Giving him a squeeze, Alicia replied, "Whatever the outcome, I'm here for you."
And he knew, as surely as he loved her, that Aliciawasthere for him, no matter what.
* * *
As the coachman helped Alicia out of the carriage, she couldn't help but admire Agatha's beautiful home with its perfectly green grass that seemed to stretch on for miles. The road led past an enormous iron gate, designed to look as if intricate ivy was climbing up the bars and through a winding garden that eventually led to the manor itself. It was like a smaller version of James' manor, but with tall, narrow windows from floor to ceiling and a beautiful patio-like structure that spread out from the front door to one edge of the building.
It was easy to imagine Agatha, elegant and sophisticated, sitting out here in summer with a wide-brimmed hat, sipping wine or whatever it was that wealthy ladies drank when it was warm.
James linked their arms as they strode to the front door. He was warm despite the breeze, hands sweating nervously, but he didn't seem to notice. Or perhaps he just knew that there wasn't much he could do, save for fighting through his nerves.
They knocked and waited in tense silence. The pleasant breeze cooled the back of Alicia's neck, but it didn't seem to do much for poor James, who was flushed in the face and hopping from foot to foot. She had never seen him so nervous; but Agatha was his oldest and dearest friend, and neither of them knew what to expect. It would have been stranger if hewerecalm.
After a moment, the great doors crept open, revealing a beautiful foyer of white and blue. The beautiful staircase had a post on either side, decorated with white marble to look like two elegant cats were sitting there. Their eyes, painted a striking indigo, seemed to watch her as she and James walked inside.
"Lord Arvill," the doorman said, "and you must be Miss Sempill? We heard about your engagement. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Alicia replied, feeling her cheeks flush red.
"I will see if Lady Bennington would like to see you," the doorman continued, "Please, wait for her in the living room."
They were shown to a lovely living room, a fire already blazing. The walls were decorated with delicate baby blue wallpaper, and the thick gray carpet was so plush that Alicia swore she could feel it through her shoes. When they sat, the settee seemed to swallow them up.
They sat in tense silence for a long time, side by side yet not quite touching. James' gaze was fixed on the door, but Alicia took the time to let her gaze wander to the window.
The rain had stopped, at least, although the ground was still damp and the sky heavy with clouds. There were lighter, fluffier clouds to the north though, slowly floating closer and closer to town. Perhaps it would turn out to be a nice afternoon after all. It would certainly be welcomed.
The door creaked open, alerting Alicia to the presence of someone new. It was Agatha, of course, her blonde hair falling across her narrow shoulders. She hesitated in the doorway when she saw Alicia, but slowly crept in with a sheepish smile. "James," she said quietly, "you never said you were visiting."
He smiled, allowing Agatha a moment to sit and get comfortable before replying. "You didn't answer my last letter asking to see you, so I decided a surprise would be better." He shifted. "Is it. Better?"
Agatha let out a little sigh as she sank into the armchair across from them. The fire cast a gentle glow across her freckled skin, and Alicia had to admit that she looked beautiful. "I've been avoiding you," Agatha said simply, "as I'm sure you've guessed already. Ididmean to reply, honestly, but I got so worried, and I didn't know what tosay,so I ignored you. I'm sorry."
Alicia's gaze flickered between Agatha and James. Truthfully, she felt so much more out of place here than she had expected, sitting surrounded by the thick, tense awkwardness practically exuding from Agatha and James like a physical thing. Biting down on her lip, she waited for someone to continue.
But nobody did, and the silence stretched on - so Alicia took in a deep breath and took the initiative. "Agatha," she said slowly, finding her words, "James came to apologize, and to make amends; but I came too, because... well, because I would like to be your friend. If it's something that you want as well, of course."
Agatha's sea green eyes, so much like Alicia's own, crinkled at the corner when she smiled. It was a nervous little thing, but it lit up her whole face with hope. "You'd want us to be friends, even after those nasty things I said to you?"
Alicia shrugged, but she forced herself to hold Agatha's gaze despite the way her stomach twisted. "Nearly dying has put things into perspective for me, and I've come to the decision that life is too short to hold a grudge. Perhaps youdidsay some cruel things, but nobody is perfect, and I can tell you regret what you said."
"I do," she breathed quietly, "I've felt guilty every day since it happened."
Alicia smiled, small but genuine, as she leaned across to squeeze Agatha's shoulder. "Then I know that you and I can learn to get along. Perhaps not right away, but I know that we can be friends."
Beside her, James let out a shaky breath. She felt the stiffness in his arms as he reached to take her hands; but when they touched, he visibly relaxed. "Alicia is too good for the both of us," he said softly, "but she's right. I know that we can make things right, Agatha. We both acted terribly, but that doesn't mean our friendship has to end."
Agatha's lip wobbled, like she was fighting back the urge to cry. She blinked, too, and Alicia swore she saw the shine of unshed tears. "I reallyamsorry for what I said," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "I just... I saw how you two looked at each other, and I hated it; but I'm glad you're happy. After everything, you deserve that more than anyone."
Alicia's heart bloomed with warmth. "You deserve happiness too, Agatha. You'll find someone, someday."
"Perhaps the next wedding we go to will be yours," James added with a fond smile. "And I do hope that you'll come to ours. You received the invite?"
"I did. But after what you said to me that night... I wasn't sure if you really wanted to see me again, or if it was just a nicety."
James winced, turned his gaze to the soft carpet. "Which brings me to my own apology."
* * *
