He wanted her. That much was easy. But it was more than that now. He needed her. He longed for her. To touch, oh yes, but also to talk to. To watch her and feel her watching him. To see the hint of a real smile tilt her lips or the genuine emotion in her tone when she spoke of her beloved family.
When he’d first mentioned marriage as a way to resolve this and protect her, he’d shocked even himself, but it was all he could think of now. Marrying her.
“Miss Julia Comerford,” his butler, Riggs, announced.
He pivoted toward the door and watched as she entered the room. She was stunning, as she was always stunning. She wore a dark blue gown with pale flowers along the perfectly laid lines of her skirt. Her dark hair was done up in a high crown, making her cheeks more defined. She looked like a queen who had deigned to come into his parlor and he was stunned into silence as he stared.
“Miss Comerford,” his mother said when he didn’t speak. She moved to Julia, her hands outstretched. “Welcome. I’m Lucy Castleton.”
“Mrs. Castleton,” Julia said, barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat. “I’m so pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Alexander, come greet your guest.” His mother shot him a hard look.
He shook off his stunned reaction and moved to Julia. “Miss Comerford,” he said, and took her hand to lift it to his lips. “You are lovely.”
Her cheeks brightened a little, but he noted she didn’t meet his eyes. Perhaps it was because his mother was present and she didn’t want to be too bold, but the reaction put him on edge.
He shook it off and moved to the sideboard. “Julia…Miss Comerford, I know you are a lover of madeira, yes? I have a good one. Mama, what would you drink?”
“I’m also a devotee of the madeira,” his mother said. She took Julia’s arm and guided her to the settee where she took a place beside her. “Come, we must become better acquainted.”
Julia glanced at him. “I’d be happy to do so. You know that clip in your hair is truly lovely.”
His mother lifted her hand to the jeweled clip and smiled. “Oh, thank you. It’s been in the family for ages. It was my father’s gift to my mother as a wedding present.”
“The green suits you perfectly,” Julia said, and smiled as she took the glass of wine from Alexander.
He sat in the chairs across from the settee and watched them without drinking. They talked about fashions briefly, an icebreaker, he thought. But swiftly they moved on to deeper topics. They compared books they’d been reading and instantly connected about an author they both liked. He loved observing them together, watching his mother’s unfiltered kindness and how it gently opened Julia up as she began to trust it.
His mother was too good to worry about Julia’s past for long. They would be friendly, he could see, if there were a future here. Friends, even, which was a remarkable thing. And something they both deserved after the pasts they had endured.
“You liked that play, as well, didn’t you, Alexander?”
He blinked as she realized his mother was speaking to him. He cleared his throat. “My apologies, ladies, I was woolgathering. Which play?”
“The one that just ended at the Wintergarden,” Julia explained. “It was such a favorite of mine. I didn’t know you also enjoyed it.”
“I did,” he said. “I went twice.”
“Three times,” Julia said with a laugh. “I dragged Lau—” She immediately cut herself off as she realized what she was about to say. Her face was bright red and she turned away from his mother. “I enjoyed it a great deal.”
“I’m sorry I missed it,” Mrs. Castleton said. “Oh, and I see Riggs lurking the hallway. It must be time for supper. Come, let’s move to the dining room, yes? Alexander, why don’t you escort Miss Comerford?”
She stood and moved to the door, giving Alexander a moment to go to Julia. She looked up at him, uncertainty in her gaze. “I-I’m sorry about what I just said.”
“About the play?”
“Nearly saying Laurence’s name. It’s a reminder of what I am.” She blinked and he realized her gaze was teary.
“What you are, my dear, is a vibrant, intelligent woman who enjoys the arts.” He glanced toward his mother, who was now moving into the hallway. He took Julia’s arm and they followed. “What do you think of her?”
“Your mother?” she asked. He nodded. “Oh, she’s absolutely lovely. So kind and accepting, but also witty and bright. It’s a pleasure talking to her.”
“Good,” he said. “I want you two to get along.”
They stepped into the dining room. “Why?” she asked.
He ignored the question and guided her to her place at his left hand and across from his mother. She settled in, as did he and his mother. Food began to be brought out and they returned to a friendly threesome.
