Lady Alex's Gamble (6 page)
"Reputation?" Alex snorted. "I do not give a rap for my reputation. Spotless reputations are only of value to women who wish to sell themselves on the marriage market. As I have no intention of doing so, I may acquire the very blackest of reputations with a clear conscience." However, Alex's bravado was not entirely genuine. The risk she was taking was a real one. Anyone finding her out might take advantage of more than her good name, and though her brother Anthony had taught her a good deal of the soldierly arts, she was not at all sure, given a truly determined assault on her person, how capable she was of defending herself, but she would rather have died than let on in any way that she suffered the slightest of qualms.
The ensuing days were so filled with preparation that Alex had no time for second thoughts. There were tenants to be visited and instructions to be left with Mrs. Throckmorton and Jamison, fields to be surveyed one more time to see that all 50
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was progressing and that the men were left knowing what they were supposed to do.
Finally, after what was deemed a long enough time for the earl to have journeyed to London and returned the traveling carriage for his sister's use, she had it brought around from Mrs. Bates's cottage via the London road. Bessie, relieved for a moment from her nursing duties by Doctor Padgett, had climbed in with her mistress in order to be seen leaving with her on her supposed journey to Brighton. Laden with trunks and bandboxes, they had rolled down the gravel drive waving good-bye to the forlorn little group on the steps. Althea, Andrew, and Abigail had done their best to don reassuringly cheerful smiles, but they had been loath to see her go. "Who will take care of us," Abigail had demanded when informed of her eldest sister's departure.
"Why Ally of course. She always reads to you before bed and looks after you when Nurse is busy." Alex turned to smile at her brother. "And I count on you, Andrew, to help keep Abby from falling into any serious scrapes." Andrew straightened, determined to show he was more than a match for the task entrusted to him. Then, struck by a singularly felicitous thought, he inquired hopefully, "Without you, shall we have no lessons?"
Alex laughed. "It would appear so."
"Horray! Horray!" Both children skipped about in glee as their two sisters exchanged rueful glances.
"However, I could ask the vicar to take my place as Andrew should be under the tutelage of someone else before 51
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he goes to school." Alex nodded thoughtfully. "Now would be an excellent time, I think."
Andrew's face fell, then, catching the look that passed between his sisters and the distinct twinkle in the eldest's eyes, he brightened considerably. "You're bamming, Alex, aren't you?" he inquired hopefully.
"Well, it would be a good idea, dear, for you to have to say your lessons to someone other than a family member, for when you go to school you will be dealing with perfect strangers. But yes, I was teasing. I am counting on all of you to help Ally keep things in order while I am gone and lessons would only make your jobs more difficult." She smiled reassuringly, hoping that the promise of no lessons was enough recompense for what must seem to them to be desertion on her part.
They still looked a bit woebegone despite her assurance that she would be back soon, but each and every one of them was determined not to let her down. In fact, Alex was feeling just the slightest bit woebegone herself. Much as she chafed against her humdrum existence, and much as she told Althea that she craved adventure, she was not at all sure how much that was true now that she was actually about to encounter it. After all, she had never been farther than Norwich in her entire life. She had never slept a night out of her own bed, and had never been without her family for more than a day. She loved them all dearly and would miss them as much, or perhaps more, than they would miss her. They would soon settle back into their daily routine while she would be moving entirely among strangers. It was a rather daunting prospect. 52
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Don't be a ninny, Alexandra, she scolded herself. If you do not go off and do this, then we shall all be cast out among strangers.
Strengthened by this thought as well as the memory of the sly smile that had spread over Sir Ralph's repulsive features when he had observed her distaste for her brother's matrimonial arrangements, she straightened her shoulders against the squabs of the carriage seat and resolutely pushed all doubts from her mind.
They stopped first at Mrs. Bates's cottage long enough for Alexandra to change into her brother's clothes and to have her long auburn curls clipped by a tearful Bessie.
"I know 'tis the only way, my lady, but oh, your beautiful hair!" The maid had moaned in distress as one thick lock after another fell to the floor.
"There is naught else to be done. I hope that I am not such a vain creature that I cannot survive the loss of a bit of hair," Alex responded in a rallying tone. She refused to admit, even to herself, that each snip of the scissors was depriving her of something of which she had secretly been rather proud. Alex had known she was not the beauty her mother had been, nor had she aspired to be. Although the masses of dark red hair had been rather distinctive, her head did feel a good deal lighter now, and the curls that now brushed against her ears made her feel delightfully airy and free after the weight of the severe coils, which had been wound smoothly at the back of her head.
Cautiously she peeked into the looking glass that Bessie held up for her inspection. Much to her surprise, Alex rather 53
Lady Alex's Gamble
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liked what she saw. The curls gave her a slightly raffish air that softened the effect of her aquiline nose and determined chin, making her appear younger and less serious. More reassuringly, she was the image of her twin, or at least a younger, healthier, less dissipated Earl of Halewood than the one who lay delirious in the bedchamber at the back of the cottage.
Emerging from that very bedchamber and catching sight of the false earl. Doctor Padgett marveled that Alex was the image of what her twin had been, and was struck again by the unfortunate effects a ruinous life had had on his patient's health, which, as he unhappily informed Alex, was not the least improved. "I very much fear that no matter what remedies I try, and despite any experience or skill I may have gained over the years, I can do very little for him." The doctor shook his head sadly.
"I know." Alex waved aside his apologies. "He has brought it all on himself, and now on us. I just hope you will not have to bury him before I return from London, which you may be sure I shall do as quickly as possible.
"But now"—she swaggered forward clapping a beaver at a rakish angle on her auburn curls—"do I not look my part?" She paused, hand on her hip, one leg thrust forward, a challenging sparkle in her eyes.
Loath as he was to give what seemed like any son of sanction to this dangerous escapade, the doctor was forced to admit that aside from her brother's family, only Alexander's closest companions might have noticed the difference. As they were foxed more often than not, there seemed very little 54
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likelihood of anyone's penetrating her disguise. He shook his head, smiling ruefully. "You are the very picture of your brother before he turned to gaming and drink. See that you do not follow in his footsteps, my fine young man." He wagged a stern finger at her, but his eyes were twinkling.
"Now off with you so you may reach Cambridge by nightfall." Alex laughed and turned toward the open door of the cottage through which she could see the carriage waiting patiently. Now that she was actually on her way, she was forced to admit that she was assailed by doubts, not the least of which was leaving such good friends and protectors as Bessie and the doctor behind. All of them in their own ways had dedicated much of their lives and themselves to making her existence easier. Not only would she miss their advice and support, she would miss the sense of having people who cared as much about her welfare as these two did. Hurriedly blinking back unexpected tears, she shook hands with the doctor, gave the equally tearful Bessie a quick hug, and hurried out, forestalling Ned, who had secured the reins and hurried to help her into the carriage. "Now, Ned, none of that. If this venture is to be a success, you must begin to think of me as a great strapping man and not the tiresome young lady you threw on her first horse."
"Yes, er,
my lord,
very good,
my lord."
With a diligent frown Ned laid heavy emphasis on the words as he climbed back on the box and took the reins. Lady Alexandra was a clever one all right—touched in the upper story, what with going through with this scheme of hers—but obviously keeping her wits about her by making sure of such tiny 55
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details. Perhaps, just perhaps, she might succeed. He fervently hoped so. Ned was devoted to Lady Alex, as he had been to her father before her, and he had no intention of serving anyone else, God be willing. If Ned had had his way, he would have had that useless brother of hers horsewhipped for putting their future in such jeopardy. Failing that, the least he could do was crack the whip over the leaders and set them on the road to London and the recovery of their fortunes.
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Lady Alex's Gamble
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Exhausted after the emotional turmoil of the past weeks, the sleepless nights spent planning her course of action, the hours of practice dedicated to capturing Alexander's mannerisms to perfection, Alexandra ought to have relaxed against the cushions of the carriage with a sigh of relief that the first part of her scheme had been successfully carried out, but she was far too excited by the prospect of what lay ahead to do such a thing.
There was so much that was unknown awaiting her in London, so much risk involved that she could hardly envision what to expect. Being of a practical nature, she tried to put vain speculations and worries out of her mind in order to calm down and clear her thoughts for the challenges to come. No matter how much she told herself to lie back and get a moment of repose, she could not. The idea of leaving behind the all-too familiar lanes and cottages and journeying into countryside that was completely foreign to her was far too intriguing to miss the least little bit of the trip by something so mundane as resting. Even while they were traveling roads she knew as well as Halewood's own graveled drive, she sat on the edge of her seat, observing it all again with the new perspective of someone who was leaving it all behind. Would she soon long for the sight of neatly tended cottages among the great houses of London? Or would the countryside in her special part of Norfolk come to seem 57
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endless and boring in the extreme after the constant activity and the magnificent edifices of the metropolis?
After what seemed an age, Alex was rewarded by a gradual change in the scenery as the treeless fens and vast stretches of fields gave way to the more solid ground and gentle undulations of Cambridgeshire. Thatched roofed cottages were replaced by tile and slate and she leaned forward eagerly to absorb each new detail. How lucky men were that they might hop in a carriage or mount a horse without much ado, unencumbered by the need for companions to maintain the spotlessness of their reputations, and see all these new things, even if it were merely to observe the tiny differences in geography between one county and another.
At last they arrived in Cambridge, but the hour was so advanced that Alex was unable to see much beyond the crowded streets. Ned, having conferred with other neighboring coachmen before they left, had been assured of excellent accommodations to be had for both man and beast at the Rose and Crown in Market Square. Before she knew it, Alexandra was being ushered into a private parlor by a most gracious host. She was assured that the punch soon to be sent up would be much to her liking and that the missus was known for being an excellent cook of anything that his lordship could possibly desire.
Alex thanked him, wondering how on earth she could dispose of the punch he seemed determined to press on her. She ordered a fowl, simply dressed, for her supper, but in truth, she was far too excited to eat more than a few bites. 58
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Accustomed to practicing the strictest economies because of her brother's ruinous propensities, she wrapped up the remainder of the generous meal in the hopes that it would sustain her and Ned and save them the expense of having to order another meal on the road.
As for the punch, after a tentative taste, which quite burned her throat and stung her eyes with the strength of its fumes, she waited until all was silent in the innyard and quietly poured it out of the window. To be sure, it was a most effective way to preserve both her manly reputation and her clear head, but it also brought to mind the difficulties she was likely to encounter among the choice spirits at White's. How was she to keep from consuming voluminous quantities of port without arousing comment?
Alex shook her head. As with so many things, she would have to deal with these problems when they arose. She would just have to cope with life in much the manner her father had taught her to play cards; looking at each hand as she was dealt it while remaining calm and collected, allowing her mind to stay clear and her face impassive, and emptying her thoughts of needless anxieties and speculation, concentrating instead on extracting the most advantage from any given situation. "You will always do well, Alexandra," the old Earl of Halewood had told her one evening not long before he had died, "to look at the distribution of the cards while the others are worrying about how much money they will win or lose. Remain unaffected by such emotions and you will always come away a winner—maybe not a big winner, but a steady one, and that is what counts. I eventually learned to do that 59
