THE LEGEND OF NIMWAY HALL: 1888 - ALEXANDRA

by Victoria Alexander

  “I see.” He grimaced. “Alexandra, I think—”

  “Please let me finish.” She thought for a moment. She’d had all the words worked out in her head last night. Now they seemed to have escaped her. Of course, now she was talking to the man she loved, and their future, the rest of their lives, hung on every word. “All my life, I have wanted nothing more than to be the Guardian of Nimway Hall as my mother was and her mother before her. It was my destiny, as it has been for every daughter of Nimway since time began. Nimway has always been my fate, and I love it. The house, the grounds, the legends. I always will.

  “But nothing means more to me than you do.” She met his gaze directly. “I have decided to ask Mother and Aunt Viv about arranging for a new guardian. Aunt Viv, perhaps, or a distant cousin. Or perhaps the time has come when Nimway no longer needs a guardian. We are approaching a new century, after all. I don’t know, but I’m certain something can be arranged. We don’t have to stay here. If you wish to return to America, I will go with you.” She shook her head. “I can live without Nimway, Robert, but I cannot live without you.”

  He stared. “I really think—”

  “I know this might be a bit overwhelming and certainly unexpected. I am sorry there isn’t time to discuss this now. I do need to dress for the ball, but I’ve been wanting to say this, and there doesn’t seem to have been any appropriate time.”

  “I—”

  “You needn’t say anything now. In fact, I think it’s best if you don’t. Perhaps tonight at the ball, when we dance together for the first time, you can tell me your thoughts. You should probably consider everything I’ve said. And consider as well how you feel and what you want. There are decisions to be made, Robert. Choices that will affect the rest of our lives.” She moved to the door, surprised at the steadiness of her hand, pulled it open, then looked back at him. “I’ve already made mine.”

  Chapter 19

  “Pearson said you were in here.” Robert strode into the library. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable.”

  His brother raised his glass to him. “You would expect no less. Excellent whisky, by the way.”

  “Scottish.” Robert crossed the room to fill a glass for himself. “Mother and Sarah are settled in their rooms. I wasn’t able to introduce them to Alexandra.” He frowned. He wasn’t at all sure how Alex would take being presented to his family without warning. But then he’d had no warning either until he received a telegram from London delivered to him in the village yesterday. “It can’t be helped, I suppose, as the three of you arrived so late in the day. Alexandra is probably already getting dressed for the evening.” He sank down on the chair next to Drew’s and took a bracing sip of the whisky. “It would have been nice if you had let me know you were coming.”

  “This wasn’t my idea.” Drew shrugged. “I’m just along for the fun and frolic.”

  Robert raised a brow. “Fun and frolic?”

  “You should have seen Mother when she received your letter saying you had married.” He chuckled. “She couldn’t book passage to England fast enough. After she calmed down, of course.”

  Robert winced. “She was upset, then?”

  “Are you surprised?”

  “I shouldn’t be, I suppose.”

  “She was furious. She said when her sons marry, she wished to witness it firsthand and not be informed via a brief, matter-of-fact note. But her joy at one of us finally being settled overcame her annoyance surprisingly quickly.”

  Robert breathed a sigh of relief. “I was counting on that.”

  Drew sipped his drink. “Once Mother decided she absolutely had to meet her new daughter-in-law, there was no stopping her.”

  “Still, you could have let me know you were coming.”

  “What? And spoil Mother’s fun?” Andrew grinned wickedly. “You know how she loves surprises.”

  “I just hope Alexandra loves them as well,” Robert added under his breath.

  He hadn’t exchanged more than a handful of words with his wife since the fire. Not that Alex wasn’t constantly on his mind. He’d done a great deal of thinking in the past two weeks about what he wanted and what he was willing to sacrifice to get it. It was absurd to be jealous of an estate and a legacy. But he wasn’t sure he could be second to Nimway either. He wanted Alex to love him as deeply as he loved her. His love for her was just not enough. And he still had no idea how to resolve this.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Drew asked.

  Robert scoffed. “Not at all.”

  “I know you better that to believe that. Besides”—Drew swirled the whisky in his glass—“I met your wife.”

  Robert drew his brows together. “When? Where?”

  “A half an hour or so ago right here in the library.” He studied his brother closely. “She thought I was you.”

  “What?” Robert stared. “Did you tell her you weren’t?”

  “She didn’t give me a chance. Wouldn’t let me get a word in.”

  “That does sound like her.”

  “She was entirely too busy telling me she loved me—or rather you—and explaining that she hadn’t told you before because she was afraid your feelings weren’t real. That they were influenced by dreams, apparently caused by a magic spell. Something to do with this estate.” He eyed his brother curiously. “Does this make any sense at all to you?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.” Robert waved off the question. “Was there more?”

  “She said something about being a guardian—whatever that is—and how important it was to her. But she says it’s not as important as you, and if you want to go home—back to New York—she’ll go with you.” He paused. “It was really quite a touching speech.” He raised his glass to his brother. “If you can’t work things out with her, I wouldn’t mind giving it a shot.”

  “Very funny,” Robert said absently. Alex loved him. She was willing to give up Nimway for him.

  “Sometimes, I look at you and wonder if I could possibly ever look like that.”

  Robert’s attention jerked back to his twin. “Like what?”

  “Like a besotted idiot. You have the stupidest grin I’ve ever seen on your face.”

  “Do I?” Robert’s grin widened. “My wife loves me, Drew.”

  “So I hear. What are you going to do about it?”

  He wanted to find her right now, this minute, take her in his arms, and never let her go. He stood up. “I need to talk to her.”

  “Obviously, but not now. She said it would be best for you to consider what she said—”

  “I don’t need to,” Robert said staunchly.

  “She wanted to talk to you tonight at the ball.” Drew frowned in confusion. “Something about a first dance together.”

  “I think now—”

  “Do you know what happens to men who disturb women who are getting ready for a party?”

  “Oh.” His mind flashed back to pandemonium in their grand New York mansion when both his mother and sister were preparing for a social event at the same time. He sank back into his chair. “Right.”

  “Someday, you’ll have to explain to me how you married a woman you haven’t even danced with.”

  “It was an unusual courtship.” Robert chuckled. He would see Alex soon enough. And now, they really did have the rest of their lives. Besides, he needed time to consider her offer. She loved him enough to give up Nimway. It was a grand gesture on her part and called for a grand gesture in return.

  “Now.” Drew grinned. “Tell me about these dreams.”

  Chapter 20

  Alex hurried down the stairs, pulling her gloves on as she went. She hadn’t left herself nearly enough time to get ready, and Millie was all thumbs trying to assist her. Although admittedly, that might be more attributable to Alex’s thoughts about what Robert might say tonight and her resulting inability to stand still than to Millie’s skills. Apparently, it was difficult to try to look one’s best when one had no idea what the future held. But a ball at Nimway d
idn’t come along often, and even Mother and Aunt Viv were somewhat anxious. Their wing of the house was nothing short of frenzied, feminine chaos. Even so, when Mother and Aunt Viv had gone downstairs a few minutes ago, both had been utterly elegant and completely serene. Alex wasn’t sure she would ever manage serene.

  She was wearing the gown she’d worn for her wedding—appropriate, as this ball was to celebrate her marriage to Robert as well as to welcome her parents home. She knew she looked exceptionally good tonight, yet nerves still twisted in her stomach. Tonight, she and her husband would dance together for the first time. And tonight, she would learn what he thought of her proposal to give up guardianship and leave Nimway altogether. Surely he would accept her offer. Unless, of course, the last weeks had made him realize their marriage was a mistake from the very beginning and it might be best if they simply went their separate ways. Alex tried to dismiss the idea, but it lingered defiantly in the back of her mind.

  Her parents and her aunt were standing at the foot of the steps, chatting with Robert and two ladies and a gentleman who had obviously paid no attention to the invitation. No one should be here for another thirty minutes or so. How dreadfully inconsiderate. Still, they were guests at Nimway and should be welcomed accordingly. Alex adopted her brightest smile and continued down the stairs.

  She’d never seen Robert in formal attire before. He was even more dashing and handsome than ever and every inch Viscount Brynmore. He glanced up at her and froze, the look in his eyes telling her everything she needed to know. Regardless of where they spent the rest of their days, they would spend them together. Her heart swelled, and she thought she might burst into tears from sheer happiness.

  She reached the foot of the stairs, and he took her hand, his gaze never straying from hers. He raised her hand to his lips. “You are magnificent, Alexandra Hayden Curtis, Lady Brynmore.”

  “Alex,” she said softly. “And you look rather magnificent yourself.”

  “Then in that, too, we make a perfect pair.” He leaned close and spoke in a low tone. “I have someone who wishes to meet you, but you should know I had nothing to do with this. I do think you’ll like her, but I had no idea she was coming.”

  She widened her eyes. “Who?”

  He took her hand and tucked it in his elbow, then steered her toward two women, one about her mother’s age, the other younger than Alex. “My mother.”

  Alex nearly tripped over her gown. “Your what?”

  “His mother, dear.” The woman who was apparently Robert’s mother beamed at her. She was a bit shorter than Alex in height, with dark hair streaked with silver, and eyes the exact same color as Robert’s. “I am delighted to meet you.”

  “I had no idea you were coming,” Alex said with a stunned smile.

  “Neither did I,” Robert murmured.

  “I wanted it to be a surprise. I do so love surprises.” Robert’s mother glanced at her son. “Shame on you, Robert. You never told us how lovely she is.”

  Robert chuckled. “Oh, I’m certain I mentioned it.”

  “You did not.” The pretty younger woman beside Robert’s mother huffed. “You barely said anything at all except that you were married.” She turned to Alex, a twinkle in eyes very nearly the exact shade of light purple as the lavender in the Nimway gardens. “I’m Sarah, Robert’s sister. I’m so thrilled to meet you. I never imagined Robert would ever find a woman who would put up with him. He can be something of an arrogant ass, you know.”

  “Sarah,” her mother said sharply. “We don’t say such things in the presence of others, regardless of whether they’re true or not.”

  “Not that it matters at this point, but Mother, Sarah, allow me to introduce my wife, Alexandra, Lady Brynmore. Alex, this is my mother, Mrs. Winifred Curtis, and my sister, Sarah.”

  “I believe I am Lady Brynmore too.” Robert’s mother beamed. “I looked into this. Even if we didn’t know Robert’s father was a lord until after he died, it doesn’t matter. Although I suppose I am now the Dowager Lady Brynmore, which isn’t quite as charming but impressive nonetheless.” She leaned toward Alex and lowered her voice in a confidential manner. “The ladies at the museum auxiliary are positively green with envy. I can’t tell you how much fun it is. Why, all Evelyn Fitzwilliam discovered after her husband died was a mountain of debt and a surprisingly unattractive mistress.”

  Alex laughed then caught sight of the man talking to her parents. A man who looked exactly like her husband. He turned in her direction, and she sucked in a sharp breath. There was a small scar just above his left eyebrow.

  “Good Lord.” She stared. Aside from the scar and his neatly trimmed hair, he was the exact image of her husband. She’d never been one to faint dead away, but if anything called for fainting, it was the discovery that you’d poured your heart out to the wrong man.

  Robert’s twin shrugged, and his gaze shifted from her to Robert and back. He cast her a wry smile. “Sorry.”

  “We need to talk,” Robert said abruptly.

  He grabbed her hand and fairly dragged her down the corridor to the library. He pulled her into the room and snapped the doors closed behind her. She sagged against the door.

  “Say it again,” he said sharply.

  She stared at him in stunned disbelief. “That was your brother? Your twin brother?”

  “Drew, yes.” He nodded impatiently. “Now say it again.”

  “And he’s not in America? He’s here? He’s been here? In the library? All day?”

  “I’m not sure if he’s been in the library all day but some of it. And he’s definitely not in America.” Robert braced his hands against the door, on either side of her shoulders. “Now, say it again.”

  What on earth was he talking about? “Say what again?”

  “Say what you said to him.”

  She stared. She wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed or relieved. Probably both. At once, her shock vanished. “Obviously, you already know.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “I want to hear you say it, anyway.”

  “Your sister was right. You are an arrogant ass.”

  “I know. Now say it.”

  She raised a brow. “All of it?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not sure I can remember all of it.” She shook her head regretfully.

  “Try,” he growled.

  “Very well, let me think.” She drew her brows together. “Well, I said I loved you.”

  “And?”

  “And that I had feared perhaps you had been enchanted by Nimway, which is why I didn’t tell you of my feelings.”

  “And?”

  “And I realized you weren’t.” She smirked. “Enchanted, that is. You’re simply wildly, passionately in love with me. You have excellent taste, by the way.”

  “As do you.” He bit back a grin. “Go on.”

  “And I said I could live without Nimway, but I could never live without you.” She gazed into his blue eyes, simmering with desire and promising a lifetime. She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “I choose you.”

  “And I choose you.” He drew a deep breath. “And Nimway.”

  She drew her brows together. “What do you mean?”

  “If you love me enough to give me up”—he shrugged—“I love you enough not to let you.”

  “Oh no, you don’t.” She ducked under his arm, took a few steps away, and turned back to him, shaking her finger at him. “This was not some sort of silly impulse on my part. I gave this a great deal of thought. This was—”

  “A grand gesture?”

  She nodded. “Exactly.”

  “I recognize that and appreciate it. Now it’s my turn to make a grand gesture.”

  “Tit for tat?” Skepticism edged her words, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t believe that’s how grand gestures work.”

  “We haven’t done anything else according to how things are supposed to work.” He reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Be
sides, I have the oddest feeling I’m supposed to be here.”

  “Here? As in Nimway?”

  “It sounds rather strange, but strange is apparently normal here.” He paused to choose his words. “The night of the fire, it seemed Nimway was trying to keep me here. And destroying the manor was the way to force me to return. I had to wonder to what end. The estate already had my money and had the reserves Shaw returned as well. So why on earth would this place you claim has lost its magic—and I think you’re wrong about that, by the way—want me to remain? The answer was obvious.”

  She adopted an innocent expression. “Was it?”

  “Nimway wanted me to stay because I now belong here. With you.”

  She slid her arms around his neck. “Well, don’t you?”

  He grinned. “Always.”

  He pressed his lips to hers in a kiss and a promise, for now and for the rest of their days. When at last he raised his head from hers, she could barely stand without support. Good Lord. One would think after all the consummating they’d done, she’d be a bit more resistant to his charms, but perhaps she never would be. She rather liked the idea. “I love you, Lord Brynmore.”

  “And I love you, Lady Brynmore.” He kissed the tip of her nose and released her. “I have something for you.”

  “A present?” She grinned. “I do love presents.”

  “I thought you would.” He released her, moved behind the desk, unlocked the bottom drawer then opened it.

  She raised a brow. “You found it necessary to hide this from me?”

  “Not at all. I just needed to make sure I knew where it was.” He stepped toward her, hiding something behind his back. “It’s the damnedest thing. I picked this up in London, but I kept misplacing it. So I finally locked it in the drawer to make certain I could find it again. And on the off chance it was moving on its own. Silly, I know, but it did occur to me.”