It had been precisely five months and three days since Alice saw Eva climb into a carriage and drove away from Alice, her parents and everything else they knew.

And it had been precisely five months and two days since Alice decided she ought to start thinking of what to do next. Seriously think about it.

Langworthy was still her home, but it would not forever be. Lady Vivian may insist upon Edwina that they could stay as long as they wanted, but they all knew that things were starting to change. Her father's old study was now almost empty of his personal artifacts. The drawing room now hung a new painting of the Kenward family. There were even new workers hanging around the estate.

The new lord and lady of Langworthy may want them now, but the same could not be said in the next years to come. There would be other heirs, with Martin as one of them, and Alice could not even imagine herself living under the graces of anyone, family or not.

She and her mother ought to find a place of their own if they wanted to live independently. Alice should consider marriage if she wished for a comfortable life for Edwina and herself. But if marriage would not suit her, there was another plan.

She would start her own business. She would breed thoroughbreds and live sufficiently in a farm. It would be far lesser than the life they were living now, but they would not be dependent on anyone.

Her plans were not shared with anyone, especially her mother. Edwina was still hoping that Alice would land herself a husband this season, always stating that this might be Alice's last chance.

And she may be correct.

Every year, more and more younger ladies came out, each one more beautiful and charming than the other. Alice, having gained the famous reputation as Lady Ice amongst her batch of ladies who came out the same year as she, would surely not stand a chance with a lord.

She never told her mother, but she believed that even an untitled gentleman would not consider her, unless he would be ignorant of Alice's reputation. But that was highly unlikely because even if that were the case, Alice would still want for more from a man. And no man had come closer to what she wanted and needed.

Except one, of course. But he was not considered a prospect.

Alice exited the stables and entered the manor through the back entrance, her mind in constant battle as to what to expect this season. Janet, her chambermaid, met her to taking her dirty gloves, saying, "I do not understand why you have to be the one to wash them horses, milady."

"Are there any posts for me?" she asked instead, ignoring the woman's statement.

"In the parlor, my lady," Winson replied. "I will send for tea."

Alice nodded and went straight to the parlor, avoiding any chance of being seen by either her mother or Lady Vivian. She had no time to go out for gown fittings today. She had to return to the stables before nightfall and see to Camel's condition.

Both of them had been on a small accident recently, which caused a panic around the estate. Alice nearly broke a leg, but was lucky enough to land safely. Camel, on the other hand, fell to his side and showed signs of weakness for a few weeks, but was now recovering at a steady speed.

A small smile curved the corner of her lips when she found the one letter sitting by the settee. She had been anticipating a word from Eva since two days ago.

In the quiet of the room, Alice hastily opened the letter and read.

My dearest Alice,

I am pleased to hear that Camel is recovering well after your accident.

And you ought to have told me sooner that YOU were in an accident! I nearly jumped on a carriage to get to Langworthy the moment Martin read Lady Vivian's letter. Oh, you worry me so.

But none of that, for I know that you hate for me to scold you. Only you know your capabilities. I simply hope that you take more care in the future.

I am doing very well. Martin has been naught but a good husband as opposed to your fears from your last letter. He asked me to tell you that you have nothing to fret about as we both grow to love each other more by each day.

Apart from tending to your horses, what have you been up to these couple of days? Have your mother and Lady Vivian been dragging you from one modiste to another? I can only imagine the look on your face with each fitting. You must know I am grinning as I write this.

By the by, we went to a new café yesterday with Harold.

Alice took a pause when she read his name. It had been quite some time since he last passed her thoughts. Not because she had forgotten, but because she had willed her mind to ignore the reminder of him.

It had merely been two nights, two nights that they were together alone. They spent the first one kissing and the second one making love. They definitely escalated quickly, which was alarming, really. What they both felt for each other's body was beyond what she had imagined. And at that rate, she was not even putting into consideration what they both felt for each other on the level of emotion.

But she was not going to entertain that. It was dangerous enough to be wholly consumed by desire alone. There was no use mourning over what could have been. She had made her decision to never consider Harold Everard for herself. And he surely did the same.

She continued reading.

He was quite grateful for Martin for sponsoring him back into Grey's. You know of Grey's, yes? Oh, well, you know how these clubs are important for men. Harold is no exception.

He inquired about you.

Alice felt a shiver run up her spine. She ignored it with a shake of her head. No, surely he merely asked out of respect when her name was mentioned. Alice closed her eyes to collect herself. No, he merely asked about her. It was courtesy.

Martin told him you shall be staying with us for the entire season and seemed to be in disbelief that you would even consider going to a season. Oh, what have you done to the man, Alice, for him to believe that you are inclined to be a spinster?

Alice bit her lower lip.

But you are coming to Wickhurst, yes?

Oh, I miss you, Alice. Terribly so. I have friends here, but none of them is like you.

I will be waiting for the day you arrive.

Forever your best friend,

Eva

Alice let out a long sigh as she folded her friend's letter.

She looked out the window and at the distant holes with the sunshine filtering through.

She had not known any other world apart from the Town. There was one aboveground, and perhaps it was more wonderful with more things to offer.

Despite the possibilities, she never tried to imagine what it would be like to be anywhere else other the Town. But lately, she had been wondering if she could have more freedom up there and if she did, would she be brave to grab for what she wanted?

*****

She was coming.

He knew she was coming to Wickhurst for the season, but why did he feel as though he had to prepare for an attack?

Harold felt the need to hide for safety. To see her again would mean endless torture.

Bloody tarnation.

The woman ought to be out of his mind by now. Two nights. They simply shared one nights.

Yet he could not stop thinking about the feel of her lips against his, of the slide of her body. He could still hear her voice and could very well put to shame renowned painters by painting her flat, expressionless face with his own hands because everything about Alice Archibald was clearly engraved in his mind.

She would always pass by his thoughts.

Every bloody day.

He would imagine what he would have to do to conjure even a slight smile on her lips; what he would have to say to hear her laugh. Little stupid things he could do to break the Lady Ice façade and see the true Alice Archibald.

He tried finding a lover, but none could make him want them the way he wanted an arrogant, cold lady from the countryside.

Harold had to take a long breath. Meeting with Martin and Eva could be considered a mistake. It had been days since they spoke about Alice and he still could not think of her less. And she had been on a bloody accident! He knew it was bound to happen, what with how she rode her horses. Someone ought to put a leash on the woman!

"Ah, this must not be my lucky night to play games," a familiar voice snapped Harold from his thoughts and he looked up to find Timothy Bowman glaring down at him with a mocking smile.

He rolled his eyes and sighed, crossing his leg over the other. "Ah, if it is not Timmy. Would you please step aside, my friend?" He tilted his head to the side to look past Bowman's form. "The wall behind you deserves my attention more."

Bowman let out a mocking laugh. "You barge right back into Grey's and you think you own the place."

Harold looked up to fix his emerald green eyes at Bowman. "As a matter-of-fact, Bowman, I can dig your face into that wall and still have enough to pay for the wall and everything else connected to it—including your bloody face."

Bowman's face reddened with fury. He took a step closer to Harold's chair and Harold immediately lifted both hands, with the right one still holding a glass of brandy. "We do not want another brawl, Bowman. I have sacrificed a lot to regain my membership." He looked down to stare at Bowman's feet. "And you are invading my space it is starting to stink."

The man's ginger hair was almost in flames now.

"Come, Bowman," a man said, approaching them with caution.

Bowman shrugged the gentleman's hand off his shoulder and tore his glaring eyes off Harold.

"Was that Bowman?" Eustace Theobald asked, taking a seat across Harold.

Without answering, he wryly looked at his friend. "You are late."

Eustace held up his hand to order for a drink. "My parents barred the doors."

"Why?"

"We were on... shall we say a very important business transaction."

Harold scoffed. "Was it not you who claimed to be too young for business?"

"This was a different kind of business."

Harold shook his head. "I am afraid I am not in the mood to follow, Theobald."

Eustace sighed and gulped down the drink delivered to him and called for another one. "I just met my betrothed five hours ago."

He looked at his young friend for a long time and when he saw no sign that Eustace was jesting, Harold nearly exclaimed. "You cannot be bloody serious."

"Those were the exact same words I said to my parents, albeit with more volume."

Harold scoffed, looking around the busy gaming room. From one corner, Bowman was still glaring at him. "First, Martin. And now, you?"

"Oh, I am not marrying quite soon. My future wife and I have reached an agreement that we shall extend our engagement until we have exhausted all efforts to break it."

"And is there a possibility that you may?"

"Of course not," Eustace retorted harshly, "which is why I will take my time to chase as much skirts as I can while I can still do so without a wife breathing down my neck. Once I am married, it would be more challenging to dally with anyone else." Downing another glass, Eustace swallowed with a grimace. "And speaking of the devil, where is Martin?"

"With his wife."

"His mistress, you mean."

"I do not believe he has one."

"Ah, the bloody idiot is too smitten. I wager a thousand townsends he would procure an estate soon for another woman."

"I wager he would be killed if he does so."

"By whom? The wife? I met her on a few occasions. Quite a beauty, but not a murderer."

Harold sighed. "Her friend can be both," he murmured before he finished his glass.

"What was that?"

Harold did not reply.

His mind was starting to wander once again.

He could not escape the season even if he wanted to. His father would kill him if he missed any of the pre-arranged business transactions for the entire duration of the season.

She was coming to Wickhurst.

Would he ever be ready?

*****

Alice could hear her mother and Lady Vivian getting quite busy in the hallway.

She could also hear the sounds of trunks being hauled up on the carriages.

With barely any sleep, Alice had decided to find a short quiet time by herself in the drawing room.

She hated to admit it, but the thought of another long season in Wickhurst was making her feel jumpy. And she hated being jumpy.

In fact, she hated the thought of leaving Langworthy and her horses. There were better things to do here than don heavy and constricting gowns to dance with men who would only be dancing with her to see for themselves if she was truly who the rumors claimed.

She hated to be back in Wickhurst as Lady Ice.

A knock came to the door and Janet sneaked inside. "If I must say, my lady, I am glad that your mother and Lady Vivian are not going to stay with us in Wickhurst for the season."

"So am I, Janet," Alice said, putting on her gloves. "But I am pretty certain they will not be staying in Willowfair for long. They will want to see for themselves how I am failing the season."

"Oh, do not say that, my lady. I am sure you will find a husband this time. I will try my best to make certain you are amongst the most beautiful this season."

Alice's face did not show her smile. "Your confidence in me is misplaced, but I do appreciate it."

Janet beamed at her. "If you can only smile a little, my lady."

"I smile whenever I want and however I want it, Janet. Most often, it happens in my head," Alice said, standing up. "Are we ready to depart?"

Janet heaved triumphantly. "Yes, finally, we are."

Alice nodded and followed Janet out the door.

In two days, Alice would find herself back in Wickhurst.

She would see Eva and Martin again, the only consolation she had.

And perhaps she would meet him again. And this time, she hoped things would be pleasant and... controllable.