Forever Yours by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2017-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

* * * *

As Alex entered the small dining room he used for intimate meals, he was nervous as a boy who had his first crush on a girl. He had so many things to tell her, and he was terrified he wasn’t smart enough to accomplish what he was determined to accomplish.

She was over by the hearth, studying a painting over the mantle. It was a picture of the manor from a hundred years earlier, and he liked how it reminded him of continuity. He’d lost his way for a decade, but during that tumultuous period he’d realized what mattered.

His home. His wealth. His land. The men in his family had been soldiers for generations, and in their lengthy tours of service they’d accrued great prosperity and status. He had to remember that. He had a duty to all of them to protect what they’d built, and he couldn’t squander it.

He grinned with delight. “You wore a dress I bought for you.”

“I thought I’d better or you might send me to the cottage to change.”

“You’re correct. I wasn’t about to sit at the table with you when you were attired like a frump.”

“See? I know you well.”

“Yes, and it’s scary.”

She pointed to the painting. “Is this one of Faith’s?”

“No. It’s from a century ago. Previously, I had a portrait of my parents hanging in that spot, but I didn’t suppose it was a sight that would help with digestion.”

She chuckled. “Probably not.”

“Come here.”

“Why?”

“I need to welcome you properly.”

“I feel plenty welcome right where I am.”

He was across the room and didn’t like there to be so much distance between them. He went over and kissed her as if they’d been apart for months.

“You look beautiful,” he said as he drew away.

“Flatterer.”

“I want you to wear blue from now on. It suits you.”

“You make this so difficult.”

“How am I making it difficult? I’ve simply told you how pretty you are.”

“It’s recently occurred to me that I’m a very vain person, and I love how you stroke my ego with your compliments.”

“Then I will dispense more of them. I will offer up so many that you will ultimately command me to be silent.”

The door opened, and he stepped away from her. He’d been holding her hand, and he furtively dropped it. From behind him, the butler said, “Shall I pour the wine, sir?”

“Yes.”

The man filled two goblets, then carried them over on a tray. Alex and Abigail both took one.

Abigail flashed a brilliant smile. “Thank you.”

The butler asked Alex, “Shall we bring supper in? Cook advises me it’s ready.”

Alex peered over at Abigail, seeking her opinion, and she said, “Yes, that would be marvelous. I’m starving.”

She smiled at the butler again, and he went out and down the hall to summon the footmen who would cart in the food.

Alex wondered how they were viewing his behavior. Normally, he wouldn’t fret over it, but if they were disturbed by his flirting with the governess—which he was certain they all were—the brunt of any disregard would fall on her.

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