The Bedford Beauty (A Regency Novella) by Hunter Erika

Author:Hunter, Erika [Hunter, Erika]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-11-25T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

Alice entered the breakfast parlor late the next morning in a dark mood threatening to bring tears to her eyes. It made her cringe to see a chipper look on Dayton’s face. What could be so glorious about a Sunday morning? She glowered at him as she walked to the side board. After a restless, tear filled night of sleep she knew her eyes were swollen and red. Conversation of any kind was the last thing she wanted.

“Good morning, Ali.”

“Good morning,” she mumbled as she helped herself to eggs and toast on the sideboard.

Silence settled over their meal as Alice took her seat and picked at her food while Dayton ate with a zealousness which never ceased to amaze her. Alice jumped when he did finally speak.

“I am going away for a sennight to visit a friend in London,” Dayton replied around a gulp of coffee.

Alice dropped her fork with a clatter. He just got back.

“But why do you want to leave so soon? We have hardly spent time together!”

“Would you care to join me?” Dayton raised a brow in query.

“I-who is the hostess? Do you think Mother and Papa would approve?”

“I can see you are still eager for adventure, Ali, and I mean to provide it for you,” he stated firmly, ignoring her questions. Was there a strange light in his eyes?

“Is Blake going with you?” Alice asked as she pushed her food around on her plate, pretending disinterest.

“Would you like Hadley to go with us?” Dayton quipped.

“I-I do not care,” she lied, stirring her eggs around the plate.

“Well, he is going with us, Lord help me,” Dayton murmured.

Alice heard it and frowned.

“Be honest with me. Do you feel more than friendship for Hadley?” Dayton asked with a seriousness she’d never heard before.

Alice felt her face heat up and she wanted to deny it then thought better of it. “Yes, but nothing can come of it. I promised Mother and Papa I’d marry a titled gentleman.”

“That’s what I thought. Let me deal with them. I would rather see you happy than married to a man you don’t care for,” Dayton replied in a deadly serious voice.

Alice felt hope for the first time in days. She smiled at Dayton and swallowed a lump in her throat. “I don’t think Blake is interested in marrying me.” She looked back down at her plate.

“I am absolutely positive he is.”

Alice smiled again.

“Are you going to tell me about this house party?” Her heart beat faster at the thought of taking a trip with Blake.

“All in good time. The carriage shall be here at noon so go gather your things.”

“What? Why did you not tell me sooner?”

“Hadley and I hatched the idea last night,” Dayton waved his hands and shooed her from the room.

“But what about propriety? I do not have a maid ready to accompany me. What do we tell Mother and Papa?”

“I shall take care of it all,” he replied impatiently.

Alice bristled and bit back a retort, then turned and sped from the room, but she managed to catch a smug, satisfied smile on Dayton's face.

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