“Oh, Emma, he is so handsome and kind!” Emma gushed without a sliver of hesitation. Alice smiled to herself, listening to Emma as she went on and on about how courteous Lord Christopher was and how attentive he was. She delved into a rendition of tonight’s dinner, about how easily the Duke and Lord Christopher maintained conversation, how well they all got along. And when it was time to part ways, Emma went on about how reluctant Lord Christopher had seemed.
“It is clear that he fancies you,” Alice commented once she saw a break in the conversation.
“Do you truly think so?” Emma sighed. “I’d thought that perhaps I was being a little too optimistic.”
“There is no such thing, but yes, I do believe so. Whenever you are around, he cannot take his eyes off you. It is quite obvious.”
Emma rolled onto her side, facing Alice. Alice felt Emma’s breath on her cheek as she said, “Do you think he will ask me to dance at tomorrow’s ball?”
Lord Brownley’s ball—the very reason Lord Erlington and Lord Christopher had come to stay with them in the first place. Tomorrow was that fated day, but Alice knew that the company would not leave once it was over. Not with her father still adamant to have her accept one of them as a suitor.
“He would be quite mad if he did not,” Alice told her. “That, Emma, I do not think you have to worry about.”
“Oh, goodness, I hope so.” She sighed wistfully again, the sound tinged with excitement. “I can hardly wait.”
Alice tried to share her sister’s excitement. Seeing Emma happy usually made her feel the same way, but the thought of attending a ball with Lord Erlington in tow had her insides twisting with dread. With luck, she’d be able to ignore him for the entirety of the night. But she was expecting the complete opposite of that.
Alice let out a long breath, and then closed her eyes. “Sleep, Emma. You’d hate to have dark circles for the ball tomorrow.”
“You’re right,” Emma agreed quickly. She rolled back onto her back. “Goodnight, Alice.”
“Goodnight, Emma.”
Silence filled the room but Alice’s thoughts grew louder than ever.I pray tomorrow goes over well, for both me and Emma.
She fell asleep with that prayer on the tip of her tongue.
* * *
Lady Alice was simply being no fun at all.
William drew in a deep breath, crossing his arms as he took in the single painting that adorned the hallway he stood in. On the first floor of the Manor, he’d noticed a few paintings of somber ladies and gentlemen, all with the same black hair and green eyes Lady Alice possessed. But up here, this painting was the complete opposite—one of a lady with golden hair and blue eyes.
The first thing that drew his attention was the laughter in her eyes, even though her lips were set in a straight line and her face was slack with a lack of expression. Somehow, the artist had managed to bring out the genuine mirth that underlaid her features. Of all the paintings he’d seen, this looked the most like Lady Alice, even though this lady possessed quite contrasting characteristics.
Only, I’ve yet to see Lady Alice laugh—or even smile for that matter.
William sighed again, though he felt his usual competitive spirit rise within him. He didn’t know when it happened, but his interactions with Lady Alice had turned into a battle of wills, each seeing how they could unnerve the other. William might have won the last battle and he’d been looking forward to more clashes, but Lady Alice had avoided his company ever since their brief conversation in the library.
Not to worry. At this evening’s ball, I shan’t make the opportunity to dance with her pass. Perhaps she will truly warm to me this time. Ballrooms and dances have a way of softening the hearts of ladies.
But Lady Alice was no normal lady. She’d proved that easily enough.
William turned away from the portrait of the beautiful lady and continued down the hallway. He was already dressed for the ball, wearing dark trousers, a crisp white shirt, and a black waistcoat, and a coat with tails that brushed the back of his knees. Bored, he’d decided to make his way to his brother’s room, but upon approaching it, Christopher exited.
It came as no surprise that Christopher was dressed similarly, though he’d chosen to wear knee breeches with white stockings. William grinned broadly at him, enjoying the way his brother narrowed his eyes warily.
“What is it?” Christopher asked slowly as they both turned and immediately began making their way toward the foyer.
“Can’t I be happy to see my Brother?” William asked, raising his brows innocently.
“Whenever you smile at me like that, I get anxious. Good things never happen whenever you smile in that way.”
“You have no faith in me, Brother,” William sighed, shaking his head. “I have every intention of behaving myself tonight. You have my word. There is no need to be so tense.”
Christopher only narrowed his eyes a little more. “Are you certain?”
“Should I swear upon a Bible?” William asked.
