Page 75 of To Steal a Kiss

Bindley howled and crashed back into the console table as a china vase smashed to the floor and wood splintered in all directions.

“You,” Nate said, snarling at the outraged looking butler with such ferocity that the fellow leapt forward to do his bidding. “Help me put this scuttling creature in the gutter where he belongs.”

Between them they hauled a moaning Mr Bindley out of the door, where Nate hailed a hackney carriage and shoved him inside. Although he had little compunction about leaving the wretched excuse for a man in the street, they needed no further scandal.

By now thoroughly irritated, Nate strode back into the house, picked up his hat and turned back to his parents-in-law.

“Right,” he said, his tone brusque. “I’m your new son-in-law. It’s done and there’s nothing you can do about it. Now, I’m sorry that it came about the way it was and I apologise for the clandestine nature of our marriage. It was underhand and badly done, and I understand you are well within your rights to be upset, but we felt we had no choice.” He paused and took a breath, trying to tamp down his emotions and sound calm and reasonable. Well, calm, anyway. “That,” he continued, “is the last time I will apologise for who I am or what I’ve done. I love your daughter and I will do everything in my power to make her happy. If that’s not good enough for you, well, that’s too bad, but bear in mind I’ll not allow you to make Alice suffer for her choice.”

There was a definite edge to his words, and he gave Mr Dowding especially a hard look that threatened retribution.

Mrs Dowding gave a little sniff and reached for Alice’s hand. “How dare Mr Bindley say such things about you? I was never more insulted.”

Alice smiled and patted her mother’s hand. “Never mind, Mama. I tried to tell you he really wasn’t a very kind man.”

To her credit, the woman nodded her agreement, though she said nothing more.

Nate looked to Mr Dowding, who was still red-faced with indignation, though who it was aimed at now, Nate wasn’t sure. The fellow let out a deep breath.

“Reckon we both need a drink,” he said, glowering a little, though Nate took it as the overture it was clearly meant to be.

“I would appreciate that, sir.”

Mr Dowding grunted and gestured at Nate to come into his study. “Go and take tea in the parlour, you two,” he said over his shoulder to his wife and daughter. “I need to speak to my son-in-law in private.”

The words were somewhat begrudging, but Nate glanced back at Alice and winked at her. It was a start.

“Now then,” Mr Dowding said, closing the door to his study. “About my membership….”

Chapter 22

Dear Harriet,

Did you know Lucia will be living with Matilda? Can you imagine two such beautiful creatures under one roof? They’ll have men beating their door down!

I wonder how it would be if I lived with you? There would be no swooning suitors, I’m afraid. Could I bring my cat? He’s frightfully bad tempered, in fact, we’re both horrid in the morning. I’d give it three days before you murdered me in my sleep …

―Excerpt of a letter from Miss Kitty Connolly to Miss Harriet Stanhope.

1st July, 1814. Upper Walpole Street, London.

Alice grinned as the girls all whooped and clapped as she entered the room. Ruth showered her with rice, which pattered over the polished wood floor, and Kitty promptly slipped over on it. She sat on her behind with an undignified, “Ooof!” and then burst into laughter, which set everyone off again.

“Come here, you dreadful creature,” Harriet said, hauling her to her feet and tutting, though there was obvious affection in her tone.

“Well, it’s not my fault,” Kitty objected, almost going over again and taking Harriet with her. “Ruth set me up.”

“I do beg your pardon, Kitty,” Ruth said, torn between laughter and mortification.

Happily, Kitty seemed to take such indignity in her stride and wasn’t the least bit offended.

“So, how is married life?” Bonnie asked, dragging Alice to a settee and sitting her down. “Tell us everything!”

Alice blushed crimson and caught Prue’s eye. “I c-couldn’t possibly,” she stammered, laughing and shaking her head. “Besides, it would spoil the surprise.”

Bonnie made a sound of disgust. “I don’t want any surprises from Gordon Anderson, I thank you,” she said, folding her arms and glowering. “And the way this season is going, he’s inescapable.”

“Oh, but surely your ward will give you a little longer, Bonnie?” Ruth asked in concern. “You’re only two and twenty, hardly on the shelf yet.”