Chapter Five

 

“Alice,” Mrs. Huntington called from outside her bedroom door, “would you please come downstairs?”

Alice set her pen to the side and blew on the ink of the letter she had completed to a childhood friend who was now living in America. She envied Catherine’s freedom but wished her friend well. In all honesty, Alice doubted she would enjoy America, but seeing beyond her own gardens would have been a welcome sight. Her family rarely enjoyed the travels most wealthy families garnered. Without a title, her father had not yet partaken in a London Season but had promised his wife and daughters the opportunity to become involved in whatever it was families did at that time.

That had been when Alice was much younger, and that day had not come as of yet, though the promise was made every year. It had come to the point that Alice expected to hear the words but knew they held no true promise. Her father had even gone so far as to promise a country home in Cornwall but had failed to follow through on that, as well.

As a spinster, Alice often wondered where her life would lead her. She was interested in various topics, was deft with a needle and thread, and enjoyed weaving. Several years earlier, she had made her first hat, the style of it including a wide brim with lovely ribbons. Where many of the milliners of her time used real flowers to adorn their hats, Alice chose to create flowers from bits of cloth and ribbon. In doing so, her creations could be worn for a longer period of time without the fear of the flowers wilting or the fruit rotting. She had received various compliments, but when it was discovered she had been the creator of such art, the compliments stopped. Apparently, it was unbecoming of a woman of means to create and sew her own hats. Needlecraft on handkerchiefs and pillows were the extent of most titled women. The rest relied on seamstresses for their gowns and gloves and milliners for their hats. However, despite the down-turned noses, Alice continued to produce a new hat every few months and wore them proudly when she went out.

All this she had included in her letter to her friend Catherine with a promise that if they were to see each other again, the woman would be welcome to choose for herself any hat Alice had made. Whether or not the two would meet again was not known, but Alice truly did hope they would find themselves together in the same place again one day.

Mrs. Huntington’s voice came through the door once again. “Alice, there is someone here to see you.”

Alice crinkled her brows. “Someone to see me?” she asked in bewilderment. She could not remember the last time someone had come simply to see her.

“Come downstairs now,” her mother repeated. “We will be in the drawing room.”

Alice sighed, grabbed a light wrap as the weather had been cloudy and a bit chilly for autumn, and did as her mother bid. Once she walked into the drawing room, however, she stopped and stared. For sitting on one of the sofas was Lord Blackmoore. Had the man been serious the last time she saw him about stopping in and visiting with her? The thought was ridiculous.

“Ah, there you are, Alice,” Mr. Huntington called in an overly-sweet voice that set Alice’s nerves on edge. “You remember Lord Blackmoore?”

“But of course,” Alice replied as she stared at the vile man. She gave a curtsy. “My Lord.” She did little to keep the mockery from her voice.

“Sit, Alice,” her mother hissed as she lowered herself onto the empty sofa.

Alice did as her mother bade, but with a reluctance she tried to hide. She would not give the man the benefit of seeing he had upset her. “Lord Blackmoore, what is it you want?” Alice asked bluntly. She was in no mood for dilly-dallying around.

“Alice!” Mrs. Huntington gasped. “I am sorry, My Lord. She is not typically this rude.”

Alice laughed. “I only wish to know why a man who has never even deigned to speak to me has suddenly found an interest in coming to visit me.” Of course, she did not mention that they had spoken in the stables, and she prayed silently that he also kept that information to himself.

Lord Blackmoore laughed. “I like your honest and forwardness,” he said, though Alice heard the lie behind the words. “The truth is I came to speak to your father concerning a business agreement we made and I asked if I could see you.”

“Why?” Alice asked without hesitation.

“That is quite enough, Alice,” her father snapped. “If Lord Blackmoore wishes to spend time with you, you will allow him to do so.” Alice recognized her father’s tone and knew it would be in her best interest to do his bidding.

“Very well,” Alice said with a sigh. “What is it you would like to discuss?”

The Earl rose. “If your parents approve, I would like to spend some time with you, to get to know you. When I saw you the night of the summer party, I have to admit that I found myself…interested in you. I imagine you have many subjects of interest? Well, I too, am quite knowledgeable in many areas.”

Alice snorted and then pretended to cough to cover it up. Both her parents glared at her, but the Earl made no indication of hearing her sign of disdain. “I see. Well, my schedule is quite busy at the moment, but I imagine that I can set aside some time after tea the Friday next.”

“I believe now would be a wonderful time for you two to spend together,” Mr. Huntington said. “I myself must see to several contracts that must go out by tomorrow, but Mrs. Huntington would be happy to work on some quiet work while the two of you sit together.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Mrs. Huntington said, unable to contain her excitement. “I have been meaning to finish a pattern on a pillowcase, and there is no time like the present. I will have Esther bring us some tea and cakes if you’d like.”

Alice could do nothing more than stare at her parents. She had seen them try all sorts of means to have her spend time with possible suitors, but them wanting her to spend time with one such as Lord Blackmoore had to be a way to teach her a lesson. Her mind raced as she considered every excuse to leave, but the firm glares she received from her parents told Alice that nothing could keep her from this visit.

“Oh, very well,” she sighed, to which her mother came close to jumping up and down with happiness.

“Wonderful,” Mr. Huntington added to his wife’s excitement.

Lord Blackmoore rose when Mrs. Huntington stood and waited until she sat once again in a chair beside the window where her sewing basket sat.

Mr. Huntington shook the Earl’s hand. “I expect a full report,” —he chuckled— “that is, about our contract, before you leave.”

“Yes, I am sure we will come to an agreement by that time,” Lord Blackmoore said.

Alice found their short conversation somewhat cryptic and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. However, she had little time to contemplate the meaning of their words before Lord Blackmoore was once again seated across from her.

“So, Miss Huntington,” he said, “what subjects interest you?”

Alice stared at the man. What subjects, indeed? However, when her mother clicked her tongue, Alice knew she was to answer. “I am quite interested in reading,” she replied.

“Is that so?” Lord Blackmoore replied. “I imagine a love story or something of that sort is among your favorites.”

“Actually, I have read A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft more than a dozen times and find it enlightening.” In all honesty, she had attempted to read the book but found it a bit dry, even if she agreed with the topic it presented, but that topic was what she hoped would shock him into retreating from the wretched conversation.

However, Alice was disappointed when the only indication the title surprised him was the tiniest rise of an eyebrow. “I see,” he said. “And what of poetry? I understand that most women enjoy a good prose.”

Alice tilted her head at him. “Oh, yes,” she replied. “I especially enjoy reading Amelia Opie quite a bit.” This was an honest response, for she found the woman’s works touched her heart.

Unfortunately, Lord Blackmoore did not seem to share her interest, for she recognized the sneer he held on his lips, though he tried to cover it up. It was then that she realized that their time together had to be a way for him to learn information about what she liked and dislike so he could mock her at a later time. Why else would he be there asking these questions? She certainly was not his typical prey.

Alice had had enough. She stretched and stifled a yawn. “I believe I will return to my room and rest,” she said as she stood, forcing the Earl to struggle to uncross his leg and stand. “Thank you for your visit, My Lord.” She almost added that she hoped to see him again soon. However, remembering how he had turned her words on her the time before, she decided it would be best not to offer.

“Now, Alice,” Mrs. Huntington called out from her seat by the window. “you have barely given Lord Blackmoore a moment of your time. Why not wait for a while longer before returning to your room?”

“No, I must be on my way,” Lord Blackmoore said before turning to Alice and bowing. “It has been a pleasure, Miss Huntington. May I come by tomorrow?”

Alice’s jaw dropped and she had to force it closed. “Tomorrow would be…”

“A wonderful day,” Mrs. Huntington said to finish Alice’s sentence. “Will it not, Alice?”

Upon seeing her mother’s narrowed eyes, Alice knew she could not refuse. “Very well, tomorrow would be fine. Until then.” With that she left the room, forcing herself to walk rather than run back up the stairs to her room.

Confusion coursed through her as she flung herself on her bed. She would have to try harder to get the rogue to cease his sudden interest in her. But how?

***

The following day when Lord Blackmoore came to visit, Alice was better prepared. She had a list of topics written on a slip of paper, which she handed to the man when they sat down together in the drawing room, much to her mother’s annoyance.

Lord Blackmoore, however, looked at the paper with amusement. “‘The best-written poems of Amelia Opie’,” he read aloud, to which Mrs. Huntington clicked her tongue. “‘The process used in making millinery’.” He chuckled and looked up. “Millinery? Are you a hat aficionado?”

Alice pushed her chin forward. “I happen to be quite adept at creating bonnets as well as bergeres, which are quite popular for summer activities,” she stated firmly. “I have made most of the hats I currently own as well as those of my mother and sister.”

Lord Blackmoore raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. “Is that so?” he asked, though his tone did not hold a hint of mocking, which only confused Alice, for she expected nothing but mocking from the man.

“She is a capable woman in many areas,” Mrs. Huntington chimed in. “Her skills cover a wide variety of areas.”

Alice shot her mother a glare and the woman returned to her needlework, but a small smile played on her lips. Alice, on the other hand, found her mother’s interruption irritating. She cared nothing for impressing this man; on the contrary, she hoped to bore him to the point he would never be able to imagine himself being in her presence for any extended amount of time.

“So, what goes into creating a woman’s hat?” Lord Blackmoore asked with clear interest. Why he would be interested in the creation of a woman’s hat, Alice did not know, but it was a subject in which she was well-versed.

“It is somewhat complicated, My Lord. I am sure it would be difficult for you to follow the many steps it would take.”

The only sign that her barb had indeed caused him discomfort was a bit of reddening of his cheeks. “I am certain I can keep up,” he replied with a laugh.

“Very well. I begin with a shaped piece of linen that I heavily starch so it is stiffened. I then sew on wiring around the edges of the starched linen to help it maintain the desired shape.” She paused dramatically. “I hope I have not lost you,” she said with feigned concern.

“Not at all,” he replied. His laugh was hearty and lacked the irritation she had hoped to garner from the comment. However rather than be irritated by his response, she felt rather pleased. Perhaps he truly was interested in the topic. “Please, continue.”

“Once I have finished adding the wiring, I cover the linen and wiring with my choice of fabrics and ribbons depending on how I will use the hat. I use heavier fabrics for hats I will use outdoors and lighter for indoors. Then I adorn the finished hat with a variety of feathers and bows to compliment the gown I am wearing at the time.”

Lord Blackmoore nodded his head appreciatively. “It does sound quite the process and I admire your accomplishment in that area.”

For whatever reason, the man’s compliment made Alice beam. She could not stop the idiotic smile that spread across her face as her pride swelled from his words. No one, not even her mother and sister, had given her such a compliment, and they used her hats on a regular basis. “I appreciate you saying so,” Alice replied. “And yourself? What is it you enjoy doing? I am not speaking of business deals, of course, as most men pride themselves on their business prowess, but with what do you entertain yourself?” Her mind screamed at her, ‘Why do you care what he enjoys? You were expected to bore him, not engage him.’

She pushed the thoughts aside. What would it hurt to show some kindness, even if he did not deserve it? She would be the one who was demonstrating goodness; something she was certain he did not understand.

He sat for a moment, rubbing his chin, an action which Alice found attractive, much to her angst. “I guess I would say it would be my love of boxing, or at least observing a good boxing match, which I find as a wonderful diversion from everyday life.”

He had a twinkle in his eye as he said this, and Alice recognized the challenge in his voice. What he wanted was to shock her, as such a declaration of enjoying the violence of such a barbaric sport would shock most women. However, Alice was not most women.

“I have heard boxing is a very energetic sport. Perhaps one day you might take me to a match.”

Mrs. Huntington gasped, and Lord Blackmoore’s eyes widened. Alice could not stop herself from drawing her head back and laughing. “Do you not believe that women would be interested in such entertainment?”

“Alice!” her mother said.

Alice laughed again. “Oh, Mother, this is the Nineteenth Century. There is no need for women to hide inside their homes while men are off gallivanting around town. Is that not right, Lord Blackmoore?”

The Earl continued to stare at her, but his shocked expression had turned to one of consideration. From what she had heard, he was of the men who believed a woman’s place was relegated to the home and in the bed, especially the bed, and her words had to come as a surprise.

Despite the earlier happiness at his interest in her pastimes, Alice felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her. What a wonderful feeling it was. Yet, she also felt a bit of regret in her words, for the feeling in the room immediately changed from light to heavy. Perhaps she had gone too far.

“I admit that I must agree with you,” he said to Alice’s utter astonishment. He laughed. “You are surprised? Women have the ability to run a household, so then why not admit they have more than a capability to run a business?”

“Well,” Alice replied, not wishing the man to somehow lead her into some sort of predicament from which she could not relinquish herself. He could be crafty that way. “having the capability and the eligibility of running a business are two different birds, are they not? Few women are given the opportunity to do so.”

“You are correct in your assessment, Miss Huntington,” Lord Blackmoore said with a smile.

When he did not follow with some sort of contradictory statement, Alice sat in stunned silence. This was not what she had expected.

“I for one am tired of hearing about this subject,” Alice’s mother said as she shoved her needlework into the basket beside her. “Is there not a better topic to discuss? Alice, why don’t you tell him a little more about how your hats are made?”

Alice watched Lord Blackmoore’s reaction. He was staring at her with his fingers absently rubbing his chin. Yes, this man was most certainly different from what she had previously thought. Somehow, when he left later that afternoon, she looked forward to his next visit, and the idea confounded her to no end.