight coming to her rescue.
“Lord Fairclough is still mistaken in his assumptions regarding his brother’s death,” she said into Adam’s ear, “and I know I can count on you to help him see the truth.”
Gerald crossed his arms. “Your wife thinks she can wish away what she did.”
“My wife wishes she had never met your sorry brother,” Adam said, “but what is your point? You do know the whore he was with that night backs up everything Lady Diamond says.”
Gerald’s eyes widened. “You are bluffing. You don’t know anything about her.”
Adam ignored his retort. “My solicitor thinks we should bring charges against you for stealing the furnishings of Stonely Grange. We could at least get a good accounting of how much was your brother’s debt and how much is your own.”
Gerald’s face shifted to deep purple. “I will have your wife dragged before the magistrate for my brother’s murder. Do you think anyone will believe she went there only to talk to my brother?”
Alice waited to feel alarm and didn’t, not with Adam beside her.
And to her amazement her husband laughed in Gerald’s face.
“You are like a child trying to blow down a tall oak,” Adam said. “Save your breath, Fairclough. We have a solicitor in the family who already sent you a letter on this matter. Did you receive it?”
