He understood. Did he know she felt the same? “That is it exactly. A lady’s life does not begin until she is wed. Unless, of course, she has a cause. In that case, marriage is needed for having children and a life partner, but it is no longer needed to find meaning.”
He studied her for a few moments. “Have you found your purpose?”
Alice blew out a breath. “Not yet. My sisters have.”
“You mean particularly Lady Montagu and Lady Madeline?”
Alice nodded. “Yes. Eleanor has her coal mine, and Madeline focuses on helping people any way she can.” She told him about the changes at the mine and the boy and girl Madeline and Harry found and saved. About the charities of their older sisters and what her brothers-in-law do. “I do not seem to be able to focus on just one thing.”
St. Albans leaned forward, closing the distance between them, enabling her to breathe a scent that was all him. Clean and masculine. Not to mention the tingles. Why were they still affecting her when she now liked him? “Is there a reason you must you pick one endeavor. Can you not do bits of everything?”
What an interesting idea. “What do you mean?”
“Start schools on the estates of whomever you wed or improve them. Help train and hire people in need. And help those you find. The boy has a unique story, but the girl selling flowers does not. There are hundreds if not thousands of children like that all over the country.”
“Sort of a jack-of-all-trades.” He inclined his head. “I like your idea.”
St. Albans seemed to move closer. Alice had to stop herself from reaching out and touching him. “It would give you more flexibility and scope, if you will.”
He was right. “I agree. I think you have solved my problem.” She glanced at her watch. “I should go. I am glad you were here this morning.”
His well-molded lips tilted up at the ends. “As am I. Allow me the pleasure of escorting you out.”
He took the books, and she placed her hand on his arm. It was a shame she had not got to know him before he had met the other lady, and she had met Lord Normanby. Still they were becoming friends.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Giff had escorted Alice to her home from Hatchards. He now understood why Normanby wanted to stroll with her in lieu of riding. Even when one stopped to greet acquaintances, one had a great deal more time to converse. He tied his cravat and fixed it with an emerald pin. The ball tonight was going to be excruciating. He’d have one set with Alice, but Normanby would have the supper dance. Giff hoped the blackguard would trip up somehow, but hope was not a strategy. He had to do something to snatch Alice from the cur’s clutches. Yet it must be in a way that caused the least harm to her. What was it Lady Mary had said?
“Theo and I pray daily that Matt will discover something is wrong with him.”
Ah yes. Theo of the sheep.
Giff had a feeling he’d need more than a mistress to show Normanby for the scoundrel he was. The servant said they’d all be out on the street without a marriage. How could Giff find proof of the cad’s financial difficulties? There was, of course, the time-honored method of starting a rumor. But he wanted solid proof. Perhaps Mamma could help. Gunn helped Giff into his jacket and fixed his pocket watch and quizzing glass to his vest.
He made his way to the small drawing room and was surprised to find only his mother. “Where is Father?”
“He had a committee meeting. He will dine out.” She handed Giff a glass of sherry. “Have you made any progress with Lady Alice? I hear Lord Normanby is hopeful of a match.”
Giff decided to keep his conversation with Lady Mary and her notes to himself. “A bit. We’ve met at Hatchards twice now. I had been approaching her in the wrong way. We’re getting on much better now. About Normanby, I discovered he is still keeping a mistress.”
His mother raised one brow. “That is not something a lady like Lady Alice would appreciate. I heard a whisper that his mother married and is on the Continent because her gambling was out of control.”
That might be the reason Normanby was seeking to marry money. “I have reason to believe he might be on the rocks.”
Mamma fixed him with a disgusted look. “Can you please not use cant around me.”
Giff bowed. “My apologies. It means—”
“I know very well what it means.” Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she gave him the look. “He has little to no funds.” She took a sip of her wine. “If that is true, he is hiding it quite well.” And that was the problem. His father’s butler entered the parlor and announced dinner. Mamma placed her hand on Giff’s arm, and they strolled to the family dining room. “Rumors are all well and good, but I think you had better focus on charming her away from his lordship.”
“You might be right.” Now that he knew where he’d gone wrong, there was a chance he could cut Normanby out. “I have a dance with her this evening.”
Mamma looked at him in surprise. “Well done. Considering the set down she gave you the other day, I am impressed.”
“I was as well.” The servants had been steadily offering them dishes, and he took several pieces of asparagus sautéed with mushrooms. He had to make the most of that dance and be seen standing up with other ladies. He wasn’t ready to let her know that the lady upon which he was focused and hoped to wed was her.
Mamma swallowed. “How are you doing with the Scottish estate?”
“I am reading everything I can find. Mr. Quinney has been very thorough in answering my questions. I want to travel to Inverness as soon as I am able.”
“Perhaps on a wedding trip?” she said archly.
“If that wedding trip includes Lady Alice, I rather think she would like to visit Paris. Both her sisters are there on their honeymoons.” Yet, she might be willing to travel to Scotland. “It’s too soon to make plans. I must first secure the lady’s hand.”
Mamma rose. “Speaking of that, we should be going.”
They entered the ballroom before the first set. Alice was standing with her family. Normanby was nowhere in sight. Then again, he had the supper set and had no reason to attend earlier. Giff accompanied his mother to a group of her friends and made his way toward Alice’s circle. Bolingbrook led her out for the first dance.
Almost immediately, Lady Millsworth approached him. “My lord, please come with me. There is a lady in need of a partner.”
Giff inclined his head. “It would be my pleasure.”
He was made known to a Miss Butterworth. The next set went to Lady Amelia Grant. Then it was time to dance with Alice. If she had been taking note of his previous partners, she did not give herself away. They took their places opposite each other, bowed and curtseyed, and the music began. He took her hand as they came together. “You look exceptionally lovely this evening.”
“You are very handsome.” The color of her cheeks deepened as they danced apart.
The next time he offered an invitation he thought she might like. “There is a balloon ascension in the Park on Thursday. Would you like to accompany me to it?”
