Alicia Read Free

disgusting, and disgustingly persistent. No one here shall know where I go except Lady Gorham, under promise to disclose my direction to no one. I wish you to abide by this also. Oh, Stephen,”she cried, alarmed by the anger which flared in his eyes, “it is not worth taking note of such scum. He could buy and sell you and me twenty times, a hundred times over. I will not have you tangle with him. He is a dangerous, unprincipled villain. Promise me, Stephen.”
    “I cannot. I will not stand for such an insult to you.”
    “Promise me, Stephen.”Alicia’s eyes snapped with determination. “I have quite enough to bear without such an added responsibility. He would kill you, you know. Oh, I know you do not lack the courage to face him, but I should never be able to face my dearest Jane. Promise me, Stephen.”
    “I cannot,”he said stubbornly.
    “You must. I shall have your promise now, or I shall never speak to you again. I mean it, Stephen. Promise me.”
    Stephen’s lips compressed into a tight line. “I promise you.”
    “Thank you, Stephen. I understand that it goes against the grain with you but I have had misery enough without adding you to it. Dear brother, I would not have told you except...well, someone else should know. And should I need your help, I will not have to go into explanations in a letter. Now,”Alicia shrugged off the concern and bestowed a cheerful smile on him, “let me tell you what I know of this shop I am to see tomorrow. Tetterton is rather midway between York and Hull and the shop does a sizable business in dry goods—cotton twills, stuffs, bombazines, sarsnets, satins, millinery, pelisses, dresses, and so forth. It is by way of being a linen drapers, too, and a plumassier.”
    At Stephen’s blank look she explained, “You know, ostrich and fancy feathers and artificial flowers for hats and bonnets. They carry ribbons and lace and fancy trimmings as well as tippets and muffs and such. I shall so enjoy being surrounded by such a selection of goods, and no doubt shall fit Felicia up in style. There is a young man who could stay on with the business, but the owner is ill and wishes to sell. So I would have someone with experience as my assistant.”
    Stephen was horrified at the very sound of such an endeavor but restrained himself by asking only, “Do you not think that people will hesitate to patronize a shop owned by a young woman?”
    Alicia gave a gasp of laughter. “No doubt. I had thought to powder my hair and wear a cap which would make me appear quite elderly.”She pulled a handkerchief from her reticule, tucked it over her auburn curls, and pursed her mouth. “Surely I shall pass for fifty,”she grinned, her eyes sparkling in the late morning sun.
    “Indeed,”her brother retorted, as he snatched the handkerchief off her head. “I’ll be bound you will attract customers just to see such a performance. I daresay you will make a go of it, Alicia, but you are to remember that Jane and I will provide you and Felicia with a home if you ever need it.”
    “That I will never forget. It shall be my port in a storm, I promise you.”Alicia rose and shook hands with her brother. “We are agreed, then. You cannot like the scheme, I know, but I am delighted that you are willing to accept it. Thank you, Stephen. Now tell me of Jane and the boys.”
     

Chapter Two
     
    In spite of an early start it was afternoon before Alicia and her brother and daughter reached the town of Tetterton. The main street was wide and boasted a green between two secondary lanes which diverged from it. The row of shops was handsome, some with slightly bowed windows and sparkling small panes of glass. Alicia noted that the inn, the Feather and Flask, was an old brick building with numerous gables. A glistening red ivy covered most of its surface. The inn chimneys dotted the skyline and welcoming smoke drifted forth to proclaim that the establishment was well used. A glimpse of the stables behind