Page 29 of The Beast’s Duchess (Duchesses of Inconvenience #1)

SIX MONTHS LATER

A lexander’s eyes were locked on the stone in the center of the clearing.

They had been for the better part of five minutes. Christopher was beginning to wonder if it had been a mistake bringing him here. He never would have it hadn’t been for the man’s request.

Christopher had been out for a walk in the garden with Veronica when one of the footmen approached them, the rule of the staff staying out of the garden having long since gone out the window.

“Forgive me for interrupting your walk, your grace,” he bowed.

“It’s quite all right,” Christopher smiled.

“I just wanted to come let you know that the Duke of St. Vail is here. He would like to see you if you have a movement.”

Christopher’s jaw dropped. He turned to Veronica, struggling to find his words. “I’m so sorry, but do you mind if we cut today’s walk a bit short?”

“Of course not. Please, go do what you need to do.”

“Thank you,” he took a deep breath then stared rushing towards the house.

He made the short walk in almost no time at all, and the next thing he knew, Christopher was standing in front of his oldest friend.

It was amazing how even with all the scaring, Alexander still seemed to look exactly the same.

For a moment, his words were stuck in his throat, finally, Christopher forced out a few faint words.

“It’s good to see you again, Alexander.” Then he hesitated. “Can I still call you Alexander?”

“What else would you call me?”

“”I don’t know, I could call you Duke St. Vail.”

He chuckled, and for a moment, everything seemed all right. “No, I think it would be best to stick with Alexander.”

The pair stood there for a moment, neither quite knocking what to say,

“It’s good to see you again,” Christopher said.

“You too.” After another beat, he continued. “I won’t lie, I didn’t just come here today out of the blue.”

“No,” Christopher tried not to look too crestfallen. “I suppose I can understand that. What can I do for you?”

He hesitated. “Your wife mentioned that you had built a memorial for me.”

“Yes,” he blinked. “I had.”

“Then I would like to see it.”

He hesitated, “that isn’t- I mean, are you sure about that?”

“I am. I think I need to see it.”

“But why?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know how to explain it. I only know that I feel like this is something I need to do.”

“Very well, if you want to go I will take you, but not tonight. I don't’ want to rush into something like this.”

“I suppose I can understand that. I will come back tomorrow then.”

“You are more than welcome to, but I won’t take you there yet. I want you to give it three days, then if you still want to go, I will take you.”

“Very well. I suppose I can agree to that.”

“Thank you. I know it might seem unnecessary, but-”

“You don’t need to explain yourself to me. I might not like it, but I will respect it.”

“Thank you.”

Alexander nodded then got to his feet. “Well, I should be going now.”

“Must you? You are more than welcome to stay for dinner.”

“I doubt your wife would so readily agree.”

He chuckled. “I have no doubt in my mind that Veronica would be deeply offended if I didn’t try to convince you to stay. She has wanted to properly meet you since, well…”

“Except we did meet that night. That’s why it’s so hard to believe she would want me here.”

“Veronica can be surprising like that.”

“I can see that, but I still don’t know if it’s the best idea.”

“I won’t push you, but think about it and remember the offer always stands. Please, feel free to come by any time.”

Alexander hesitated for another moment then nodded and all but ran from the room.

He never took them up on the offer for dinner, but three dats later, he turned up on the estate doorstep with a look of grim determination on his face.

Christopher didn’t have to ask why he was there. He simply warned Veronica he would be out for most of the day then the pair set off into the woods.

“I’m sorry,” he said, giving voice to those worried. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. It’s so morbid and terrible to take you to your own grave.”

“No,” Alexander said with such force it surprised Christopher. “You brought me here because I asked, and I am glad I did.”

“But why? What can you possibly get out of this?”

“Closure.” He leveled Christopher with a serious look. “Veronica was right. You- you mourned me.”

“Of course I did. I thought you were dead, my best friend. I thought it was my fault.”

“Thought? So you don’t feel that way anymore?”

Christopher let out a long breath. “I won’t say I have moved on and forgiven myself. Truth be told, I don’t know if I will ever be able to do that, but a few days ago, Veronica told me she’s pregnant. I can’t keep living in the past, not if I want to be there for my child like they deserve.”

“Then I suppose a congratulations is in order. I would have sent one sooner, but I must have missed the announcement.”

“No, you haven’t. We haven't told anyone yet. You are the first one.” Then he hesitated for a moment. “Maybe don’t mention to Veronica I told you. She might feel left out not being here for the first time we shared the news.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I will heep the good news to myself.”

“Thank you,” he let out a sigh of relief. “The pregnancy has made veronica a bit… prickly. She has a hard time finding anything she can eat so she can get a bit irritated rather easily.”

“I hope that passes soon. That isn’t expected to last through her whole pregnancy, is it?”

“Thankfully, no. it should pass in the next month or so if the midwife is right.”

“I’m sure she will be, but I hope so too, for your sake as much a s Veronica’s.”

Alexander took a deep breath. “Thank you again for taking me here. I understand it couldn’t have been easy for you.”

“I was happy to be able to do something that could help you.”

“Right, I don’t suppose I can still take you up on that dinner invitation?”

Christopher lit up. “Of course you can. I’ll let the staff know as soon as we get back.”

“I hope I will be an acceptable guest. It has been some time since have attended any kind of dinner.”

“I’m sure you will be just fine. We will be happy to have you no matter what.”

“You’re too kind.”

“I’m not. I’m just happy to have my best friend back. Now come on. We should get back before Veronica decides she needs to come after us herself.

The pair shared a laugh before getting on their horses and riding off into the forest, finally together after too many years.

The End?