Page 85 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
Alison chuckled bitterly. “It does not matter, for he does not love me back.”
“Lord Grayhill,” her mother said softly while squeezing her hand tighter. “I suspected… two weeks alone, and I should not be surprised. Does he know?”
“It does not matter.”
“Does it not?” Her mother raised a questioning eyebrow. “What else could possibly matter than that?”
“It is not that simple,” Alison said. “I… I thought he did. I wanted to believe he did. But I know now that he does not feel the same way, so why tell him when the answer will not change?”
“But you have not told him?”
“There is no point.”
“Alison…” Her mother shuffled closer, dropped her hand, and wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “I have not always been the best mother to you. I have never been there when you needed me. I have never helped you when you needed it the most. But that does not mean I have not noticed you or seen how… how distant you have been these last few years.”
Alison winced. “It has been longer than that.”
“You deserve the world, Alison,” her mother pressed on her. “I wish I could give it to you, but I fear it is too late. Too late for me, but not too late for you. Alison, look at me.”
Alison hesitated. She did not want to look at her mother. She did not want to feel the pity that was surely in her eyes. But her mother’s stare was on her, drawing her gaze up so that soon their eyes met.
“Maybe he does not feel the same for you. Maybe he does not love you. But until you know for sure, how can you sit here and wallow as if the world is ending, when for all you know tomorrow might be the brightest day to ever shine?”
“Mother…” Alison rolled her eyes but could not hold back her smile. “That is not… it is not that simple.”
“Then make it that simple.” She pulled her daughter in closer and held her. “Tell him. Do it now or regret it forever. All I want is for you to be happy, and if this might see that come true…” She sniffed back tears. “You owe it to yourself. You know that you do.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Alison could not believe what she was doing. Such were how desperate the times had become.
It was late in the evening, and with the storm finally coming to an end, she sneaked from her home and made her way to Lord Grayhill’s estate. She did not know what she was going to say. She did not know what he would say in return. All she knew was that her mother had been correct, and that she owed it to herself to at least try.
And if he denies me, if he turns me away, at least then I will have my answer. Not the one I want, but one that might go some way toward healing me…
Those thoughts came as little comfort, just as they did little to warm her against the chill of the winter night.
Alison reached the front door and went to knock, only for the door to swing wide open. She gasped, expecting Daniel to bethere, but it was Godfrey. He wore a coy smile and his eyes glimmered in the night.
“I was wondering when you would come,” he said as he opened the door further. “Or if you would.”
She hesitated. “Lord Grayhill…”
“Is in his office.” Godfrey stepped to the side to let her in. “He is not expecting you but if you want my advice…” He raised an eyebrow, and she nodded nervously. “Do not take no for an answer.”
Alison thought to thank him, but her tongue was thick in her mouth and every breath inside of her burned with anticipation. She forced a smile instead, and Godfrey indicated toward the stairs. They sat empty and dark, foreboding, as if trying to warn her off. But Alison was done with being afraid, and she hurried up their length.
Down the empty halls she then walked. Each step creaked and cried out. She was certain that Daniel would hear and come to see what was the cause, but the further she walked, the emptier the halls seemed to grow.
Finally, she found herself outside his office door. It was closed but there was light coming from underneath. She paused at the door, her breath rattling, her body shaking, that voice in her head screaming at her to turn and run.
No… not until I have my answer.
So it was that she forced bravery to the fore and knocked once.
“Come in,” Daniel voice growled from the other side.
And Alison, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, opened the door and stepped inside.
