Page 21 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
Unwilling to admit his thoughts to his sister, he murmured, “I keep a busy schedule. You know this. I can’t just drop my appointments for visiting hours.”
As Flora groaned, pressing a palm to her forehead, Amstead slowly shook his head. “You’re not going to have any appointments to keep if you don’t get this scandal under control.”
…
For the tenth time that afternoon, Alicia contemplated feigning illness so she could flee her busy drawing room and the plague of visitors who had descended upon her modest townhome like a swarm of locusts. Theton’s busybodies had requested entry into her drawing room like specters of doom, words of concern dripping from their lips like penance.
The ladies had never been rude to her in the past, no doubt considering her, the widowed countess of a Scottish earl, beneath their notice.
But now, well, now the women acted like they were the best of friends.
She considered the three elegantly attired women on the damask settee across from her. They had visited yesterday, admired her day dress, approved of her decor, and offered complimentary words over her tea tray. Alicia braced herself for them to reveal the true reason for their visit, and when it arrived she’d been prepared. She hadn’t been the wife of a political-minded earl for ten years without learning a thing or two about how to answer a question without really answering it.
The ladies had politely left at the appointed time, none the wiser about the real reason behind her engagement to Lord Inverray than they had been when they’d stepped over her threshold.
They returned today, though.
Alicia knew they would, just as she knew low, dark clouds heralded rain. But she was not about to give them what they wanted. The truth of what happened between her and Inverray would never grace the broadsheets or gossip columns, so long as she could help it.
Thus she was incensed he had not come to call. How were they to settle on a united story if he continued to ignore her, all but leaving her to the wolves?
Pressing her lips into a firm line, she glanced out the large window that overlooked North Audley Street, dread settling in her stomach like a stone when she saw more ladies walking down the lane toward her front door. When would this cursed day be over?
“Lady Lindsay?”
Alicia blinked, refocusing on her guests. Had they actually asked her something that required a response?
“I was just telling the ladies that my daughter, Lady Claire, said she saw you in an intense conversation with the marquess while you danced.” Lady Dunmore narrowed her eyes. “Was she mistaken?”
Smothering a flame of irritation, Alicia lifted a shoulder. “Well, I suppose any discussion of marriage could be labeled as intense, especially with a gentleman of Lord Inverray’s stature.”
“He is quite an important man.” Lady Dunmore leaned forward in her seat. “Are you prepared for the life of political hostess? His lordship will need your support.”
“You forget that I was married to a politician before,” Alicia pointed out gently. “I assure you that I am quite prepared to be of support to the marquess, even if we disagree on policies at times.”
“Why would you discuss political policies with the marquess?” The Marchioness of Lampley wrinkled her nose. “Surely a gentleman does not want to debate politics with a woman when he could be flirting with her instead.”
Surely. Fighting to keep her temper proved difficult, but Alicia had become a master at pushing down her true thoughts and reactions. “That’s assuming Lord Inverray is an ordinary gentleman. I believe he’s proven he’s anything but.”
The women collectively laughed, and Alicia hoped it was the end of the conversation. That hope was dashed almost immediately.
“Inverray may be a bit bold and rugged, but he’s been known to dally discreetly here or there.” Lady Lampley arched a brow at Lady Dunmore. “Wasn’t he carrying on with Lady Ellis some time ago?”
Alicia knew the woman had dropped the tidbit precisely to jab at her, and she was not going to respond…even if thoughts of Inverray with the lovely brunette beauty made her stomach twist with an emotion she refused to call jealousy.
“From my understanding, the marquess broke it off with Lady Ellis as he was preparing to launch his bid for Prime Minister.” Sliding her gimlet gaze to Alicia, Lady Dunmore frowned.
All the unspoken things Lady Dunmore did not say rang loudly in the dubious note in her voice. Lady Ellis not only possessed beauty, but as the daughter of a marquess who had been married to a marquess, she possessed impressive connections that would aide Inverray’s quest to claim the party leader position. In comparison, Alicia was the daughter of a country gentleman and the widow of a well-liked Scottish earl, whose personal connections were flimsy at best.
How she longed to say,But it is my words, my critiques, that will make the marquess an excellent Prime Minister. He has listened to me and heeded my words.
But who would believe her if she touted such a claim?
Alicia cleared her throat. “I have not had the pleasure of meeting Lady Ellis, but I’m certain I would like her if I did.”
“Are you ready to leave your widow’s weeds behind and become Lady Inverray?” Lady Dunmore asked.
Alicia could not reveal her stress and uncertainty at yoking herself to a man she only knew as well as the footman who cleared her breakfast every morning. Nor could she share how the thought of giving up the first taste of freedom she’d had her entire life had left her sobbing into all hours of the night. How utterly depressing.
