Page 6 of One Jewel-tide Scandal (Singular Sensation #10.5)
“Perhaps. I shall comment further when—or if—it happens to me.” The conversation was suddenly far too personal.
Alex glanced about the room with its display of wealth in the trappings such as blue velvet curtains, gilt-painted frames, antiquities in the curio cabinet, the lushness of the Aubusson rugs on the floor.
Yet nowhere did he see a trace of the upcoming holiday.
“Do you celebrate the Christmastide season here, Lady Charlotte?”
The shadows had returned to her eyes, and for a moment he assumed they would fill with tears. “Not for several years.”
“Oh?” Too polite to pry, yet he wanted to know more about her. She was an odd mix of innocence, secrets, and sin. “Why is that?”
Her shrug was an elegant affair and caused the shawl she wore to slip from one shoulder to partially reveal the bodice of her gown and the top swell of a breast. He’d wager she was utter perfection without her clothes. “That is private information.”
“Very well.” With a nod, he once more contemplated the tea tray. “As for me, I don’t particularly care for the holiday season.”
“Why not?” A frown took possession of her lips. “I would give anything to have family around me.”
Interesting. After telling him that was private information, she went ahead and revealed a large chunk of what made her melancholy at this time of year. How different they were. “Will you tell me about your family?”
“No.”
In many ways, she would prove a challenge, but Alex didn’t mind attempting to solve each of those puzzles, for what else did he have to do during the storm?
“My mother wants nothing more for me to be matched and married like my siblings. No doubt she is already meeting with the housekeeper to assign everyone to rooms that will be bursting at the seams with guests.” After snagging another cake from the try, he gave the countess a wry smile.
“That is entirely too much noise and chaos for me, and at times, I’m afraid I’ve been alone far too long that even if I were to marry, I wouldn’t be good at it. ”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Though her smile was faint, it was there. “Marriage, when with the right person, is quite lovely. Shortcomings and faults fall to the wayside. Only the good shines through and is remembered.”
“Ah. You are married.” Somehow, that deflated the excitement of this unexpected adventure. Whyever he’d assumed she was unattached, he couldn’t say. Perhaps it had been wishful thinking on his part. “When will your husband make an appearance, then?”
“Unless it is from beyond the grave, never.” Her smile turned wry. “Indeed, I was married; it seems a lifetime ago, but my husband has been dead for three years.” Her pointed chin wobbled the veriest bit; another sign of vulnerability.
Was she still in mourning? If so, that could make for a rather long stay during the storm. “You must have loved him dearly if you’ve mourned for so long.” Oddly enough, he somehow envied her that, for it meant she’d had someone in her life that had been her… everything.
It was doubtful he would ever know the same.
Her sigh sounded as if it came from her toes. “Let’s just say I came to love him by the end.” She focused her gaze on the plate in her lap. “There is something to be said for familiarity in shared daily routines.”
How very… ordinary. It was his turn to frown.
“I beg your pardon, but I have always thought—perhaps naively—that marriage should be a wild and lovely adventure where two people come together in all the ways that matter with the force of a summer storm that might ebb to a gentle rain as time goes on.” When she didn’t immediately comment, he added, “But only slightly.” She didn’t appear to him as someone who would go into a thing with half her attention engaged.
“Oh.” Lady Charlotte’s eyes rounded with shock. “I…”
Had he misspoken? Bloody hell. Alex cleared his throat. “I apologize if I’ve overstepped.” With haste, he scrambled to his feet. The napkin slipped to the floor once more. Then he rested his plate and teacup on the table. “Perhaps I should retire for the night and leave you to your peace.”
“Perhaps that would be best.” With elegant grace, the countess stood as well. With shaking hands, she deposited her dishes on the table and then looked at him with a weird mix of longing and sorrow. “This isn’t something I would like to discuss or share.”
“I understand, and neither should you. We are strangers.” Suddenly the room was far too small and crowded.
All he could think about was her presence, her warmth as she drifted out of the way in order for him to come around the table, and as he passed, the scent of lilies-of-the-valley assailed his nostrils.
That feeling went beyond her being a countess, for in that moment, she was merely a woman lost and perhaps lonely, for he had the feeling she knew what it meant to have been on her own for far too long.
“Thank you,” she whispered and led the way toward the open drawing room doors.
He nodded. “Come, Charlie.” Alex whistled and tapped a hand to the side of his breeches. “Time to retire.”
The dog whined and lifted his head to bounce a glance between the two of them.
“Now.” Please don’t make me go over there and pick you up.
When another whine didn’t do the trick, Charlie huffed. He gained his feet, gave the cat a wide berth even though she was on the curio cabinet, and then joined him at the door. When he gave Alex such a look of annoyance, he was hard pressed not to laugh.
“Thank you for your hospitality and generosity, Lady Charlotte. I truly do appreciate it, for I desperately despise the cold and snow. Charlie and I will make it a point not to be a nuisance while we’re here.”
“You are most welcome.” She nodded, and ran her hands up and down her arms. Then she headed toward the door and tugged on a velvet bell pull.
“I do hope you’ll sleep well. Some of the rooms are a bit drafty, but yours has a fireplace,” she explained as she led him to the corridor.
“I’ve summoned the housekeeper to show you to the exact room; it should have been readied by now.
You can request anything you need from her. ”
“I appreciate that.” He clicked his tongue as he edged into the corridor with Charlie following. Then he stopped and glanced at the countess. “May you find rest and comfort for yourself tonight as well, my lady. Somehow, I think you haven’t had that since your husband died… or before.”
“You might think you know me, Sir Alexander, but that is absolutely not true.” Her chin wobbled, and slight defiance reflected in her eyes. “I have found contentment with my life, and though it might not have the excitement in it that I wished for, it is a good life nonetheless.”
“I don’t doubt it, Your Ladyship. You are too vital a woman to toss that life away by hiding in the country, I’d wager everything on it.” Then, with an encouraging nod, Alex made his way up the wide staircase to the second level, where he was met by, presumably, the housekeeper.
“Sir Alexander? If you could follow me, I’ll show you to your room. The butler has already had your bag delivered there…”