Revised Life in Alice!

"Me, marry Andrew?" Alice pressed her gloved hand to her mouth, suppressing a laugh. "He is more concerned with being merry than being married."
Her friend Betsy, wife of the esteemed Sir Carmichael Wilton, paused in thought. "Yes, that does seem true. His love for frivolity may, in time, outweigh his devotion and fidelity." She grinned as her cornflower eyes sparkled with eagerness. "Aidan, then. Have you ever considered him? He is truly kind and seems to fancy you."
Alice looked at the other girl in earnest. She considered her blonde hair, blue eyes, and slightly blank expression. A woman many men would love to call their own. It was easy to be so casual about these matters when one was already married. "Aidan is a dear friend and that is all he will ever be."
"But his parents admire you so." Betsy argued as she lifted her flowered teacup. "His family would only encourage the union. It would be a well suited match."
"I do not long only for a well suited suitor."
She shrugged her delicate shoulders. "No need to be offended. I am simply concerned for your well being." Trading tea for a cake, she continued. "I only want to see you happy."
Alice took her napkin, dipped it into a finger bowl placed on the table and handed it to Betsy. "You have a bit of sugar on your…"Betsy dabbed at her mouth.
"There you are."
"Don’t change the subject. Why do you insist on being lonely when you can be happy?"
"Are you and Sir Carmichael happy?" She paused. I mean truly happy?"
Her friend’s eyes lost some of their former gleam. "Well, for much of the time, yes. Though we surely have our difficulties." She pasted an obviously false smile on her face. "However, we overcome those moments and find comfort in each other. Car and I share something special. I will admit that even many of our friends do not have a bond like ours. There is so much love; unremitting, unchangeable, undeniable ardor." She leaned in conspiratorially. "In fact, the other day, I saw our Harrison at the jewelers, you know the one, Hapstein and Sons. Well…"
"I thought you suspected Harrison of stealing your silverware. Weren't you going to let him go?"
"Yes, but I brought the matter to Car and he told me that I was being silly. After all, he has been with us for so many years." She sighed. "He grew up with him you know, so I must assume he feels some sort of misguided loyalty to Harrison."
Alice swept a loose tendril of chestnut hair behind her ear. "Go on."
"I wanted to know what errand would carry Harrison to the jewelers and so I decided to speak with him. At that very moment I saw the jeweler hand him a locket I had spoken of to Car as he and I walked by the shop. Our anniversary is quite soon so I hinted that a lady could find no better proof of her beloved’s adoration than a gift such as that. When I saw Harrison pay the man, I was confused and more than a little suspicious until Hapstein asserted that Mr. Wilton certainly had discerning taste. I was giddy with excitement. Certainly I made all haste to leave before he saw me. Imagine me spoiling the surprise!" She straightened back in her chair with a satisfied air. "Many husbands forget these occasions entirely. Of course, then I felt rather guilty about delaying in purchasing his present. I went straight away to the corner shop on Rambleston and bought Car that newly arrived humidor."
"The one with inlaid ivory? Yes, I heard him mention it when last we were together. An excellent choice." Alice nodded her approval. "However, though you are pleased with your match, does not mean I must choose mine now. Surely, loneliness finds me vulnerable now and again. Also, I am not immune to the gossip that is whispered behind polite hands concerning my lack of beaus." She raised her defiant brown eyes. "However, I refuse to settle for a marriage of convenience or mutual regard."
Betsy began to gather her purse. "I was simply trying to be of help. I hope you will not fault me for leaving as I see you are not listening to a word I have said. I suppose you are content with remaining a spinster."
"Did I say that was my intent?" Alice’s eyes flashed. "Sometimes you presume too much on our friendship, Betsy." She placed her hand upon her chest. "My heart is mine alone to give and therefore my affair. Next week let us talk of books or even the latest fashions, but not men. I would prefer we never pursue that subject again."
"It may be your affair, but it does involve your companions and your parents. What if you chose inappropriately? Then it would be all of London’s affair. Nay, all of England’s."
"Do you not think that a little dramatic?"
"Please don’t trouble yourself. I will no longer take any liberties with your presumably private matters. I will keep my thoughts and opinions to myself." She rose from the chaise and swept the crumbs from her dress. "I have to secure my husband’s gift before I proceed home. Who knows? I may give it to him a little early, it would seem he deserves it."
Alice walked her to the front door. As she stepped outside, Betsy could not resist one last question. "Have you given any thought to Benjamin?"
Alice soundly closed the door. She could bear no more. The last one had stung smartly. Given any thought? Only nearly every moment of every day. Benjamin. It was so easy to recall his handsome face, pleasant demeanor and brilliant mind. The dark eyes that easily saw past her facades. Yes, she thought of him. Whether he ever thought of her was unlikely. He had woven a spell without even knowing it. She whispered to herself, "Why do we always seem to love those who do not love us?" When he called upon her family, which was frequently, it was all she could do to hide her emotions. Alice absolutely refused to pursue men, unlike many women of the day who felt no such qualms. Benjamin would have to come to her. Yet even then, there would be a sundry of obstacles.
A vicar as he was, certainly had a high standing in the community. But for a lord’s daughter, like Alice, he was supposed to be invisible. Someone you might invite over for high tea and see on Sunday, nothing else. Though the vicarage was only across the square, it might well have been on the other side of the world. That is, as far as society was concerned. However, if he would show any sign that he returned her affection, she would throw caution to the wind and run to his arms. The thought thrilled and terrified her at once. She mounted the stairs from the parlor to her bedroom, lifting the skirt of her dress so as not to trip on it. She knew she must be rid of at least one of her secrets. As she stepped into the room, her eyes immediately lit upon her armoire. Alice slowly advanced and opened the top drawer. Sifting through the first layer of undergarments she espied the box. The white package, when it had first arrived had slightly intrigued her, now it only made her feel ill. Very, very carefully she lifted the lid, revealing the velvet lining. She looped her fingers around the filigree chain and lifted out a stunning necklace. She traced her fingers along the silver heart, feeling every detail before sitting upon her bed. She felt along the side and read

"Such is my love, to thee I so belong,

That for thy right myself will bear all wrong.

C."

Shakespeare, if memory served. Somehow, it seemed a thing alive. Alice could almost believe it was beating in her palm. She felt herself begin to laugh. Now, why would that be?