I can't. Sir Reymond is a gentleman of the highest breeding, nobody would believe me. I have no choice but to marry his brother.
But it seems so unfair. It wasn't your fault. He forced himself on you and hurt you in the most intimate place. He is a scoundrel and he deserves something bad to happen to him, Georgina said, slamming her tea cup down, almost breaking the saucer.
Georgina, Sophia, please listen to me. You are my dearest friends and I love you both. I am to be married because fate has dealt me a very bad hand. I must make the best of it, for the sake of my family and the Duke. I will marry the Duke and I will love him. Please do not pity me or think badly of me for doing so.
I admire your courage, Sophia said.
Why don't you just tell the Duke what happened? Surely he knows his brother is a bad man, when it comes to his treatment of ladies, Georgina asked.
I will not drive a wedge between the Duke and his brother. I am sure, in time, my steadfast love for the Duke will convince him that I am a good woman.
It's all my fault, Georgina added. If it hadn't been for my ridiculous suggestion, you wouldn't have needed to even speak to him.
It's not your fault Georgina, please don't blame yourself. Who knows, I may have spoken to him anyway. He was certainly handsome, Alice said.
But from what you tell me, the Duke is even more handsome. I know you are being forced to marry him, but it could have been worse. He could have been a plain Duke,” Sophia said.
Thank you, Sophia, that is a very comforting thought, Alice said, not quite sure whether it really was comforting or not.
Once Georgina and Sophia had drunk all the tea and eaten all the butterfly buns, they took their leave of Alice. It was six in the evening, and almost time for Alice to get dressed for dinner. Usually Alice would have gone inside after her friends had left, but she was waiting for someone, and he was late.
Charles, finally. Where have you been?
Alice I am so sorry, father kept me. He can't stop talking about naval college and what lies ahead of me in my training. Listen, Alice, I've heard all the rumors, and I don't believe them. What did he do to you?
Alice had never kept a secret from any of her friends and she wasn't about to do so now. He forced himself on me.
Oh, Alice. I am so sorry. When I'm a Captain, I'll have him press ganged and keelhauled, Charles said seriously.
Thank you for your kind expressions of concern. What has happened cannot be changed. I will marry his older brother, the Duke of Norfolk, that everyone's reputation be protected.
But, Alice. You can't. You of all people deserve to marry for love.
He is very handsome and I will be a Duchess. I will never want for anything. My life will be more comfortable than almost anyone in the land.
But what is that without love?
Charles you are far too romantic to be a sailor, Alice said as the first smile she had had for several days crossed her lips. I am going to marry the Duke come what may. The reputation of my parents is too important to me. But I want you to do something for me. Something that I will be forever grateful for.
*
Alice lay in the bath and held her breath as Eleanor rinsed her hair.
Eleanor, you have been terribly quiet over the last few days. Are you unwell?
No, Miss Alice. I am quite well.
Then what is the matter?
It is not my place to say, Miss Alice.
Please, Eleanor. I consider you a friend. Please unburden yourself.
Those bruises, on your thighs, Miss. A man of honor does not do that to a lady. I know what has befallen you, and it has upset me more than you could ever know.
Oh, Eleanor. You are of course correct. Something terrible has happened. Something a gentleman should never do to a lady. |But it has happened, and I must move on.
I understand, Miss Alice, but I want to tell you one thing. Please, before you accept your fate and never mention the deed again, think of the next lady and the next after her. That is all I will say on the matter.
Thank you, Eleanor. You are very wise and kinder than is good for me. I wanted to talk to you anyway. I need your help and I hope you will agree.
All the servants at Stanley Hall lined up to wish Miss Alice well on her wedding day. As she left the house on her father's arm, they looked at her beautiful white dress and the veil that hid her face. They burst into applause. Eleanor was unable to prevent a tear running down her cheek as Alice nodded at her. Alice's father looked dashing in a black morning coat, gray waistcoat and blue cravat. Thomas had spent days polishing Lord Ashmeer's shoes, and when Lord Ashmeer looked down, he could see the clouds reflected in them.
Are you ready, my dear? he asked Alice
Quite ready, father, she replied. Lord Ashmeer banged on the inside of the coach, and they set off with a jolt. Lord Ashmeer had hired the coach specially because it was capable of being drawn by six horses, and he'd wanted to make a good impression. His daughter was marrying a Duke, and he had to put on a good show. He had even hired a marquee, and had it erected on the lawn for the wedding breakfast.