Once again, she forced herself to stop since the notion Alexander was avoiding her was utterly ridiculous. Everything about him, his tone, posture, secret glances, suggested otherwise so she was being silly, paranoid without reason.
Switching to stressing about finding another employment blissfully made her stop thinking about Alexander. Osmond took her mind off her romantic thoughts, if you could even call them that, even further.
He found out that his mystery woman, the one he was in love with, his muse, was actually married, and to a fellow musician no less. He took that rather hard. Osmond declared his heart was utterly broken and how he saw no point in living any longer.
Garry and Clementine went through this phase of his at least once a month. Clementine knew it would pass once he found another object of his desire. Until then, they would have to endure a lot of sulking and sighing. Osmond in love and Osmond heartbroken was pretty much the same state, Clementine realized.
Even coaxing from Garry did not do the trick. Clementine wished there was something she could say or do to remove his troubles, banish them. There were certain pains he had to overcome on his own. Clementine simply prayed he would one day find a girl who would respond to his feelings in kind.
Just like she found Alexander.
“Miss! Miss!”
An angry man’s voice snapped her from her musings. She was glad she was indoors. The way she was losing her head, being outside could be potentially dangerous for her.
“Yes?” she replied in the same manner.
“What do I have to do to get a bottle of beer around here?” he snapped at her.
“How about asking nicely?” she wasn’t backing down.
He eyed her as though he wasn’t pleased but then sighed. “Please, Clementine,” he choked out eventually.
She smiled at the man. “Coming right up.”
While Garry took care of Osmond, Clementine took care of the customers, or at least tried to. Alexander was constantly on her mind despite the fact he was close by, not miles away.
Why was he still up there? She wondered. She was grateful Pauline was not alone, but he always found a way before to check up on her even if it was for only a couple of seconds.
“Can I get a moment of your time?” a rather familiar voice asked, and she turned to face Alexander.
“Alexander,” she said, suddenly feeling a bit breathless. Did she just successfully summon him, she joked.
“Pauline is fine, playing, of course,” he was quick to reassure her.
“Thank you, I really appreciate everything you are doing for her.” For us.
“I came down,” he continued conversationally. “To see how can I make the other girl in my life happy.”
Clementine’s heart stopped beating for a moment or two. This time around, Clementine did not have to check her cheeks. She could feel them burning, which meant she went completely scarlet. Where was a total eclipse when you really needed one? Unfortunately, even the sun disappearing would not help her.
“I am working,” she informed him, finding her voice again. She was not trying to be rude, she simply believed this was not the time nor the place. The way he kept looking at her held her glued to the spot instead of moving to do her job.
She was a grown woman and she still could not believe she was making such a fuss over a kiss. Even if the before-mentioned kiss was utterly earth-shattering, perfect, amazing, best she had in her entire life...
“Clementine?”
“Hm?”
“I asked you if that was all right with you?”
She definitely missed a part of a conversation. She wanted to ask him to repeat himself yet at the same time did not want to appear flaky, so she held her tongue. What did he want? She wandered in exasperation. Not wanting to make him continue waiting for her reply since this was embarrassing enough, Clementine simply nodded and smiled.
“Excellent, we will see each other later then.”
We will? “Later,” she parroted feeling like a complete idiot.
“I will leave you to your work then, as I go to do mine. I must return to Lady Pauline.”
“Thank you, Nanny Alexander, you are a lifesaver.”
He inclined his head and with a smile dashed away.
That was utterly ridiculous, she chastised herself. She could not continue to do this since she mayhap would not be this lucky next time.
“Are you still denying something is happening between you two?” Garry challenged. Unfortunately, he witnessed their exchange. Clementine felt like cursing.
“I see you are missing Viola rather terribly,” Clementine said trying to be evasive. Garry saw right through that.
“And you failed to answer my question.”
“There is nothing to deny,” Clementine settled for a non-answer again.
“You are not very good at it, you know,” Garry said while pointing at her with a wet glass he was in the process of washing.
“At what?” Clementine asked all innocently.
“Keeping secrets from me.”
“Oh, I beg to differ,” Clementine countered.
“Prove it.”
She smiled since she hoped he would say that. There was a way she could get his mind off from her and Alexander. It was a bit of a last resort kind of an affair. She was rather desperate to make him leave her be, so she said.
“I have been moving your stock around for two years now, and you were none the wiser,” she dropped that tidbit and he watched her in utter shock.
Garry had a very specific system for his shelves at the counter. He liked the flour next to the jam, rather than in its logical place next to the corn and sugar. Moving all the items about was something Clementine did as a prank, the first time around thinking she would get caught and they would have a laugh. Things did not go that way and she kept doing it since it was just too entertaining watching Garry’s reactions. He was utterly perplexed.
“I should have known it was you,” he said in faked outrage, smacking himself on the forehead. Yet he didn’t. He thought the place was haunted.
The first couple of times he simply thought he did it by himself and then forgot. Afterward, when stock continued to change places, he started wondering what was actually happening. He came up with a simple solution. The store was possessed by a ghost.
He even begged the priest to come in to bless the grounds and banish all unwanted spirits. Clementine almost confessed everything then and there. She was too afraid Father Thomas would scold her, so she remained silent and continued to drive Garry mad because at that point she kind off had to.
“Do you still think I am bad at keeping something from you?” she asked, flipping her hair backward.
He raised both hands in the air, as though he was surrendering. “I confess you are the master.”
“Yes, I am.”
“For two years I have been thinking my cousin Bernard was haunting me,” he confessed with a shudder. “I owed him money, you see.”
“I know. And it was fun watching you trying to contact him.”
“It truly was,” Osmond chirped it. He finally had a smile on his face and Clementine was glad she at least accomplished that much.
“But be warned, my dear Clementine,” Garry continued, raising his voice. He was not angry, simply trying to be dramatic. “I will get you back for this,” he warned.
“You can certainly try,” she replied with just the right amount of confidence.
That earned her a few comments from the patrons which she completely ignored. It was safer if she did. For them.
“Challenge accepted,” Garry announced making himself a drink so he could toast her.
Clementine shook her head, she was working for an utter buffoon, however, she had to admit it was going to be fun, this new game they were about to start.
Alexander returned downstairs, and just like that, everything else ceased to exist for her. She looked at him questioningly.
“Lady Pauline requires something
to eat,” he informed her. “And she told me she does not wish to eat anything yellow.” He made a face at that.
Clementine chuckled. “She has you wrapped around her little finger, I see,” she teased.
“I live to serve,” Alexander replied, not missing a beat.
Clementine pointed at her bag. “I have lunch already prepared for her. You are most welcome to join her. There’s more than enough.”
He nodded. “Much obliged,” he accepted the offerings.
“And Clementine?”
“Yes?” Clementine was proud of herself. This time around she was paying close attention to every word he said.
“I am looking forward to our time together this evening.”
Date? When did she agree to that? Probably when she wasn’t paying attention to his words while stressing about his words. Like now.
“Me too,” she said in return.
“See you later, then. I better get going.”
She smiled, thinking he was such a good man.
Apparently, she agreed to some alone time with Alexander, that did wonders to her body. Butterflies in her stomach were a nice touch and went splendidly with the palpitation she already had. Clementine returned to work.
Chapter Eighteen
Clementine made sure Pauline was asleep before she started preparing herself for her outing with Alexander. Or at least she hoped it was an outing since she did not have the faintest idea to what she said yes to. That would be a good lesson for her to never daydream again.
On the other hand, if that was easy, she would not be in this predicament in the first place. Not that she was complaining. There were far worse things in the world than having a nice evening with the person she fancied. Her biggest concern at the moment was what to wear. Not knowing where she was going made her undecided. Although, it wasn’t like she had many options.
Clementine wondered if the blue dress she wore that night at the fair would be a tad immoderate this time around. Thinking how it probably would, she settled for the yellow dress she wore at Jemma Townsend’s wedding. This time she matched it with the blue shawl since they were going out in the evening. Looking at her hair next Clementine decided to simply make the easiest braid and then wrap it around itself in a bun. The end result was simple and elegant. She liked it.
As before, Alexander was right on time. “You look beautiful,” he complimented.
“Thank you,” she was pleased he approved. That put her at ease she was on the right track about what they would be doing this evening. Alexander looked good as always. She told him as much.
They did not leave until Clementine’s neighbor, a nice girl named Jasmine came to watch over Pauline, just in case. Clementine did not like leaving Pauline alone, however, she trusted Jasmine, and was certain Pauline wouldn’t even wake while she was away with Alexander. And even if she did, Jasmine was there to take care of all her needs.
The teenage girl eyed the pair with curiosity and said nothing. Clementine was certain all Courtfield would know about her rendezvous with Alexander in the morning. Not that she cared. She was not ashamed to be seen with Alexander or associated with him in any regard. He was a good man, kind, moral and anyone who judged him, or she only showed their own simple-mindedness and ignorance.
“We won’t be long,” she reassured Jasmine.
Stepping outside Clementine was surprised to see two horses waiting for them. There was a basked attached to one so she started speculating what they might be doing. And hoped she was right.
“I was thinking we try something a bit differently tonight,” he said cryptically jumping onto his horse.
As always, he refused to say more, so Clementine simply nodded. “I see, how charming,” and followed suit.
“And I wanted you to test Beatrice,” he added conversationally.
“Excuse me,” Clementine frowned.
“The mare you would be riding tonight,” he explained. “I chose her to be the teaching horse for Pauline. I would like to hear what you think of her.”
Clementine liked that very much. That he respected her enough and sought her opinion. That meant a great deal to her. “Certainly. So far so good,” she joked and he smiled.
“So, where are we going?” She tried after a small break, already anticipating his reply. Alexander gave her the look. “I know, I know, it is a surprise,” she tried to mimic him much to his delight.
“Do you mind?” he asked in return.
“Of course not. Simply whining,” she replied honestly.
Alexander chuckled. “Then whine away. You look adorable while doing it, at any rate.”
And just like that, her cheeks started to heat up again. She did not know what to say to his words, unaccustomed to compliments in any form. Especially, when Alexander got this plateful, Clementine was utterly at a loss, even though it felt nice.
They rode out of town, but they stayed rather close by. Clementine was about to make a joke she hoped Alexander knew the way well since she was only following him, being in the dark, not knowing the location of their destination, when she spotted a clearing ahead of them with the prearranged campsite. Even the fire was burning.
There was a small hillside near Courtfield, and apparently, that was where Alexander took her. Clementine was surprised and impressed he planned everything in advance. Alexander put an effort to make it perfect and that made her feel extra special, cherished.
“Oh, my,” she breathed taking everything in. From their spot, they had the perfect view of the town a bit down below and at twinkling stars above.
“Is this all right?” he asked a bit sheepishly. “If you do not like it, then we...”
“It is not only all right, it is also perfect, Alexander,” Clementine said, interrupting him since he was rambling without reason. Seeing him nervous she wouldn’t like what he prepared for her, warmed her heart.
He looked at her for a heartbeat or two as though needing to make sure she was not saying that simply to placate him. Satisfied with what he saw he dismounted. Clementine did the same, looking about as Alexander took the blanket off his horse and placed it for them near the fire.
“How did you find this place?” she asked in amazement. She lived in Courtfield all her life, yet she never spotted it even though she knew this place rather well.
He shrugged. “You could call it a habit. While traveling, I always look for a good place to rest for the night.”
Clementine did not like thinking about him traveling since it was too close to thinking about him leaving. “Thank you for bringing me here,” she said instead.
“My pleasure. I recon, the weather is good enough for us to have some supper under the stars. Plus, we have the fire to keep us warm.”
And each other, was implied. “You really thought of everything.”
“Of course,” he replied instantly and they both laughed.
They sat together, simply enjoying each other’s company, and Clementine was delighted when he presented her with all the snacks he prepared for them. “You really are a Jack of all trades,” Clementine complimented. “I am curious, is there anything you can’t do?”
He grew serious. That was not a reaction she was going for. The last thing she wanted was to offend or hurt him in any regard. Before she could apologize for her foolishness he said.
“Apparently I do not know how to tell a very special lady that I fancy her.”
Clementine sighed in relief. He wasn’t cross. Then she actually registered his words and her pulse quickened.
“Perhaps, even more than fancy her,” he corrected himself.
She looked down, instantly overcome with emotions, then she forced herself to look him in the eyes. If he could be brave enough then so could she.
“I think you are doing rather well. And just so you know, she feels the same way.”
“Clementine?”
“Yes?”
He took both her hands with his. And Clementine was glad he used his scared one as well, meani
ng he was now comfortable enough in her presence. She wanted him to know she accepted every part of him. There was nothing to be ashamed of since he was completely beautiful to her. Inside and out.
“I know we do not know each other that well since we just met, however, I know my feelings for you are true and strong.”
A Courageous Bride to Bring Him Hope: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 17
