Chapter 15 #2
Emily led Alex through the main hall— which was decorated with tapestries and paintings of the countryside—while giving maids and footmen orders and responding to their questions. High-reaching windows allowed light into the room. More flowers decorated every finely carved armoire they passed.
Their tour ended in the sitting room. A pair of maids opened the doors and a flurry of attendants rushed in, opening windows, fluffing pillows and lighting a fire in the fireplace.
Alex stood still, trying to stay out of everyone’s way.
Emily glided past a round, gilded walnut table and beckoned Alex over.
Alex dodged a few more maids and joined the patroness by the fire.
Everyone was so welcoming; she had to admit the staff worked hard, but they seemed quite happy.
Then before the activity settled, a young maid curtseyed and said tea would be out soon.
“Goodness,” said Alex, as the parade of butlers and maids exited the room. “I didn’t expect to find such luxury.”
“This is just where we receive our guests. The real luxury will be found in the more formal areas,” said Emily.
“My husband owns the inn, the logging facilities, and several other businesses in town. He does not believe in letting his title do his work for him.” She paused to examine the wood on an end table before calling a maid in to polish it.
“He is a contemporary of the Duke you know,” she said, turning back to Alex.
Alex nodded and ran her hand over the lavender cushions, unsure of what to say next, but Emily continued.
“I must confess,” she began. “I heard news of this company coming to Ponce with a woman as its guide. I wondered if it was you.”
“It was me,” smiled Alex with a shrug, still unsure if Emily was teasing or truly being friendly.
“Alexandra,” started Emily. “I have hoped for many years that I would have a chance to meet you again.” She sighed, letting her hands relax on her lap.
“I have always felt very bad about how I treated you when we were young. I had a mouth on me then, and I can only blame it on how much I desired to be the center of attention.”
“Oh,” said Alex, “I’m the one who attacked you, Emily. I should be the one to apologize.”
“You did surprise me that time,” said Emily.
She laughed and shook her head. “I’ll admit I deserved it.
” She reached to the table to straighten the teacups so that each handle angled in the same direction.
“Everyone thought you were so extraordinary. I was very jealous of the attention you received.”
“You were jealous of me?” croaked Alex, her hand shooting up to her chest. “Oh my goodness, you set the standard in the region. I always wondered how you could be such a star.”
“That’s nice of you to say,” said Emily as she tilted her head and smiled. “I always thought you hated me so.”
“I did hate you,” Alex replied. “A lot.” They looked at each other for a moment and at once broke into laughter.
With lightness still in her voice, Emily reached forward and took Alex’s hand. “I should like to start over with you. As women. Not as children.” She paused. “Just please leave your sword in its place.”
“I believe that is fair,” Alex conceded with a nod.
Just then, the doors opened. A man in his late fifties entered the room.
His light-colored hair showed edges of gray, but didn’t discount his virility.
He was dressed in finery befitting the lovely manor and would be handsome by any estimation.
He strode over to the couch and kissed Emily on the cheek.
“What is this I hear that my wife has a friend from Chevalerie to visit?” he said in a commanding voice.
“Hello darling,” said Emily. “Alexandra, this is my husband, the Marquis du Ponce.”
Alex rose to standing and curtseyed before the man, feeling awkward in her outfit. “Monsieur,” she said.
“So you are the legendary female guide?” he asked as he took her hand. “Please sit, don’t let me interrupt your reunion.”
“I don’t know about legendary,” said Alex, sitting back down. “But I am the guide, yes.”
“Do well, young lady,” he said. “I am tired of these raids. They are affecting my business, and my beautiful wife here expects the finer things.” He looked down at Emily, and she beamed back at him.
A maid entered through the servants’ entrance with a tray of tea. She laid it on the low table before them and set out gleaming porcelain cups. She poured the tea and arranged a tray of delicate, flaky biscuits. The smell was glorious, and Alex’s stomach rumbled.
“I leave you to your tea then,” said the Marquis. “Ma choupette, I am meeting with the Duke’s son. I shall see you for supper.”
“Very well, mon amour.”
“It was good to meet you, Alexandra, the lady guide,” he said, turning to Alex. “Until next time.”
Alex said farewell, then took her cup of tea.
The mention of Philippe in the presence of Emily brought up immediate feelings of jealousy and inadequacy in her.
Seeing the exquisite woman before her, she was once again reminded that nothing she could ever do could make her the kind of woman Philippe would truly consider.
After a moment, as if she had read Alex’s mind, Emily spoke again.
“I don’t mean to pry,” she said, with a slow smile working across her face. “But now that we have put the ugliness behind us…I must ask you about Philippe.” She stopped to select a biscuit with a strawberry jam center. “Anything there?” she asked lightly.
“Oh no,” said Alex. “No, no, no.”
“Come now, Alexandra,” said Emily. “You are a beautiful woman, and he, I’m certain, is still a very handsome man. How exactly is that possible?”
“We are friends. That’s all.” Alex smiled, looking down at her cup.
“Men and women cannot be friends,” she said, raising a finger. She looked at Alex and knitted her brows, “But I suppose in your situation that is fair.” She eyed Alex for a moment. “May I offer some advice?”
Alex nodded.
“I do know Philippe well.” She cleared her throat delicately. “Or I did at one time.”
“I know,” said Alex.
“He is a good man,” she continued. “Maybe a little misguided, when it comes to women.”
Alex nodded again.
Emily continued with a caring smile. “Take whatever you want from him.” Then she reached across and placed her hand on Alex’s knee. “Just be cautious, because once a man gets what he wants, we are the ones left with the broken hearts.”