Chapter 15 #3
Alex spent the remainder of the delightful day chatting with Emily and shirking any duties that may have come up.
Tomorrow she would be a guide, but today was about sitting by the fire with a very unlikely friend.
Shortly after they had finished their tea, a nursemaid brought in Emily’s two adorable sons of nine months and two years old.
Alex fell in love with the little towheaded angels, who played at their feet.
She couldn’t have imagined a more pleasant afternoon.
Emily had found a kingdom for herself, and despite their differences, it was a wonderful feeling to talk with another woman at length for Alex—she who spent so much time in the company of the gruffest of men.
Emily, of all people. Who would have thought?
At half past five, the large door to the sitting room opened up.
Several official-looking men who wore the Ponce crest on their chests entered, followed by Philippe and Laurent.
The men brought chaos, swords clanging and boots trailing mud.
They were clearly not aware anyone sat on the deep sofa by the fire.
Alex noticed as Emily snapped her fingers and pointed for a maid to begin cleaning up the mess.
The maid responded and scuttled over to the door with her broom.
The men spread out and Philippe approached the fire. He seemed very distracted to Alex. As he came closer, though, he noticed her peeking over the back of the sofa. His face softened for just a moment before he had a chance to acknowledge the entirety of the scene before him.
His double take was so sharp Alex was sure his neck would be sore the next day. He stared, his mouth gaping, at the two women tucked into the cushions. For just a moment the charismatic, perfectly charmed son of the Duke, had not a word to say. Alex hid a smile.
Emily was the one to speak first. She rose to her feet and held out her hand, a mirthful grin on her face. “On behalf of my husband, the Marquis du Ponce, I would like to welcome you to our town.” She curtseyed before him. “I hope our accommodations are suitable for your stay, Monsieur.”
Philippe came around to face her. He took her hand and kissed it as he bowed. He glanced towards Alex.
Alex remained seated, watching him crawl out of his skin. “Philippe,” she teased. “You’ll never guess who I ran into.”
Emily lowered her hand. Philippe swallowed and composed himself before regarding her. “It is very good to see you, Madame. I did not realize it was Chevalerie’s own Emily who married the Marquis.”
Emily sat back down on the couch beside Alex. “It’s true, Monsieur. I believe I have shocked both of you today. But you see, your scout had informed us days ago that you would arrive, and once I heard that a female guide traveled with the Duke’s son, I was sure it was the two of you.”
Alex continued, “We’ve been having a wonderful chat for the greater part of the afternoon.”
“Oh,” said Philippe, looking uncertainly from one woman’s eyes to the next. “That’s nice.”
Emily rose once again, “Actually, I do need to go help prepare for supper. As mistress of a place like this, I cannot hide out for too long. Has my husband extended an invitation to dine with us tonight, Monsieur?”
“Yes, Madame, and I have accepted.”
“Wonderful. And Alexandra, I would be honored if you joined us as well.”
“After the tea, Emily, I would be a fool to say no.”
“Splendid! We will have time for both business and pleasure this evening,” she nodded, the excitement under her refined facade was evident.
“Alexandra I will have a footman take you to the inn so you may dress for dinner.” She hesitated a moment then held her head with resolve.
“And you are more than welcome to wear your pants to dine. If it so suits you.” She nodded.
“But,” she continued, “I do have some beautiful dresses I would be more than happy to offer you for the evening.”
Alex grinned. “Perhaps it will feel nice to be out of these clothes for a change.”
A flash of relief washed over the Lady Marquise.
“Delightful!” she chirped. “I will have my head maid come retrieve you to see the gowns.” And then, with another tsk to a maid who was slow at changing candlesticks, Emily was back to her duties.
She directed a footman to show the men to the Marquis’ study and scooted another maid to hurry and clear the tea setting.
Then with the last rush of attendants to take care of things to her standards, Philippe and Alex were left alone.
Philippe sat down across from Alex, in the same spot Emily had been seconds ago. Alex was trying very hard not to laugh at the fluster in his cheeks, but she supposed she would have looked the same way if she had stumbled upon the two of them instead.
“So,” began Alex, “What news do you bring from town?”
Philippe looked at her daftly. “You know who that was, right?”
“Yes, of course. Don’t be silly. She seems to be quite comfortable here.” She rested her hands on her knees. “I am happy for her.”
Philippe eyed her. “What did the two of you talk about?”
“Chevalerie. I told her some stories from the road.” She paused. “You.”
“Me?” he asked. “What did she say?”
The footman entered to collect Alex then, and she rose to standing.
“Only things I already knew, Monsieur,” Alex smirked at Philippe and curtseyed for the second time that day, the elegant surroundings infecting her.