He glanced at her and chuckled. “I find them delightful. Why do you ask?”
This was very good. “In my family, the children are used to dining with us unless we have guests. I plan to do the same thing with my children.”
He inclined his head, and his breath touched her ear. “Of course, if you wish it.”
“I do.” Alice wondered how bold she could be in her questioning. He had not, after all, offered for her. Then again, he had spoken to Matt. “I also want to continue to support and be involved in my charities.”
“I do not know why that would change.” Lord Normanby’s tone had never been so low, so seductive.
A shiver raced down her back. This must be the feelings she had been told about. Not the prickles she had with St. Albans. Those had been strangely disconcerting.
Lord Normanby gazed down at her. “At the ball, would it be possible to have another set in addition to the supper dance?”
Oh, no! Alice did not have any sets left. “I am so sorry, but I have none.”
“I waited too long.” He pouted, but it was not the same as St. Albans’s earlier pout. It seemed a bit calculated. She shook off the thought. “It is I who should beg your forgiveness.”
“There is always the next ball.” That should make him certain of her position.
Something, a look she did not recognize, lurked in his blue eyes. “In that case, I would like to ask for them now.”
“Of course.” If he proposed soon, he could have all her sets. She would like to ask him what he wanted from a marriage. He already met her requirements. Did he not have some of his own? Unfortunately, until he mentioned marriage, she could not ask.
“Then I think I shall look forward to that ball more than the one this evening.” He bent his head again as if he did not want to miss anything she might have to say.
What should she say? “I will as well.”
“I cannot tarry in Town much longer. I am needed at my estate.”
What did that mean? Was he just going to go home? “I understand. Needs must.”
They had reached the Park and entered. For a long time, it appeared as if all they would do was to greet friends and acquaintances. Finally, they were as alone as they could be during the Grand Strut. “I would like to settle some things before I leave.”
Alice’s heartbeat more rapidly. “What would that be?”
“As you must know, I am searching for a wife. Would you allow me to speak with you a bit later?”
He was going to propose! “Yes, I would.”
Nothing more was said on the subject, but she knew it was settled. He would ask for her hand, and she would accept. Alice wanted to skip like a girl. Finally, she would be wed.
They finished their walk, and he returned her to Worthington House. She reviewed the list in her head, but hardly remembered what was on it. If he wanted to marry her, he must love her. That she could not forget. When he asked, she would tell him how she felt and wait for him to respond. She did love him. She must. Why else would she be excited that he was going to ask her to be his wife?
“I will see you this evening,” Lord Normanby’s tone was lower than usual causing butterflies to dash around in her stomach.
“I look forward to it.” She entered the house, and he left, glancing back over his shoulder as he did.
When would he ask her to marry him? Would it be this evening at the ball? Alice practically floated up the stairs. Soon he would propose, and she would be married just like her sisters.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Later that afternoon, Mamma summoned Giff to her parlor. He entered and bowed. “Mamma?”
She pointed at the chair across from her. “Come and sit. I have had some news.”
His mother appeared both apprehensive and excited at the same time. “What is it?”
She poured him a dram of whisky from the bottle on the small table at her elbow. “You asked me to look into Normanby. I did, and I finally have an answer that is reliable.”
Giff took a sip. “And.”
“He is broke.” His mother took a drink as well. “His father beggared the estates and mortgaged everything that he could. If he doesn’t marry for money soon, the loans will be called in.”
“Only on the property that is not part of the entail.” That’s the reason he was courting Alice. He knew the blackguard was up to no good.
“Which is most of the holdings. His father did not continue in entail on anything other than their main estate.”
Her dowry would go a long way to paying off those loans. “I take it he has put it about that he will soon wed Lady Alice. But how has he kept anyone from finding out?”
“He is betrothed to a young woman from the City. The daughter of a wealthy merchant,” Mamma stated flatly.
Giff couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “He’s betrothed, and he’s courting Alice?” He’d murder him. There was another question. “You do not have contacts in the City. How did you discover this?”
Mamma took another small sip. “I might not have contacts, but I have friends who do. The first of the banns was called at a church this past Sunday. My friend also told me about his finances.”
Something wasn’t making sense. “Why the deuce is he courting Alice?”
One of his mother’s brows rose in an extremely haughty way. “Blood.”
