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Laurence eagerly sat in an open chair near hers without asking her leave—though in his house, Alicia was uncertain whether this would even be required—and leaned forward, his leg jiggling with excitement. “Some of our lot who have been off to university or have had salesmen pitching them some crooked product or another have got it in their heads that everything needs to be changed around for people to continue to live in our little part of the country. But, if you’ll excuse me for saying so, if you ask me that’s nothing but hogwash!”
“Really?” Alicia asked gamely.
Laurence gestured broadly, spreading his arms wide across the room. “You of anyone should be able to see it. When you came down the road yesterday, you saw the same thing every man here should be able to see with his own eyes—the land taking care of itself! The bees, the flowers, the animals, and trees, all of it comes together in harmony, just as it always has. And does that require some new, expensive equipment or scientific technique from the city?”
Alicia caught herself staring at the man’s massive hands and bulging muscles and murmured a wordless sign of agreement. From there Laurence continued to speak on, singing the praises of the land on which they stood. He departed from any subject she was able to follow almost immediately, but as best she could tell he was incredibly well versed in not only the best way to coax edible produce from his patch of land, but also its history, utility, and purpose for God and man.
Continuing to nod along with his words, Alicia found herself as mesmerized by his bearing and enthusiasm as she was lost by the content of what he was talking about.I have never seen a man so bursting with love for anything!she marvelled. His face contorted with passionate smiles and scowls, gestures that bespoke powerful emotions.
The effect was spellbinding, seeing those pale blue eyes flashing with such sheer, unadulterated life as he painted a picture with his words. Quite different from most of the men she found herself listening to, who tended to be as bland in their passions as they were uninterested in anything she had to say.
Eventually, he sat back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other and blinking as though waking from a daydream, and Alicia realized he was finished with his oration. He gave a warm, masculine chuckle. “But here I am carrying on like a magpie and not letting you get a word in. I hope you forgive my rudeness in dominating the conversation so.”
Alicia started, her breath catching in her throat. “N–no, not at all! I asked because I was curious to hear your thoughts.”
Laurence leaned his head forward conspiratorially. “Something you learn quickly out here in the country is that if given half a chance, a farmer will waste every minute of his day sharing his opinions about his farm with anyone fool enough to ask.” Alicia chuckled, once again admiring the way the man’s laughter at his own humour rang from the rafters and settled over the whole room like an embrace.
“But really,” Laurence said, rubbing his chin. “I already know more than enough about myself. I’d be much more interested in hearing about you, Miss Ramsbury.”
“About…me?” she asked, feeling another chill work its way down her spine.
“If it’s not being too forward, of course,” he added carefully. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m not terribly well informed on the manners required of a man speaking with a high society lady.”
“You are conducting yourself just…well, just fine, sir,” said Alicia, somewhat stiffly yet as honestly as she dared.
“That is good to hear. So…tell me about yourself. What is it that occupies your days, as I assume you are not usually so curious about the proper use of farmland?”
“Well,” Alicia began, her posture becoming rigid and uncomfortable. “Let’s see…where to begin…?”
A thousand things swirled through Alicia’s mind, yet she dared give voice to none of them. Her continuing sorrow over the loss of her parents, her lifelong struggle against her sister’s meddling, her worries for the future and how long their inheritance would support them, her frustrated participation in the comings and goings of London society…all of it seemed inappropriate to bring up to Laurence. Either he would not have any idea what she was talking about, or she would resemble exactly the kind of vapid socialite she could not stand.
Something about Mister Gillingham seems to inspire trust,she said to herself, licking her lips nervously.Yet I must remember that he is a stranger. I am miles from anywhere I know, anyone who really matters to me. And as kind as these people seem to be…I must take care, lest I put myself in a compromised position.
“I’m afraid…there’s not much to tell,” she said coldly. She was not sure if she saw a flicker of disappointment pass across Laurence’s face, or if she really wished to see this for some reason.
“Oh,” he said quietly. “Well, then what do you think are—”
“If you will excuse me, Mister Gillingham,” said Alicia brusquely, rising from her chair. “I think I shall retire to my room for a rest. The…heat has me feeling rather weary.”
“Of course. Please, make yourself at—” answered Laurence with a note of concern in his voice, but before he could finish this sentiment Alicia had already fled from the room, dropping the book carelessly on the writing desk as she left.
***
“You bloody fool, Alicia Ramsbury,” she whispered as she lay atop her freshly made bed in all her clothes. “If there was a right thing to say, that certainly wasn’t it.”
If the chipped wooden ceiling above her head had anything to say to the contrary, it held its tongue.
