The Ace of Hearts by Ashtyn Newbold

Author:Ashtyn Newbold [Ashtyn Newbold]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Regency, Romance, Victorian
Amazon: B082LR74N7
Publisher: Three Leaf Publishing
Published: 2020-04-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 15

After no answer, Alice knocked on the townhouse door again. She counted each second that passed. Her stomach twisted with nerves and the feeling of betrayal that had been festering in her heart since she had learned of Isaac’s elopement.

The red brick was faded around the door, the flowers on the windowsill drooping so much that the wilting petals touched the dirt in their pots.

Alice had offered to accompany Mrs. Crauford on the hour-long drive to London to see her physician, and she had taken the opportunity to call upon Isaac and Diana. Now that she actually stood on the doorstep, her heart was in her throat. Her stomach was heavy with dread. What if Isaac truly had planned his elopement in secret to avoid helping her?

But she was not only here for Isaac, she reminded herself. She was here to help Thomas.

The door swung open, and to Alice’s surprise, it wasn’t a butler at the door. It was Diana. Straight strands of her golden hair fell around her face, contrasting against her overly pale skin. The hesitant look in her eyes transformed the moment she saw Alice, her eyes widening. Seeing her now, after her many interactions with Thomas, Alice could see the family resemblance. They both had the same dark brown eyes, dark lashes, and dramatic eyebrows.

“Miss Rosemeyer?” Diana opened the door wider, stepping closer. A polite smile pulled on her lips, but confusion overran her features. “What has brought you here?”

Alice caught a glimpse of the inside of the townhouse, unlit despite the cloudy sky. She examined Diana’s face. Did she still not know that Alice was her husband’s stepsister? Had Isaac never mentioned it?

“I heard that you married Mr. Gillingham,” Alice said, wringing her hands. “I offer my best wishes to you both.”

“Thank you,” Diana said, her brow still scrunched.

“But I haven’t just come to offer my best wishes to you.” Alice looked down at the top step before meeting Diana’s gaze. “I have come to see my stepbrother as well.”

“Your stepbrother?” Diana frowned.

“Your husband.” Alice cast her an apologetic look. “I neglected to tell you of our relation before. I—I didn’t want that to influence your decision to court him. I—well, I was trying to help him win your attention.”

Diana blinked several times, her expression flattening. “My husband has never mentioned a stepsister. Is that the only reason you befriended me?” Her eyes flashed with hurt. “Why did you lie? Why has he lied?”

Alice flinched, swallowing hard against her guilt. “I was desperate to have you marry him. He promised me he would help save me from my own overbearing guardian if I did. Unfortunately, he didn’t keep his end of the bargain. At least not yet.” She hadn’t expected to feel so terrible facing Diana’s hurt expression. “I would not have been so involved if—if I hadn’t seen that you both truly loved one another. I was not lying in my wish to see you happy and to help you escape your unwanted marriage.

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