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“I think I am beginning to fall in love with my wife, Colin,” Alexander said suddenly as he and Colin made their way out of the studio. He had just returned from a horse race with his brother and decided to bring up his newfound feelings for Caroline which he had been pondering all through the ride.
Colin’s eyes were almost bugging out of his head at the suddenness of the confession. It had come out of nowhere. “My, my, last I remember I was begging you to be civil. If falling in love is how you are civil, I think we might have a problem,” Colin teased as he recovered from his shock.
Alexander rolled his eyes. He did that a lot when he was in his brother’s presence. “Do not jest, Colin, I am being very serious,” he said, smacking his brother lightly.
“Well, in that case, brother, I do not see what the problem is. I happen to like my sister-in-law so I, for one, am glad that you have fixed your problems and are in a better place.” Colin stopped walking and turned to look at his brother. “Now what I do not understand, and want you to explain to me, is why you do not seem to be as happy as one would expect a man in love to be.”
Alexander sighed. “Isabella. She is the reason for it, and before you interrupt me and go on one of your long sermons, it is not in the way you believe it to be. Though one would wonder why I should suffer through your sermons considering your lifestyle.”
“Ah, but I am not the married and responsible one, am I? Now if it is not because you miss her, what is the reason Isabella has caused you to be unhappy?”
“I feel guilty with how everything unfolded. I took liberties with her was because I intended on making her my wife. But now that I'm married to another, I cannothelp but wish I hadkept our relationship clean and open for all to see. Maybe then I would notfeel guilty about forcing her to marry a man who is far too old for her,” Alexander said.
“I am sorry you feel that way, but you did not plan for any of this, so you need not feel guilty. It was not your fault, Alex,” Colin said. Alexander started to walk again.
Colin kept pace with him. “Honestly brother, you will never be able to move forward with your wife if you continue to doubt every step you take with her because of this guilt you feel toward your previous lover. I would like you to remember that your responsibility to your wife is much greater than this sense of guilt. Your lover is already married. The path of your lives can never cross again. It will do you well to forget her as soon as you can; before you ruin your marriage.”
Alexander looked at his brother in surprise. “Who are you? What is this sudden wisdom and where is it coming from?” He reached out to grab his shoulder and shake him.
Colin rolled his eyes and shrugged his hand off. “I am serious, for goodness’ sake. Keep making jokes and do not listen to me if you want.”
Alexander chuckled and threw his arm around his brother’s shoulders. “Not at all. I jested, but I shall heed your advice,” he said.
This time, Colin let him hang on to him as they both headed for his chambers. His face turned a little red, and the wise man he had been a moment ago was replaced with a young, nervous one. “Well, there is a matter I wish to talk to you about, if you are willing to return the advice,” he muttered.
“Oh? I am all ears,” Alexander said, excited at what could make his brother so mellow.
“It is about Ann. I do not know how to say this other than… I like her.” He took a deep breath, a smile playing on his lips. “I have never met a woman like her before.”
Alexander watched as his brother spoke animatedly. He was happy, andsince he had never seen his brother so excited, but he was also a bit worried.
“I certainly hope this is not one of your many intrigues, brother. It would not do to make an enemy for yourself within a family that is tied to yours. I do not think that will end well,” he warned.
“I assure you it is not so. She is a stunning woman, but it is her mind that appeals to me even more. She is so spirited, with a mind of her own and is not afraid to show it.”
Alexander knew from experience, as he listened to his brother’s description of his sister-in-law, that Colin was very likely experiencing his first love. A bit late, but it was well welcomed. Now that things had changed and he was sure his wife had nothing to do with her mother’s plans, Alexander was more than happy to give his blessings.
“Well Colin, it appears you have already made your decision and I happen to like Lady Ann, so you have my blessing,” Alexander said, his smile widening at his brother’s joyful expression.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Alexander left Colin sometime after he gave his blessings to his brother and returned home. His mouth turned up with the beginning of a smile at the thought of his wife. For the past few days, whenever he came home, the first thing he did was find his wife. Now even more so, after the talk he just had with his brother. He wanted to pull Caroline into his arms as soon as possible.
Alexander walked to the garden with a long stride and stood at the entrance as he watched his wife, a book in one hand, and a cup of tea in the other. He was glad she used the garden often since he had revived it. He was glad he noticed her interest in it and put in the effort to fix it for her. Occasionally, he watched her from a window in his study, admiring the flowers before settling in the exact spot she currently was, with whatever book she favored.
Alexander cleared his throat somewhat loudly and watched as she looked up from the book in surprise. It was another thing he noticed about her, his wife tended to get lost in whatever she was doing and, as such, always startled easily. He did not know why, but he found it very endearing.
He watched the blush rise up her face to the tips of her ears and struggled with the intense arousal that sneaked up on him at the sight. Alexander cleared his throat once again and looked around at the flowers to distract himself from the thoughts that filled his head.
“I see you are having a lovely afternoon, dear. Mind if I join you?” Alexander picked out a single lily as he made his way over to her without waiting for her invitation.
“You grow lovelier every time I see you.” He said, tucking the flower behind her ear and watching as her blush deepen. “I hope you were not too bored without my company,” he teased, eyes glinting playfully as he sat beside her.
“No, I was not. My sister paid me a visit,” Caroline smiled at him. “How was your outing with your brother? I hope he is alright?”
“He is more than alright. He seems to be taken by your sister, it was all he was interested in talking about,” Alexander said.
