Alicia by Laura Matthews

Author:Laura Matthews [Matthews, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1980-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Jane Newton was in the morning parlor when she was brought a letter from her sister-in-law. Alicia had written that the shop was prospering and that she and Felicia were comfortable in their cottage. Felicia, she wrote, had made friends with some young people at Stronbert Court and rode with them almost daily. They were both invited to dinner there the next day, when the gown Felicia had designed for the dowager marchioness was to be displayed.

Alicia wrote in a humorous vein about her more obstreperous customers and neighbors. There was one special note to her brother which his wife did not understand. It read: There has been a little trouble with Mr. T, but that is now taken care of. Jane was sure that the name of the man from whom Alicia had purchased the shop was Dean, so she could not mean him. She puzzled over the note for a while, and as she was finally setting it aside the maid came to announce a visitor.

“The Marquis of Stronbert,” the girl repeated nervously.

Jane knew a moment’s fear but managed to say in a level voice, “Send him in, Flora. And try to find Mr. Newton. He will wish to see our visitor.” Stronbert, that was the name of the Court Alicia had mentioned. She rose as the door opened again and curtsied as the handsome, lanky man entered. Somehow she had expected him to be older; he could not be forty. She moistened her lips to utter some polite inanity, but what came out was far otherwise. “Lady Coombs and her daughter? There is nothing wrong, is there?”

“No, no. Do not be alarmed. When last I saw them they were leaving the Court in good spirits.” His gaze wandered curiously about the small, cheerful room, its furnishings old but well polished.

Jane, relieved, remembered her duty as hostess and asked the marquis to seat himself. “I have sent for my husband.”

“Thank you. I should like to have a word with him,” Stronbert commented easily. He proceeded to ask Jane about her family and to tell her about Alicia’s shop in Tetterton, about which she was fascinated. His casual air put her at ease almost immediately, though she had been intimidated by his title when he was announced. She rang for tea and was pouring when her husband arrived. After she had introduced them she exclaimed, “Is it not a coincidence, Stephen? I have just had a letter from Alicia this morning.”

Stephen did not particularly like the coincidence, but he sat with them over tea for some moments before signaling to his wife that he would like to be alone with Stronbert. She immediately excused herself and softly closed the door behind her.

Stephen spoke abruptly. “You have come about Alicia?”

“Yes. I should like to discuss with you an incident that occurred the other day. It might be wise for you to read her letter. I cannot know if she would write you of it,” Stronbert said thoughtfully.

Stephen lifted the letter from a side table and perused it carefully.

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