"What about your sister?" Lavinia asked. "You can always get her to take your side. She might be the pedestal your father places you against, but she is still your sister. If she sees how serious this situation is, she might be able to convince him to reconsider."
"Catherine leaves tomorrow," Alice said. "The Earl misses her already."
"So, it’s up to you," Lavinia replied. "But you have to be clever about it. Don’t let him know what you’re trying to achieve. You need to drop subtle hints, guide him to see the flaws in this match without outrightly defying him."
"I know just how to do it," Alice said with a smile.
A plan was already coming together in her head, and she was starting to feel her confidence build back up. This was her opportunity to regain control over her future and steer her father’s decisions in her favor.
Alice hurried home from the park, eager to set her plan in motion. It was simple. She wasn’t going to argue. All she had to do was drop hints and she knew just how to do it.
Upon arriving at her family’s modest estate, she made her way straight for Timothy’s study, where she knew he would be reviewing the estate's finances and correspondence.
"Papa, you will not believe that I heard today," she said and slumped on the chair in front of him. "It is just preposterous."
Timothy only spared her a glance. "What did you hear today, Alice?"
Alice leaned in. "Apparently, there are rumors that the Duke of Ravenmoor killed someone. It is what everyone is talking about. My goodness. I feel so bad for him. All these rumors about him are so damaging. I mean, no wonder he has no friends!"
Timothy closed the ledger in front of him. "It doesn’t matter if he has friends or not. A wife is a far more valuable companion, wouldn’t you agree? Since you’re so concerned for him, it’s perfect! You marry the Duke by the end of the week, Alice. Begin preparations."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving Alice in stunned silence. She stared at the door, puzzled.
"Surely he’s bluffing," she thought to herself and sat back, trying to come up with a refined plan.
