And already Rosalind looked brighter, stronger, and more herself. He felt something warm twist in his chest.
I will be sure to thank her.
“What did you and Miss Dowell speak about yesterday?” he asked, genuinely interested.
“Mostly flowers,” Rosalind replied simply. “And books and science. Nothing important.”
He smiled faintly. “It seems important to me.”
Rosalind shrugged, but her cheeks warmed. “She is… easy to talk to.”
“Yes. She is,” he agreed.
Rosalind sipped her tea. “She said she would come again today.”
His heart jolted when he remembered that Theodora did indeed say that.
“Are you all right with that?” he asked his sister.
Rosalind looked up at him and smiled.
“Yes, she said she would like to make our walks a daily exercise if possible.”
He leaned back in his chair and wondered if Theodora really meant that. He would hate to see Rosalind disappointed but somehow he trusted that Theo would keep her word.
Rosalind watched him curiously. “You look tired.”
Alex chuckled. “Unlike you, little sister, I am unlucky when it comes to sleep,” he admitted, surprising himself.
Rosalind’s eyes dropped to her plate. “I understand.”
He hesitated, afraid that his confession might send her back into her spiraling sadness. He and Rosalind had never truly spoken to each other about their struggles. It was new but Alex could get used to sharing his thoughts if it meant helping her. He would do it for her.
He cleared his throat. “I wanted to apologize to you, Rosie.”
She tilted her head. “What for?”
“I have not been there for you because I had a great deal on my mind lately.”
Rosalind nodded, accepting that without question.
“I understand…I have a lot on my mind as well.”
The siblings exchanged a small, understanding smile as they continued with their breakfast.
“Would you like to play a game of chess with me today, in the drawing room?” he asked.
Rosalind’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I would like that.”
Alexander felt grateful for the change in Rosalind, despite it being small. He silently promised to be more attentive towards her. Theodora made an enormous difference in just a day and that amazed him. Everything about her amazed him. That was why he had not been thinking of any of his responsibilities. Or grief. Or duty.
His mind was occupied byher.
He stared at the doorway, anticipating her walking through it again. He was unsure of the future or what to do with these thoughts, but he knew one thing for certain.
He wanted to feel Theodora again.
* * *
