Chapter Twelve

James knew that Sarah spilling the glass of wine on Alice was not accidental. He also knew that Sarah wanted her alone so that she could stake her claim and James was not having that. Alice had only just opened up to him and he didn’t want Sarah ruining anything.

His feelings towards her had developed from fondness to real feelings now that Jacqueline had become Alice. He could see himself falling in love with her if she gave him a chance and with her confessions to him earlier in the week he knew she just might. He didn’t see women anymore. Only her. Before Alice he noticed them everywhere. He noticed their beautiful faces and enticing figures but now nothing. It was Alice.

But not if Sarah had her way.

Just as soon as they had left the room James followed them, receiving a coy yet excited smile from his mother. He paused by the staircase as he could heard their voices.

“I always knew James liked his whores but I didn’t know he brought them home to meet his family,” he heard Sarah say bitterly. James fumed. How dare she imply that Alice was anything but pure? Though she had taken part in the revolution, he could tell by her terrified voice as she spoke of the goings on that she was just as much of a victim as those that had been killed.

Just as he was about to interrupt their little interlude, Alice spoke. “I am no such thing,” Alice retorted. There was an edge to her voice that told James that she could hold her own. He remained where he stood and waited to see if Alice could defend herself. He didn’t like the kind of men who did everything for their wives and personally he wouldn’t like everything done for himself. He appreciated women who had a voice and right now he knew that Alice was the type of person who could bring Sarah down a notch.

“I don’t care for what your French girls call it, but in England you are a whore. We are engaged and you have no idea who you are dealing with if you get in the way of that,” Sarah threatened. James was taken aback at how dark she was being. He knew she had a domineering personality but how dare she speak to anyone like they were a stone in her shoe.

If Sarah dared hurt Alice in any way, verbal or otherwise, she would have him to deal with. He would not harm her physically, but he would ruin her reputation and that was what she held most dear.

James had had enough. He was going to intervene. He had no doubt that Alice could defend herself but he no longer wanted Sarah in his house or in his life. They were somewhere down the long hallway that was adjacent to the foyer. He made his way out from around the stairs and started toward the hallway to confront Sarah.

“There is nothing going on between James and I, Mademoiselle Smith,” Alice promised Sarah. It made James smile slightly. That would not be the case if he had his way.

“You bed him all you like after we’ve said ‘I do’ but not before. I won’t have anything stopping my wedding. I have money, what will it take to make you go away?”

That was just the thing to push Alice to the limits. Had he not learned that when he tried to give her money?

“I suggest you take your money and buy yourself some class.”

James stopped in his tracks when he heard Alice’s intelligent remark. How clever she was and how perfect a comment she had made. He could not have said it better himself.

“I think I’ll take my leave now, Mademoiselle, it was a pleasure meeting you,” Alice said cynically. He could hear her footsteps heading back toward where he was standing. James turned around quickly and made his way back into the drawing room. He heard Alice’s footsteps just as he closed the door of the drawing room.

The eyes of his family were all on him as he came back inside but he just shook his head.

Moments later Alice knocked on the door and opened it. She took his breath away each time he saw her. She looked completely different in the elegant ball gown. Annie had helped her and he owed his sister a huge ‘thank you’. Not that she needed any help – she looked beautiful nevertheless – but the feminine gown showed off the subtle curves that she had that were otherwise hidden behind her usual calico attire.

She fit in with his family perfectly. Of course they were not the usual rich, snobbish family but they still did have more money than they needed and he knew how uneasy that fact made Alice. Each and every one of them loved Alice and she patiently sat and listened to the endless embarrassing stories that they had about his childhood, often commenting and laughing about them. At times he saw the change in her face where she’d gotten lost in the conversation and he was thankful that happened whenever a family member was divulging something humiliating. English could still be difficult for her he’d realised.

“Jacqueline, are you alright, dear?” Emilia asked, concerned.

Alice smiled, looking somewhat satisfied. James would have killed to see Sarah’s expression just as Alice spoke those words.

“Yes, Comtesse.” Alice nodded. James could not deny how much he loved it when she spoke French. “It is just that I should be going ‘ome now. It ‘as been too long and I must return.”

Emilia frowned. James knew his mother would readily adopt Alice if she was not so invested in marrying her off to James. Little did she know that James would try to woo her just as soon as he had ended his engagement with Sarah. Listening to her trying to threaten Alice let him know his true priorities. One could only be a gentleman for so long.

“Why don’t you stay the night, Jacqueline, we’ve plenty of room and I’m sure Bertha won’t mind staying at the orphanage until morning,” Emilia suggested, rising from her seat.

James could see Sarah hovering in the foyer behind Alice, glowering darkly. She was envious towards Alice as she’d never received such a welcome from Emilia but there was a very good reason for that.

“That is very kind of you, Comtesse, but I must decline. Thank you for your kindness. People like you have not shown people like me such ‘umility before.” Alice looked very bashful as she spoke but James knew exactly what she was talking about. It was true when she said France and England were very different places. He couldn’t imagine growing up without enough to eat and disease spreading around like wildfire. From her tale it seemed like the aristocracy were viewed as the wrongdoers. Perhaps they were. He couldn’t be sure. But she was raised to detest people like him and he’d managed to gain her trust.

“People like us?” Sebastian asked, raising his eyebrows.

Alice’s cheeks reddened. “Aristocrats, mon Seigneur,” she mumbled.

“We are but a country family with a nice house, my darling,” Emilia laughed her notion off.

James liked to agree with that. Though they were a titled family, they were not raised to value material things like money and jewels. He and all his siblings were raised as though they had nothing when they were born with everything. It was how humility could be developed and practiced.

Emilia walked up to Alice and pulled the small framed young woman into her arms for a tight hug. James envied his mother momentarily. “You are very welcome here with us. Do not be a stranger,” she said quietly, though James could hear her. “You’re a very special young lady.” Emilia placed a kiss on her cheek and Alice immediately went to kiss her other cheek. “I do like these French customs,” she remarked happily. “Alright, I’ll walk you out, shall I?” She put her arm around Alice’s little waist as Alice farewelled the family and left the room for the front door. Alice offered James a warm and confident smile as she left which made him feel as though he had a real chance. Once Alice and Emilia were clear of the room, he saw Sarah standing in the middle of the foyer with her hands on her hips. She did not look impressed.

He was not impressed with her either.

“Sarah, a word if you please?” he asked as he walked out of the drawing room, closing the door so that the prying ears belonging to his family members could not hear him.

Sarah pursed her lips and arched an eyebrow. “Who was she?” Sarah asked, sounding bitter.

“She is the future Countess of Ethridge if I have my way,” James snapped angrily.

“Excuse me?” Sarah gasped, her green eyes widening angrily.

“You’re excused.”

James did not expect Sarah to give up so easily. Status was everything to her and what he had, she wanted.

“You can’t just dismiss me, we’re engaged if you’ve forgotten. I am to be your wife, not some little, insignificant street urchin who can’t even speak your native tongue. I could barely understand her, James. It was ridiculous.” Sarah was irate. Her shoulders were rising and falling rapidly as her face quickly turned red.

James chuckled condescendingly. “Sarah, for so long I’ve felt I’ve had some sort of obligation towards you. I’ve thought it was my responsibility to marry you because we’ve courted for so long but tonight, right now, I’ve realised that I actually don’t care. You insult my mother freely, you are cold and rude towards my family and you brazenly comment on how you want to secure my title. The whole reason I started courting you was so that mothers quit throwing their daughters in my path. Threatening Alice was the final straw,” he growled through gritted teeth.

Sarah’s jaw dropped. “You honestly think you can just leave someone like me … what a minute, who is Alice?”

James felt as though his gut was about to fall out of him. How could he have made such a stupid mistake? “I meant Jacqueline. Simple mistake,” he replied quickly but he knew Sarah was too clever to miss such a slip up.

“She’s hiding something, isn’t she?” Sarah said darkly.

“Get out of my house,” James ordered. “You are no longer welcome here. Consider our engagement terminated. If I find out you’ve spoken to any one of my family members maliciously, and that includes Jacqueline, you will have me to deal with. One quick rumour and I will have you laughed out of London before you can say ‘stop’.”

Sarah scoffed. “If there’s one thing I’m good at James, it is blackmail. You chose the wrong person to trifle with. I’ll find out what that little girl is hiding, mark my words. You will be begging to have me back.” Sarah seemed so sure of herself yet James knew she could not find out what Alice’s secret was. She had a Christian name and a nationality. There were no doubt thousands of Alice’s in France and Sarah did not concern herself with any issue that did not include the word ‘fabric’ or ‘gossip’. So long as he nor Alice ever spoke to Sarah again, they were safe.

“Get out,” he said slowly, pointing to the door.

With a meddlesome smile, Sarah turned on her heels and headed towards the door with her nose in the air. At the same moment Emilia opened the large, oak door with a surprised smile on her face. Clearly she had been eavesdropping.

“You’re looking awfully frumpy and cumbersome lately, Lady Ethridge. I’d highly recommend cutting out a meal or two,” Sarah said spitefully, shooting one last dig at Emilia before she left.

Emilia didn’t look offended, just amused. “Well, if I ever want to look like I belong in a brothel, I shall call on you,” she said happily as she held the door open for Sarah. “Goodbye now!”

With one last hateful glare, Sarah was gone. Emilia closed the door and let out a gleeful laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier! This day does definitely compete with my wedding day and the births of you five.” Emilia threw her arms around James’ neck and kissed him repeatedly on the cheek. She pulled back suddenly and placed her hands on her waist which had curved over time thanks to multiple pregnancies. “I don’t look cumbersome, do I?” she checked.

“No, mama,” James promised, kissing his mother on the forehead. “You’re beautiful.”

The drawing room door opened and his father, brother, sisters and brothers in law all poured out saying one thing or another, all asking him about Sarah and congratulating him on the severance of their engagement. He was glad that none of them spoke about his slip with Alice’s name. He hoped none of them had heard that. He didn’t know if Alice would ever feel safe enough to let anyone else know her true identity. If she never did, he was glad that she could trust at least someone.

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So yay!! Sarah's gone but something tells me she won't be giving up without a fight...

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