Page 16 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
"Well, I am sorry that I interrupted your reading time. I shall leave you be," she said, starting to rise. She clutched the volume between her hands, not really wanting to leave the comfort of the cheery library. He stood, reaching out to her.
"Please, do not go. I should like some company if you are willing?" he offered. He motioned to the chair, asking her to sit back down.
"Thank you, I would like that," she said. She shifted in the wooden chair, careful to keep her back straight. "You–you have a very nice voice for reading. It is very calming," she said.
He seemed to be embarrassed by this. "Oh, you heard me?" he asked.
"I could not make out what you were saying, but the tone of your voice carried up to my perch," she said, pointing behind her to the top of the shelf.
He laughed at this. "Well, I am not reading anything too exciting. At least, not for most people." He held up the book he had been pouring over before she interrupted him. The spine readThe Flora and Fauna of Southeast Asia: a Botanist's Tale of the Many Excellent Oriental Species.
Caroline raised a brow. "That is certainly a title not to be trifled with."
This drew another chuckle from her husband, and he nodded in agreement. "It certainly is. However, I am glad that I did not pass it by. It is very well-written, despite the atrociously long title."
Another pause ensued, and she settled in to start her book when he interrupted her thoughts. "I have an idea. Why don't I order some tea, and we can make an afternoon of it?"
Caroline looked up at him. "Yes, that would be lovely." She let her eyes roam over his person, and then she looked down at her attire. He was still dressed in a smoking jacket while she had taken pains to look her best. She felt a little out of place in the relaxed air that James had created for himself. He seemed to sense her thoughts and clutched the jacket tighter around him.
"Forgive me. I felt that today called for less formal attire. I can go and change if that would make you more comfortable?"
"No, please. Do not do that on my account. I only feel a little overdressed for the occasion," she replied. Waving him off, she tried to put him at ease.
"You are perfect," he said, his eyes starting at the top of her head and travelling down to her delicate slippered feet.
Blushing, she held up her book and tried to focus on the blurred words swimming before her eyes. She was much too excited to comprehend what she was reading. She pretended to be consumed by the material, however.
After ringing for the butler and ordering tea, James, too, settled in and continued to read in silence. After a while, the tea was brought in, and she was glad for the distraction. She could not read more than a few pages, constantly sneaking glances at her handsome husband.
Never could she have imagined that she would enjoy spending time with her husband like this. Her father had always seemed too flighty to sit still for very long. He had seemed content to spend his days away at some gaming club, leaving her mother, herself, and younger sister alone to while away the afternoons.
"Well, I must say that I was impressed with the room I was given. Is it true that you had it redecorated for me?" Caroline asked when tea was served. She set her book aside and poured the tea. She handed him a cup first and then poured one for herself. She began stirring in a lump of sugar and a dash of cream, looking at him as she stirred the amber liquid with a tiny silver spoon.
"I did. I remember you telling me that you loved blue. I thought it might make you feel more at home," James admitted. "The room used to be very dark. It had heavy crimson velvet curtains and the same draped over the bedposts. I thought you might appreciate something a little lighter."
He leaned over, snatched a tea cake from the tray, and popped it into his mouth. He put another on the side of his saucer and then sat back, waiting for her response.
"Well, it is lovely. I love what you have done to the room," she replied. "It was very sweet of you to think of me."
"Of course. You are my primary concern now," he answered magnanimously. He shifted as if nervous. "The room used to belong to my mother."
"Oh," Caroline said, the mood tinged with sadness. "When did she–?" she stopped, unable to finish the words.
"She died when I was eight. I do not remember much about her. She was always so kind, though. She was the most beautiful woman in the world. Or at least, she was until you came into my life," he said. Caroline bushed all over again.
"How did she die?" Caroline asked. She could not imagine what it must have been like to lose his mother at such a young age.
"She came down with a fever when she and my father were travelling through Europe. It settled in her lungs, and she was never really the same. She passed away a few months after they returned home." James hung his head, looking sad for a moment, no doubt assailed by memories of her passing. However, he soon looked back at her, giving a small smile. "She would have liked you."
Caroline gave a short laugh. "Oh? Why especially?"
"You are a lot like her, I think. She was very considerate of others, but also had a strength inside that made you want to know her better. And she was very quick, you know," he tapped a finger on his temple, narrowing his eyes in a conspiratorial manner.
"Do you take after her or your father, do you think? In regard to your looks, I mean," Caroline asked.
"Oh, my father, to be sure. However, I take after my mother in personality and spirit. She loved flowers. I think that is why I took to botany when I got older. I remember her working out in the garden on sunny days. I always thought she looked like a queen with the light touching her golden hair–"
He stopped short, laughing at himself. "Well, now listen to me. First, I make fun of poets and now here am I, waxing poetic."
