“Well, Mama, I had hoped Christopher would stay in London to look after you and Georgiana and provide escort for you to come out to the country in a few days’ time for the garden party. I will bring along someone from the stables, so I am not alone though.” This last statement from Graham seemed to do much to ease Eleanor’s worry for her only son. She clasped his hand briefly, silently wishing him well, as she made her way back to the front row, electing to sit directly next to Charlotte, since Alaina had decided to stand and look over the orchestra for a better view.
Graham turned his attention back to his friend. “Christopher, I hope you can spare some moments in the next week to look after my mother and sister, and…” After a short pause, he added, “…and Alaina as well. I would like to see them all safe and sound and delivered to the garden party.”
Christopher gave Graham an affirmative nod. “Of course, I am at your disposal this evening. Keeping your family safe is something I would do at any time, so I can also provide them escort to your estate in a few days as well.”
“Thank you.” Graham glanced again at Alaina and then back to Christopher. “You know, I was quite surprised that formally seeking a wife in society turned out to be not as stressful or devoid of fun as I had thought, or at least it’s much better than my attempt last season. You should maybe reconsider your position on the subject.”
Without waiting for a response from his friend, Graham quickly made his way to Alaina to explain his sudden departure. Christopher watched as Graham clasped Alaina’s hand first to his heart and then touched her glove-covered knuckles to his mouth in a kiss of farewell, but not goodbye. Alaina gave Graham a radiant smile and a quick nod. The duke then made his way to Georgiana. She gave her brother a quick hug in a show of sibling affection and then watched as Graham almost raced out of the box. In the back of Christopher’s mind was the thought that Graham was not telling him everything.
“I just do not see why Graham had to leave so quickly. We will be in the country in a few more days. Can he not deal with these matters then?” Georgiana was again lamenting the course of the evening after the final act of the play. The group had made it through the throng to their carriage and was now slowly making their way to the Norwich townhouse.
“Georgiana, you know that Graham takes his responsibility to the Ashford estates seriously, and if Mr. Locke says it is important and to be dealt with immediately, Graham is not going to question it. We can only look forward to seeing him at the party,” Eleanor chided.
“Ah, yes, the garden party.” Georgiana cocked her head toward Alaina, who was sitting opposite her in the coach, flanked by Charlotte and Christopher. “Alaina, have you gotten your dresses yet?”
Alaina was happy for the benign turn of the conversation, and she answered easily. “Evelina and I go tomorrow for our fittings. It should leave a few days for packing and preparing. We shall have great fun on our carriage ride to the country!”
“Oh, yes! We will make the best of things without Graham,” Georgiana said brightly, her chatter filling the carriage. “Now with the six of us…”
“Six?” Alaina interjected, confused.
Georgiana answered quickly, “Well, Christopher will be joining us, silly.”
Alaina felt her throat constrict uncomfortably. She practically squeaked, “But I am sure the marquess would want to take his own conveyance.”
Alaina felt Christopher stiffen beside her and braced for some sort of retort from the marquess, but was thankful when none came.
“No, Graham was most insistent,” Eleanor said, in a tone that brokered no argument. “We can never be too safe. It has certainly been an eventful year so far, starting with the holidays.”
“What happened during the holidays?” Alaina questioned.
“Oh, well dear, that was none other than excitement caused by Percy,” Georgiana stated, looking as if she were to continue, but then her mother chimed in again.
“Yes, well, we do not want to dwell too much on the past, now do we? Just better to be safe.” Eleanor left the statement as if to end the conversation about it.
“Ok, no need to dwell on things,” Georgiana stated with a flip of her hand. “So, Alaina, Christopher is our escort, and that makes six. Does that clear up things?”
Alaina sat back, hoping that the seat of the carriage would swallow her, as she replied, “Yes, that is perfectly clear, thank you.”
After a few minutes of silence in the carriage, the rich timbre of the marquess broke the silence. “Do not worry, I should not bother you all with my presence overly much.”
Alaina felt like his statement was directed at her and her alone, but Eleanor was the first to speak. “Oh, Christopher, do not worry yourself. Your company has always been welcome to us; in my heart, you are my other son.”
Happy to let Eleanor speak for the group, Alaina held her tongue and could only wonder at the wanderings of a particular gentleman’s mind as the carriage ambled along the London streets.
Christopher refocused on the mantle as the clock chimed the hour of 2 o’clock and he scrubbed his hand over his face. The amber liquid in his glass had been largely forgotten as he had sleeplessly wandered around his townhome since returning from the theater, eventually settling in his study. Christopher had convinced himself that the week of not seeing Alaina was peaceful, happy, and exactly what he was looking for in his life; there was nothing missing at all.
Christopher had spent his time keeping up with correspondence, reading, riding in Hyde Park, and enjoying his lack of participation in the London social scenes. At times, visions of Alaina, her lustrous burnt-umber curls bouncing as she danced, an easy smile on her face, her dark eyes sparkling in the candlelight, had filled his mind, always to be suppressed.It was only her beauty, nothing more,that held his mind, and that attraction would pass.He had done his duty and at least determined Alaina to be worthy of his friend, no matter their tumultuous interactions.
And yet, when he had seen Alaina after just a week, Christopher had been mesmerized all over again by her presence, and had listened intently as she, Graham, and Georgiana talked of politics, the latest novels, or whatever crossed their minds. Watching their easy interactions left him tongue-tied and awkward. He was either saying the wrong thing or somehow saying it the wrong way. It seemed that Alaina had preferred their time apart, judging by her reaction this evening. She had practically balked at his being a member of their traveling party to the garden party. And he had sought to guard his heart from further angst with his surly response. Christopher could only hope that the trip to the country would pass without any bitterness between them.
Christopher sighed and again reshuffled papers on his desk in an effort to put Alaina out of his mind, but the memory of every touch, the feel of her rosebud lips on his as their bodies fit perfectly together, crowded his rational thoughts. Christopher refused to give in to his yearnings, and he picked up the only letter he had not responded to since returning home.
Dear Cousin,
Since we are both in town for the season, I was hoping you may have time to spare for a family dinner or two. While there may have been animus between our fathers, I hope we can put that to rest.
Let me know at your earliest convenience if you would be amenable.
