Chapter 15 #2
Back downstairs after changing, Alaina sat in the front parlor and tried to focus on the book she was reading.
Her mother had joined her upstairs and had been even more flummoxed by her father’s behavior.
Nonetheless they had both decided that one of her new day dresses, purchased for the garden party but never worn, was the perfect choice.
The dress had a slim and simple silhouette, but the fabric gave the dress its interest. The skirt and sleeves were muslin, with subtle rose-colored stripes of varying widths running vertically down the length of the dress and sleeves.
The bodice, save for an insert in the center imitating a full striped dress underneath, was made out of the emerald velvet fabric.
It was the same material as her dress on the last night of the party in the country, and was fashioned like a short jacket with mock buttons on the front and a longer look in the back, similar to a spencer jacket.
Alaina had yet to wear the dress because its unusual style made her doubt what impression it might make, even with the assurances of the dressmaker, her mother, Evelina, and Georgiana.
Her choice to wear it today was somewhat due to her mother’s insistence not to waste the dress, and partly because Alaina felt that it was the right choice.
The velvet of the dress elevated what would have been a very simple day dress, giving it more formality and flair.
Unfortunately, Alaina’s mood did not match what she wore.
For the past week, she had been worried and focused on her father’s health, and in moments of quiet had mulled over everything that had happened with the duke and Christopher.
The more time passed, the more sadness and anger had overtaken her mood, the elation over Christopher’s admission of attraction overshadowed by his lack of commitment.
Alaina sighed at the futility of trying to read.
Placing her book on the nearest side table, she stood and slowly walked to the front window.
She looked out at the dreary day and numbly noticed that not many people had decided to brave the cold and damp weather.
Mostly it was just carriages traversing the cobbled streets, picking up muck and mud as they went.
One such carriage had turned onto her street and came to a halt outside her family’s townhome.
Alaina craned her neck to see who the visitor was, even though she knew the futility, the archway covering the front doorway blocking her view.
Not able to see the occupants alight from the carriage, Alaina turned her attention back to the coach itself, hoping to find some clue as to who may be visiting her father.
Edward had maintained that he was expecting no specific visitors, but the early hour of the call spoke of other circumstances.
Alaina wrinkled her brow, trying to place the coach, but with no luck.
Though it was a sizable coach, with rich appointments and a well-maintained team of horses in front, there was no distinguishing crest or emblem to indicate who owned it.
Not realizing how much time she had been staring, Alaina barely heard the greeting as the front door opened to allow the visitors to enter.
Alaina heard no name as an announcement from the butler or in greeting from Edward, but she could hear their footsteps approach the parlor.
Alaina moved inward, away from the window so as not to be caught staring, and smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. Obviously, whoever was visiting was important to her father.
Edward was first through the parlor door and caught sight of Alaina. “Ah, Alaina, perfect. I was just going to show your guest into the parlor and see to refreshments.”
A visitor for her? Alaina has little time to consider who it might be, when her father stepped aside to allow the guest in question to enter, to her astonishment.
“I trust you remember the Marquess of Rochester,” her father smiled slyly, and Alaina realized he had known all along who would be visiting today.
“I will leave you two to catch up on the events of the last week, while I see to a few things and some tea. Always know that Arthur is here to assist. He can hear you in the hallway, as long as the door remains open.”
Edward disappeared through the opening. His message was clear; they were free to talk, but with little expectation of true privacy.
Alaina took a moment to collect herself and she clasped her hands together, afraid Christopher would see any emotion. Alaina forced her eyes to meet his, and she found a turbulent sea looking back at her. The orbs spoke of too many emotions to afford Alaina insights.
“My lord,” Alaina said, not keeping the edge from her voice. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Alaina, I…” Christopher started, and Alaina watched as he shifted his weight uncertainly, his hand scrubbing through his hair. “I fear I have…”
Alaina crossed her arms and strode toward the marquess. “You have come all this way and have nothing to say?”
“No, I do, it’s just…”
“Just what? You find me unwilling to run into your arms the moment you show up at my family’s home? After a week of no word from you? Not asking after even my father’s health?” Alaina railed, advancing on Christopher until she was within an arm’s length.
Christopher backed up a bit, his eyes wide.
“Still nothing to say?”
Christopher cleared his throat before he tried to continue once more. “I came here to say so many things, but right now, I am worried that none of it will matter, or that I may not even get all of the words out.”
Alaina was surprised to hear the sadness in Christopher’s voice, and although she did not want to let his behavior pass, she decided to at least let him speak. “Well, please continue. Nothing can be gained if you do not speak.”
Christopher sighed, “I have behaved abominably, and for that I am truly sorry. So many things were left unsaid and unfinished between us, and once I thought you had become engaged to Graham, I could not bear to be around you any longer.”
“Engaged?!” Alaina blurted.
It was Christopher’s turn to be angry, and he gritted out. “Please let me finish.”
With quick nod from Alaina, Christopher continued, “I had no intention of finding someone I felt drawn to this season, or any season in the foreseeable future. Graham’s friendship was the only thing that pulled me out into society, and I felt a duty to help him in his quest for a wife.
And then I met you, and you were infuriating!
And smart, and kind, and beautiful. I found myself torn between my duty to Graham and a woman I could not resist.”
A quick hand up from Christopher stilled Alaina once more.
“Graham is my best friend, and I thought I would never let a woman get in the way of that friendship. Yet, at every turn, I found myself drawn to you, and I convinced myself that you only tolerated my presence. Why should you do anything else? You were being courted by the most eligible bachelor of the season, and I was just his friend. Even my attempts at wit ended awkwardly, or worse, in an argument. But I could not put you out of my mind, your eyes, our connection, even when I knew you belonged to another.”
Alaina looked at Christopher. His steel-blue eyes appeared stricken, as if he had bared his soul and now awaited her response, but she still had questions. “But at the ball in the country, I asked you if your thoughts had changed, and…”
“And I gave no response,” Christopher interrupted.
“No response is an answer of sorts!” Alaina countered, as she poked an accusatory finger into Christopher’s chest.
“Not when a swarm of people interrupted me!”
“Well?” came Alaina’s question, exasperation clear in her voice.
“Well what?” came Christopher’s question.
Alaina groaned and stepped away from Christopher as she paced the length of the room. “What is your answer on the matter of matrimony, you addlepated buffoon?!”
No words ushered forth from Christopher’s lips, but he placed himself in Alaina’s path, causing her to stop short. Alaina pushed against his chest, her efforts futile. “Get out of my way! You forget I have given you no quarter!”
Christopher chuckled, but did not move as he said, “I am afraid that your habit of showing me no mercy is what has me so enraptured. You have made me see that marriage would not be altogether awful, but rather pleasant, if I had to guess. I cannot promise that you will not loathe me after a courtship, but I can promise that should you not, I will make you my wife.”
“Ooohhh, you spout such beautiful words, but they are just words,” came Alaina’s response, but her voice had lost its edge. Christopher took a tentative step toward her and when she did not back away, he closed the distance between them completely, gently taking her in his arms.
Alaina reveled in the feeling where their bodies touched, the twisting in the pit of her stomach clouding her mind.
Christopher’s voice came to her softly, almost a whisper.
“If you do not wish to explore our compatibility, my dear, I will leave at once, and I am sorry for any frustration I have caused.”
“And if I do want to explore… our compatibility, I mean,” came Alaina’s voice, a bit breathless.
Christopher smiled, and lowered his head until his lips were only inches from her own. “Then I shall have to indulge you.”
The couple remained as they were for a few moments, their breathing equally ragged.
Alaina was the first to break the silence. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
Christopher did not miss a beat. “You. I was waiting for you.”
And with that Christopher brushed his lips against Alaina’s, the featherlight touch starting a flame deep inside her.
She could feel her body respond as Christopher deepened the kiss, slanting his head and pulling her closer to him.
Alaina’s feet left the floor, and it was a long time before either of them realized.