Page 33 of To Steal a Kiss

“They’d been hoping I’d catch the eye of an earl, or at the very least a viscount, but when it became apparent it would never happen, they were forced to consider Mr Bindley when he expressed his interest. He’s at least an Honourable, for what that’s worth,” she added bitterly. “Though they’re dreadfully disappointed that it’s the best I can do.”

Matilda nodded, her expression grave. “I know, Alice. I know just what they will think, though you know we were respectable once.”

She gave a heavy sigh and Alice felt even more wretched for making Matilda feel bad.

“Oh, but, Matilda…. You mustn’t think I give a brass farthing for such things. I don’t, I assure you.”

Matilda laughed and shook her head. “I know that, Alice. I don’t think you’ve ever thought badly of anyone in your life.”

Alice returned a sceptical look. “Then you think I’m a deal nicer than I am, is all I can say. Are you sure you want me as your sister?”

“Above all things.” Matilda grinned. “Listen, instead of coming this afternoon, come for dinner tonight. Then you and Nate can spend time together. I’ll make myself scarce, I promise,” she added with a wink.

Alice bit her lip. It was a tantalising prospect, and she longed to see Nate again, especially in the light of Matilda’s revelation. Getting away would be nigh on impossible, though. Her parents had already commented upon her friendship with Matilda and had been aghast to learn she’d visited the house. They believed the association would tarnish her.

“I’m not sure I can,” she said, with a sigh of impatience. “But… I’ll try, I promise.”

***

Alice sat back against the plush interior of the carriage as it manoeuvred through the heavy London traffic. Many interesting scenes passed her by, the kind which she usually found absorbing, but nothing could hold her interest today. Nothing except the unlikely revelation that Nathaniel Hunt, the notorious rogue and charismatic club owner, was madly in love with her. The more she thought about it, the more preposterous it seemed.

Even she couldn’t put her hand on her heart and say she loved him, and he was Nathaniel Hunt, notorious rogue and charismatic club owner! She’d been dazzled by him, intrigued, beguiled, and blinded with desire and curiosity.

Did she long for him?

Yes.

Did she ache for his kisses and burn to see him again?

Yes.

Did she want to know him better?

Oh, yes.

Did thoughts of him plague her from morning to night, and did he invade her dreams?

Yes, and yes.

Love, however?

That was something she knew she could feel, without any doubt and with a scandalously short acquaintance, but how could such a man fall in love with mousy Alice Dowding in the space of two evenings? Two extraordinarily magical evenings, it was true… but still.

She was struck with the urgent desire to see him again. Well, yes, she’d had the urgent desire to see him for days now as she’d just established, but this time… she would do something about it.

With her heart beating in her throat, Alice got the driver’s attention and gave him the address of number eleven, Henrietta Street. Being rather new to the art of deception, she rather over-complicated matters by explaining she’d just remembered she simply must buy some new lace to trim a hat which she’d discovered was very unbecoming. Nowhere else was there to be had such a variety and quantity of lace than Layton and Shear’s, and so she’d be most obliged if he would convey her there at once.

Thankfully, the driver looked unimpressed by this surfeit of information, but agreed to the change in destination without so much as a murmur. Alice sat back, feeling exhilarated and dreadfully wicked.

Henrietta Street, was, after all, in Covent Garden.

As was Hunter’s.

Henrietta Street was a busy thoroughfare. So busy that the driver readily agreed to wait a little further down the street while Alice made her purchases.

Not wanting to allow her story to trip her up, Alice hurried in and bought a deal of lace she had no need for and stuffed the little bundle in her reticule. This done in record time, she crossed Henrietta Street and headed into the Garden.

Here, her senses were assaulted on all sides. The morning market was almost over now, with many of the stallholders moving to pack up goods and load them onto handcarts. Throngs of people still filled the area, though, buyers and sellers of such a variety of goods that Alice was quite stunned.