Was that condemnation? She raised an eyebrow.
His eyes widened. “Don’t glare at me. It was a compliment.”
Was it? Men did not like opinionated women. “I can’t say if I do resemble her. She died when I was a young child, but I’ve always admired her. She was a lady with varied interests.”
“How so?”
“She was a friend of the Duchess of Devonshire and a member of her literary circle.”
“Indeed.”
Did he disapprove? She would be proud to be favorably compared to her grandmother. But before she could discover what his opinion was, the guests drifted to the library, where the card tables had been set up.
She and Charles were soon inveigled into a game of whist, and there was no further opportunity that evening for them to converse.
Most of the next morning, her father and Charles were holed up in his study. In the afternoon, Alice joined Nellie, Marian, and Charles on the terrace.
“Your Grace, I should like to introduce my sister, Alice, to you,” Nellie said.
Charles bowed. “How do you do, Alice.”
“Your Grace.” Rising from a pretty curtsey, Alice blinked up at him. “No one mentioned how tall you are.”
Nellie stiffened. Her sister was so unpredictable. What would she do or say next?
Charles laughed. “I hesitate to ask in what manner I was described to you, Lady Alice.”
“You weren’t described to me at all. No one ever bothers to tell me much,” Alice said frankly. “Are you good with a bow and arrow, Your Grace?”
“I consider myself tolerable. I have been warned that you excel at the sport.”
“I practice a lot. I have not much to amuse me while waiting for my Come-out.”
“I quite understand,” he said in a sympathetic tone. “Life does tend to drag when you’re waiting for something important to happen.”
“And after you make your debut, it speeds up far too much,” Marian said in a dry tone.
They made their way to the far lawn, a wide swathe of green ringed by elms, where the archery targets had been set up. Guests stood about with their bows, chatting.
“Really, Alice,” Marian said. “You have your music and French lessons, not to mention dancing and riding. You are hard-pressed to find a moment to read as I know you like to do.”
“That is true,” Alice said thoughtfully. “Although I have been enjoying a very interesting book,The Castle of Wolfenbach, and it is ever so exciting.”
“My goodness! That was one of mine,” Marian said. “I doubt you should be reading it. It sent chills down my spine. It’s a wonder you can sleep.”
“Oh, no.” Alice shrugged. “I am made of sterner stuff.”
Charles’s amused gaze met Nellie’s.
“You have the honor, Lady Alice,” he said when it was their turn.
Stepping forward, Alice withdrew an arrow from her quiver. She took aim, her blonde head close to the bowstring with her eyes fixed on the target. The arrow flew straight and true and found its mark dead center of the bull’s eye.
“Good shot, Alice,” Nellie cried.
Marian smiled at Alice. “Remarkable.”
“I see your reputation is well earned, Lady Alice.” Charles turned to Nellie. “I believe it is your turn, Lady Cornelia.”
