Giff felt both welcomed and inspected. Just like when he first went to Scotland. No one knew what he was about. He’d love to put everyone at ease, but he had no intention of misleading any of them regarding his desire to marry Alice. And she was not ready to hear a proposal. “I am very glad to join you.”
Alice led him to a sofa. He took a seat after she did. Posy sat next to him on the other side. “I must say, I have never seen a dog sit on a sofa like a human.”
“They are people too,” Elizabeth said protectively.
Interesting. “They are.” There was no point in arguing with a member of the infantry. “I have always wanted to have a dog in the house, but not one of the small ones.”
Mary nodded approvingly.
“Are you a member of the Lords?” Gideon asked.
“No. And thankfully so. That would mean my Papa had died.”
The boy looked at his father. “I would not like that at all.”
“You see what I mean.”
Gideon nodded. “But what do you do? My uncle Phinn is not a peer, but he and my Aunt Augusta study languages and foreign architecture.”
That was a very good question. What was Giff’s role in life? “You make a good point. Other than preparing to be a duke, I must find another occupation. It has been suggested that I can be politically active before I am a peer. I will look into it.”
“Very good,” Gideon said approvingly.
“You could become involved in charities,” Theo suggested. “Our family has some that help a great many people.”
She sparked his curiosity. “Such as?”
“Taking in and training children who have no one to care for them. We hold classes here to teach them to read, write, and do sums. When they are old enough, they can select jobs for which they wish to train.”
Was that who had delivered the messages to his house, and taught Lady Mary to slip them into pockets? Lady Theo could no doubt pick them as well. “What else?”
“We hire former military men and train them as footmen or in other professions,” Worthington said.
“As you know, we also take care of widows and their children,” Alice added.
She had mentioned that. Giff hadn’t known anyone who did more than give money to charities. He wished he had been pushed into a direction before now. Because Alice had such a large family, he’d gone to Debrett’s to find out more about them. Title and bloodline wise, they had married well. But there was something more. A bond that knitted them all together. When he married her, he would have to fit in.
He stroked the dog. “I have heard you have family meetings. My mother’s family in Scotland do the same thing.”
“We do.” Edward’s face lit up. “Every summer and every other Christmas we are together at Worthington Place. Do you meet at the same place?”
“We do, or rather I do. My mother comes in summer for a few weeks. I am there for New Year’s. In Scotland, Christmas is not much of a celebration. That takes place on New Year’s Eve. It’s called Hogmanay. One of the important parts of the night is welcoming a dark-haired man. He’s called the first foot.” Giff pulled a face. “Unfortunately, anyone with red hair is considered bad luck. We have to stay well away from a front door until a dark-haired fellow shows up.”
Gideon’s grin split his face. “I would be welcomed.”
“You would indeed. Perhaps sometime in the future you can come to Scotland and be a first foot.”
“May I, Papa?”
“When you are older,” Worthington said. “Alice told us you have inherited a property in Scotland.”
“I have. Just recently.” Giff told them about the estate and whisky production.
Alice seemed to listen intently. He wished he knew more about it. “I understand you have visited the farm in Norfolk.”
“I have as have my brothers-in-law,” Worthington said. “There are many very good practices. The only difficulty is sometimes convincing our tenants there are better methods than the old ones.”
“Yes, but that is the way with most things,” Lady Worthington said. “You remember the problems starting schools.”
Schools on estates? Giff considered the challenges and the possibilities. “I must look into that.”
“The husband of a friend came up with the perfect solution,” Alice said. “If you are interested, we may discuss it.”
“I am extremely interested.” The time had gone so quickly. He was surprised to look at the clock when it struck the hour to see it was already five o’clock. “We should be going.”
Standing, she drew on a pair of leather gloves. “My carriage will be waiting.”
He helped her into the high-perched phaeton before climbing into his own side. At a nod from her, the groom let the horses go, and she expertly feathered the corner on to Hill Street. Giff folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the comfortable squabs. He could get used to this. Not saying anything, she cast him a quick look, then turned her attention to her horses. He studied her profile. Her rosy lips turned up slightly at the ends, and her jaw was relaxed. She must have a good deal of experience driving a carriage to be so calm. “How long have you been driving?”
“Since I was quite young. My papa”—her voice broke when she mentioned her father—“started teaching me. Later Grace had her friend Phoebe Evesham instruct us.”
That was impressive. Her ladyship was one of the best whips in the country as well as being an excellent judge of horseflesh. “No wonder you are so good.”
Alice’s smile broadened. “Thank you.”
They passed through the gate and onto the carriage way. As expected, they stopped every few feet as they were greeted by friends and acquaintances. His mother was riding with Lady Bellamny. He’d known her since he was a child, but neither that nor his rank saved him from the sharp edge of her tongue when she chose to use it on him. She greeted Alice as if she was a granddaughter. More pieces about the lady he wanted to marry fell into place. She had been raised amongst the haut ton, giving her a poise beyond her years. And she had not been sheltered from the suffering of others. She did not stand on ceremony, but she could give one an excellent garden-bear jaw when she thought it was needed. If only he had not been so full of himself when he’d first met her. He caught her ladyship’s knowing look and inclined his head slightly. It was time to be seen with Alice enough to cause speculation about his intentions. And for her to see him as a possible husband.
Alice saw the look her ladyship gave St. Albans but could not work out what it meant. She was a little concerned about greeting the duchess. After all, she had not allowed St. Albans to attend her come out ball. She took a breath. “It is very nice to see you again, your grace.”
