For the first time, Gerald looked doubtful. “I receive many pieces of correspondence.”
“You thought it was another request for money, didn’t you?” Adam surmised. “I suggest you go home and read it. You have no case. Miss Janey backs up my wife’s every word. Thus, the magistrate says Lady Diamond cannot be charged, nor would they even bother opening an investigation.”
Gerald tried to ignore Adam and stare Alice into cowering as he used to, not only since his brother’s death but during her marriage, too. He had ever been a bully.
Lifting her chin, she looked Gerald directly in the eyes, empowered not only by her husband, but by the might of all the Diamond family in attendance.
“Lord Diamond is correct. I wish to God I had never met your brother. He was a terrible human being. You ought to try to disassociate yourself with him as I have done. But at the very least, try to behave with a measure of integrity, which he never had.”
“And I suggest you start by not showing up at a party to which you weren’t invited,” Adam said.
“I assumed my invitation had been lost in the post,” Gerald said, bristling.
“Impossible,” Adam retorted. “Each one was delivered by hand. Thus, not only are you being disrespectful to my wife, you are an unwelcome intruder. Leave before I throw you out myself.”
While Alice didn’t want violence, she was relieved her husband was a tall, fit man who could easily do as he threatened and shove Gerald out the door.
Indeed, her former brother-in-law took a step back, knowing Adam’s was not an empty threat. Moreover, having noticed the quarrel in the middle of the dance floor, the Earl Diamond and his wife, along with Lord Hollidge and Lord Foxford had all approached.
In the next moment, as the music stopped due to the tense gathering on the dance floor, the four sisters also joined them. The entire family remained silent but solidly in support.
And then, Alice saw in Gerald’s eyes the exact moment he decided to end his persecution of her. After flaring his nostrils, he simply turned and walked away.
It was finally over. Sagging against Adam who put his arm around her, Alice didn’t think she could be any more content than she was that night. He had been entirely correct. She had needed to face her fears and stand up to Gerald, but she couldn’t have done it without her husband and her new family.
“Thank you,” she said simply.
“Thank you,” he returned.
Alice had no idea for what he was expressing gratitude, but when he took her in his arms again, even Purity’stskingover public affection didn’t stop her from enjoying her husband’s kiss.
When the party wasnear its conclusion, and Alice’s gaze scanned the room to take in all the merry partygoers, she realized one person was staring at her. Someone in an adorable honeybee costume, complete with a brown-and-gold dress and artfully crafted wings, was looking in her direction.
What’s more, now that Alice had made eye contact, the bee was coming her way.
“It is you, isn’t it? The former Lady Fairclough.”
Alice peered at the lady, and then it dawned on her — the bee was the former Miss Dumfrey, now Baroness McKennel.
Fearing a scene of epic scorn, Alice nearly didn’t respond. But she had suffered enough for her own bad behavior, not only through her horrendous marriage but the harassment of her former brother-in-law. Tonight, she was determined to put it all behind her, and that included making amends.
“I remarried,” Alice said, “to Lord Diamond.”
“As I learned tonight,” Lady McKennel said. “And you have a wee one on the way, so I offer my congratulations twofold.”
“Thank you.” Alice still waited for the wrathful comments to descend upon her head. The woman who had been Richard’s fiancée had every right to her anger and disdain. But Alice also would no longer run from it.
Lady McKennel reached out her gloved hand and touched Alice’s.
“I am dreadfully sorry for what you went through with your previous husband.”
It was the last thing Alice had expected, and she grew instantly tearful.
“I ought to have told you more of his nature,” Lady McKennel continued.
Shaking her head, Alice could barely speak. “I am the one who owes you an apology. I thoughtlessly wronged you. I did many thoughtless things back then.”
“If it hadn’t been you, it would have been another unfortunate female,” the lady said kindly. “I admit, at the time, I was bruised and even foolish enough to blame you. But you weren’t the first, and from what I understand, not the last.”
