And…it would be nice to spend more time with her. Even if he shouldn’t.
“Are you ready now,” Beatrice asked, “or do you have pressing tasks that must be done first? I can wait, if you have things you must do.”
“There is nothing more pressing than spending time with you,” he said, the words coming out before he could stop them.
They shouldn’t have come out, but somehow, he didn’t regret them. That definitely had nothing to do with the way she lit up when he said them.
He could have waited for Jenkins to help with her cloak, but he didn't. Instead, he opened the closet and pulled it out, helping her fasten it over her shoulders. She smiled up at him as he did, but he didn't return her smile.
He stepped back and reached for his own coat, ignoring her for a moment.
Why did she affect him so much? He wasn't sure…and he didn’t want to find out.
He let Jenkins open the front door and offered his arm to Beatrice as they walked out the door and down the stairs, Guinevere following them for some reason.
It would be ungentlemanly not to offer his arm, and as much as he didn't want to get closer, he couldn't resist the opportunity to feel her touch.
It was concerning just how much he wanted to be near her all the time, because he’d had no intention of letting her get this close. Yet somehow, she had wormed her way in, and they had only been married for half a day.
What would it be like when they had been married a full week—or even longer?
How long would his heart be able to withstand her?
Probably not as long as he needed it to. He was not prepared to fall in love with his wife, and he needed to find a way to stop it. But what was the harm in letting her hold his arm while they walked through his estate? Surely, being chivalrous wouldn’t cause him issues.
He showed her around the buildings closest to the manor, the stables and the outbuildings where they stored food and other things. She wouldn’t have much use for those buildings, but it would be good for her to know where everything was. Besides,those buildings were warmer than outside, so it was nice to linger there for a while.
Beatrice exclaimed in delight when his horse held out her nose for attention and laughed at the antics of the yearling goats, who chased each other around the pen for her benefit.
“My friend has goats,” she told him, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Or at least she had them.”
“Had?” he asked.
“She’s now Lady Sophia Manning,” she said, and it was his turn to be surprised. He'd heard of the “goat girl” who was marrying Caspian Rendon, but hadn't realized Beatrice knew her.
“You'll have to tell me their story sometime,” he said. “I’ve only heard hints of it.” He'd been invited to the wedding, of course, but he hadn’t planned on attending.
Caspian had been much younger than Alexander, but the Rendon brothers were some of Alexander’s only childhood friends. Quite a few of his happiest childhood memories involved Lord and Lady Rendon and their boys.
And now that he was married to Lady Sophia’s friend, he probably wouldn’t escape going to the wedding. The thought of attending such a crowded event made his heart beat faster and he took a deep breath.
It would be good to see the Rendons again, even if being so vulnerable was absolutely terrifying.
“I hope we can invite them for dinner,” Beatrice said shyly, “and you can hear it from them.”
Alexander took another deep breath. She wanted him to invite people to Eldenwilde?
That was maybe going too far.
But images of goofing off with the Rendon brothers around the table flashed through his mind, and the corner of his mouth turned up before he could stop it.
They had all grown, but maybe they would still be interested in being his friend.
If he made it through his birthday without a murderer smiting him where he stood, he would have to invite them out for dinner.
“I think that's a lovely idea,” he said, and Beatrice lit up.
“I shall write her soon and ask when they will be back in the Northlands,” she said. “I believe they are in Riyel at the moment, but they should be coming back for the holidays.”
