THIS STORY IS A PREQUEL TO THE EVERARD FAMILY SERIES.

*****

"Why do we have our ears pressed against the door?" whispered Alice's friend, Eva, as the two of them leaned against the hard wood, facing each other.

"Hush," Alice shushed her friend, placing one finger over her lips as she intently focused her attention on the conversation at the other side of the door.

Eva merely shook her brown head and sighed, pressing closer.

There were a few very important reasons why Alice found it necessary to break decorum and eavesdrop on her own mother. One of them was her very own future and that of the estate her father and the men before him had always cherished all their lives.

Her father, rest his soul, had merely been dead for less than a month and his distant relatives did not waste time to pack their belongings not to grieve with Alice and her mother, Lady Edwina, but to claim Langworthy as rightful heirs. And they had very good reasons to do so—immediately.

The Lord of Surley, August Kenward, Alice's very distant uncle on her father's side, was rumored to have gambled almost everything he owned save for the Surley estate which he now passed to his only son after acquiring Langworthy. Nicholas Archibald, the now deceased Lord of Langworthy and Alice's father, had died at the most fortunate time where the Kenwards were concerned.

An only child—and unfortunately, a daughter—Alice could not be heir to the estate. The next in line was the closest male relative. The only hope for a male heir is if Alice bore a son, a task she never thought necessary until the moment she and her mother was told that they might have to leave Langworthy soon.

"I would very much wish to see more natural plants in the garden," a woman's voice was speaking behind the door.

"Of course." Alice did not miss the cold and curt reply her mother offered. "If you wish it, then it could be done."

"I have more of my artifacts coming soon," the man spoke again. "I would also have to go through Nicholas' study thoroughly than I have been doing the past few days, my lady."

"Yes, of course," came Alice's mother's cold reply. "You have already started renovations in the study. The entire estate, as a matter-of-fact."

The new Lord of Langworthy chuckled. "It is best we start early than regret it later on."

"By the by, Edwina, I have not seen Alice since our arrival," asked Lady Vivian, the new Lady of Langworthy.

"Oh, she has been staying with the Whitlocks. She is best friends with their daughter who is bound to stay here while her parents vacation in Willowfair for two months. That is, if you do not mind?"

"No, of course not..."

Alice and Eva pushed away from the door and sharply turned to briskly walk back to Alice's room.

"Oh, this is bad," Alice murmured the moment she locked her bedchamber door. "Mother is not loving this."

Eva looked at Alice mournfully. "No one does." She looked around the room. "Does this mean you will have to leave Langworthy soon? They are taking over the place, Alice. You have not ended your mourning and they are already ripping everything apart!"

Alice blinked once, shrugged, and walked over to her bed to sit beside Eva. "Well, they have not precisely told us to leave, but they surely have been making it clear we have lost Langworthy to them."

"It is not fair," Eva passionately said, turning to face Alice whose face was bare of any emotion. "Langworthy has been your home! Your father and his father's father had been here for generations! Where would you go then? Would you be able to buy a decent estate with your dowry? Would you be able to feed yourselves with the allowance they will provide for you?"

Alice frowned. "Why would we use my dowry to buy an estate?"

Eva stared at her as though she ought to know what she meant. "You may never find yourself a husband, Alice. What with your... well, demeanor and reputation, you may end up a like my Aunt Karenina."

Alice's eyes widened just a tiny bit, an expression Eva would consider phenomenal where Alice was concerned. "You dare suggest I would end up like your horrid aunt! She does not know a thing about horses!"

Her friend started to chuckle which then grew into a fit of laughter.

"What is so funny?"

"That you took offense being compared to my aunt not because she is an old maid, but because she hates horses."

"Well, she also has terrible breath. If you have been talking to her, you would know."

Eva wrinkled her nose. "Oh, do not remind me."

Alice sighed and as she did, a brow arched. She then jumped to her feet and started for the door, face still as expressionless as when she woke up that morning.

"Where are you going?"

She with her hand on the door handle to look at her friend, "We are going to announce our presence. Come along."

"Me?"

"You will be staying here for two months, Eva, of course you will have to introduce yourselves to the invaders." She cocked her brow and motioned with her head.

Eva jumped to her feet and smoothed her dress. "Very well, then. Shall we?"

*****

"We are glad to make acquaintance with one of our neighbors," Lady Vivian said after she swallowed her food. She looked magnificent with her black hair tied nicely behind her nape, her topaz eyes shining with kindness that Alice's mother had decided not to mention when she described the woman as an average, middle-aged lady with graying hair. "We could invite Lord and Lady Maitland when they arrive back from their vacation, August," Lady Vivian added to her husband, who, like Lady Vivian, did not appear like the stocky, scary man her mother told her about. In fact, Lord August was clearly someone who had once been quite handsome in his days. Apart from the constant grunt he made every now and then, he was not at all horrid-looking. And he had a somewhat gentle demeanor, perhaps the reason why people had thought him to be too gullible, a great disadvantage in his past failed investments.

"We should," he replied to his wife with an excited smile.

Alice stole her mother a look without moving her head and caught the last second rolling of eyes.

"My parents would sincerely appreciate the invitation," Eva replied cordially. "And I am truly grateful that I am welcomed here."

"Langworthy may have a new lord," said August proudly, "but I promise that it shall remain the same to its people and most especially to its friends."

"You are very gracious, my lord."

For a few moments of silence, they resumed their meal. Alice was grateful Eva was here to amuse the new Lord and Lady of Langworthy for she and her mother were still quite lost with the new arrangement. And she hated social tasks such as making small talks. She would rather dress in her night dress and curl in bed with a book.

"I am sorry, my dears, but if you would not mind, how old are you?" Lady Vivian addressed both Alice and Eva.

Edwina cleared her throat from the other end of the table. Alice turned to her mother, almost certain that her mother's brown hair and eyes had a hint of scarlet in them and she could not blame the woman. Even her dining spot had been taken by Lady Edwina as was customary, forcing her to take the other end of the table to maintain even the slightest amount of power. Although it was not clear to Alice what sitting arrangement around a table had to do with anything else other than food and drinks, she could sympathize with her mother. Never had she seen Lady Edwina anywhere else around this table. Until tonight.

"Lady Eva here is eighteen," her mother was answering Lady Vivian's question. "And my dear Alice is one and twenty."

"Oh, merely two years younger than our dear Marty, the new Lord of Surley," said Lady Vivian as a warm smile broke her face. "I am hoping you will be good friends."

"Hoping?" Edwina asked, a forced smile on her lips. The mere mention of the title of Surley having already passed on to Lord August's only son was enough proof that Langworthy had finally been snatched from them.

"Martin is bound to arrive within the week," August replied, cutting off his next statement with a large gulp of wine. "If he received my letter, that is."

Alice saw her mother pause, eyes too focused on her fork. She could already see the woman's plans form into invisible words which only Alice could read and comprehend. And Alice did not like what she read. Not one tiny bit.

"Alice and Eva could show him around the estate then," said her mother, voice somewhat ecstatic. "They have nothing planned this week, do you ladies?"

"We were planning to spend and enjoy our time alone and not be bothered by—" Alice started, but stopped when she saw her mother's eyes. She sighed and looked Lady Vivian, giving the lady a curt nod. "Of course. It would be an honor to show him around. It would not hurt my schedule if we spare him an hour or two of our time."

"Spare them a small smile," Eva whispered beside her. Alice slightly turned her head to frown at her friend. Why would Evan want her to smile? She had already said something nice. "We might offer more than a few hours of our time," Eva added loudly for Lady Vivian. "It will be charming! Langworthy has a lot to offer. And we can come by Maitland as well if Lord Surley would wish it. My father breeds amazing horses."

"Oh, this will be marvelous," Lady Vivian said, clapping her hands together while Edwina threw Alice a look of warning which told her Eva was doing better than she was. "Marty is in need of a long respite in the country. That boy has been nowhere else but Willowfair and Wickhurst. He needs adventure."

"I am not quite sure one would consider Langworthy an adventure, my lady," Alice said, face and tone flat and emotionless. She ignored her mother's obvious look of disapproval. "Unless, of course, he decides to venture into the Dark Forest, which happens to be nearby."

"Alice," her mother said in a tone almost reprimanding, before she turned to face Vivian and August. "The Dark Forest is not safe, not even for bandits. It is nowhere near a fun adventure."

"Oh," Lady Vivian uttered, warily looking at Alice. The woman appeared as if she was having trouble reading Alice. Perhaps the woman was trying to decide if she had been jesting or not. Sadly, the woman chose to consider the former and let out an awkward laugh. "Perhaps we should refrain from mentioning that to Marty. That boy has the propensity to prove everyone wrong, you see. You will find out for yourself very soon, I hope."

"I am looking forward to it," Edwina said, lifting her wine in a mocking cheer, motioning for Alice to smile, something that had become a habit ever since she realized her only daughter could not muster a gentle, sweet resting face.

Alice did what she could to amuse her mother and moved the corner of her lips in an effort to smile. It was a slight twitch which was terribly awkward especially while she was eating.

*****

Alice was not surprised to find herself in her mother's bedchamber later that night.

"Have you seen the ruckus near the stables?" her mother asked as she angrily brushed her hair. "And your father's study! Oh, you should see it! That man does not know what he is doing! He has been throwing away important documents that I am inclined to believe he does not even know how to read!" She whirled around from her vanity to face Alice who had been idly standing by her bed. "It is good that you are finally home. You have been in Maitland for too long you do not have an inkling as to what I had to go through alone!"

"I was helping Eva pack for her stay here, Mother."

"Yes, yes, I know that. I am actually a little glad you did not have to witness the first few days. Apart from feeling quite alone in a helpless battle I cannot win, I was glad you were not here. Look, she even took my own maid, leaving me to brush my own hair!"

Alice fought back her tears as she stared at her mother who had turned away again to continue brushing her hair. She had forgotten for a moment that they were indeed alone now. They were dressed in mourning clothes, yes, but somehow she must have gotten used to wearing the same shades that she had started to forget how things had drastically changed in Langworthy.

Suddenly she realized she was no longer hearing her father's hearty laughter. Worst, she was starting to forget what it sounded like.

Before panic took over, Alice took a long breath and sighed. Her brow cocked as she did so, an indication that she now had full control of her emotions.

Her mother needed her more now than ever. Lady Edwina Archibald may appear strong, but she was frail. And at moments like this when she was weak, her mind could come up with the worst ideas imaginable.

"How long do you plan to stay here, Mother?" she gently asked. Her mother's hand holding the brush froze. "I believe it is best that we leave Langworthy before ask us to."

Alice waited a long breathless moment for her mother to move and face her. And when she did, Edwina did not look angry as Alice had expected. In fact, the woman looked ecstatic and determined which Alice concluded as a bad thing for it only confirmed her suspicion earlier during dinner.

"Why would we have to leave, Alice? Your father's will said no such thing," said Edwina. "And you may still marry."

Her brows twitched slightly into a small frown. "Marry?"

"Martin, of course."

"Martin?"

"Oh, you know Martin. Marty! Vivian's dear Marty! The new Lord of Surley, that desolate estate which may now revive its former glory thanks to Langworthy's fortune! The same Marty who shall inherit Langworthy in the future and who shall pass it down to his future son—that Marty." Alice merely looked at her mother, not surprised at all.

"Mother..." was all she could muster. The idea was horrible, but she had to admit that it was logical. If they wanted to secure Langworthy, Alice had to marry the next man who shall inherit it.

"He is arriving very soon and we should be at our best. You should be at your best, Alice. It will be quite a challenge for you and this is what I had been telling your father about all these years but he never listened. He always thought that your demeanor was endearing and only those who appreciate it are worthy. But you ought to understand now that you might want to change. You, at least, have to train yourself when you are surrounded by men because not all of them will find your cold demeanor lovely like your father did. Are you hearing me, dear? If you want to take back Langworthy, you will have to be gentle and sweet. Like Eva!"

But Alice was no longer listening. Her mind had already wandered away.

She? Married?

For the love of all that was holy, how did her mother think she, Alice, the Lady Ice, could seduce a man?

*****

Harold had his eyes closed when he felt something heavy getting heavier over his legs.

He opened one eye and found a familiar silhouette moving about, carrying piles of clothing from his dressing cabinet.

"What are you doing?" he asked, groaning in protest as his friend, Martin, added more to the pile over his legs.

"Get up, you lazy bastard," his friend ordered in haste. "Where the bloody hell is your valet?"

Harold kicked the pile of clothes to free himself, sending some of them on the floor. "Have I been evicted? Disowned by my own bloody father?"

"That would be marvelous. I would be the first to kneel before him and beg for Kenward and Whiston." Martin stopped in the middle of the room, hands on his hips. "You are coming with me to Langworthy."

Harold brushed through his tousled light brown hair and narrowed his sleepy emerald green eyes at Martin, brows furrowed into an incredulous frown. "Why would I want to go to Langworthy?"

"Because my father ordered me to."

"As far as I am concerned, we do not share the same father," he said, falling back into his pillows.

"I will be slaughtered there, Harry," Martin begged. "You will have to be there with me. We simply say hello and then we can go and stop by somewhere to hunt."

"I suggest you go alone, say hello alone and go home to Surley alone. That poor place needs you."

"Have you missed the part about me being slaughtered?"

"By whom?"

"The former Lady of Langworthy."

"Her husband just died. She would dare not seduce you—"

"I did not mean the mother, you bloody idiot! The daughter!"

Harold thought about the situation his friend presented. "Hmm..."

"Hmm? What does that mean?"

"Hmm... meaning she would be wise to want to marry her daughter to you if she wishes to secure Langworthy and not end up like the many widows around the Town."

"But I do not want to marry her daughter. I do not wish to marry at all!"

"You are of marrying age."

"And so are you."

"I am cursed or have you forgotten?" Harold said with a smile. "Therefore I am safe."

Martin sighed, brows furrowed in deep thought. "Very well," he said, lifting his head to look at Harold. "I'll sponsor you back into Grey's. I can do that now. I am now titled."

Harold narrowed his eyes at Martin.

"They will never want you back after what you did last week, Harry. A sponsorship from a titled member is what you need."

"I can get it from someone else."

"If you can, I would not have found you here. You would still be there at this hour. But as I see it, no lord in Grey's would dare sponsor you back in fear of Bowman's retaliation. I, as your friend, on the other hand, am willing to take the risk. If you come with me to Langworthy."

Now certain that he had convinced Harold, Martin smiled. "I will find your valet for you then."

Before his friend could reach the doorway, Harold asked, "What do I have to do to help you escape this marriage trap you claim to find in Langworthy?"

"Oh, you know," his friend said with a shrug, "just be your typical bawdy self until they will want for nothing but be rid of us." Martin winked and left the room, shouting for Harold's valet.