Page 46 of Healing the Duke's Desires
“I remember you always being the positive one, Alexander,” she pointed out as they continued to walk. “You’ve always been the one to see the silver lining, even in the darkest of clouds. But now… you’ve forgotten it.”
“I’m a realist now,” he said, shrugging. After all, it was true. One could not be an idealist with a broken heart.
“It is nice to be grounded.” She nodded, so wise for her tender years. “But don’t you miss flying off into the clouds?”
All at once, the park’s serene beauty seemed to stand in stark contrast to the tumult in his heart, and the thunder roared only one name: Emily. Her image danced before his mind’s eye—her eyes, the color of crystal waters, held a depth that seemed to mirror the vast expanse of the lake. Her laughter, a melody that could brighten even the grayest of days, echoed in his memory.
He had to admit that he did miss it. But he could not allow himself that luxury. At least, he couldn’t before. Emily’s appearance in his life reminded him that there were still so many things left to experience again and again. Life was not over. But then again, neither was the pain.
“I think it is important to remain grounded,” he concluded. “That way, we get hurt less when we fall, because we are closer to the ground. Bear that in mind, Rose.”
She looked at him with a sympathetic expression on her face. She didn’t say anything, but he could read the word lingering in her mind in that same expression.
“Just remember to be kind to yourself,” Rose said, reminding him of something very important, something he himself had the tendency to forget very often.
“I try to.” He nodded. “But it’s hard.”
“It simply takes practice.” She smiled. “And I am here to remind you of that.”
“Thank you.” He chuckled, as they took the path less traveled, hoping to steer away from the crowd and into the more peaceful part of the park.
Occasionally, through his conversation with Rose, Emily would rise to the surface of Alexander’s mind, and he allowed his thoughts to linger there. He had not made any decision yet, but he would be kind to himself, if only for the next couple of hours. It was a strange feeling to be relieved like that, feeling as if one did not have a single care in the world.
And it was then that he saw her, as if conjured up by the sheer strength of his mind. Emily was approaching them, accompanied by her sister and a young man named Mr. Henry Wilcott. Before Alexander could say anything, Rose lifted her hand high up in the air, her voice a beacon of cheer and delight.
“Emily! Over here!” Rose exclaimed, pulling Alexander toward the very epicenter of the earthquake that now threatened to swallow him up alive.
***
Emily’s heart quickened its rhythm as Alexander’s figure drew closer. She couldn’t believe they had stumbled onto each other yet again. Sometimes, she felt like London was an entire universe of its own, where one could go for weeks without seeing friends and family. At other times, she felt exactly the opposite, as if all roads led to one and the same place. Or it was merely fate’s way of weaving its own tapestry of events.
The trio approached Alexander and Rose, with everyone greeting one another cordially. Caught in the unexpected reunion, Emily and Alexander found themselves wearing masks of polite surprise, their unspoken desires hidden beneath the surface.
The truth was, she was desperate to speak to him, and Hyde Park, with its whispering leaves and secluded corners, seemed like the perfect place. But Emily’s hopes of a secluded moment with Alexander evaporated as quickly as the morning mist beneath the sun’s first rays.
“It is so lovely to see you all here,” Rose gushed. “Emily, you were absolutely wonderful at the musicale. Perhaps we could have tea together and you could share some advice for someone who is still miles away from playing as skillfully as you?”
Emily smiled, appreciative of the compliment. “I couldn’t disagree more, Rose. I believe you played as beautifully as me, and any advice I give you would be the advice you could give yourself. But I would be happy to share a cup of tea and exchange notes on our playing approaches. We could both learn from each other. What do you think?”
“That sounds lovely.” Rose nodded with a smile.
Alexander’s eyes met Emily's, and she caught a fleeting glimpse of understanding in his gaze. It seemed as though they were both tethered to a reality that refused to align with their wishes. She wondered if he was as eager to speak to her as she was.
“Perhaps we could invite them to Ravenswood Manor one of these days, Alexander?” Rose turned to him, and now, all eyes were on him.
Emily’s mind buzzed with unspoken words, like caged birds longing to take flight. But she had to keep them under a lock and key. Even if he did agree to invite them, she doubted she would be able to attend. The announcement of her marriage to the marquess hung above her like the sword of Damocles, poised to drop at any moment.
“I think we could arrange that.” Alexander smiled politely. “I, too, would like to hear Lady Emily play more. Your music evokes images of a most serene place, where I believe all of us would like to escape to. It is comforting to be there, with one’s eyes closed, even for a few precious moments.”
“You are very kind,” Emily smiled at him, dwelling on the unfair timing of it all. How she yearned to play for him, justhim,with his eyes gliding up and down her body, awakening all sorts of sensations inside of her. Then, she would fall asleep to the gentle beating of his heart.
“I like to give credit where credit is due,” he replied, interrupting her flow of thoughts.
The way he was looking at her assured her that there were words lingering in the corners of his mind, too, words they were not able to say in front of anyone else. She yearned to hear them, to speak to him freely, to tell him everything that lay upon her heart, but this was not the moment for such talks.
“Will you be attending Lady Viola’s ball?” Sarah suddenly interjected.
“Most certainly.” Rose nodded. “Mother wouldn’t have us miss it for the world.”
