They had been for the better part of five minutes. Christopher was beginning to wonder if it had been a mistake bringing him here. He never would have it hadn’t been for the man’s request.
Christopher had been out for a walk in the garden with Veronica when one of the footmen approached them, the rule of the staff staying out of the garden having long since gone out the window.
“Forgive me for interrupting your walk, your grace,” he bowed.
“It’s quite all right,” Christopher smiled.
“I just wanted to come let you know that the Duke of St. Vail is here. He would like to see you if you have a movement.”
Christopher’s jaw dropped. He turned to Veronica, struggling to find his words. “I’m so sorry, but do you mind if we cut today’s walk a bit short?”
“Of course not. Please, go do what you need to do.”
“Thank you,” he took a deep breath then stared rushing towards the house.
He made the short walk in almost no time at all, and the next thing he knew, Christopher was standing in front of his oldest friend.
It was amazing how even with all the scaring, Alexander still seemed to look exactly the same.
For a moment, his words were stuck in his throat, finally, Christopher forced out a few faint words.
“It’s good to see you again, Alexander.” Then he hesitated. “Can I still call you Alexander?”
“What else would you call me?”
“”I don’t know, I could call you Duke St. Vail.”
He chuckled, and for a moment, everything seemed all right. “No, I think it would be best to stick with Alexander.”
The pair stood there for a moment, neither quite knocking what to say,
“It’s good to see you again,” Christopher said.
“You too.” After another beat, he continued. “I won’t lie, I didn’t just come here today out of the blue.”
“No,” Christopher tried not to look too crestfallen. “I suppose I can understand that. What can I do for you?”
He hesitated. “Your wife mentioned that you had built a memorial for me.”
“Yes,” he blinked. “I had.”
“Then I would like to see it.”
He hesitated, “that isn’t- I mean, are you sure about that?”
“I am. I think I need to see it.”
“But why?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know how to explain it. I only know that I feel like this is something I need to do.”
“Very well, if you want to go I will take you, but not tonight. I don't’ want to rush into something like this.”
“I suppose I can understand that. I will come back tomorrow then.”
“You are more than welcome to, but I won’t take you there yet. I want you to give it three days, then if you still want to go, I will take you.”
“Very well. I suppose I can agree to that.”
