Same Time, Next Christmas by Victoria Alexander

Author:Victoria Alexander [Alexander, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Regency Romance, Historical Romance, the perfect mistress, the mistresses series, Holiday Read, victorian romance, Historical Fiction, fan favorite, holiday historical romance, Romance, sweet romance, Victorian, Victoria Alexander
ISBN: 9781943772391
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 2015-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

In March, I began to study Italian, only because of my newfound realization of the benefits of knowing how to communicate in another country. I certainly had no intention of returning to Italy in the foreseeable future, but it was possible I would return one day, and it would be nice to know the language. Besides, a well-bred lady should be conversant in a variety of languages. I also began planning a conservatory for my London house. And I found myself attending more and more gallery exhibitions of promising new artists.

By June, I had mastered sufficient Italian to call for a carriage and comment on the weather, but little else. I was not known for my patience, but I refused to give up. I would conquer Italian. Or it would conquer me, but one of us would not survive. I also finalized the design for my conservatory and started plans for a folly in the garden at my country house. My cousin Miranda was assisting me, although it did seem that I was assisting her, as she was far better at this sort of thing. Her late husband had been an architect. Between my new projects and my usual charities and social obligations, I was extraordinarily busy.

Still, I was well aware that I was not the same woman I had been before my sojourn in Italy. I certainly didn’t feel the same, although no one else seemed to note any change in me. Or so I thought.

Julia and Veronica and I did not see each other as often as we once did. It was to be expected, of course. They were occupied with their families—Julia had had a daughter in the spring—and I was otherwise engaged. Our weekly rendezvous at the ladies’ tea room at Fenwick and Sons, Booksellers had fallen to no more than once a month, and some months not even that. But with summer upon us and each of us planning to retire to the country for the warmer months, Veronica insisted we meet. I hadn't realized how much I had missed this company of women.

"Portia," Julia began after we had exchanged greetings and the latest gossip, "Veronica and I have been talking."

"Have you?" I smiled at my friends, but there was something in her tone that did not bode well. "And what, of any number of topics, have you been talking about?"

"You," Veronica said bluntly.

"Really? I had no idea I was that interesting." I refilled my cup. "In fact, I thought I was rather dull."

Veronica and Julia traded glances, obviously deciding which one was to go first. Apparently, Julia won. Or lost.

"We have noticed, in recent months . . ." Julia said, decidedly uneasy. I'd never seen either of my friends uneasy before. "Well, you seem . . . I don't know, not your usual self."

"Not your usual self at all," Veronica added.

"An improvement, no doubt." I smiled and added sugar to my tea. "So how precisely do I not seem my usual self?"

"We have noticed that you are very often preoccupied.

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