It became obvious soon, as Nora wound a bright pink ribbon through Alicia's hair. She braided it with the utmost care, then twisted the braid around the back of Alicia's head to create a beautiful, intricate bun interlaced with pink. It was beautiful, and unique, and Alicia didn't know where Nora had gotten the idea - but when she looked in the mirror and saw herself, Alicia was lost for words.
"Now, you'd better get down to Lord Arvill before he thinks you've ran away," Nora said lightly, "It isn't every day that he asks someone to dinner. Enjoy yourself Miss - uh, Alicia."
She couldn't help but smile as they parted ways. In the week since Edwin was arrested, things were slowly returning to normal. There was still a way to go, but... well, Alicia felt a little brighter knowing that James had invited her to dinner. It almost felt like she was really a part of the Arvill family.
She found him in the grand dining room, as promised. He sat at one end, not at the head of the table but rather directly across from the door, a few seats down. There was a second place set directly across from him, the seat already moved back to allow Alicia to sit.
His bright blue eyes flickered up as she entered. "Oh," he said breathlessly as his warm gaze swept across her face, "you look lovely."
Ducking her head, Alicia sat. "Only because Nora was kind enough to do this." She waved a hand across her head, gesturing to the intricate hairstyle that wound about the back of her.
"No," James said softly, and a nervous little smile spread across his lips, "you're beautiful because you're you."
Alicia didn't quite know what to say to that, and she felt a little stutter of relief as the food was served. Several maids entered, cutting through the tension and distracting Alicia from her nerves. There was a delicious, cooked ham big enough to feed a family, an array of vegetables of every color, and potatoes both roasted and mashed. The scent filled the room with its lovely, savory saltiness and Alicia couldn't help but stare as more plates were added to the table.
"There's somuch," she gaped as a bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes were set down across from her. "Just for the two of us? What about Jenny and Samuel?"
James laughed, and when he smiled, little smile lines creased the corner of his lips. It was beautiful. "The children agreed to eat separately, so that we could have the evening to ourselves. Actually, it was Jenny's idea - she suggested that we should have an afternoon together, to celebrate your recovery."
Alicia's chest fluttered. Yes, she had walked through the gardens alone with James, shared tea, and company with nobody else around... but this was different. There was a whole meal just for them, beautifully prepared, and they were alone in the big old dining room. It felt, almost, like it was all leading up to something important.
What that was, though, was beyond her.
The butler smiled as he began to carve the ham; and Alicia hadn't spent a lot of time around the quiet man, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that he knew something she didn't. When the ham was carved into thin, delicate strips, he stood back and said, "Please, enjoy."
"Thank you," Alicia said as he left the room.
Silence settled over them after that, but it was a peaceful sort. Alicia piled her plate high with vegetables and ham, feeling her stomach growl as she took it all in. She had never eaten like this in her life; she had always eaten simple food. Even the tasty food she had grown used to eating at the manor paled in comparison to this feast.
It was James who broke the silence first, as he served himself a helping of mashed potatoes. "You're probably wondering why I asked to have dinner with you," he said softly, "The last week has made me think, and I've been trying to put everything into perspective."
Quirking her brow, Alicia listened. She took a delicate bite of steamed green beans, enjoying the silky taste; but now her attention was focused on James. "What do you mean?"
"I was going out of my mind waiting for you to recover; I was worried sick, and it made me realize something... I lost my trust in my brother, but I've always been able to rely on you."
Alicia tilted her head, feeling a stray curl fall across her shoulder. Her heart skipped but she didn't reply; James was clearly trying to sort through his thoughts, and she wanted to give him room.
"This, it made me realize who the important people in my life are. Jenny, Samuel... andyou." He looked at her from across the table, his blue eyes sparkling. "I thought you were going to die, Alicia, and I don't know what I would have done with myself if you had. You've... you've come to mean so much more to me than just a governess."
Alicia paused, fork halfway to her lips. Her mind stuttered and she couldn't seem to form a reply. It was as if words had simply ceased to exist. What did he mean, that she was more to him than just a governess? Did he mean... but surely not. No, Alicia couldn't let herself believe that this was some sort of confession.
Yet when James smiled at her, his cheeks flushed a beautiful cherry red, Alicia's heart fluttered. He reached across the table and took her hand gently in his own. "Alicia," he said softly, "I think I'm in love with you. No, IknowI am - I've been in love with you for a long time, I just didn't let myself think about it until now."
This was too good to be true. Alicia gazed up at him, feeling how her heart thudded and her breath hitched. Suddenly, this beautiful meal all made sense -thiswas why James wanted them to be alone. It filled her heart with a whole new kind of gratitude, and she let out a musical laugh. "Oh James, do you mean it?"
"Of course, I do," he replied, and gave her hand a careful squeeze. The intimacy seemed to come so naturally to him, as if he had been desperate to hold her hand for so long and wasfinallyable to. When he smiled, he was the most wonderful man that Alicia had ever seen. "I wouldn't lie about something like this, Alicia," he said softly, "I mean every word of what I say. I never... I never said anything before because I didn't know how you felt, but with everything that's happened, I can't keep my feelings to myself anymore. Unless…" he paused, features scrunching, "unless I've misjudged, and you don't feel the same?"
Alicia let out a startled little gasp, and suddenly the words rushed from her lips. "Ofcourse,I feel the same - oh, I've felt the same since our very first walk through the gardens together. It's just... you're a lord. A marquess. I'm agoverness,and I don't understand how you could ever fall for me."
"That's easy," James replied softly, "How could I not?"
A startled laugh escaped Alicia's lips, and for a long moment she couldn't think of a reply. The world had a dreamlike quality to it, the edges of her vision blurred as she stared at James' handsome face.This can't be real,she thought; yet as she looked at him, she knew that it was. How did she get so lucky?
"And another thing," he said softly - and then he was climbing to his feet, wandering around the side of the table to stop by her chair. He hesitated, hands shoved deep into his trouser pockets as he looked down at her with soft fondness. "I know this is sudden; but since I realized my feelings for you, Alicia, I knew I couldn't ignore them." When he removed his hands from their pockets, there was a tiny gray box in his right hand. "Alicia Sempill," he said, his face splitting into a radiant smile, "would you become my wife?"
When he flicked the box open, there was a beautiful silver ring inside. It was slender and delicate, set with tiny diamonds and a bright blue sapphire that almost matched the shade of James' eyes.
It was almost impossible to tear her gaze from the ring; but when she did, it was to see James' handsome face staring down at her, more shy than she'd ever seen him. Her lips parted, and a gasp fled her lips. "Oh," she murmured, feeling excitement swell inside of her, "Of course I will. James, I would lovenothing morethan to marry you!"
