Alice grinned. That sounded like something the duchess would do. “Leave it to your grandmother to be so sly.”
“That is what I thought when she wrote to me.”
She was certain Madeline would love the house. It also had the benefit of not being too far from Worthington House. “I cannot wait to hear what they think about it.”
Henrietta leaned closer to Alice. “Nate thinks we’ll be caught out. If not by Madeline, then by Harry.”
At the end of the next day, that is exactly what happened. But they loved the house, and Madeline was glad not to have to do everything herself.
* * *
Lord Normanby once again arrived promptly at Worthington House for their walk. Alice tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “It is not that I do not like strolling with you, but do you not like to drive a carriage?”
He smiled down at her, giving her a meaningful look. “I do, but then my attention would be on my horses and not on you.”
That was true, she supposed. She must be careful to glance around from time to time today. “I had never thought of it in that light.” This was the first time they had had an opportunity to talk since he had returned to Town. “How was your mother’s wedding?”
“Being her second marriage, it was small. One of my older sisters attended her. It was held at the chapel at our house.”
“That sounds lovely. I have visited houses and castles with chapels and even small churches. Living in a house like that must be wonderful.”
It was a devil of a lot of work and took a great deal of money. Money Normanby didn’t have. Lady Alice smiled at him as if she was imagining experiencing the house. If there was one thing he’d learned about ladies it was to always agree with them. “It was a great deal of fun as a child. We even have priest holes.”
She glanced up and looked around. “We must greet Lady Bellamny.”
“How amazing.” That old busybody. He escorted Lady Alice to her ladyship after she greeted Lady Bellamny. He bowed. “My lady.”
She inclined her head. “Normanby. How is your mother? I have not seen her in Town this Season.”
“She recently remarried and is off to France on her wedding trip.”
“Coltrane?” she asked.
“Who else? He has been her faithful cicisbeo for years.”
From the corner of his eyes, he could see Lady Alice watching the conversation. Would she even understand it? From what he’d heard and seen of her family, they were depressingly monogamous. Even Kenilworth had got rid of his mistress and not taken another.
“Lady Alice, I do not suppose you have heard from Lady Eleanor yet?”
“No, my lady. It has been too soon.”
“You two be on your way.” He was glad when her ladyship waved them off. If anyone could discover his masquerade, it was her. All Normanby had to do was hold on for a few more weeks, and he would have everything he wanted in a wife. Good bloodlines, beauty, and wealth.
When they reached Worthington House, he bowed. “May I see you again tomorrow?”
“I have another engagement.” She lightly bit her bottom lip, and he could see himself bedding her. She would not compare with his mistress, Celeste, but he would be able to perform. “I will not be available for the next two weeks.”
“Are you going away?” That would scuttle all his plans.
“No. I simply have a great many engagements which I must attend.”
Normanby had hoped he’d have her betrothed by then, but that would have to be good enough. He’d wanted to be seen with her enough to cause some tongues to start to wag. “Until then.”
“I am looking forward to it.” She curtseyed. “In a few days you will hear about it.” With that cryptic remark, she entered the house.
As Alice had expected, the next two weeks were madness. To make things worse, just before the wedding, Lady Wolverton, Madeline’s mother, decided to object to Harry. Alice did not know how it was resolved, but it was. Harry’s grandmother, the duchess, and his parents came to Town. If it was not for the early morning rides in the Park, they would have all been ready for bedlam. The only thing that spoilt the rides was that Lord St. Albans continued to attend. Not that Alice had to speak with him much at all. Georgie Turley, Henrietta Fotherby, and Dorie Exeter were there as well.
Matt was able to contact Montagu and Eleanor, and they arrived the day before the wedding. The ceremony itself was held in the garden. Harry and Madeline were surrounded by their family including the Great Danes. As Alice listened to the vows being said, she was at once overjoyed for her sister and at the same time felt alone. Her sisters were on their way to creating their own families, and she had been left behind. She gave herself a shake. Lord Normanby was waiting to take her walking again. This time she would find out if he met the requirements on her list.
* * *
Giff had stayed up late into the night going over the information Mr. Kennedy had sent trying to make sense of it all. He was probably going to have to send a note to Quinney asking for his help. As a consequence of Giff’s late night, he arrived at the Park as Alice was departing. At least he’d have a chance to see her this afternoon at the Venetian Breakfast they were both attending at a riverside estate near Richmond. He just hoped Normanby wasn’t there.
When he arrived, she was standing with Lady Turley and some other ladies. Giff made himself stroll in a circuitous manner to Alice’s side and greeted the other ladies. “Lady Alice, would you do me the honor of strolling with me?”
“Of course, my lord.” She glanced at the others. “Please excuse me.”
The day was warm and as they neared the river the slight breeze was refreshing. He stopped and faced her. “I would like to discuss the possibility of you becoming my wife.”
Alice sniffed and looked down her lovely nose at him. “You are not qualified to be my husband.”
The devil I’m not! “What do you mean I’m not qualified?” This couldn’t be happening. “I’m the heir to a dukedom.”
She raised one imperious brow. “Be that as it may, I have a list, and you do not meet the qualifications.”
“A list?” He’d thought things had been going well. He could have sworn he’d recovered from not being invited to her come out ball. Normanby must have something to do with this. Giff wanted to bash his head against a wall.
“Yes.” She nodded sharply. “A list of qualifications a gentleman must have before I will marry him. You do not meet the qualifications, and marrying a duke or a future duke is not one of them.”
