Page 37 of Scars of a Passionate Revenge
She had sensed that Benedict seemed a little bemused by everyone’s enthusiasm for the games, but he had thrown himself into it with good-natured enthusiasm, ensuring that he always played on the same side as her, and helping her up from the ground more than once when she had taken a slight tumble.
She sat happily alone for a while, resting, and watching as the party debated whether to carry on with the current game, or to move across the lawn to where a croquet course was set up, when Lady Shrewsford walked over to her.
“Might I join you, Miss Dunberry? You have a rather fine view of the goings on of our party from here.”
Alice looked up in surprise. “Do you not wish to join the discussion, about what we do next?”
Lady Shrewsford laughed. “I have done quite enough organizing for one day! They can decide for themselves, for once, while I sit and rest for a while.”
Alice nodded. “Well, in that case, of course you may join me.”
Lady Shrewsford dropped down on the bench next to her and let out a sigh of satisfaction. “I think it is all going rather well.”
“Indeed,” Alice agreed. “I am having a wonderful time.” Much better than I thought I would, she added silently to herself. She had, of course, not been expecting Benedict to be there, and his presence made every moment sweeter.
Lady Shrewsford turned to look at her. “And I believe that you knew Mr. Fletcher before coming here?”
Alice paused. She could not tell the whole truth, of course, but she felt that she could reveal a little to Lady Shrewsford. She seemed a compassionate and kind woman, who had perhaps seen a little more of the world than her younger sisters.
“That is right,” Alice replied. “We met at a ball a few weeks ago. He has not been in society for long, as I am sure you are aware.”
Lady Shrewsford nodded. “He is a very interesting young man. And his background is fascinating.” She narrowed her eyes a little thoughtfully. “Although I do wonder if the obscurity of his birth might hinder him in his progress in society. For example, should he be interested in a young lady, with a view to matrimony, then her family might have some qualms…” She looked pointedly at Alice.
Alice looked away. Her feelings were in turmoil, but she could not speak frankly to Lady Shrewsford. She took a deep breath. “I am sure that any young lady’s family would see what a fine gentleman he is,” she replied, trying to keep her tone even.
Lady Shrewsford smiled. “I did not mean to embarrass you, Miss Dunberry. It is clear that there is an attachment forming between you, and I look forward to the moment when I may wish you joy.” She let out a low chuckle. “Of course, it helps that he is unbelievably rich! That always goes a long way to remove any objections!”
She stood up. “I see that they are decided on croquet,” she remarked, looking across the lawn. “I suppose I should go and get involved, in case Emma and Elizabeth come to blows over who gets to play which color!”
And with that, Lady Shrewsford left Alice sitting alone on the bench, her thoughts flying around her mind like flies trapped in a jar. She looked across to where Benedict was standing, talking to Lord Grant, and he seemed to feel her eyes on him, as he looked over to her and caught her eye, then smiled.
Perhaps he really was going to propose to her? She felt a flurry of excitement at the thought. But of course Lady Shrewsford was right. It was not a simple situation at all, and far more complicated than anyone could possibly imagine.
***
After they had played a few games of croquet, it was time for the picnic. The ladies and gentlemen of the party gathered around a long table that had been arranged on the lawn, laden with cold meats, bread rolls, soft butter, dishes of vegetables and salads.
Sitting next to Alice, Benedict let out a rather awe-struck breath. “I must say, Miss Dunberry,” he said quietly, “this is unlike any picnic I have ever seen.”
She smiled. “It is rather grand, isn’t it? Clara and I are more used to bread and cheese, sitting on the grass!”
Everyone ate happily as the afternoon sunshine beamed down on them. Alice felt blessed, despite the anxieties in her heart about Benedict’s true identity. But she tried to push them away, and enjoy the time that they were having together, in the here and now.
When everyone had finished eating, there was a comfortable silence around the table.
After a while, Lord Grisham spoke up. “Well, I must say, Lady Hutington, Lady Shrewsford, I do not think I have ever had such an enjoyable meal.”
Lady Hutington flushed with delight. “That is high praise indeed, coming from you!”
Alice hid a little smile. Even here, amongst the most influential people in theton, there was a hierarchy. She was glad that Benedict was set apart from it, somehow, by his background. But of course his history was what might keep them apart. She swallowed, trying to keep her composure.
Clara, sitting across the table from her, looked at her a little quizzically. They could not speak freely among so many other people, but Alice thought that her friend suspected that she was struggling with her feelings.
Clara cleared her throat. “Alice, what do you say to the idea of taking a stroll, to gather some wild berries? I understand that there is a fine meringue to be served for dessert. They would make a fine accompaniment.”
Alice was out of her chair almost before Clara had finished speaking. “Yes, indeed, that is a wonderful idea!” She walked around to the other side of the table, took Clara’s arm, and led her across the lawn, at as rapid a pace as she dared, lest any of the other young ladies should request to join them.
“Clara, I am so grateful for your plan to get us away from the party for a few minutes,” she said, rather breathlessly, once they had put some distance between themselves and the others. “I sense that we have much to talk about!”
