Perhaps it was only that Alicia's past experience with employers was so poor, but it struck her as odd just how kind Lord Arvill was. Yes, he was a little distant and still retained a respectable distance, but he wasn't harsh or cruel like some men were. How people could believe that he was a murderer, she really had no clue.
Shaking her head to free herself of the thoughts, Alicia offered a kindly smile. "Thank you, my lord. Would it be too much to ask for a tour of the manor? So that I might learn my way about."
"I suppose I could spare some time," he answered, "I've been sitting at this desk all day and could stretch my legs a while. Have you seen the gardens?"
"No, my lord."
"Then let’s begin there."
* * *
The sun beamed overhead, bright and hot, but the humidity of the heavy air made James shiver. He had always preferred the gentle warmth of spring to the overbearing heat of summer. Especially when he spent long afternoons stuck in the study, where the glass windows trapped all the heat, and it became sweltering.
Alicia ambled by his side, keeping pace with him remarkably well for a woman so short. James himself was tall and slender, where Alicia was simply small all over. That wasn't to say she looked frail because there was a quiet strength to the way she carried herself, arms held loosely by her side as she looked about the gardens.
"It's beautiful," she murmured, and it seemed that she didn't know where to look because her gaze shifted this way and that, the bright green of her irises practically glowing. "I've never seen so much space before in my life."
James found himself smiling as he led her up a gentle incline. This was his favorite part of the gardens - secluded from the rest of the grounds and surrounded by trees, a little sitting space greeted them. It was shaded from the roasting hot sun and overlooked the woods that surrounded this side of the manor.
Truthfully, he hadn't even realized where he was leading her; this was too far out to be of relevance to show Alicia around.
Still, her eyes widened, and a smile crept along her lips, and it was a sight far more beautiful than the nature all around them. "I've never seen anything like this before," she murmured, "it must be so lovely to live in a place like this."
He didn't mention that technically she lived here now too. Instead, he simply nodded. "It's a beautiful place, and I know I'm lucky to live here. If only Jenny and Samuel appreciated it quite so much. You can go anywhere on the grounds that you please, of course, but I would suggest not letting the children too close to the woods. There are no proper trails or paths, you see."
"I'll keep that in mind," Alicia replied softly. She kept her distance, James noticed, more space than was perhaps necessary. It was perfectly acceptable for her to walk beside him, and yet she hovered just slightly behind and to his left. How odd.
"We should return to the house," he said then, turning to gesture back down the path, "The hallways seem confusing at first, but I promise you will get used to them. You won't need most of the house anyway, only the lower floor and children's rooms."
Silence fell across the two as they walked, and James found himself glancing at Alicia from the corner of his eyes. She was attractive, he couldn't deny that with those shining green eyes and pale skin splashed with freckles. He had never seen somebody with freckles so dark or intense, but they suited her so perfectly he simply couldn't imagine her without them.
When they reached the manor, James tore his eyes from Alicia's beautiful visage to step inside. No matter how hot it was outside, the foyer was always cool, and he let out a small sigh of relief. "You know where my office is," he said, turning to Alicia once more, only to pause when he caught the expression on her face.
She was looking around the foyer as if she had never seen it before, jaw slack in an almost smile. Then she blinked, seeming to come back to herself, and smiled bashfully. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you say something, my lord?"
If it had been Jenny or Samuel, or even Archie, he might have felt a prickle of annoyance. As it was, he simply rolled his eyes. "Miss Sempill, you're going to have to pay better attention than that."
Her cheeks flushed scarlet, and she looked away, hands tugging awkwardly at her sleeves.
His chest twinged in guilt, but he shook those thoughts away. Miss Sempill really would have to pay better attention to fit in here. And do her job. "As I said, you already know my office. The living room is beside it. We have two drawing rooms, joined by an archway, although those are only used when guests are here."
Alicia drank in everything he said with a nod, eyes drifting from one door to the next. So, she could pay attention when she wished, then.
"The kitchen is down that hallway, which also leads to the stairs for the servant's quarters. You won't have much need for those, but it's useful information nonetheless."
Her green eyes flickered over to him, a smile on her lips. "And the dining room, my lord?"
"To the left. A governess doesn't usually eat with the family, but we have plenty of room, and the company would be nice, considering I spend most of my free time around two very mischievous children."
A laugh bubbled from Alicia's throat, only to be muffled by her sleeve slapped across her face. "I'm sorry," she murmured, and she looked so utterly horrified that James felt a pang of sympathy.
Was it his fault, he wondered? Was he being too strict, too formal? Was she intimidated? Of course, if she were, it was likely because she knew the rumors about his father and believed that he had been the one to kill him. James had loved his father, and such accusations were nothing short of ridiculous, but he couldn't do anything against lies that had already been taken as truth.
Biting down on his lip, James stifled a sigh. Then he turned to the staircase and said, "Would you like me to show you the upstairs?"
Alicia smiled softly, and James didn't think too closely about why that simple expression made his heart flutter.
Chapter Seven
