“Lovely. ’Tis the perfect time of day for such a venture. Ye will enjoy it.” He turned to continue down the hall, but Nicholas called him back.
“Alexander, it appears that this shall be a double promenade.”
Alexander’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Pardon?”
“Dinna play daft. Clarissa will be joining us on our promenade. Ye should as well and escort her.”
He cleared his throat. “Me? Ye want me to…” He let the words fall away as his eyes bounced from Nicholas to her.
Clarissa thought her cheeks flamed before but now they were surely on fire. This was so embarrassing. Gwen was so direct in stating what she wanted. And surprisingly so, Nicholas did not put up a fight. Was he actually supporting Gwen’s suggestion?
“Come along, ladies. Let us enjoy the day.” Nicholas held out his arm for Gwen to slip hers into the crook of his elbow.
Alexander stood frozen in his spot, and Clarissa remained seated, her eyes darting back and forth between them and wondering if she was dreaming.
“We havena got all day, Clarissa,” Nicholas said impatiently. “Alexander, do be a gentleman and see to my sister.”
That seemed to snap Alexander out of whatever it was that had him rooted to the floor, and after one last look at Nicholas, he grinned at Clarissa and offered her his elbow.
She returned a shy smile as she accepted his proffered arm.
“I dinna ken what is happening with your brother,” he leaned close and whispered. “But I willna let the moment pass.”
“I understand if ye dinna have time.”
A look of frustration marred his features, but he quickly masked it and gave her a pleasant smile. “Those matters arena going anywhere. I can deal with them later. As Nicholas said, we’ve an afternoon to enjoy.”
His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and Clarissa knew the worry he was feeling. It was truly unfair of her to occupy his time when he could be putting it to better use.
Alexander read her worry as hesitation and he pulled back. “If ye would rather no’ promenade, I understand.”
“Nay,” she called, a little too quickly. “’Tis no’ that. I ken ye have more important things on your mind. I dinna want to take ye away from that.”
His shoulders relaxed and he gave her a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes this time. “Trust me, I will enjoy this much more than the tasks I need to do later.”
