Alexander was dependable. He had never been in love, nor would he allow emotion to overtake him. A duke was logical, unemotional, and above all things: proper.
There wererules.
Alexander followed them.
Strict adherence to expectations and station was the only way to ensure one’s life unfolded with clockwork precision.
“Any further instructions, Your Grace?” asked a footman.
“Be ready,” Alexander replied.
The kitchen had been instructed to avoid strawberries, due to one of the guests’ adverse reactions to the fruit. The maids had replaced another guest’s feather pillows with soft wool stuffing, once Alexander learned downy feathers made her sneeze. He kept detailed notes so that returning guests’ experiences would be even better than the previous year.
He didn’t want his party to begood.
He needed it to beflawless.
This was the day before Christmas Eve. His friends were entrusting Alexander with their Yuletide. He wanted them all to have the best holiday possible.
“Here they come, Your Grace,” said the butler.
Alexander’s sister Belle joined him in greeting the guests.
He positioned himself a respectable distance from the open door and greeted each guest as they entered the cottage, before handing them off to a footman or maid to show them to their guest chambers.
Alexander had assigned rooms with the same care he devoted to every aspect of his life. Windows with morning light for the early risers. Snorers grouped as far as possible from light sleepers. Extra blankets and fully stocked fireplaces for everyone.
Locals began to fill the parlor as well, partaking of the strawberry-less refreshments and chatting with old friends they hadn’t seen since Alexander’s previous Christmastide party.
At a break in the tide, he turned to his sister. “As soon as Mother arrives, you can relax.”
“CanI?” she said doubtfully, but her eyes twinkled with merriment.
Excellent point.
“As soon as Mother arrives, you can hide,” he corrected. “I’ve given you and Calvin adjoining rooms on the opposite side of the house as hers. This is your Yuletide, too. I want you to enjoy it.”
She gave him an arch look. “Willyouenjoy it?”
“It’s not my duty to make merry,” he reminded her firmly. “It’s my duty to ensure everyone else does.”
She didn’t look convinced. “When was the last time you enjoyed anything, even when other people’s happiness wasn’t riding on the outcome?”
“It’s not my purpose to—”
“You’re aduke, not a gear in a pocket watch. You can change the pace once in a while. Not everything has to be controlled down to the second.”
It was Alexander’s turn to look appalled.
Belle burst out laughing. “I suppose that snowstorm had you in a tizzy.”
“Dukes don’t tizzy,” he informed her.
“Mm-hm. You probably stalked out-of-doors and commanded the snow to stop falling in that imperious all-things-must-go-according-to-plan way you have.”
He lifted a shoulder. “It stopped snowing, did it not?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t pull your hair out in panic.” She tilted her head. “Never mind. You would never allow a hair on your head to be out of place, no matter the wind’s wishes. You’d command the clouds if you could.”
