Chapter Ten
The day, thoughon the cooler side, was still beautiful. The leaves on the trees were just starting to change color, bringing a whole new vibrance to the town.
Clarissa and Gwen walked arm in arm down the sidewalk. They’d told their coachman to wait with the carriage and would call him if needed. They didn’t need him following and watching their every move while they were away.
“Where would ye like to stop first?” Gwen asked.
Clarissa really didn’t have a preference. There were so many places that caught her attention. A gem shop across the street would be fun to browse around in, not that she would purchase anything there. There was also a chocolatier that she would love to visit after they had tea. A bookshop. And of course, the modiste was a must visit since Gwen had mentioned that earlier.
“I dinna have a preference. I will leave it up to ye. But I am also perfectly happy strolling the streets and enjoying the fresh air.”
Luckily, she didn’t know anyone here, so she was free to walk without being stopped to chit chat or greet anyone other than the smile she gave to those she passed. She still couldn’t clear what happened earlier with Alexander out of her mind. Were her feelings normal? She didn’t ken. Romance was never a topic she spoke to her mother about.
Thoughts of her mother had her smiling. The lengths that woman went through to make sure Nicholas found a wife showed no limits. Thankfully, Nicholas had found Gwen because no matter how well intentioned their mother was, her choice of a match for Nicholas was horrible. He would have been miserable.
“How did ye feel when Nicholas first kissed ye?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, and her cheeks flamed in embarrassment.
Gwen stifled a giggle behind her hand. “I remember it well. We were in the greenhouse.” Her eyes took on a faraway look as she got lost in the memory.
A tall man passed them and dipped his hat in greeting as he walked past. Clarissa smiled back and waited for Gwen to expand on her answer.
When Clarissa had assumed she wouldn’t say anything further, Gwen finally continued.
“No’ only was it my first kiss with Nicholas, ’twas my first kiss ever. It was sweet. Gentle. Passionate. ’Tis hard to explain, I think. It sent this whirlwind of emotions through me and I dinna ken how to respond.” Gwen turned to her. “Why do ye ask?”
Clarissa drew in a deep breath. “Since there is no hiding anything from ye, ye ken,” she dropped her voice, “that we kissed.”
“Och, aye. Dear Clarissa, it was obvious the second I walked into your room,” Gwen said with a laugh.
“’Tis embarrassing to say. And wicked. Ye ken what would have happened if we were caught? But ’twas devilishly divine. My whole body tingled,” she confessed.
“Ah, that’s how ye ken it was a wonderful kiss,” Gwen waggled her eyebrows in the most unladylike way.
They broke out into giggles and continued their stroll along the street.
“Oh, lemonade!” Clarissa noticed the vendor selling glasses nearby. “Let’s sit and have a drink.” She reached into her reticule for coin to pay and then, drinks in hand, they settled at one of the tables set up for patrons. It was the perfect spot to rest and talk. People bustling by or stopping for their own drinks, provided entertainment.
When she was younger, she loved going into town with her parents. She remembered how they would treat all of the siblings to the fizzy concoction. She cherished those memories. Before their father had gotten sick and passed. She missed him dearly, as did her brothers and sisters.
When he died, Nicholas was forced to take on the responsibility of the estate and the family. Something that fell on his shoulders at too young of an age. But he’d handled it well and took his duties seriously. Even when he was away, he’d ensured they had the support they needed. Financially, they were set while he served his country. Their mother was home to take care of the everyday tasks of the family. Unfortunately, she was much too focused on finding Nicholas a wife instead of her family duties.
As the eldest sibling after Nicholas, Clarissa stepped in to provide support to the younger siblings. They had always been a close family, but that just cemented their relationships.
“Mmm,” Gwen mumbled, sipping from her glass, rolling her eyes. “I havena had a lemonade in years. Before my parents…” She let the words trail off.
Clarissa remained silent. She kenned it was a tender subject for Gwen, who had lost her parents in the most brutal of ways. She, like Nicholas, also had to care for her siblings, three brothers. But unlike Nicholas, she didn’t have the means for such an undertaking. Clarissa was amazed at her tenacity. She’d fought and done everything she could and everything worked out in the end.
Clarissa was just happy that they had both found happiness in each other. They each had experienced their own personal hell. She could not think of two people that deserved it more.
“How about we visit the modiste after this?” Gwen suggested, changing the subject.
Neither of them really were in need of new gowns, but it would be nice to see what the local modiste created compared to the one back home.
Clarissa nodded. “Sounds like a splendid idea.” They sat in silence for a few minutes. The soft breeze blew the loose tendrils of hair that had fallen from her barrette and fluttered them across her cheeks. She pushed at them and tucked them behind her ears.
Watching the people walk by—couples, friends, families—everyone rushing off to wherever they were going. Clarissa enjoyed watching them. The children most of all. More than one pointed to the lemonade vendor and plastered huge smiles on their chubby faces when they got their wish.
One day, she would love to have the same type of interaction with a family of her own. She had had lots of experience with bringing up her siblings, the youngest of which were a set of overactive twins. She had loved every minute of it, even if she was enjoying a little time away from them.
