Page 42 of A Feud with the Duke

Angelo faded away at the boisterous Austrian’s interruption. Looking over his friend’s shoulder, Harold saw that Alice had become separated from Simon, who was still in conversation with Rafe. He took his opportunity.

“Max, old chap. I surprised myself. It has been years but, if you will excuse me. I require some fresh air.”

Leaving his friend flat-footed and open-mouthed, Harold made his way over to Alice. Ruth stood by her side, her husband with her. Harold gave both a courteous nod but focused his attention on Alice.

“It seems events are running away with us. We should save our energy for the final dance, do you not agree? Perhaps you would join me on a turn around the garden.”

“I think it is raining, Your Grace,” Ruth said. “Hardly the appropriate…”

“No, dear. The rain stopped an hour ago. It is actually quite pleasant,” her husband replied, producing a brief grimace from his wife.

“Still, the ground will be quite soggy underfoot…” she countered.

“Yes, but Hastings has thought of that and put down a wooden walkway. It is quite dry,” came the response.

Another grimace and a pat on the hand that was just a touch harder than it needed to be.

“I am quite stifling, Your Grace. Thank you, we would love to join you. Would we not, Ruth?” Alice put in quickly.

She stepped to Harold’s side, taking an arm that he quickly offered to her. Harold had a feeling of completeness as he felt her hand entwined around his arm. It was as though she belonged there, as a part of him.

“Yes, I insist. There really is no better time to enjoy a garden than after a rain shower. Everything is so fresh and alive,” Harold said.

Ruth grumbled but her innocent husband was enthusiastic. They left the room, crossing the hall and following a marble corridor through the house to the sitting room that opened out onto a stone balcony. Alice squeezed Harold’s arm as they left the ballroom.

“We can talk circumspectly as we walk, I think. Ruth cannot walk very quickly in her condition. We will be able to pull ahead.”

“How do you feel about our upcoming display of the fine art of dance?” Harold said wryly.

“I have never been so excited. Nor so nervous. I don’t know if I want to do it or not,” Alice said.

“Once again, we seem to be of one mind. I would usually pay a king’s ransom to avoid being the center of such a frivolous display. But, the opportunity to be seen as a partner to you has my head quite turned around.”

Alice laughed softly. “I think everything is going to work out for the best. Even if we had tried, we could not have contrived circumstances better than the ones we have,” Alice enthused.

“Do not count your chickens,” Harold warned, earning a chuckle from Alice at his antiquated and quite rural expression. “Angelo is quite ruthless and Rafe is firmly under his spell.”

“Whatever do you mean? How?” Alice asked.

Harold shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. They have delivered to me an ultimatum. Either I announce our engagement publicly or they will ruin your good name with scandal.”

Alice stared at him in shock. “Rafe wouldn’t…”

“Rafe may not. He seems reluctant. But as I said, Angelo is ruthless.”

“Would it be so bad to simply give in to their demands? Why are they so keen in the first place?”

“So that Rafe can escape his father’s desire for him to marry you,” Harold explained.

They were stepping out onto the balcony, which was lit by flaming torches. A path of wooden boards was laid out across the mossy stone towards a set of steps leading down into the garden.

“As I said. Would it be so bad?” Alice asked, looking up at Harold with wide eyes.

He smiled, stroking his finger down her cheek. “Of course not. I am merely keen to avoid incurring the wrath of your brother. At least until I can clear my name over poor Eloise’s death.”

Alice looked relieved and Harold realized that she had needed that reassurance from him. For one insane moment, he forgot where they were, forgot who they were with. As he and Alice stopped in the middle of the balcony, he bent his head to hers and kissed her softly on the lips.

CHAPTER26

---