Alden shifted uncomfortably in his stance. He didn’t dare admit that he found Miss Sidney to be much more than tolerable. He found her to be quite delightful and he didn’t mind lingering in her presence.
A knock came at the main door, and Hastings excused himself to answer it. A few moments later, he returned to announce the coach had arrived to take Alden to the manor for breakfast.
Alden exited his bedchamber and descended the stairs. He accepted his great coat from Hastings and placed it on. Then he exited the cottage and stepped into the awaiting coach.
The coach jerked forward, covering the short distance to the manor. It gave Alden only enough time to reflect on how eager he was to see Miss Sidney. He felt bad about how they had left things between them the night before. His intention hadn’t been to upset her over the Christmas decorations but rather to help her. But he had messed that up. Badly.
Once the coach came to a stop, Alden exited and hurried up the steps of the manor. The door was promptly opened by the butler, and he came to an abrupt stop in the entry hall. The servants were busy with decorating the manor with greenery of all kinds.
Alden turned to the butler with a bemused look. “What is going on?”
The butler looked at him like he was a simpleton. “We are putting up decorations for Christmas, sir.”
“Yes, of course, but under whose permission?” Alden pressed.
Miss Sidney’s voice came from the corridor. “Mine,” she said firmly.
Alden shifted his gaze towards her. “I don’t understand. I thought it was too difficult for you to see the manor decorated for Christmas.”
“It is,” Miss Sidney responded, stopping in front of him. “However, as you pointed out, I am not the only one who lives here.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. That was rather callous of me to say…”
She put her hand up, stilling his words. “You have nothing to apologize for since you were right. I was only thinking of myself.”
“There is nothing wrong with that,” he attempted.
Miss Sidney turned her head to watch the servants place greenery on the iron railing. “It was when I was choosing to let grief rule my life,” she said. “Besides, I have to admit it is nice seeing all of this greenery inside.”
“It is,” Alden agreed, his eyes following hers. “And the smell is rather enchanting.”
“I thought I would dread looking at the decorations, but they bring up many pleasant memories, as well,” Miss Sidney said with a smile. “My mother would always decorate the manor well before Christmas Eve, despite the superstition that it was bad luck. She never believed in such things.”
“Neither do I,” Alden said, “but I do hope you intend to put up mistletoe.”
Miss Sidney did not look amused. “I do not think mistletoe is necessary to celebrate the holiday.”
“You are wrong,” Alden said. “Mistletoe makes Christmas that much more entertaining. You never know who will be caught under it.”
“Well, I assure you that I have no intention of standing under the mistletoe with you or anyone else for that matter,” Miss Sidney stated with a tilt of her chin.
Alden laughed. “You say that now?—”
She spoke over him. “I will say thatalways,” she said in a firm tone. “Now, would you care for some breakfast before we call on Mrs. MacBain?”
“I would,” Alden said, offering his arm. “May I escort you to the dining room?”
Miss Sidney accepted his arm and they strolled towards the dining room. Once they arrived, she dropped her arm, and he went to pull out a chair for her.
Once she was settled into her seat, Alden sat next to her and a footman stepped forward, placing plates of food in front of them.
He shifted towards Miss Sidney. “I am rather eager to meet Mrs. MacBain,” he said. “Does she know that I am wife hunting?”
“Yes, I mentioned that you were looking for a wife, and quickly,” Miss Sidney responded.
“Good, that will save us a considerable amount of time,” Alden said, picking up his fork and knife.
Miss Sidney gave him a curious look. “I do find it fascinating that you would be so willing to enter a marriage of convenience just to inherit a horse farm.”
