“Yes, it is, my lord,” Guinevere said, before scurrying out of the way. “I hope you enjoy it.”
Beatrice waited until Guinevere had retreated down the path and turned the corner before turning to him. “You could smile at them,” she said, her eyes dancing merrily. “I think you may have scared her half to death.”
“What do you mean?” he protested. “I just asked if the greenhouse was presentable.”
“In a tone that implied it was her fault if it wasn’t,” Beatrice said, tsking at him. “Now, let me see this greenhouse. I do love flowers.”
Despite the scolding, it felt as if the warmth of her smile should have melted the snow that surrounded them.
“Of course, my lady,” he said, opening the door for her.
Beatrice stepped inside and sighed dreamily as she took in the sights of the greenhouse. It was full of beautiful flowers, blooming long past when they should have due to the warm air, and it was perhaps his favorite place on his estate. He reached out and plucked a rose, offering it to his new wife with a slight bow.
“For you, my lady,” he said.
“Thank you, kind sir,” his wife said, bringing the flower to her nose and taking a deep breath. “It smells wonderful. I’ve never been in a greenhouse before—I can’t believe you have this many flowers still in bloom.”
“I told you,” he said. “It’s quite impressive, isn’t it?”
“I think I could stay in this greenhouse for the rest of my life,” Beatrice said as she turned in a circle to take in the full effect.
He could spend the rest of his life here, too—with her and the flowers and the warmth from the sunshine, and the hope that maybe his wife would be exactly what he needed.
The fact that he had a wife felt odd, and yet somehow, so right.
“I think we should go in,” he said. She was probably growing cold, even in the warmer environment of the greenhouse. He’d have to see about getting warmer clothing for her. “We can explore more tomorrow, if you’d like.”
“I would like that,” Beatrice said with a smile as he opened the greenhouse door for her. “I am looking forward to learning more about the estate.”
“And I look forward to showing it to you,” he said, offering his arm.
Why did the world feel brighter when she accepted?
He’d never considered what it would be like to have a wife that he wanted to spend time with, but he didn’t want to say good night to Beatrice. Perhaps it was because she had always seemed to see the real him, or perhaps it was the way she always smiled at him, but it was confusing.
Why did she change everything?
But he didn’t have time to puzzle through it all tonight. His wife was shivering, and the light was beginning to fade, and he ought to return to his study and get a little more work done before bed. He should send a few things to Riyel with the messenger who was bringing their marriage license to the king, but that was work he didn’t particularly feel like doing when he could instead spend time with Beatrice—which was odd, because he shouldn’t have wanted to spend this much time with her. And yet...
She was beginning to shake, and he should have noticed sooner. He was freezing her for the second time today—he needed to be more considerate of his wife’s comfort, even if she did enjoy being outdoors.
He led her through the hedges and pulled her closer to his side when the path narrowed. It made for a convenient excuse, when really, he just wanted her to share some of his warmth.He almost expected her to lean away from him but instead, she moved closer, her side pressing up against him as they walked.
It was more connection than Alexander had felt with another human since his parents had passed away. It was almost too much, a flood of emotion roaring through his body.
His head urged him to pull away, to avoid the connection, to avoid being hurt again.
But his heart urged him to pull her ever closer.
Beatrice was shorter than him, though not by too much. In fact, she fit against his side like she’d been made to do so.
He would dream about this moment tonight.
Not only because it was the first time he’d had a wife, but because his new wife felt so right.
Alexander opened the front door and ushered his wife into the warmth of the foyer, his hand resting on her lower back. Rose jumped off his shoulder as they entered the house, landing on her feet and launching into a run.
Beatrice laughed as she watched the kitten run away before turning to him with a smile as he helped take off her cloak.
