Page 2 of The Earl’s Inconvenient Nemesis

Alice noticed a pile of post on a silver salver at the end of the table. She hurried over, spotted the letter in the familiar hand, and slipped it into the pocket of her morning gown just as her younger sisters, Charlotte and Margaret, entered the room.

With only a year between them, the pair were nearly inseparable and often mistaken for twins. Both fairer-haired and far taller than their elder sister, they had long considered Alice half-wild for her insistence on being outdoors even in the rain. The fact that she cheerfully wore their outgrown castoffs had become a standing family joke.

Alice greeted them and ate her breakfast as quickly as manners allowed. Her sisters were accustomed to her bolting her food so she might escape to the horses or whichever wounded creature she was nursing that week in one of the outbuildings.

“What are you both planning to do today?” Alice asked, anxious that her silence might arouse suspicion.

“We are going to sort through our clothes,” Charlotte answered. “Today is our last day of full mourning, so…”

Alice nodded, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Six months had passed since their father’s death had left them orphans. Now the official period of mourning was almost over and life was supposed to return to normal.

“We could help you organise yours as well, if you like,” Margaret offered kindly.

All the siblings missed their gentle father dreadfully, but his love of the outdoors had meant Alice had spent the most time in his company. Everyone knew how deeply his loss had affected her.

“Thank you, but there’s no need. Everything will still fit.”

Charlotte and Margaret exchanged glances. They had long since given up trying to understand their peculiar older sister.

Alice took her leave and went straight upstairs. Duchess, licking her lips as she emerged from the kitchen and clearly suspecting excitement was afoot, caught up with her mistress. In Alice’s haste to close the bedroom door she nearly trapped the cat’s tail. Duchess hissed indignantly.

“I am so sorry!” Alice cried. She bent to pick up her pet, who allowed herself to be fussed for a brief moment before stalking away and leaping onto the bed.

Alice sat beside her and drew the hidden letter from her pocket. She steeled herself, broke the seal, and unfolded the single sheet.

A smile broke across her face as she read. Now she had only to convince her brother of her plan.

Alice spent the rest of the day preparing. There was a great deal to be done, and it was vital she drew no attention to herself. She had no wish to give Henry time to raise objections. Thankfully her siblings were absorbed in their own pursuits and she encountered them only briefly at mealtimes.

When she finally retired to bed, Alice’s mind was still whirling. She mentally checked off every task one last time and rehearsed the speech she would deliver to Henry in the morning. She must convince him, or her entire plan would be over before it had even begun.

Chapter Two

Butterflies rioted in Alice’s stomach as she stepped into the breakfast room the following morning. This was her moment.

Henry sat at the head of the table, deep in his newspaper. He had mentioned a ten o’clock meeting and had chosen to breakfast early. This was precisely the opportunity she needed before her sisters descended.

Alice cleared her throat and he looked up. “Good morning, Alice.”

“Have you a moment?” she asked. “There is something I must discuss with you.”

“Certainly.” He folded the paper and set it aside.

Alice drew a steadying breath. “Now that our official mourning is over, I wrote to Aunt Jane last week to ask if I might stay with her in Mayfair.”

“It would do you good to get away,” Henry said with a kind smile. “But you hate town - all those crowds and so few animals to occupy you.”

“I do,” she admitted, “but . . .”

“Morning, Henry. Morning, Little Squirrel. Any bacon going spare?”

Alice’s stomach plummeted. She glowered at Anthony as Henry said, “Help yourself.”

Anthony knew perfectly well how she detested that infernal nickname. He strode across the room and began piling food onto a plate with his usual shameless appetite.

Henry turned back to her. “You were saying you wish to go to London?”

Anthony gave a loud guffaw. “Alice? In London? Heaven forbid.”