AN: Sorry for the huge gap between posting chapters. I have no excuse other than I simply did not know what to write. I had so many ideas (including kidnap and attempted murder – I kid ye not) that I lost myself on rabbit trails. However, I am clear now that this story at least, is to be a gentle one without undue incident and remaining within the parameters of the initial one-shot. Phew!
On with the show and I remind you that it is now April 1812
1.
No-one could ever say that a gentleman could run tame in Lady Hale's house. She was not a lady that had ever encouraged such familiarity. That said, it was noticed by many of the staff how very busy the household had become since the Brandon's arrival. For this, Lord Cullen was mostly to blame. Not three days together went by without some kind of visit or excursion; some of them most peculiar indeed in Varner's eyes.
Not only trips to the opera, the theatre and musical soirees, the latest fashionable exhibition at the Royal Academy, but also picnics, kite flying parties, jaunts to Vauxhall, and a most particular and thrilling visit to Windsor castle. Mrs Brandon was lost in stunned rapture for days when she found out that Lord Cullen had somehow arranged for them to see the sketches by Leonardo da Vinci that were in the private Royal collection.
It was a stroke of extreme cunning on the part of her daughter that while Mrs Brandon was still in the breathless haze of wonder that this latest treat had provoked that she was accosted by said daughter who begged to be allowed to receive the help with her music that only such a gifted pianist as Lord Cullen would be able to bestow. As Lord Cullen added his gentle pleas on her daughter's behalf, Mrs Brandon was helpless to resist and so to her and her cousin's great astonishment Alice actually was practising her piano without threat of general wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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As Edward handed his hat and cloudy cane over to Varner's capable hands he enquired as to Miss Alice's whereabouts and was told with punctilious detail that Miss Alice was currently in the music room, breathing on the window and drawing Amusing Characters.
Edward grinned at this information and watched Varner master his inclination to roll his eyes. In retaliation the butler declared that he would announce Lord Cullen and proceed to pace in front of the younger man with all the pomp of the the Chief Whip at the opening of Parliament. At this funereal pace did Edward finally reach the door of the music room but Varner's announcement in sonourous tones did not disturb the young lady from her heavy abstraction at the window pane.
This was very strange, as previously Miss Alice had always been delighted to greet him despite the fact that she declared their regular half hour practises as "purgatory". This was due to the fact that Alice really did loathe playing the piano and although she enjoyed singing to his accompianment she would much rather curl up on an armchair opposite him and cose on about how wonderful Jasper Whitlock was.
Edward encouraged her on this theme and he crushed any pangs of conscience with the knowledge that, while her mother did not look with favour on the match, Alice and Jasper were obviously made for each other. As the Captain was also the protégé of his good friend Harry Clearwater, Edward felt that it was unexeptional to include him in as many of the merry parties that he could gather for Alice's amusement. A brief but exceptionally honest discussion of Edwards plans for both Alice and her mamma had taken place between the two men over dinner at Whites one night and while Jasper insisted that he make his own way up the ranks, he held no such similar reluctance to accept aid in the advancement of his suit.
If someone had told Edward a few months previously that he would shortly be encouraging the musical education of a very young debutante, he would have declared that person a madman. That he was not only enjoying it but also looking upon said debutante with paternal fondness was, he thought, a development beyond a lunatic's most fevered imaginations.
But he had listened, greatly entertained, as Alice chattered away about how she had grown up trundling along behind her hero, carrying his bag when he went shooting, learning how to gut fish and one glorious occasion actually beating the long legged Jasper out of the orchard where they had once been caught scrumping apples. Jasper had been caught and thrashed where she got clean away.
Edward listened delighted when she mused on the fact that she had been inclined to run back and give the fat old farmer a kick for hurting her Jasper but she had caught a look from her friend that was so threatening that she was more afraid of humiliating him rather than any retributon that the farmer could deal out. Edward privately thought that Jasper would suffer anything at anyone's hands rather than see Alice hurt and probably allowed himself to be caught and took the beating for her as indeed a boy should for a little playmate.
Today though it seemed that all Alice's customary energy had evaporated so it was with some concern that Edward approached her and asked gently if all was well. Despite his efforts she jumped a little at his words.
"Oh my lord, how you startled me!"
"I am very sorry Miss Alice, I did not mean to. Though I must say that poor Varner was very disappointed that you failed to notice his impression of John Kemble."
"Varner is being very stately today. I think Mamma teased him more than usual at breakfast this morning."
"Is that what it was? Well, now I know what has ruffled Varner, but I would far rather know what has occurred to upset you."
Alice flushed slightly. "It is of no consequence my lord. Shall we continue with our practise?"
"Oh dear, it must be serious if you are prepared to go to your pianoforte rather than chat to me."
Alice took a deep breath, obviously debating whether to impart her feelings or continue to put on a polite façade. To Edward's pleasure, she released her breath in a gusty sigh and said sorrowfully.
"There is a balloon ascension in the park this afternoon."
"Yes?" Edward encouraged.
"A special one."
"Special in what way?"
Alice clasped her hands ecstatically. "The aeronauts are actually going to allow people on board! And Jasper said that with Mamma's permission he would go up with me and I was looking forward to it very much but last night we received a message that he was required at Headquarters all day today and so I cannot go. For Mamma and even Aunt Rose flatly refused to go up in the balloon with me and I realise that I cannot go on my own. And I know it is wrong of me and Mamma has already warned me of the dangers of becoming a self absorbed ninny only happy when she is being entertained…but I did so wish to go!" Alice ended on a whisper, filled with disappointment and Edward could no more have resisted the unconscious appeal within than he could have flown to the moon.
"Well Miss Alice, I know that I do not hold the same regard in your eyes as Captain Whitlock, but would you consent to my company in the balloon?"
Alice's eyes widened in disbelieving glee: "Do you mean it my lord?"
"Of course I do my dear, as long as your mamma does not mind?"
"She did not object to Jasper so I hardly think she would object to you!" Alice said artlessly and Edward concealed a smile. "I shall go and ask permission immediately."
"Perhaps I might come with you?" Edward said, extending his arm
"Of course my lord," Alice replied, slipping her arm confidingly through his. "Mamma will be delighted to see you."
And so it was that they were quite the party that afternoon. Mrs Brandon gave her consent to Alice being accompanied by Lord Cullen, confident in the feeling that he would be just as ready as Captain Whitlock to risk life and limb for her daughter. Lady Hale came along just to observe with her own eyes Lord Cullen going up in a balloon, a thing never previously encountered. Mrs Brandon came too of course to enjoy the sight of her daughter's happiness. The two older ladies were certain of having an excellent view of the proceedings due to the height of Lord Cullen's barouche and they made their way very merrily indeed to the park where the massive balloon stood at anchor, vivid in blue and yellow silk.
To Mrs Brandon's great relief it was clear that the aeronauts did not intend that their balloon would be travelling in any direction other than up and down some few hundred feet or so. Alice was initially a little disappointed that they would not be going for an excursion over London and beyond but readily agreed that it was beyond anything great that she was actually going up in a balloon at all. She bore her mamma's fussing with great goodwill and allowed a heavy woollen cape to be wrapped about her in case of a chill at such a height. She was placed in the basket with care and Edward hopped in beside her along with Mr Greene, one of the cheerful aeronauts. She wrapped both her hands around Edward's arm and stifled a squeak into his side as the basket gave a lurch and left the ground but she was soon gazing around her avidly as they rose above the tree tops and the great expanse of the park spread about them. The Serpentine below glittered in the sun and in the distance was the River and all of Town lay spread like a vast anthill teeming with small creatures.
"I don't think I have ever found you speechless before my dear." Edward said, amused.
"I am trying so hard to remember this," the girl whispered ecstatically. "I wish to imprint every second on my mind so that I will never forget the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. In case I forget later, can I tell you now how wonderful this is? Thank you so very much."
"My dear child," Edward said, then words failed and he settled instead for just squeezing her hand.
Several silent minutes passed as Alice soaked up the view, the height and the wind in her hair in equal amounts. Then she gently released her grip on Edward's arm and trod gingerly over to the other side of the large basket, giggling in giddy nervousness as the wicker creaked under her shoes. Edward watched her explore, admiring her bravery – not one debutante in a hundred would be so daring he thought to himself. He caught Mr Greene's eye and they exchanged an indulgent smile.
"My own daughter is just such a one" the balloonist said. "Just the same expression, curious as a squirrel she is Sir."
Edward did not trust himself to speak, just offered a crooked smile in camraderie.
"Pappa! Come and look!" Alice squeaked from the other side of the basket.
"We will be descending in a moment or two Sir. Best you go and see what's caught the young lady's eye."
Edward moved with deceptive casualness and laid Alice's hand in his arm once more. He could tell from the terrible ridgidity in her posture that she was aware and mortally embarrassed over her slip.
"I don't know what to say," she whispered. "What on earth must you think of me?"
"I think you do me great honour, my dear. Please do not be upset, I beg of you."
"You see, I never liked my own father above half and I am certain that he didn't like me at all. And… you are everything I had ever made up in my mind that I would like in a Pappa. And then it just slipped out! What a dunderhead I am," she whispered bitterly.
"Alice," Edward murmered. "I am going to be as honest with you as you have been with me. There is nothing in the world I would like so much as for you to regard me as a father." He paused at her sudden intake of breath but she said nothing and he continued.
"I have never married, never had a child, but you are precisely what I would wish for in a daughter."
In for a penny, in for a pound he pressed on "Indeed I would wish that you were my daughter in every possible way."
Alice laughed softly. "But then silly…then you would have to be married to Mamma."
Her whisper died away as she looked at the rather meaningful expression in Edward's eye and understanding shone clear in her own as realisation dawned.
"Do you know? I so wish I could kiss your cheek…but I suppose Aunt Rose has her opera glassed trained on us so I can't. But I want you to know that I would if I could and I would call you Pappa all over again, for the rest of my life."
Edward's heart threatened to burst out of his chest in pride and joy but he merely lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. An unexceptional gesture if anyone below was watching, but the look that the two exchanged was that of an alliance struck.
"I think we understand each other"
"Yes, I really think we do."
They continued to smile at each other as the balloon returned to earth.