“You love Lord Harry Steele, don’t you?”
She dropped her head. If only it wasn’t so obvious to the rest of the world that she had fallen for the rogue. “No. He is just as big a blackguard as Cuthbert. I could never love a man such as that. It’s impossible.”
If only my heart believed that to be true. It would be so much easier.
“You are not as good a liar as you think, Alice. I knew you were up to something the day I saw you talking to Lord Harry Steele. He is not the sort of man you in particular would give the time of day to unless there was a reason. You might think you were watching me make a fool of myself over Cuthbert, but I have seen the hungry looks you give to Harry. Deny it all you wish; it’s as plain as day that you love him.”
This wasn’t how it was meant to transpire. Harry was to warn Cuthbert away, rescue Patience from herself, and then be gone from her life.
But from that first night at Viscount Ashton’s ball, he had slowly worked his way into her heart. Stolen kiss by stolen kiss, he had claimed her. She had given him more than just money, he owned her soul.
That night at the club had cast aside any lingering doubts she may have had about the two of them. He had told her she was living in a cage, and the moment she came under his hand, Harry had set her free.
“What are you afraid of?” asked Patience.
Nothing. Everything. The truth.
If the Harry that everyone thought they knew was a ruse, and that night he had given her a glimpse of his real world, what else lay beyond? She would give anything to spend the rest of her life exploring it with him.
She met her sister’s gaze. Cuthbert had confessed all to Patience and their love had survived. Could she do the same with Harry? “I am afraid that if I ask Lord Harry Steele to tell me the truth of who he is and the life he leads, that no matter how shocking it is, I will still be in love with him.”
An arm came around her shoulder and she lay her head against Patience. The day had been long, and exhaustion threatened to overtake her.
“I can tell you from my own experience, that your heart decides who you love. Sense and rational thought don’t always come into it. I tried not to fall for Cuthbert; he was too good to be true. But he and I were always meant to be.”
As Alice’s eyes drifted closed, Harry’s words from that night at the Temple of Diana slipped back into her mind. “Break free of that cage and embrace who you are.”
She was done with fighting her destiny. Tomorrow, she would confront Harry and demand he release her from all the lies and pain that stood between them.
Only then could she truly be free of her gilded cage. Only then could there be any possible hope for them.
Chapter 19
“I am going to hold you to the promise that you and Cuthbert won’t elope while I am gone.”
Patience rolled her eyes. “We are not going anywhere until after the wedding. And we won’t be getting married before Mama and Papa return home. I was never that keen on eloping anyway.”
Alice glanced behind her sister’s back, making sure she wasn’t crossing her fingers as she spoke. She was still finding it difficult to accept that Patience and Cuthbert would soon be married; it would take time for her to learn to trust her future brother-in-law.
The truce between the two North sisters was still holding. Their friendship and sisterly affection might well be bruised but loyalty had finally won out.
As she and Patience stood in the grand entrance to their family home, Alice pondered whether it was wise for her to go and see Harry. She had said some truly awful things to him at the hotel. Her last words to him having been spoken in anger and pain. If he refused to see her, she could hardly blame him.
“Will you please get in the carriage and go and do something about Harry Steele?” urged Patience.
Alice gratefully accepted her sister’s reassuring hug.
I have to do this, though I fear what sort of welcome I may receive. Take a chance. Apologize. What is the worst that could happen?
The worst could be that her stubborn nature had already destroyed any chance she might have with the man her heart had decided was her destiny.
Alice closed the clasp of her cloak and, after accepting another hug from Patience, headed out to the rear mews and the North family carriage.
She gave the footman a brief “Thank you,” and stepped aboard.
“Good morning. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to leave.”
Her mouth opened on a small ‘O’ as she took in the sight of Harry Steele lazing in the far corner. She dropped onto the opposite bench just as the door was closed.
Harry rapped on the roof and the carriage gave a lurch as the horses pulled up the slack.
Alice turned and caught a glimpse of Patience standing on the steps of the house, waving them goodbye. A huge, knowing grin sat on her lips.
“Your sister is far more cunning than I gave her credit for,” he said.
“I don’t understand,” replied Alice.
Harry shuffled over and came to sit by her side. Tears pricked in her eyes at the sight of him—at the hopeful smile he wore.
“Patience sent a note early this morning, said the two of you had reached some sort of détente when it came to hostilities over Cuthbert. That when your parents return to England you will support her and Cuthbert’s decision to marry. She also said you were possibly having second thoughts over never wanting to see me again,” he said.
Alice slowly shook her head. “I’m still at sixes and sevens over you. I just know that the only way I am going to find any sort of resolution is for us to sit and talk. And when I say talk, I mean an open discussion about everything, including your other life.”
“Good. Then that is what we shall do,” he replied.
The carriage travelled on out of Mortimer Street, and it was only when it turned into Oxford Street that she finally thought to ask him where they were going.
“This isn’t the way to your home,” she said.
“No. Stephen is hosting one of his own client’s this morning, so I thought it best if we went elsewhere. Neutral ground, for want of a better term,” he replied.
She scowled at him. He had better not be taking her to the bloody Temple of Diana.
Then again. Remember what happened last time you went there?
He raised an eyebrow and she silently cursed him.
You always know exactly what I am thinking. Such a rogue. And so damn alluring.
“We are going to the Grand Hotel. After last night, I owe the footman a coin or two. And since Cuthbert has checked out and gone to stay with a friend of mine, we know they have a vacancy.”
Alice gasped. He patted her on the arm. “Relax, we are not staying in his old room. That would be even too creepy for me.”
“I don’t recall agreeing to stay in a hotel room with you. What if we are seen arriving? How am I going to explain that to my parents?” she replied.
There was a raft of things that the North siblings, including the elusive Finn, were going to have to tell Mister and Mrs. North once they returned home. She could only pray that news of Patience and Cuthbert’s romance silenced much of the other items which were on the list for discussion.
Their gazes met. The grin had gone from Harry’s face. In its place was a look of heartbreaking sincerity. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.