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Chapter 1

“My Lady, I believe it is time for you to begin getting ready.”

Alice looked over her shoulder at her lady’s maid. The girl, Nancy, stood by the door of the library, her hands clasped before her. Being quite the timid one, she always lowered her gaze to the floor whenever she was speaking, so Alice could not see her soft-blue eyes nor her downturned lips. Her mousy hair was tucked under a cap that matched her simple grey dress.

Alice sighed. She’d just withdrawn a poetry book from the shelf, but returned it to its position with some reluctance. Dread tightening her limbs, she turned to her lady’s maid. “Is it that time already?”

Nancy raised her head for a brief moment before she nodded. She began to fiddle nervously with her fingers. “I am afraid so, My Lady.”

It was all Alice could do not to sigh again. She’d been dreading this moment ever since her father announced his plans this morning at breakfast. She’d even taken to trying to distract herself from what was to come, but it appeared she’d lost her chance to hide away in the library. This morning’s meeting would not disappear, no matter how much Alice wished it would.

She made her way to Nancy’s side, softening the displeased expression that had come over her face. Nancy had been her lady’s maid for a few years now and Alice had learned how to make the feeble girl as comfortable as possible.

“Very well,” she said to her. “I suppose there is no use staying here. Let us go then.”

Nancy glanced up briefly before nodding and turning out of the room. She waited until Alice had exited to fall in step behind her as they headed down the hallway, making their way back to Alice’s room. Usually, whenever they were together, Alice liked to make small talk. She would ask Nancy about her family, the aunt and many cousins she had in the countryside, and if her day was going well. Today, Alice couldn’t find the energy. Her mind was only focused on one thing—the dreaded guests who would be coming to Warington Manor in short order.

She could still remember the look on her father’s face when he’d announced that he would receive two new guests later in the morning. There had been excitement in his voice, trembling throughout his broad frame as he gushed about the Marquess of Erlington and his brother. They would be staying as guests at Warington Manor for a little while, in light of the ball they would be attending hosted by the Earl of Brownley.

Alice knew there was only one reason for her father’s excitement. She hadn’t missed the way he’d looked at her during breakfast, the insinuation in his voice when he’d asked that she and her sister get along with their guests. She was no stranger to his underlying wishes that she would be married soon. Without a doubt, her father was hoping Alice would accept one of the guests as her suitor.

Dear, dear Father, your hopes will all be for naught. I shan’t marry a soul until the day I die.

Conviction mounted within her at the thought. Her father’s true motives would not bear fruit if she had anything to do with it.

Arriving at her bedchamber, Nancy instantly made for Alice’s armoire while Alice went to stand by the balcony doors. A gentle breeze wafted inside, calming her tense nerves. She gazed out at the lush greenery that bordered this side of Warington Manor, considering they were located on the very outskirts of London. All of a sudden, she wished she could saddle her horse and rush off into the distance, if only to escape the responsibilities that awaited her.

But I cannot leave Emma on her own. Perhaps, if I did not have to worry about her, I would have found the courage to do just that.

“My Lady?” Alice turned at Nancy’s voice and saw her holding up two gowns—one a silvery blue and the other a sunflower yellow. Nancy didn’t say anything else, her question obvious.

Alice didn’t care what she wore. She pointed absently at the blue dress. “That looks lovely,” she murmured noncommittally.

Nancy hurried to return the yellow dress to the armoire and laid the blue dress on the bed. Alice, in the meantime, made her way to the vanity table and sat. She stared at herself for a few moments, resisting the overwhelming urge to release another sigh.

“Lady Alice,” came Nancy’s soft voice behind her. Her slender fingers began pulling the pins from Alice’s hair. “Is something the matter? You seem to be quite distressed.”

Alice blinked in surprise. “I’m surprised you asked, Nancy,” she said honestly.

In the mirror, Alice saw Nancy’s cheeks go bright red. She was a lovely girl, when she cared to lift her head. “Forgive me, My Lady,” Nancy said in a trembling voice. “I did not mean to overstep my place.”

With the pins removed, Alice’s black hair tumbled past her shoulders. Nancy, though a very timid girl, was quite skilled with her hands. “When did we first meet, Nancy?” Alice asked, watching the girl as she reached for the brush on the vanity table and began running it through her hair.

“I…I believe it was a month before your first Season, My Lady.”

“Yes, I think so, as well. That would make it four years or so that we’ve known each other, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“In those four years, have I ever been unkind to you?”

Nancy’s hand stilled, her eyes growing wide as saucers. “Of course not, My Lady! You’ve been the very epitome of grace and compassion. I have never felt wronged by a single thing you’ve said to me in the time I’ve known you.”

That made Alice smile. It was nice to know that Nancy could become quite passionate when it meant defending her honor. “Then I would like to think that we’re are close enough, after all this time, that you can ask me if I am not feeling well,” Alice explained in a kind voice. “So, there is no need for you to apologize. I appreciate your concern.”

Nancy hung her head again, but Alice caught a hint of her smile. She went on, “To answer your question, no. I am not feeling very well, though I am more bothered mentally than I am physically.”

“May I ask what the reason is, My Lady?”