“They are men,” Alice said with an offhanded wave. “They should be able to handle such things.”
“So you would believe,” Emma drawled with a smile. She waved a dainty hand as she turned to take her leave. “If you wish to find me, I shall be in the drawing room. I suddenly find myself in the mood to play the pianoforte.”
“Do have fun,” Alice called out to her and Emma nodded without turning before she slipped out the door.
The moment she was gone, Alice returned her attention to the letter and sighed. It wasn’t the first letter she’d received from a gentleman and she didn’t think it would be the last—not when her father was still so hellbent on finding her a husband. But, for some reason, this one bothered her more than usual. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Lord Brownley was quite possible the dullest man she’d ever met. Or rather, the fact that there was another gentleman in her life who was taking up most of her attention.
Alice rose, shaking the thought away. She didn’t want to think about why this bothered her so much, not willing to let her thoughts drift toward William. He’d already plagued her thoughts enough last night, sending shivers through her body every time she remembered how he’d thrown himself before her at the blast of the pistol. She didn’t particularly care to have those same thoughts pester her throughout the day as well.
But, as she made her way to the desk on the other side of the library, Alice couldn’t help but think back on the last time she’d been here with William alone. How he’d teased and flirted with her and her efforts to remain aloof and a little rude merely bounced off him. She should have known from then that there was little chance she could keep him at a distance.
A smile itched at her lips. To think that they were friends now, after last night. She supposed stranger things had happened.
Enough of that, she told herself as she sank into the chair.Let me get this over with.
She broke the seal of the letter and unfolded it. It was short, thankfully, but the moment she read the shudder-worthy way he addressed her, she knew she would not like any of it.
My dearest Lady Alice,it began,
I fear I have fallen victim to your beauty and your charm because I cannot stop thinking about you. The night we danced together will always remain a beautiful memory for me. I cannot help, I fear, but wish for your company yet again. Will you do me the honor of accompanying me for a carriage ride? Or perhaps you would like to go riding with me? Whichever activity you wish to partake in, Lady Alice, I would do my utmost best to keep you entertained.
Yours truly,
The Earl of Brownley
Keep me entertained? I highly doubt that is likely.Alice heaved another sigh as she read through the letter again. It appeared that Lord Brownley was more eloquent through writing than he was in speaking. Had she been someone else, she might have been tempted—almost.
But because she knew enduring a carriage- or horse-ride with Lord Brownley might be the most tormenting act she could inflict upon herself, she quickly set about writing a letter to reject him. Once a clean sheet of paper was before her, Alice reached for the quill pen and began.
Dear Lord Brownley,
Thank you for the kind invitation. However, I am afraid I am unable to accept them, due to the presence of a few guests within our Manor. Much of my time, I’m afraid, has been taken. I do hope you can find someone else to accompany you for those activities.
I wish you all the best,
Lady Alice of Warington
Short and to the point. Usually, she would be more straightforward with her rejection, stating that she was not interested in being courted by him. That would certainly ensure that he did not attempt to ask her again. But Lord Brownley, as boring as he was, did not strike her as a terrible man. If anything, he was rather kind to her. She didn’t wish to be too harsh, so she’d used William’s and Lord Christopher’s presence as an excuse instead. Hopefully, that would be enough for him to understand her true message.
She folded and sealed the letter, scrawling his name on the front before she stood and made her way to the door, intending on having it sent to him immediately. Hopefully, that would be the last time she would have to write a letter of rejection to another gentleman. She was fast growing tired of the act.
I should focus my attention on William anyhow.
The moment the thought crossed her mind, Alice drew to a sudden halt, her cheeks growing hot. That…that wasn’t what she meant, surely. She meant she should focus on maintaining the distance between them. Yes, of course, that would make much more sense. It was only right for her to keep him at arm’s length, even if they were far more amiable now.
Nodding to herself, needing to convince herself of that thought, Alice ignored the nagging thought that made her feel as if she was lying.
Chapter 12
William knew that searching the gardens would be a lost cause but he couldn’t stop himself from doing so. The gardens on Warington Estate covered a wide stretch and by the time and Christopher were finished, they were both tired and hot, burdened as they had been by the overhanging sun.
“He didn’t leave a single trace, it seems,” Christopher sighed as they made their way back into the Manor through the front door, considering they’d been closer to that entrance. “I cannot help but wonder if that means this is someone who is quite adept at such things.”
“I was wondering the same thing,” William agreed with a grim nod. “Trespassing on the grounds of a Duke’s Manor is not an easy feat, nor is it something a regular person would do without thought.”
Christopher sighed, putting his hands on his hips. They cleared the foyer, heading back to the library where they’d left the ladies only a short while before. “That doesn’t make me feel any better about this situation. Are you certain we shouldn’t tell the Duke?”
William had been debating the option himself. But he had a feeling that if he dared to do such a thing without consulting Alice first, she would certainly make sure he lived to regret it. They’d only just barely crossed over into something of a friendship and he wasn’t willing to do anything to jeopardize that. Not to mention the fact that telling the Duke might not help them figure out who might be after her.
