Chapter Twelve

A/N: A big thank you to Captain Americanna, Guest, EngLitLover, Guest and coffeebookchiller :)

This chapter is for the guest who reviewed chapter 11 :) Because Darcy is not Alina's first crush. Aaand, the bundle of letters will come back to haunt Fitzwilliam in some years. Wait and watch my friend.

Fitzwilliam House

London

28th January 1807

Alina stood mutinously outside the door to her father's study. She had been dismissed most cruelly from the room in question, her reasonable request unfairly denied by unfeeling father. She had all but begged her father to take her to see Fredrick Windsor's demonstration of using gas lighting to illuminate London's streets that was to take place at Pall Mall that day after sunset but he had refused and no amount of cajoling could persuade him to change his mind.

Had it been anything else, she would've conceded defeat and retired to her room but she could not accept her father's illogical dismissal of her request to see the latest scientific marvel to hit England. One of Sarah's brothers who worked for a manufactory in Birmingham had seen Josiah Pemberton's demonstration of the same two years ago at his workplace and he had been fascinated to no end by whatever he'd seen. 'Magnificent', 'Breath-takingly intelligent', 'A prime example of scientific ingenuity' were some of the words he had used to describe the experience and that had fuelled Alina's desire to see this miracle with her own eyes. To see lamps being lit with air instead of oil, how wonderful would that be. It was so fantastical that she couldn't even imagine it.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered the courage to ask her irate father again and she was just about to knock on the study door when she saw Lord Wentworth make his way down the corridor towards her. He was the same as he had been when she had seen him last two years ago: tall, lanky and Raven haired but he walked with a new confidence now that he had passed his examinations with flying colors and excelled in the extra curriculars at Cambridge. The ton was abuzz with the news of Lord Wentworth's supreme eligibility for the position of one's husband and all the single ladies of wealth, real and supposed, were clamouring for an introduction. He had suddenly become London's most eligible bachelor, usurping even Cousin Darcy who had been a favorite of the Society Mammas and their daughters since the day he turned one and twenty.

She cast an appraising glance his way and was not displeased by what she saw. He was certainly handsome but to describe him as a heart stealer was perhaps overestimating his charms a bit too much. She still remembered the day, he, a red faced schoolboy from Eton, home for the holidays had fallen into one of the ponds at Milton and claimed that he was drowning when his feet could clearly touch the bottom. Her recollections were interrupted as he stopped to stand beside her.

'You're remembering my rather fine dive into that pond of yours, aren't you?', he said, smiling in resignation as he bowed to her.

'What else could make me so happy?', she shot back pertly as she curtsied.

'My misfortune has never failed to amuse you, you heartless girl', he said, placing a hand on his heart.

'Your stupidity is exceedingly diverting, Lord Wentworth', she replied primly, trying not to smile.

'Ah! Fair maiden, you shall not be immune to my charms for long', he proclaimed in jest. 'All the young misses of London are half in love with me now.'

'Poor blind girls', she pretended to wipe her eyes.

'They have been blinded by my brilliance, my magnificence, my beauty-'

'I've never met such a modest and humble man such as yourself', she commented, checking her shoes for dust.

He grinned at her. 'With our friendly banter out of the way, how are you faring Miss Allie?'

She had refused to answer if he called her Lady Alina, it made her feel too old and besides he was a friend so dear that he was almost family.

'Sir Niklaus, my father has most cruelly refused to take me to Pall-Mall tonight,' she answered, . 'Could you come to my rescue?'

She had insisted on being included in their games of battle when she had been a young girl and his name had been Sir Niklaus ever since.

'I'm taking my cousin: Lady Susan and her friend Miss Elbert to see the gas lights and since there are only three of us in a carriage that seats more, we could always accommodate a Miss Allie'. His blue eyes twinkled with good humour.

The smile on Alina's face was dazzling in its beauty. 'You are a true friend, Sir Niklaus. Now go and ask my father.'

Alina strode into her sitting room, simultaneously ripping the fine pelisse off her shoulders violently and threw it in the corner with such force that the vase fell off the corner table and shattered. Still dissatisfied, she picked an elaborately embroidered cushion from the armchair in front of the fireplace and threw it at the door. Breathing heavily, she collapsed onto the sofa, her arms braced on either side of her torso, holding her up.

It had been an absolutely horrible evening. It had had a promising start, Niklaus, remembering her fondness for good Literature, had taken her to Dodsley, London's most famous bookshop and that unprincipled Lady Susan and her sycophantic friend Miss Elbert had stopped to look at a man selling silk fans from the East on the street, so they were alone with only Sarah to keep them company and she had a special talent of blending in with the furniture whenever she was not wanted.

They had spent a half hour in the bookshop: arguing, discussing and debating and it was pleasing to discover that Niklaus didn't consider her to be a social leper on the basis of her intelligence and a desire to learn like Aunt Catherine had said she would be treated by men if she persisted in this 'shocking blue stocking behavior'. His eyes had shone with amusement when she ventured to contradict his opinion on some of the treasures that lined Dodsley's walls and he had listened to her, not dismissed her opinion as the 'nonsensical mumblings of a schoolgirl' as some men were prone to do and even complimented her on her thorough knowledge of the Bard's works.

She had enjoyed herself immensely and her heart had beat faster than a hummingbird's wings when his arm had brushed hers as he made to remove a book from a shelf near her. She was no stranger to physical contact: she loved embracing her family, loved the warmth and peace that filled her heart when she was in a loved one's arms but this, this was different. Her arm had tingled most pleasantly where Niklaus' arm had touched it and the feeling in her heart was the farthest thing from peaceful. She had averted her face from him in order to hide the blush that stained her cheeks a light shade of crimson. She couldn't provide a rational explanation for this sudden attraction she felt for Niklaus, one of her brother's oldest and closest friends and she did not wish for him to know about it when she scarcely understood what she felt. So she had been quiet the rest of the time in Dodsley's and Niklaus had withdrawn after a few attempts at conversation fell flat. He, had however, purchased a fine, leather bound copy of Shakespeare's works and had it embossed with her name. She could not suppress her happiness and had thanked him warmly. The smile on his face had been breath takingly beautiful.

As darkness fell, arm in arm and smiling serenly, they made their way to the main avenue to find their absconding duo of Miss Elbert and Lady Susan, who emerged from a sweet shop, their reticules as empty as when they had gotten down from the carriage. One could not maintain a figure like Lady Susan and fit into those monstrosities called corsets if one bought refreshments from a sweet shop. Miss Elbert, whose rotund shape belied her fondness for sugar had refrained from purchase as a gesture of solidarity.

Lady Susan looked at her hand on Niklaus 's arm with a distasteful expression and then coldly refused his proffered arm, choosing to accompany Miss Elbert instead. Alina, unaffected by the older woman's behavior smiled at Sarah who followed them at a respectable distance and Niklaus gazed after his Cousin, puzzled by the sudden change in her behavior.

It was magnificent, the way Pall Mall was illuminated with gas lights, the wicks flickering weakly at first and then catching fire and burning happily as the street was illuminated slowly, the lamps coming to life one by one.

She had squealed in delight, much to her embarrassment and Lady Susan's vindictive delight but Niklaus seemed preoccupied and hardly responded to any of her exclamations about how fascinating the view before them was. He had disengaged her arm from his own and making his apologies had disappeared into the crowd, Lady Susan hot on his heels, leaving her with Miss Elbert and Sarah. The latter surprised to see her young Mistress abandoned amongst the raucous crowd and the former smirking at her friend's pursuit of her cousin. Lady Susan was famed for her conquests after all and Niklaus Wentworth was the finest prize in London these days.

Tired of waiting for Lord Wentworth to return and the pangs of hunger that assaulted her stomach at regular intervals, Alina decided to purchase some sweets off a nearby vendor, her father's strict instructions about not interacting with anyone not of her own party, forgotten in the chaos around her. Pushing her way through the throng of people covering the streets, she made her way to the vendor, an alarmed Sarah hanging onto her pelisse and Miss Elbert made no effort to follow them. Children of all kinds, rich and poor, tall and short, stick thin and over indulged hounded the vendor and Alina, her head hurting from the noise asked Sarah to purchase the sweets for her and pointed to a nearby relatively quieter alley where she would be waiting. Sarah did not agree with this separation but had no choice but to obey her Mistress. Alina sighed and made her way towards the alley. Cloistered between two giant buildings, it was dark and quiet and a welcome respite from the loud, bright spectacle around her. Tired, the lights didn't seem so marvellous anymore and she longed for her warm bed waiting for her at home. She leant her head against the cool bricks of the alley and gazed at the sky above. The stars were hardly visible and she was filled with a sudden, desperate longing for Milton Hall where quiet, solitude, peace and stars abounded. Her reverie was broken as two drunken figures stumbled into the alley, giggling and clutching each other, so engrossed in their activities that they failed to notice her presence. Sudden struck by the impropriety of her actions, she made her way out of the alley when a passing carriage threw the faces of the amorous couple who had invaded her sanctuary into sharp relief. It was none other than Niklaus and Lady Susan. He smiled rakishly as Lady Susan clutched the lapels of his coat. She turned away as he leant towards his cousin and walked sedately out of the alley, furtively wiping the hot tears that leaked out of her eyes.

The carriage ride was silent and uncomfortable. Alina had found Sarah before she had even bought the sweets and together they both had traversed the streets, searching for Miss Elbert as most of the people made their way home. They did not find her but their path crossed with that of the Wentworth's footman, who led them to the carriage where they waited for the rest of their party for more than three quarters of an hour. There was a sudden commotion outside the door of the carriage and then entered Miss Elbert, her face red and sweaty, followed by Lady Susan who looked immaculate, not a hair out of place but was betrayed by her flushed cheeks and the swollen lips. Niklaus handed her into the carriage and then climbed into his seat, his eyes focused on Alina who gazed resolutely out of the dirty carriage window and refused to meet his eyes.

They spent the entire ride in silence, Miss Elbert falling asleep and snoring like an elephant, Lady Susan smiling triumphantly and Niklaus with his head against the wall of the carriage. It made her miss Milton and her family even more. She was sure that Dickie or Fitz would have never have been so irresponsible so as to abandon her in a crowded market place for an assignation with a woman. If it had been the four of them, Richard, Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and her, they would have had enjoyed themselves immensely. Richard would have pointed out all the overdressed ladies and simpering dandies and they would have amused themselves at their expense. Fitz would have been like a mother hen, checking if they were warm and bringing refreshments and not allowing them to lift a finger from his arm, forget leaving them alone. Georgiana would have shared her delight in seeing the demonstration and the ride home would have been filled with laughter. Richard and Georgiana would have nodded off eventually and then Fitz would've smiled at her, his brown eyes shining with contentment and she would have leant her head against the cool glass of the carriage window and surrendered to Hypnos-'

Her daydream was brought to an abrupt halt as the carriage jerked to a stop and the footman called out 'Fitzwilliam House' in an unmistakably tired voice. Sarah looked at her, asking for permission and Alina nodded imperceptibly in response. Sarah descended from the carriage, her cheeks flushing with colour when the Wentworth footman assisted her. Alina sighed at the vision for it did nothing to ease the tumult in her heart and moved to get up. It was a tad difficult, moving past three pairs of legs to get out of the carriage and it took a particularly hard knock against Lady Susan's leg for Niklaus to remember that he should disembark from the carriage in order to facilitate Alina's descent. He did so and held out a hand for Alina to take, who took his proffered hand gingerly and let go of it as soon as it was proper to do so. She turned to go home.

'Lady Alina.' Niklaus' smooth baritone broke the silence that surrounded them.

She turned back to face him. 'Lord Wentworth.' Her face was expressionless, it gave no clue about her feelings.

'I hope you had a pleasant evening', he ventured hesitantly. She could not decide if he was extremely foolish or brave.

'As pleasant as it could be when one is abandoned by the host,' she replied icily.

He bowed his head. 'I apologize.'

'I bid you a good night, Lord Wentworth.'

She turned on her heel and made her way to the now open door manned by the old Mr. Thomas. Alina did not look back even once. And his eyes never strayed from her while the butler glared reprovingly at the young man standing by his carriage who did not escort the young Mistress to the door.

Hey guys

Been damn busy. Hope you liked this chapter.

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