XXXI. Gift-1

It was Alice's idea to return to Wickhurst. The frequency of gossips had not decreased, but their blow had significantly become inconsequential. Being a secret member of Grey's had given her a different feeling of comfort. Being surrounded by men who encouraged her distinctiveness, Alice found new friends. She met other ladies who understood her. They were wives, sisters, mothers—and even grandmothers—of other Grey's members. Harold once commented that she was having a different glow. When once she would rather go out and hunt or ride with the gentlemen, she started to join Eva and their new friends to tea, even forming their own book club. She finally had something to fill her days other than her horses, Harold and the gossips. The first few weeks back in Wickhurst was quite busy, most especially when Rachel arrived for a vacation. When not with their new friends, Alice and Eva would come by Rachel's villa, but none of them talked about Eva's upcoming departure to Lettice, an estate quite far from Wickhurst, although the thought always lingered at the back of Alice's mind. She would be losing her best friend for quite a while again. Yet it was a reality she had to face. Eva seemed excited to settle back in the province for some peace and quiet. So instead of talking about Eva's departure to Lettice, they spent their time learning the art of sewing and discussing trivial events. Or in some instances, Alice and Eva would drop subtle remarks about Theobald to Rachel, giving the lady advice on how to handle a rake, not with her innate gentleness but with the hidden monster they knew was hiding somewhere within her. Or when they were tired of talking about Theobald, they would read letters from Pepper who was spending a long vacation at her uncle's estate. "Oh my..." Rachel gasped, dramatically placing her hand over her chest as she read Pepper's letter. "What?" asked Alice and Eva in unison. "Do go on, Rachel, for goodness sake!" Eva demanded. "Downworth..." said Rachel, eyes watering. "He... he..." "He what?" Alice's heart began to hammer in alarm. "He traveled all the way to Pepper to propose!" Rachel burst out. Alice and Eva sighed in relief. "Well, he ought to have done it a long time ago," Alice commented with a shrug. "He had been dragging it for quite a long time, in my opinion." Eva nodded in agreement. "The bastard must have taken lessons from Harry," Alice added, rolling her eyes. "By the by, what else did she say?" "They spend their afternoons together—" "No, no, Rachel. Did she accept his proposal?" Rachel blinked in confusion and scanned Pepper's letter. "No, but she did mention that they kissed behind her uncle's barn." Eva and Alice looked at each other. "They did more than that." Rachel looked at them, her eyes utterly innocent. "Whatever do you mean?" "Well, you know... that thing," Eva said, waving her hand. Rachel blinked. "What thing?" "Have you and Theobald ever kissed?" Alice asked Rachel. Their friend gasped, her face turning red. "N-no. It is not proper to—" "Oh, good God," Alice said with a sigh. "I am not certain if I should be thankful he has not touched you yet, or disappointed that he had not even made attempts." "He tried a few times—" "He did?" Alice and Eva cried out. "But I always told him off," Rachel replied. "I should not have?" Alice moistened her lips, not quite certain how to answer the question. "Do you get the urge to want to?" Rachel nodded. "But it is not proper. We are not yet married—" "Then make the bastard suffer," Alice interrupted. "How sure are you he is suffering?" "Well..." "For all I know, he goes to another woman when he receives a rejection from me." "True, yes. Then what do you intend to do about that?" "I have been thinking... perhaps I should let him get a taste of what he wants from me then deprive him of it." Alice smiled. "You have grown, Rachel. I am proud of you." Rachel shyly bent her head and cleared her throat. "Then you approve of my plan?" Alice shared a look with Eva and they both leaned toward Rachel conspiratorially. "We need to discuss this plan of yours a little bit more," Alice whispered. Rachel nodded. "I will ring for a fresh pot of tea." ***** The fresh copy of the Herald flew across the room and Harold looked up from his table in surprise. Did his wife just throw something in frustration? "What could it be now?" he wondered aloud, tone jesting. Alice's face was red as she stood and paced the room. It was very unlike her. But why was he not surprised? Lately, she had been showing more of this side of her. The most current he could recall was when she burst into his study the other day with an excited glow on her face to announce that Pepper and Downworth were getting married. She even went as far as making plans to get a new gown for the said wedding. "Calm down, darling," Harold said, standing to pick up the copy of the Herald on the floor before joining her in the middle of the study. "I thought you said you have mastered the art of dealing with these silly gossips?" Alice glared at him. "Harry, they think I am still not with babe." Harry shrugged. "Well, it is true." Alice's eyes glinted with irritation. "I am telling you, Harry, I am." "The doctor is yet to visit. We shall know by then." "The doctor is late," she huffed out. Harold checked his watch. "No, darling, he is not. We still have a few minutes to wait." His wife whirled around and stalked to the settee. She slumped there with her arms crossed over her chest. And then she started to tap her foot on the floor.