“I did,” said Alex, a surprised smile on her lips. “What are you doing here, Emily?”
“I’m in the tavern to investigate who has come to my town. I am here in Ponce because the Marquis du Ponce took me as his bride,” she said with her head high. “After you left Chevalerie. He came to find a wifeand after one look, he would have no woman but me.” She beamed, obviously very proud of her station. “He is a good man. I am very lucky.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” said Alex.
“And you’re here with the Duke’s men,” said Emily in astonishment. “To investigate these raids.”
“I am,” said Alex.
“It’s just amazing,” said Emily. “Whoever heard of a woman like you? It must be incredibly interesting.”
Alex was careful with her words, not quite sure of Emily’s intentions, though her eyes did seem sincere. “It is interesting, to say the least,” she replied.
“Would you come back and have tea with me?” said Emily. “I would love to hear of your journey, and I am always happy to hear news from home. I love it here, but I do miss the excitement of Chevalerie. And we never, ever have such interesting things here as a female guide! I just can’t even imagine! Do say yes!” She gripped Alex’s hand.
Seeing the friendliness on her face, Alex’s old feelings of resentment towards this woman seemed silly. They were adults now and on very different footing. Plus, the thought of having afemalefriend was a luxury Alex was happy to experience. For a second, Alex did think to tread lightly, it was Emily after all, but then a childlike excitement gripped her. Alex smiled at the Lady Marquise before her. “I would like that,” she said.
Emily had a carriage waiting outside to take them back to her home. Emily asked a hundred questions on the way through town. Alex did her best to answer them, though she wasn’t extensively knowledgeable on all the gossip of Chevalerie, but the talk was light and pleasant. Of all the questions, Emily didn’t mention Philippe once, which was for the best because Alex wouldn’t have known what to say given all their history plus the new, fragile friendship Alex had just begun rebuilding with Philippe.
As they approached the manor, Alex looked on with wide eyes. It was a full-on palace, not just a manor. Every bit as majestic as the Duke’s home, it was even more austere and opulent. It sat at the top of a hill, with ornate gates surrounding the manicured property. As they approached, Alex could see the well-tended gardens that led across the grounds.
The gates opened onto a fountain that consisted of staggered pools pouring from one into the next and ran the entire length of the drive leading up to the main entrance. On either side of the fountain were thousands of lavender and white poppies, in carefully delineated rows. Alex poked her head out the carriage window as they passed to see happy fish swimming through the waters and bees bumbling over the petals.
“My goodness, Emily,” Alex gasped as she took in the elegant beauty of the grounds. “This is just beautiful.”
“Chère, you should have seen this place when I got here. In desperate need of a woman’s touch.”
Within moments, they reached the grand front door of the mansion which opened wide to receive them. Attendants bustled around, ready for any whim of their Lady Marquise. A friendly-looking footman took Alex’s hand and helped her out of the carriage with a bow, and she was passed on to the next set of hands which took her jacket.
Emily led Alex through the main hall— which was decorated with tapestries and paintings of the countryside—while giving maids and footmen orders and responding to their questions. High-reaching windows allowed light into the room. More flowers decorated every finely carved armoire they passed.
Their tour ended in the sitting room. A pair of maids opened the doors and a flurry of attendants rushed in, opening windows, fluffing pillows and lighting a fire in the fireplace. Alex stood still, trying to stay out of everyone’s way. Emily glided past a round, gilded walnut table and beckoned Alex over. Alex dodged a few more maids and joined the patroness by the fire. Everyone was so welcoming; she had to admit the staff worked hard, but they seemed quite happy. Then before the activity settled, a young maid curtseyed and said tea would be out soon.
“Goodness,” said Alex, as the parade of butlers and maids exited the room. “I didn’t expect to find such luxury.”
“This is just where we receive our guests. The real luxury will be found in the more formal areas,” said Emily. “My husband owns the inn, the logging facilities, and several other businesses in town. He does not believe in letting his title do his work for him.” She paused to examine the wood on an end table before calling a maid in to polish it. “He is a contemporary of the Duke you know,” she said, turning back to Alex.
Alex nodded and ran her hand over the lavender cushions, unsure of what to say next, but Emily continued.
“I must confess,” she began. “I heard news of this company coming to Ponce with a woman as its guide. I wondered if it was you.”
“It was me,” smiled Alex with a shrug, still unsure if Emily was teasing or truly being friendly.
“Alexandra,” started Emily. “I have hoped for many years that I would have a chance to meet you again.” She sighed, letting her hands relax on her lap. “I have always felt very bad about how I treated you when we were young. I had a mouth on me then, and I can only blame it on how much I desired to be the center of attention.”
“Oh,” said Alex, “I’m the one who attacked you, Emily. I should be the one to apologize.”
“You did surprise me that time,” said Emily. She laughed and shook her head. “I’ll admit I deserved it.” She reached to the table to straighten the teacups so that each handle angled in the same direction. “Everyone thought you were so extraordinary. I was very jealous of the attention you received.”
“You were jealous of me?” croaked Alex, her hand shooting up to her chest. “Oh my goodness, you set the standard in the region. I always wondered how you could be such a star.”
“That’s nice of you to say,” said Emily as she tilted her head and smiled. “I always thought you hated me so.”
“I did hate you,” Alex replied. “A lot.” They looked at each other for a moment and at once broke into laughter.
With lightness still in her voice, Emily reached forward and took Alex’s hand. “I should like to start over with you. As women. Not as children.” She paused. “Just please leave your sword in its place.”
“I believe that is fair,” Alex conceded with a nod.
