“Your house is absolutely beautiful,” she commented, not really certain what else to say other than the usual social niceties. “It is done so tastefully and with such attention to detail in all these little pieces that adorn your home, which I am certain, comes at a price.”
He lifted an eyebrow at that comment, but obviously refused to allow that to confuse him in any manner. “And I am certain that a lady such as yourself knows that it is always a matter of quality over quantity.”
“That is what I am saying, Your Grace,” she smirked. “Quality is a rare find.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he nodded importantly. “A woman of your beauty must have so many suitors that she doesn’t know which one to choose, that is, which one carries the best qualities.”
She almost chuckled at that. It seemed that only the two of them were leading this strange conversation, with her father and his mother involved in their own talks, and their siblings finding common ground as well. It was probably that they all wanted to give them some semblance of privacy.
“I honestly would not know any such thing,” Phylis responded truthfully. “Because I would honestly prefer to remain a spinster my entire life, and I would not be bothered by it in the slightest bit. In fact, I would relish it.”
He seemed to think that she was jesting. So, he smiled amusedly, as they joined the others. Despite everyone’s efforts, the ambiance, though tasteful and sophisticated, carried a certain tension—an unspoken acknowledgment of the formality and significance of the occasion. The polite exchanges that followed were punctuated by the subtle rustle of silk and the occasional clink of delicate china, creating an atmosphere that, while impeccably arranged, bore an underlying sense of unfamiliarity.
* * *
Alexander had to admit that he wasn’t expecting Phyllis to be like this. He assumed her manner would be timid and she would simply nod to whatever he or her father had to say. Much to his surprise, Phyllis seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, one that had the tendency to think for itself. That was what, at least, her responses to his comments assured him of.
Phyllis, with a gracious smile, complimented the exquisite decor of the room. “Your estate is truly magnificent, Your Grace. It reflects a taste of refinement and grandeur.”
He could tell that their families looked on with anticipation, although everyone pretended to have their own conversation, whilst seated in the drawing room. The air was filled with compliments and pleasantries, but underneath the veneer of social grace, a subtle tension simmered.
“Thank you, Miss St. Clair,” he replied. “I must say that the presence of two such lovely ladies as yourselves adds an unparalleled grace to these surroundings. It is as if the room comes alive in your company.”
The moment his brother heard this comment, he almost burst into a chuckle. One glance from Leonard urged him not to exaggerate, but Alexander was on a mission. His words had to be more than merely pleasant, but he knew that he had before him an opponent who would not be merely nodding her head to everything she was told. Therefore, each compliment had to be delivered with a measured elegance. As they continued to engage in light banter, a discerning eye could detect the unspoken currents running just below the surface.
Phyllis, her eyes revealing a keen intelligence Alexander had rarely come upon, ventured into more substantive topics. “I’ve heard so much about the charitable endeavors of the Woldaves family. It is truly commendable.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. He wondered if this was a silent jab at his family’s current state of financial affairs. But he decided not to dwell on it… for now, at least.
“We believe in contributing to the welfare of the community. It is a responsibility we take very seriously,” he replied, with a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes.
He could tell that their dialogue, although polished, carried the weight of unspoken truths. He could only hope that his guarded smile would not betray his calculated reserve, while Phyllis’ thoughtful responses hinted at a woman attuned to more than the superficialities of social interaction.
“Indeed,” she nodded at his last statement. “You do seem to be a man who takes things rather seriously.”
“I do,” he replied, feeling for a moment as if he were on slippery ground, but he quickly regained composure. “Especially navigating the intricacies of conversations with young ladies.”
There was a glint of mischief in her eyes when she replied. “One might think you’ve had years of practice.”
Alexander, responding in kind, offered a faint smile. “Miss St. Clair, one does acquire certain talents when one is obliged to attend numerous social gatherings. A necessary consequence of my station.”
Their banter, though tinged with teasing, retained a formality that echoed through every exchanged word. Much to his surprise, he was enjoying it more with each passing moment.
“I am certain that your station has also provided ample opportunity for cultivating a sharp wit, Your Grace. A necessary defense against the relentless matchmaking efforts, no doubt.”
Alexander almost smiled. He resisted the temptation to do so, but the corner of his lip still curled upward ever so slightly. “Indeed, Miss St. Clair. The art of deflecting matchmaking attempts is a skill every nobleman must master. One cannot have the family name paired off casually, after all. It takes a special interest in someone.”
He bit his tongue, realizing that he had just given her a compliment he was not supposed to have. At least, not so soon. She didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she smiled. And again, much to his surprise, it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
“That is indeed true,” she finally agreed.
As they both took a short respite from their conversation, Alexander noticed that Phyllis’ father was observing their conversation with evident satisfaction. His joy was palpable, as if witnessing the blossoming of a connection he had hoped for. Alexander’s own mother and brother exchanged glances filled with both wonder and amusement.
As the evening waned, the families decided to retire to their respective chambers, leaving Alexander to reflect on the events that had unfolded. In the quiet of his chamber, Alexander acknowledged a stir of curiosity. While it was true that he had aspirations other than marriage, there was something about Phyllis, an enigmatic quality that beckoned exploration. Despite the formality of their exchanges, a flicker of anticipation lingered in his thoughts, urging him to find out more about this puzzling lady.
Then again, it didn’t really matter. This was to be, after all, just a marriage of convenience. Nothing more, nothing less.
CHAPTERTHREE
