THE LEGEND OF NIMWAY HALL: 1888 - ALEXANDRA

by Victoria Alexander

  For long moments, they lay spent in each other’s arms. Finally, regretfully, they untangled themselves. She curled up on her side against him, and he wrapped his arm around her.

  “Oh my,” she said softly, trying to catch her breath.

  “Oh my, indeed.”

  “I have the most insane desire to giggle.” Indeed, she couldn’t remember ever feeling quite so elated and satisfied and exhausted all at the same time. “Is that normal?”

  “I don’t know, but I find it delightful.”

  “It was delightful, wasn’t it?” She heaved a satisfied sigh. “Well, not quite all of it but certainly most of it.”

  He chuckled against her. “Even better than my dreams.”

  “Or mine,” she murmured, still lost in a fog of complete and utter bliss. Even better than my dreams. She propped herself up on her elbow and stared at him. “What did you say?”

  He smiled. “Nothing important.”

  She drew her brows together. “Have you been dreaming about me?”

  “From the moment I met you.”

  She studied him closely. “And have those dreams been explicit? About, well, unforgettable delight?”

  He snorted. “God, yes.”

  “I see.”

  “But as I said”—he pushed her back on the pillow, threw his leg over hers to straddle her, then kissed her—“this was much, much better.” He grinned and slid down under the bedclothes.

  It did seem he’d been having the same kind of dreams she’d been having. Was Aunt Viv right? What if their dreams were the result of Nimway nudging them together? Although really, nudge was probably too mild a word. Shove or thrust was far more accurate.

  The most remarkable jolt of exquisite pleasure shot through her, and she gasped. “What on earth are you doing?”

  His chuckle came from beneath the covers, between her legs, and she realized exactly what he was doing. Oh my, Mother had failed to mention this. Fortunately, Alex had never limited her reading to Principles of Estate Management and Modern Finance.

  And Mother had always encouraged her to read.

  “I’ve been thinking,” Robert said between bites of cold chicken. “We need to celebrate our marriage.”

  Alex smirked and licked her fingers. “It strikes me that we’ve been celebrating all day.”

  Indeed, they hadn’t ventured out of her room since they’d entered it this morning. At midday, someone knocked at her door, but when Alex opened it, all she found was a tray of food and dry clothing for Robert. The clothing remained untouched.

  Alex scarcely noticed the passage of time—she was entirely too busy exploring her husband and enjoying his exploration of her. Good Lord, the man was tireless and most creative. But when another knock sounded at the door, she realized it was past time for dinner, and more importantly, she was famished. A tray laden with cold chicken, good English cheddar, bread, butter, sliced apples, biscuits, and an excellent bottle of wine awaited on a tea cart outside the door. Again, there was no one in the corridor, and Alex sent a prayer of thanks heavenward for the loyalty, discretion, and thoughtfulness of her staff. Now she and Robert sat partially dressed on the bed, enjoying the unexpected feast.

  He laughed. “I was thinking of something a little more public.” He paused. “Your parents don’t know about our marriage, do they?”

  “I’m afraid not.” She winced. In her fervor to get the needed work finished at Nimway, she hadn’t given her parents more than a passing thought. “The last I heard from them, they intended to meander to wherever the mood struck them on their way back to England. Honestly, I have no way to reach them. Although I do still intend to write,” she added quickly.

  “Then this will be an interesting homecoming,” he said wryly, cutting a thick slice of cheddar.

  She smiled weakly. Alex really hadn’t considered her parents’ reaction to her marriage, although she and Robert did have Aunt Viv’s support, so that would certainly help. Still, interesting was perhaps the best she could hope for. “Have you told your family?”

  He nodded. “I wrote to my mother as well as to my brother and sister. I haven’t heard back from any of them yet. Drew will find it amusing. Sarah will be thrilled—she’s always wanted a sister.”

  “As have I,” Alex murmured. “And your mother?”

  “Her reaction is harder to predict. She’s been pushing me toward marriage for years, and on one hand she’ll be delighted. On the other …” He grimaced. “She won’t be happy that she wasn’t present for the ceremony. That it wasn’t the sort of grand extravaganza at St. Thomas’s some of her friends have had for their children.”

  “That’s not going to endear me to her.”

  “Nonsense. She’ll love you. She won’t be able to help herself.”

  “Goodness, Robert.” She smiled. “Do you always know the right thing to say?”

  “Yes.” He leaned close and kissed the tip of her nose. “I think we need to throw a party, a dance or a ball or something like that to mark our marriage and welcome your parents home.”

  “A ball?”

  “Why not? We’ve yet to dance together, you know.”

  “There hasn’t been a ball at Nimway in years.” Not since the ball held to announce her engagement to Philip five years ago, and given how that engagement had ended, the event was scarcely worth mentioning.

  He grinned. “Then it’s time.”

  “Mother has always loved balls,” Alex said thoughtfully. And really, what better way to distract her from Alex’s unexpected marriage than by filling Nimway with friends and revelry? “Still, a ball is a great deal of money and effort.” She shook her head. “With everything we’re trying to accomplish on the estate, I really don’t have time to see to arrangements for a ball.”

  He shrugged. “We’ll hire someone to do it.”

  She stared.

  He frowned. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No, it was just so delightful.”

  “What?” Caution edged his voice.

  She grinned. “We’ll hire someone to do it.”

  “Well, you did marry me for my money, didn’t you?”

  “Absolutely. I can’t think of any other reason,” she said in a lofty manner. “And you married me for …”

  He grinned wickedly, tossed the rest of his chicken on the plate, and moved the tray off the bed.

  Hours later, when they were both too spent to do anything requiring even the tiniest amount of effort, she lay caught in his arms, her back pressed against his chest. It was quite the nicest thing she’d ever known. Perfect and warm and all-consuming. The steady rise and fall of his chest and the slight snoring sounds he made told her he was asleep. She snuggled back against him. She could stay like this with his arms around her forever. She was very nearly asleep herself, but she couldn’t quite get the questions of his dreams and hers out of her head. Were they just the natural result of two people drawn to each other? Or was there something else at work? There wasn’t a doubt in her mind about her own feelings. Nor did she doubt that he felt the same.

  But in the last moments before sleep claimed her, the one question she couldn’t ignore lingered in her head.

  Was it truly love? Or was it magic?

  Chapter 15

  Alex wasn’t sure she had ever been quite so, well, happy. Blissful, really. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and in the dozen or so days since they’d fallen in the lake, Robert had been in her bed doing the most wonderful things every single night. And frequently in the mornings and on occasional afternoons as well. Who would have thought being truly in love would make the sky bluer and the sun brighter? She’d dismissed the idea that there was any other kind of magic here than that to be found in his arms. Life itself could not have been more perfect.

  It was still two weeks before her parents’ return, and nearly everything at Nimway that needed attention had been repaired or was under repair. The estate had never looked better. Even those matters regarding money
, matters she had preferred not to think about, were no longer of any consequence thanks to her new husband.

  Alex sat at the desk in the library, going over her accounts and lists—all of which now made financial sense. She did so love it when her bills were paid and all her figures added up. It was a remarkable feeling not to have to worry about making ends meet. It was all thanks to Robert, but there was so much more to him—to them—than money.

  Certainly in the beginning, marriage was for practical purposes, but aside from the financial aspects, marrying Robert was the smartest decision she’d ever made. Who knew he would be the most wonderful man she’d ever met? Not perfect, of course. Where would be the fun in that? But her heart seemed to swell when he took her hand in his or brushed his lips across hers or when she woke up to find him smiling at her. Or when he called her Alex. He made her feel as if she were the most remarkable woman in the world and together they could accomplish anything. Could there be any greater magic than that?

  It would be nice if the orb made an appearance to validate her feelings. She was a guardian, the keeper of Nimway’s heritage, and she would like to see the blasted thing. It didn’t seem at all fair that it hadn’t appeared. And while its absence was annoying, it simply didn’t matter. Perhaps she’d needed the orb only when she’d thought she was in love with Philip and George and Julian because she’d doubted her own feelings. Correctly, as it turned out. Perhaps there was no appearance of the orb now because there was no need to encourage or confirm love. And she had absolutely no doubts.

  Alex had written to Aunt Viv about their plans for a ball, and Viv had responded immediately, writing that a celebration was a brilliant idea. She suggested it be a harvest ball like the ones Nimway had hosted when she was a girl and recommended it be held on the night of the autumnal equinox in line with family tradition. Alex had never heard of that particular tradition, but the equinox was a few days after her parents’ expected return, so why not? Aunt Viv insisted on handling all the details herself from London. She wouldn’t arrive until a few days before the ball, but she sent her social secretary—who apparently planned all of Aunt Viv’s parties—on the next train. Mrs. Hogarth—a woman entirely too organized to be true—had spent two full days taking notes and measurements, making quick sketches of the house and garden, and compiling lists. Lots and lots of glorious lists. Alex loved her. But then Alex loved everyone at the moment.

  A knock sounded at the door. Pearson stepped into the library then closed the door behind him in an oddly deliberate manner. “You have a caller, my lady.”

  “Really?” She wasn’t expecting anyone. “Who is it?”

  Pearson hesitated. “It’s Mr. Shaw.”

  “Julian?” She stared. “Julian Shaw is here?”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “The nerve of the man.” Anger and the bitter taste of betrayal washed through her. “How dare he so much as show his face.”

  Pearson straightened his shoulders. “Should I thrash him, my lady?”

  The butler was somewhere in his sixties, and his midsection had expanded over the years. He was certainly no match for a man thirty years younger. Still, it was good of him to offer.

  “Excellent idea, Pearson, but no.” She pulled her brows together. “I daresay the man wouldn’t play fair, anyway.”

  “Then perhaps I should send for Lord Brynmore?”

  “He went to the manor.” She shook her head. “It would be at least a half hour before he could return.”

  “Even so, Mr. Shaw has not proven himself to be a gentleman, and I daresay confronting him alone—”

  Her brow arched. “Surely you don’t think he means to do me harm? I assure you, Pearson, I am more than capable of dealing with Mr. Shaw unassisted.”

  “I wasn’t concerned about him doing you harm, my lady, but rather the other way around.”

  She smiled. “Thank you, Pearson. I believe that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  “Surely not.” Pearson’s expression didn’t change, but a distinct smile showed in his eyes.

  “I promise you, I’ll not lay a hand on the man, but I do wonder what he wants.” She drummed her fingers on the desk. It had been nearly two years since Julian had broken her heart and absconded with Nimway’s reserve funds. Now, she could see it was her pride rather than her heart that had broken. “Show him to the parlor.”

  “I shall remain near the parlor should you need me. Mr. Wilcox and his men are also within calling distance.”

  “Thank you, Pearson.” It was good to know even if she didn’t for a moment think she couldn’t handle Julian herself.

  Pearson nodded and took his leave. The servant was one of the few people who knew about Julian’s fraud. This was Alex’s opportunity to turn the man over to the authorities. Of course, that would mean everyone in the county—and ultimately everyone in England—would inevitably know about her foolishness, including her mother. She would prefer to avoid that. And what good would it do, anyway? He had no doubt already squandered the money.

  Alex stood and started for the parlor. She had considered seeing him here in the library, behind the desk she’d always considered the symbol of Nimway heritage. It was impossible not to feel confident and powerful behind that desk. Odd that she no longer felt it necessary. Amazing how financial security, knowing one had finally made the right decision and found the right man, and love, of course, could bolster one’s self-assurance.

  Alex braced herself, grasped the parlor door handles, drew a deep breath, and pushed open the doors. Julian paced the floor, no doubt regretting his return to the scene of his vile deception. “What are you doing here?”

  “Good day, Alexandra.” His expression brightened, and he strode toward her, a broad smile on his face as if he intended to take her in his arms. Good Lord, she’d forgotten how handsome the man was and the way he fairly vibrated with energy. It had been almost two years, but he hadn’t changed a bit. He was as dashing as ever: tall and broad-shouldered with dark hair and rich brown eyes. An air of complete and utter confidence hung about him, coupled with a distinct sense of trustworthiness. The lying, cheating cad. “You’re looking as beautiful as ever.”

  She held up her hand to stop him. “That’s far enough, Julian.”

  He paused in mid-step. “Come now, Alexandra. Is that any way to greet your fiancé?”

  “You stopped being my fiancé the day you disappeared, taking my money with you.”

  “A minor misunderstanding.” He waved off her charge.

  “Indeed, but only on my part.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I misunderstood that when you said you could purchase Brynmore with Nimway’s reserve funds, what you really meant was that you would take the money and vanish.”

  “And yet here I am.”

  “Two years late.”

  “An insignificant delay.”

  She narrowed her eyes.

  “Very well.” He heaved a long-suffering sigh as if he were the aggrieved party and she nothing more than an irrational female. “I will admit, that was an error in judgment on my part.”

  “An error in judgment?” Her voice rose.

  He shrugged. “A mistake, then. I never should have let you go.”

  “You didn’t let me go.” The man had an interesting way of looking at his despicable behavior. “You pretended to care about me in order to flee with my money, unless I’m misunderstanding that too.”

  He gasped. “You wound me deeply, Alex.”

  “Alexandra, and I haven’t wounded you at all yet.” She smiled at the thought of doing him serious bodily harm, perhaps with one of the old swords in the attic. “But I will admit it’s tempting.”

  He ignored her. “My feelings for you were genuine.”

  “I doubt that anything about you is genuine.”

  He shook his head in a mournful manner. “It’s apparent that I have hurt you. For that, I am truly sorry.”

  He certainly did sound sincere, but he had fooled
her once. She was not as trusting as she had been two years ago.

  “What do you want, Julian?”

  “You’re repeating yourself.”

  “It bears repeating. Now what—”

  “You, Alexandra. I want you.” He took a tentative step toward her. “I was a fool not to have realized that the true prize at Nimway was you. I’ve missed you terribly. I’ve regretted leaving you every day. But I’m back to beg your forgiveness and plead with you to give me a second chance. I asked you once, and I’ll ask you again. Make me the happiest man in the world and marry me.”

  There was something about the tone of his voice. The man was entirely too rehearsed. Even if she wasn’t already married, that tone alone was enough to set off all sorts of warnings. “Why on earth would I want to do that?”

  “Because you love me and I love you,” he said staunchly.

  “I doubt that you love me now or you ever did.” It hadn’t taken her any time at all after learning of Julian’s deception to realize what he had really wanted right from the beginning. Admittedly, it was a difficult lesson to learn, but she had learned it well. “I was nothing more than my bank account and the means to acquire a valuable estate.”

  “I admit Nimway was part of your charm—I would do quite well as a country squire. But I assure you, I am truly sorry for my ill-advised behavior,” he added quickly. “I have seen the error of my ways, and I want to make amends.”

  “Come now, Julian. I don’t believe you for a moment.”

  “I realize you might think you have no reason to trust me—”

  “I don’t merely think that, I know that.” Her jaw clenched. “You toyed with my affections, and you stole from me!”

  “I prefer the term borrow.”

  “I don’t care what you prefer, the facts are the facts.”

  “So there’s no possibility”—a hopeful note sounded in his voice—“of you and me—”

  She stared in disbelief. “You, Julian Shaw, are the biggest mistake I ever made.”