Page 32 of The Jilted Duchess
He smiled at her for a moment, a softness in his expression that she had not seen before. He was always so sunny, so immensely cheerful that he seemed to light the room like a bonfire, so bright and energetic that she sometimes felt exhausted. This was more like a candle, a beautiful illumination that did not blind her to look upon.
She smiled back just as gently.It is strange how quickly things can change,she thought to herself.I never thought I would be pleased to be married. Yet being here is so much nicer than being at home ever was, no matter how dearly I miss Penelope. Our sisterly years have long passed with the others being wed, and so much more of home life is just the two of us and Father. This - this is mine. Mine and Hectors. I can make something here.
"What are ye thinking of so seriously, me wife?" Hector asked, his rough burr of an accent rumbling in his low soft voice.
"Oh!" she looked up, startled, and cast around for another subject. "I was simply thinking that you need to take those dancing lessons with me soon after the last ball that we had. I shall need as much time as possible to prepare you for the next event."
He roared with laughter, standing up. "Ach, well, it's nay burden to spend time with me wife in my arms. I shall be glad to make time for it, lass. Now, why daennae ye tell me a wee bit more about yer lady sisters, hm? It's been a time since ye have seen them and ye must be missin' them dearly."
Alexandra stood as well, feeling a little rush of homesickness, not for her old house but for her sisters' presence. Even after the weddings of her older sisters, she usually saw them each at least once a month. This had been longer than she had ever been without visits in her life. "You must be familiar with my older sisters through your friends," she said. "Evelina raised us, Margaret has always been so merry and kind, and Louisa loves to read and is so good with the children, not that Evelina and Margaret are not, of course. But you may not know Penelope - oh - "
How to explain Penelope?
She glanced at him and found that like always, when she talked, Hector was looking at her with interest, all of his attention focused on what she was saying. She never quite knew how to deal with this, this level of approval and thislisteningwithout her having to storm or scold. It was so strange that it felt almost unnatural.
"Penelope knows her own mind," she said eventually, aiming for tactful.
"She is immediately me favorite of yer sisters," Hector said with a grin. "Go on now, tell me what that means. What terrible thing has she said to a gentleman?"
"She once told Mr. Dermot, a gentleman who lived near our estate, that if she were to marry, she would require more of her husband than sideburns and that if he wanted to take a wife, he should first consider detaching from his mother's hand."
Hector barked a surprised laugh. "She dinnae!"
"She did," Alexandra said, smiling a little. "He was in fact holding his mother's hand at the time as well!"
"Nay! Och, I must meet this lass. Ye should invite them all over for a visit, lass. I want ye to be happy and I know ye are all close."
"Oh, really?" Alexandra beamed, feeling her smile widen so hard that her cheeks started to hurt. "Truly? I know you said that we were not to be disturbed so soon after the wedding -"
"Sweetheart," Hector smiled at her. "That was for me awful family. Nae for yer loved ones. Call them to see ye and we will make a merry party."
Alexandra grabbed his hand in both her own and clasped it. "Thank you, Hector! Thank you so much! I have been longing forthem so. I did not want to impose on the house but - oh I am grateful to you. I cannot even say how much."
"Next time ye want somethin', just tell me, lass," he said, his eyes gentle and kind. "I shall never let ye down."
Alexandra felt for the first time that it might be something she could believe one day.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
"Your Grace," Laroux said from the doorway, his expression professionally neutral as Riles offered different colors of cravat for Hector to choose from. "Her Grace awaits in the ballroom."
Hector turned slightly, a haunted expression on his face. "Daenae just stand there, man, help me!"
"Help you with what, Your Grace?" Laroux said innocently. "Are you being beset by neckties?"
"I just want to have a decision on which is the best color for dancing with my wife," Hector said, dodging Riles, who was approaching with something suspiciously salmon colored. "I dinnae expect to be here half an hour later still decidin'. I'm nay dandy, Riles, I want to be presentable, nae a fashion plate."
The young man looked at him with wide, sincere eyes. "But, Your Grace, if we find the perfect combination then I am sure Her Grace will be pleased by how seriously we are taking the matter."
Was the lad as innocent and serious as he was making out? Hector stared at him suspiciously as Laroux entered the room and started going through the discarded items swiftly, selecting an outfit with an experienced eye.
"Here, Your Grace, this is quite appropriate."
"And very dashing," Riles added, unapologetically.
"Grand," Hector said dryly. "I'll change and be down to Her Grace in a moment. Can ye go tell her I am on me way, Riles?"
"Are you sure you do not want me to stay and help you dress, Your Grace?"
