Chapter 26 #2
He grinned at her but even the sight of his little sister did not ease the throbbing pain in his chest.
The carriage door swung open revealing a young footman and Mr. Carson who stood wearily before him.
“Your Grace, I will leave your luggage in the master bedroom—”
“No. Leave it in my old chambers. Thank you, Mr. Carson.”
The elderly man bowed, gave Alexander a troubled look, and walked away.
Alexander had a feeling that the old man knew every minute detail in his life, but he appreciated his silence.
As he alighted from the carriage, his boots hit the gravel with a dull thud, and he looked around and stretched his limbs.
Wiltshire does not feel like home anymore.
Their country house only reminded him of the place where Theodora had kissed him for the last time. He struggled to name what he felt but the loss felt terribly similar to that of his parents.
“Did you bring everything on my list?” Rosalind’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
He pushed Theodora out of his mind and forced himself up the pathway towards his sister.
“I believe I did,” he said dryly.
“I do hope so. Those items are very important.”
Alexander chuckled.
He tried his best but even then, Theodora snuck into his mind.
He had been in this position before where women wanted more than he could give.
And lovers asked him to make them his mistresses.
Or worse…to settle down and marry. And it had always been easy to say no and run away without looking back.
So, what is the difference now? Why did this hurt?
Alexander barely had time to brace himself at the top of the stairs before Rosalind threw her arms around him.
“This is a surprise.” He laughed in her hair that had the sweet scent of her surroundings.
“Do not get used to it!” she joked.
But he had to get used to her hugs and her renewed compassion. Rosalind’s joy was overwhelming, yet familiar and Alexander savored it. Her happiness felt like a soothing balm over all his past wounds.
“Rosie,” he murmured. “You look well.”
“I feel well,” she said, pulling back to beam at him. “Better than I have in years. And it is all thanks to—”
She stopped abruptly and Alexander’s stomach tightened.
“Thanks to…?” he prompted, though he already knew.
“Thanks to Theodora,” Rosalind finished softly. “She and the Corset Chronicles have helped me so much. I have been writing to her, but she has not replied in days. Not a single letter. It is most unlike her.”
Alexander felt the guilt eat away at him. “She has not written to you?”
“No,” Rosalind said, frowning. “Not even a brief note. Have you heard from her? Did something happen?”
He forced his expression into something neutral. “I… have not heard anything.”
Rosalind studied him curiously. “You are lying.”
Alexander stiffened. “I am not.”
“You are,” she said, crossing her arms. “When you lie, your voice becomes stiff and formal, like it did just now. Like it does when you are pretending to be a duke.”
“I am a duke,” he muttered.
“You know what I mean,” she said. “Alex, what happened?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Nothing, Rosie. I am sure she will write to you soon.”
“I hope she is not upset with me for leaving so soon.” Her brows furrowed with worry.
He hesitated.
Rosalind’s eyes widened. “Oh no. Alex… is she upset with me?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I believe she is busy. That is all.”
Rosalind exhaled loudly. “All right. I suppose that is possible. She always has an experiment of some sort to manage.”
Alexander nodded and hoped that his expression was not readable as Theodora’s experiments flooded his mind.
“Enough about Theo. How has the countryside been?” Alexander prayed that Rosalind would drop the conversation.
“Oh, it is wonderful! I have so much to tell you.”
Alexander was beyond grateful that the conversation surrounding Theodora was over as they made their way through the quiet corridor. He could not bear to speak her name again.
Rosalind looped her arm through his and tugged him into the drawing room. “Although, I hate to admit it…you were missed.”
“Is that so?” He raised a dark brow at his sister and she giggled.
The sound of her laughter warmed his heart. Alexander let himself be pulled along, enjoying her chatter that filled the space where his thoughts threatened to overwhelm him.
“Where are we going?” He looked back as they passed the drawing room and walked outside towards the stables.
“I apologize.” Rosalind stopped and looked at him sheepishly. “I have started riding again. Only short distances, but still. My coach says that I am improving faster than expected.”
“That is very impressive,” Alexander said proudly.
“Thank you. I thought you would like to see my horse before we have some tea.” She motioned towards the stables and looked embarrassed, but Alexander didn’t mind.
“Of course, Rosie,” he said with a bright smile.
Rosalind grinned at him and continued talking as she led him through the garden. Alexander nodded as she spoke, letting her voice wash over him. He was grateful for her presence. It kept him from thinking too much about everything.
Rosalind stopped and picked a rose from a bush nearby. “You are oddly quiet.”
“I am merely tired from the trip, and I am enjoying listening to you,” he said.
Rosalind smiled but looked at him curiously.
“Are you all right?” she asked softly.
He managed to send her a small smile. “I am. And I am happy to be here.”
He fluffed her hair and she laughed. It wasn’t entirely a lie. Wiltshire was safe and seeing his sister eased some of his agitation.
Rosalind softened. “Perhaps, after you see my dashing stallion, then you should go rest. You do look exhausted.”
“Rest? Only the weak rest!” he said dramatically.
Rosalind laughed and shook her head. “Do not speak such nonsense, brother.”
“You do know that I do not sleep?”
Rosalind gave him a stern look that reminded him of their mother. “Well, tonight you shall sleep peacefully! I am certain of it.”
He nodded in agreement, though his chest felt tight. “I shall sleep as peacefully as the sun does tonight.”
Or at least he hoped he would.