"Oh, leave the boy be." Edwin waved a hand absently, then knelt down beside Samuel. "How did you even do this?"
"Tied a piece of string around the door handle," he answered, "except the string slipped and I hit the floor with my face instead."
When Edwin frowned, he looked exactly how James felt. They didn't always get on, but at least James could sympathize with him now. "Well, that was silly. Go and find a maid to clean you up; find your sister, too. I want you both out of the way this afternoon, your brother and I are very busy."
Samuel darted off, still clutching the tooth in one hand.
James rose a brow. "And what do you have to be busy about?"
He only tapped his nose. "Well, brother, lots of things. I'm... planning something."
"Leaving already?"
"Something like that."
Raising a brow, James simply sighed. He supposed that he should be used to it now; since father died, Edwin had been home all of two times, this being the second. Last time, he stayed only for a week before running off to somewhere in Europe. Italy maybe, or Spain. James had lost count of the places Edwin had been when he should have been at home.
It's his way of coping,James reminded himself sternly,stop being so judgmental.Still, it was difficult not to be, when Edwin was never around.
"Am I to believe that you and Alicia have plans today?" Edwin's voice snapped him from his thoughts, "How nice for you."
James' eyes narrowed. "Yes, we're going for a walk. There's no need to make it sound more complicated than it is."
Raising his hands, Edwin took a step back. "I only mean that the two of you have gotten awfully close. What does our Lady Agatha think about it all?"
"Agatha doesn't control what I do," James answered coolly, "and it's none of your business, anyway."
"Fine by me. It means that I have more time to myself this afternoon. Do say hello to Miss Sempill for me, would you? She's such a lovely girl."
James simply hummed in response and turned to slip back into his office. Edwin didn't follow, likely deciding to go back to his own study on the second floor. Wherever he was planning to run off to next, James didn't want to know. They had never gotten on, not really, but it would have been nice if Edwin had stayed longer. For the children.
As James was putting away his ink and pen, there was another knock at the door. Stronger, with two quick raps, he recognized it instantly as Alicia's. "Come in," he called brightly, and some of the tension eased from his shoulders.
Alicia poked her head inside, a beautiful smile on her lips.
"I don't mean to interrupt," she murmured, "but are you ready?"
James smiled brightly. "Of course." Then he joined her side, an arm offered for her to take. It felt so oddlynaturalto have her by his side, as if she had always fit there. She was small and slender but hardlyfrail,with delicate arms cloaked in a dark green cardigan that matched her eyes.
They wandered outside together, arm in arm. The sun shone overhead, but there were clouds that dulled the brightness. Even so, it was pleasantly warm and without a breeze, leaving it a little hotter than normal. They wandered down a random path, of which there were plenty to choose from, and simply enjoyed the weather.
Walking like this, with Alicia, was the easiest thing in the world. The difficult part was working up the courage to actually talk to her. Not with idle conversation, no, but to tell her how he really felt. He had spent all of last night working it up in his mind, trying to find the right words to say, but now... well, he couldn't force himself to utter a word.
Painlessly oblivious to his inner turmoil, Alicia was simply happy to walk by his side and admire the wildlife. Butterflies fluttered past, and tiny red ladybugs darted past their feet. The awe on her pretty features was wonderful, and the way her eyes followed the butterflies made his heart warm.
After a moment, he somehow found his words. "Miss Sempill," he started, "I feel as if we've known each other for long enough now that formalities can be, well,lessened.I believe I would feel more comfortable if you referred to me as James."
Her gaze fluttered to him, brows furrowed. "Oh?"
James felt his cheeks color. "Well, I've never liked being formal, even with my staff, but I’ve asked you before, and I notice that you still refer to me asLord." Everyone under his employ insisted on calling himLord Arvill,his proper title, and only some were relaxed enough to simply call him sir.
She seemed to consider it for a moment, lip caught between her teeth. "I'm afraid my answer still stands. I don't know if I would be comfortable with that, my lord."
James couldn't help the frown that fell across his face. Did she really object to it that much? He supposed it made sense, although the thought made his chest ache. "It's your choice," he reassured, "but I would like for you to consider it, at least."
Perhaps he had misjudged. The thought made nerves coil in his stomach, and he couldn't help but wince. All those days ago, hadn't Alicia admitted to beingjealous?Jealous of Agatha, and the time she spent with him? He had taken that to mean that Alicia harbored some kind of feelings for him... now he had to wonder.
"I can't help but wonder," Alicia said idly, "if you do this for me because you feel guilty."
