Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
That evening, after dinner, Philippe waited for Alex under a large sycamore tree in the East Garden.
It was a place where they had played many times as children, way back when Alex first took to the sword.
He had wanted to find a space where they could be alone, now that he feared he would have no time with her until the wedding.
He had seen her not long ago in the dining room where they officially announced their engagement, and through the course of dinner it was decided that their wedding would happen in two weeks’ time.
His mother was already frantic, calling out a long list of everyone who needed to be notified and invited to the staff.
His father lost interest in wedding plans and began discussing ideas for the newly established Vallée de la Rivière with Michel and Giroux, but all Philippe could do was stare at his lovely fiancé, across from him in a shimmering silver gown and wearing a smile more beautiful than the stars.
As he waited for her in the garden at their designated meeting spot, he began to feel uneasy.
He wanted her in his arms; he wanted her close, without any hesitation.
He wanted to be married before she could get away from him again.
He began pacing back and forth, across the grass, staring impatiently at the path to the palace.
What if she changed her mind? It wouldn’t be the first time she decided to run away.
Just as he started to get worked up, he saw her floating towards him. She was a dream in her gown. The vision went in through his eyes and trilled out through his limbs. She was his woman, he thought, and there was only her.
In front of her, she was carrying a basket.
As she came closer, he realized what she had, and it made him drop his head with laughter.
He looked back up, anxiously waiting, and he watched as she picked up speed to jog to him, but Alex, not used to the dress, struggled to grip the panels of her skirts while holding the basket in front of her.
Just before she reached him, she stumbled, tripping over the long fabric of the dress she wasn’t used to controlling.
She pitched forward and dumped a basket full of peaches all over him.
“Philippe!” she cried. “I’m so sorry!” She laughed. She dropped to her knees in the grass and grabbed at the fallen fruit. “But look what I found in the kitchen! Do you remember when your father brought these home from his travels years ago? I haven’t tasted one since.”
Philippe laughed as he helped her to gather the peaches rolling away from them.
He went to his knees before her, and together, they put the fruit in the basket.
“Of course, I remember,” he said, grinning.
He reached out to grab the last one and drop it in the basket.
“Come,” he said, standing and helping her up. “Sit with me here.”
He led her to the base of the tree. They were perched high on a hill that looked down over all of Chevalerie. The stars twinkled in the sky while the fires and lamps from the city winked below them. He sat down and leaned against the tree, pulling Alex down into his arms.
“Is it strange to be here?” he asked.
“Some of my happiest memories are from this very spot. I am very glad to be back in Chevalerie.” She shifted to put her head against his shoulder. “Though I feel I may miss the activity I am used to.”
“We will find a solution,” he replied. “I don’t want you to get bored.”
“I have a feeling you will keep me entertained,” she said. “But,” she continued, “do you know who I spoke with today?”
“Tell me,” he said. He ran his finger over her lips and down her neck.
“Monsieur Perreault,” she said. “Our teacher.”
“He always enjoyed you,” Philippe said. “Except for the day of the tournament.”
“Well, yes,” Alex said. “But Philippe, listen. He is getting older now and has expressed the desire to take on an apprentice.” She angled her head to look at him.
It took him a second, but then it hit him. “It’s brilliant,” he said.
She grinned. “Do you think he would be open to it?”
“Who would be better for the job? Even now, down there,” he indicated towards the twinkling town, “rumors spread of the brave woman who fought alongside the Duke’s sons to protect our home. It would be a shame to waste such talents.”
“I’d be really good at it,” she said, a thrill in her voice.
“I know you would,” he said. “And then I won’t have to worry about you running off?”
She turned so they were face to face. “I’ve earned you, Philippe,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Philippe gripped her, feeling desire rise up through his body.
He would struggle in these next weeks trying to find time for them to be together, but he knew he would find a way.
Nothing could keep him from her now. “I couldn’t ask for anything better.
” He reached into the basket and took a peach.
He brushed it against his chest and held it out for her.
“Then I think Chevalerie will be a grand place to call my home,” she said as she bit into the peach.
He leaned up to lick the juice from her lips, knowing it would be. But it didn’t matter whether it was Chevalerie or any other place. Because from that moment on, she would be his home.
Thank you for reading!