AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He swears he is not, and I do believe it, but he still hates to see them. He was scarred by the sight of them and how they just appeared unexpectedly,” Baldwin finished.
"Another time when they were in need of amusement, they chose to play hide and seek.It was a day that I shallnever forget. Every part of the manor was fair ground. It was Alexander's turn to hide, so he dashed off to find a perfect hiding spot where he would not be easily discovered. After counting, Colin looked everywhere he could but couldn't find his brother, so he became concerned," Baldwin explained.
“Oh no, did something terrible happen?” Caroline asked tensely. She was worried Alexander had gotten hurt as a child.
“No, far from it. When Colin could not find his brother after so much time spent searching, he ran back to the house, tears gushing from his eyes and went up to his parents, telling them that Alexander had gone missing. The two immediately worried that something might have happened to him, so they rushed downstairs, told everyone to leave their task, and we all went searching for Alexander.” Caroline was watching, completely drawn in by the story.
"We spent long hours screaming his name as we searched for him, and his mother was already fearful of the worstas she struggled to keep the tears from streaming down her face and her quivering voice steady. Some of the maids decided to take a short break under a tree; one of themhad just sat down when she noticed something wet on her forehead. She shrieked at the thought of a bird dropping on her, so she stood up and moved away from the tree, fearful that another would fall. She looked up, and that iswhen she noticed Alexander. He had climbed the tree to hide, but had dozed off when Colin failed to find him," Baldwin continued, clearly amused by the situation.
“Oh my, so he caused all that trouble for naught!” Caroline chuckled.
“Indeed. Master Alexander's drool had fallen on the maid's forehead," Baldwin laughed andCaroline followed. "When the women shouted that they had found him, we all ran to the scene, not knowing whether to be angry or relieved. His father quickly climbed the tree, Alexander was still asleep. When he awoke, he was forbidden toclimb treesuntil he was old enough to make his own decisions."
Caroline laughed as she imagined the faces of everyone when they found him sleeping. “Did he stay away from the trees?” she asked, although she already knew the answer to that question.
“Heavens, no. Alexander was always a smart one. He gave it a week to let everyone either forget what had happened or at least to stop being angry with him and then was back to climbing. When his parents found out, his father just sighed and told him to return whenever he was sleepy. The Baron had always been patient with his children, especially because they were such good children.”
"There was a time, though,when he was angry and not so understanding.The carnival had arrived in town, and Alexander, who had always found it fascinating but had never seen it for himself, had sneaked away at night without telling anyone and gone to see it for himself. His parents were furious that he had chosen to disrespect them, and they were even more so when they discovered that he had taken his brother with him." Caroline's pupils dilated. The young Alexander turned out to be quite a handful.
"Colin had always followed in Alexander's footsteps, so Alexander bore full responsibility for negatively influencing his brother. Both were punished, but Alexander's punishment was harsher. His father made him rise at sixevery morning for a month to clean out the horses' stalls, just to make sure he never did it again." Caroline winced. That was a severe punishment for a young noble. She wondered what hers would have done if she and her sister had been that troublesome.
"He gradually evolved into the person he is now," Baldwin concluded sadly, and Caroline felt sorry for the young Alexander.
"He hasbeen so serious about everything since he decided what kind of man he wanted to be. He always planned ahead and tried not to stray from said plans. I am sure he does not take kindly to this deviation. I believe, however, that he will recover soon enough; all you have to do is be patient." Caroline's laughter faded as the conversation returned to her relationship with Alexander.
“Perhaps I could try to be more… receptive as well,” she finally said. It was not going to be easy, but if she put in the effort, then perhaps they could get somewhere.
The door opened,startlingthem both andAlexander stepped in. He appeared surprised to see the two sitting together, but he quickly recovered. "Are you still here, Baldwin? I expected you goneby now, it is afternoon already."
Caroline was surprised and turned to check the long-case clock. He was correct; it was indeed afternoon.
“Oh dear, time is fleeting when spent having fruitful conversation! I should return now.” The old man got to his feet and Caroline did as well. She gave him a small smile.
“It was a pleasure to meet you Baldwin, and thank you,” she said.
Alexander stepped forward, leading the man out with a hand on his shoulder. “Let me take you home. You have been walking around for too long and I cannot let you walk back.”
“Young master, you can’t be serious! I am old, not crippled!” Baldwin complained, but Alexander was not having it. Caroline had to smile as she saw the way he interacted with the old man. He seemed to really care for him.
“You are not getting out of it this time. I insist on walking you home and that is final. Now, come along.” Caroline smiled as the butler bade her goodbye and promised to visit her again.
She did not see Alexander again until dinner time, this time he was already seated when she arrived. Once again, dinner was eaten in silence and Caroline headed to her room when she was done.
As she sat on her bed for hours, waiting nervously for her husband to show and realizing he had once again failed to grace her bed, Caroline was hit with the certainty that she would forever feel lonely. She feared for the bleakness of her future, worried nothing would change.
CHAPTERNINE
Afew days had passed since Baldwin's visit, andAlexander awoke more tired than he had ever been, even more sothan his wild time at Eton. He noted the source of his exhaustion. Who knewhaving a wife with whom he did not communicate would be so draining.
Alexander had always gotten up earlier than most people, but now that he was married, he found himself getting up even earlier just to avoid his wife. While it did not sit well with him, it appeared to be the simpler option for both of them. He sighed as he got out of bed, wishing, not for the first time, that the woman he was married to would be someone else and that he could stay in bed after sunrise to watch her sleep, and make love to her when she woke.
Caroline had stopped ignoring him after Baldwin’s visit and now responded curtly whenever he addressed her. It was not much, but she no longer acted like he was a wall, so it was sufficient enough. They were able to skirt around each other without problems so far. He rang the bell for Barnaby.
“Have a bath readied, Barnaby, and set out some clothes for me. I believe I will visit my family this morning,” Alexander said.
“Certainly, Sir. Will you be requiring a shave as well?” he asked. Alexander reached up to his face to run his hand across the stubble on his chin and nodded.
Barnaby bowed and left his room, moving to carry out his tasks.
