Page 5 of One Jewel-tide Scandal (Singular Sensation #10.5)
Alex couldn’t help a sigh of pure contentment as he swallowed that first sip of tea.
The warmth of it slid down his throat and heated his chest. Did anything feel so lovely as that when one had been out in the cold and snow for at least an hour?
He was glad also for being inside a warm house, and even more so when he was shown such kindness and generosity.
But truly, he was glad thrice over because the countess was beautiful in an understated way. And he couldn’t stop stealing glances at her.
Perhaps some would consider her a bit long in the face, but the oval shape suited her.
Lively hazel eyes stared back at him, and a faint smile kept flirting with her lips.
The stain of a pink blush colored her cheeks.
Every time she moved, blonde strands glimmered like gold in the wealth of brown hair caught in a loose bun at the back of her head.
“Oh, I was on my way to Derbyshire.” He kept the reasons guarded, for this woman was still very much a stranger, and he’d rather not be judged for his decisions.
“The weather isn’t conducive to travel, is it?
” As she spoke, she prepared her own cup of tea, with only a small lump of sugar, and after resting it on the low table, she then began to put various dinner items on a plate, and each one made his mouth water—the ever-present roasted meat, for it was Sunday, a mash of potatoes, and a few root vegetables that had no doubt been cooked along with the roast.
“Not very, but then, I try not to travel or go out in the winter.” After he’d drained his teacup, he refilled it, and following her lead, he put a variety of savory foods on a plate so he could tuck into an informal dinner.
Which was much preferable to stodgy and stuffy.
“I can tell from how you speak of it that you hate winter.” Amusement danced in her eyes as she delicately cut into her slice of beef with poise and ease as if she ate at a table instead of off a plate in her lap. “Have you had bad experiences?”
“Other than my bones aching with each gust of wind and my soul being chilled whenever I look at the snow?” He snorted.
“No.” When he took a first bite of the meat and potatoes, he wanted to weep from gratitude, for the fare here was so much better than the posting inn they’d stopped at for luncheon and to change the horses.
“Ah.” She dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a linen napkin. “You don’t believe there is any sort of redeeming qualities in the snow?”
“Since I don’t claim to be an expert on the white stuff, I’ll decline to answer.
I am only speaking of how it affects me.
” Reminding himself to slow down with shoveling food into his mouth since he wasn’t an animal, Alex fell back on his manners, smiled after wiping his mouth.
“Frankly, the snow causes more problems than it solves, and I live for the return of spring.”
When he took another swig of tea, he spotted a fluffy white and gray Persian cat slinking through the room while keeping a wary eye on Charlie.
Before he could mention the cat or even call out a warning, the beagle spied the cat.
He was either surprised or excited, for a string of enthusiastic barking followed and he took off to intercept the cat.
“Oh, no,” he murmured.
“Oh, dear,” the countess said.
A chase ensued with Charlie bedeviling the cat, barking the whole time.
When the cat paused, she swatted at the dog.
Seconds later, the fluffy cat jumped to the top of a curio cabinet then proceeded to glare at the beagle from that relatively safe place.
Hisses came from the feline while Charlie stood on his hind legs with his front paws pressed against the cabinet as he continued to bark and wag his tail.
“That’s enough, Charlie. The cat lives here. Leave her alone.” When the dog ignored him, Alex snapped his fingers. “Charlie, go lie down.”
With a huff, the beagle found a spot near the fireplace, but he kept his gaze trained to the top of the curio cabinet.
“I’m sorry,” Alex said to the countess. “He thinks everything in life is for his entertainment.”
“Just like a male, hmm?” A quick bark of laughter issued from her, and she smiled, which completely lit her face, made her that much more fascinating. “Well, Cleo is used to being by herself and ruling the manor, so perhaps this will be good for her.”
“Cleo is a lovely name for a lovely cat.” Alex glanced at the feline who continued to growl at his dog from her high perch.
“Her full name is Cleopatra, for she considers herself quite the queen, but most days, she is Cleo to me.” Sadness clouded her eyes. “She was a gift seven years ago, and now I don’t know what I would do without her.”
What was going through her mind? He didn’t wish to ask since they didn’t know each other that well. “I call my dog Charlie, but his proper name is Charlemagne.”
“What?” Another chuckle came from her, and he wished he could always make her laugh. “Such a large name for a small dog.”
A trace of heat went up the back of his neck. Was that a criticism of him? Perhaps not. “Well, I have a feeling Charlie always wants to be a great conqueror and he always falls short of the mark.”
They shared a laugh. How long had it been since he’d done that with a woman?
“It suits him, I think.” She cast a glance at the beagle, who, although curled up, kept his attention glued to the cat. “He could conquer if he put his mind to it.”
Alex snorted. “Deep down, he is afraid of anything that fights back.”
“Perhaps most of us are in our own ways,” the countess said softly, and those shadows were once more reflected in her eyes.
For the space of a few heartbeats, she remained silent, then she stirred and returned to eating her dinner.
“By the by, Sir Alexander, you are more than welcome to stay in one of the many guest rooms here. You and Charlie, that is.”
Another wave of gratitude came over him, and he nodded. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much of a relief that is.”
She offered him a smile. “I couldn’t very well send you back out into that storm, now could I?
” Nibbling on a hunk of bread, the countess bounced her gaze between him and beagle.
“Your driver should be suitably taken care of in the stables, and if it grows too cold, those men will move into the house.”
“The kindness is appreciated.” It took next to no time to finish his dinner and drain his second cup of tea. “As is the sustenance. I apologize if it seems as if I haven’t eaten in a week. Traveling makes me ravenous.”
“You are an interesting man, Sir Alexander.” While she rested her speculative gaze on him, he surveyed the sweet cakes and biscuits on the tea tray. Once more he reveled in the fact she’d authorized both tea as refreshment and dinner.
“I think that truly depends on the eye of the beholder. Most of the time, I am convinced I pass as mediocre at best.” Again, he wondered at her situation, for as of yet, no one else had come into the drawing room, and taking dinner here wasn’t exactly the height of proper.
“Not everyone can be a hero or larger than life all the time. There is no shame in being ordinary.” She took a sip of tea. “In fact, there are times when I’m convinced ordinary is quite needed in this world, to help balance out the other.”
“If only everyone had such reasoning. It has been my experience that the more ordinary a man, the more he is overlooked.” After snagging a honey seed cake, he popped it into his mouth, quickly chewed, and then swallowed.
“On the other hand, an ordinary man can come and go as he pleases without consequence.” Which was entirely too handy if one was a jewel thief.
For a long time, she held his gaze as various emotions he didn’t dare try to read flitted through her eyes. She was a mystery, for certain. “What did you plan to do while in Derbyshire?”
“It is my annual trip to spend time with my family for the Christmastide holidays. My mother throws a house party for the whole extended connection; she used to do it when my father was alive as well, but since I’m the only sibling who isn’t married or matched, I’m the prime victim when talking of such things comes around. ”
“And you are suddenly inundated with questions and offers to help you find a wife,” the countess said with an odd mix of longing and sadness in her expression.
“Indeed, and since I am the oldest and my father’s heir, there is a certain responsibility placed on my shoulders.” He gave into a shiver. “By rights, it should be me hosting the Christmastide festivities, but I just can’t bring myself to play that role.”
“Understandable.” She nodded and absently took a sip of tea. “It must be nice to have family to celebrate with.”
“Not truly.” How much should he share with her?
“Both of my sisters are married. They each have three children, and I suspect one of them will announce that she is increasing again.” Briefly, he pointed his gaze to the ceiling.
“It’s not difficult to guess, for she always is.
One of my brothers is also married. He is the proud father of twin boys, so in the event that I don’t marry or manage to reproduce, the title can easily go to one of them.
My youngest brother has recently become engaged, so he is in that maddening, annoying time of life when everything is romantic, and he can’t wait to have all the experiences with his intended.
” He couldn’t help a groan. “They are due to be married on May Day next year.”
“Well, one can’t discount the power of romance. Isn’t love the ultimate ending we are all searching for?”