Page 120 of Of Fate and Phantoms
I shook my head. "Oh, wait, yes." I lowered my voice. "I've been meaning to talk to you about Alice."
He straightened. "Has she mentioned me?"
"Yes, but not in a good way."
It took a moment for my words to sink in, then he sat back with a deep sigh. "What do I have to do, Charlie? Why doesn't she like me when everybody else does?"
"Alice is very perceptive," I said. "And she's a lot like you, in that she has been admired for her beauty all her life. But unlike you, her beauty has led to complications."
"You're referring to the engagement she never wanted with that older fellow."
I nodded. "So she's careful now, wary, and you…well, you aren't subtle, Seth. You've praised her beauty often."
"I thought women liked to be told they're pretty. Would you have me call her ugly?"
"Don't twist my words."
"Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "Go on."
"Point out her other good traits."
"Like her needlepoint?"
"Like her cleverness, for example. Her creativity," I said, indicating the scraps of paper with half drawn designs on them.
"She's not overly."
"Don't tell her that."
"I'm not an imbecile. I know how to praise women, Charlie."
"And another thing. Be yourself."
"I am."
"No, you're playing a role around her. The role of charming, affable gentleman."
"That's not a role."
I never knew he could be so recalcitrant. Perhaps I'd offended him by pointing out a fault. He probably wasn't used to it. "Be sincere with her. Don't worry if she sees a bad side to you. It'll make you a more interesting person. I fell in love with Lincoln despite his faults. Owning up to yours won't push her away, if she does really like you enough."
He looked to the ceiling and shook his head. "I can't believe I'm listening to the advice of a nineteen year-old. I can't believe I need advice at all. What is the world coming to?"
"You're maturing, Seth. That's the problem."
He pulled a face. "Maturity is for the aged, like my mother."
"Don't let her hear you say that."
He huffed out a humorless laugh. "And what about you? How does your love life fare?"
"I've been too busy to contemplate it."
"You're not busy now."
I glanced at the clock on the mantel. Lincoln had been gone for nearly three hours. "Indeed I'm not." I kissed the top of his head and left as Alice and Gus returned, chatting excitedly about designs for the ministry emblem. I hoped they wouldn't be disappointed if it was never used.
I headed up the stairs and walked quickly to Lincoln's rooms. The fire in his study was unlit, the room cold. I picked up the box and plucked the ring off the velvet bed. It slipped easily onto my finger.
