Page 3 of Married to the Forbidden Duke
“The matrimonial alliance between His Grace, the Duke of Langford, and the accomplished Lady Penelope Millington, daughter of the Earl of Rushworth, takes place next week.” Her voice faded. “He’s marrying, Miss.”
Marrying.Marrying?
The Duke of Langford had ruined her life! And now… now, he was going on to marry and do everything she could no longer?
Despair burned away under the fires of her rage. This was unacceptable! She would not allow it!
Alice sat up straight, the water sloshing around her. “Jenny,” she said. “I’m going to need your help.”
“Whatever for, ma’am?”
She gave a grim smile. “We are going to London after all.”
CHAPTER TWO
It transpired that traveling to London without the knowledge of one’s family was more challenging than it seemed. Alice needed a way to sneak out to the nearest village; from there, she would hire a post chaise to take her to London.
But to sneak out, she would need a means of traveling. And for that, the easiest solution was a horse.
While Jenny packed, Alice ventured out into the gardens and bribed the stable boy, bidding him to bring a horse around for her to ride, with one of Harriet’s side saddles equipped. She assured him she would only be going for a small ride around the estate—and she proved to him that she knew her way around horses enough that he believed her. Knowing he would likely get in trouble, she tipped him well and bid him to tell no one of his involvement.
Let her aunt and uncle wonder what had happened. It served them right for keeping her trapped.
Just as she was about to sneak out to ride into the village, however, Harriet knocked on her bedchamber door. Alice stuffed her small carpet bag out of sight and plopped down on the bed.
“Yes?” she asked, a trifle impatiently. Harriet was a sweet enough girl, but she had been well and truly spoiled by the over-indulgence of her mother, and Alice had no real patience with her.
“Which gown do you think I should wear for my presentation to the Queen? I was thinking I ought to wear the rose silk, but Mama thinks I look better in the blue chiffon. What do you think? I think silk is more becoming, and flatters my complexion.”
“If you think that, why ask me?”
“Well, because you have already been presented at Court.” Harriet looked at her as though she was stupid. “Before your accident.”
“Yes, I remember when that was.” It was an effort not to snap at Harriet. She knew the girl meant no harm, but she had never learned tact, and Alice found it wearing. “But so has your mother. If you would rather wear the rose silk, tell her and have the maids make it up. I’m sure you’ll look lovely no matter what you choose.”
“Thank you.” Harriet preened, tossing her dark curls over her shoulder. Shewasan extremely pretty girl—and able-bodied.Alice always did her best not to envy her, but she remembered what it was like to have the freedom of choice. To attend Court and join London society as one of its newest debutantes.
“Could I borrow your kid gloves?” Harriet asked, abandoning the question of the gown. “The white ones? After all, you won’t be needing them.”
Those kid gloves in particular were safely tucked away in Alice’s carpet bag, but she could hardly admit as much. “I’ll ask Jenny to look for them,” she said vaguely.
“Thank you.” Harriet beamed at her. “You know, I am so terribly sorry that you can’t come with us. Mama says it’s not possible and you would be miserable there, but I would rather we could enter fashionable society together. I’m sure you’ll know who everyone is.”
Not any longer.
“Thank you,” Alice smiled instead, twisting her hands together. “You must be eager to pack everything. I’ll let you get back to it.”
To her relief, Harriet took the hint, not even seeming to notice she was being dismissed in her excitement. “Yes, thank you! Send along the gloves when you find them. I shall write to you often and tell you all about my beaus.”
No doubt Harriet would have wonderful luck in London and find a husband in her first Season. Alice had come close, but noone had proposed, and before her second season could much get underway, the Duke of Langford had stolen her future from her.
Alice watched her door close again, then found her carpet bag and brought it out, leaving it on the bed. She rang once for Jenny, who would come and collect the bag, carrying it to the village. It was only two miles away—an easy distance, Jenny said, and she could easily make an excuse for leaving there.
All Alice needed to do was escape.
She hobbled down the back stairs, leaning heavily on her stick as she made her way to the library doors that led out onto the lawn. There, round the side of the house, stood the stable boy waiting for her.
“Thank you, Barney,” she beamed warmly, handing him a bag of coins. Her leg already ached, but she knew it would all be worth it. “Now, can you pass me up?”
