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“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t remember him. I was too young.”
“Must have been devastating for your parents, though.”
“I’m sure it was, but they never discussed him, or their feelings, with me.” He set his spoon down. “How did we get on this topic?”
“I don’t know. It’s probably my fault. I’m terribly curious. I always ask so many questions. Apparently, I used to horrify my mom by asking strangers all sorts of improper things. She once said I’d never met a stranger I didn’t like.”
“Whereas I’ve rarely met a stranger I liked,” he said lifting his wineglass.
Cara laughed. “Does that include me?”
“Your mother was right, you know. Your questions are incredibly impertinent.” Yet he was smiling faintly, as if he wanted to be severe but couldn’t.
She smiled at him and concentrated on her soup. It was very good soup, and then the soup bowls were removed, replaced with wine-braised oxtail, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Cara wasn’t sure what oxtail was, but it practically melted in her mouth and the flavor was amazing. “This is delicious,” she said.
“Mrs. Johnson’s a very good cook,” he said. “She’s only been here about fifteen years—”
“Only?” Cara laughed. “That’s a long employment in America.”
“Mrs. Booth and Mr. Trimble were both born on the estate. Their families have worked here for generations.”
Cara finished her bite. “Mrs. Booth mentioned that her kids live in London. They won’t ever work here, will they?”
“I was surprised Mrs. Booth hasn’t joined them in London yet. She was set to retire and then changed her mind. She’s certainly earned her retirement. She will be missed though. For me, she’s as much a part of Langley Park as the house and gardens.”
“Why do you think she hasn’t retired?”
“I suspect the staff is waiting for me to find a wife, start a family, produce the heir for the next generation.”
“So, you’re not married.”
“I am single,” he said simply, before adding, “and you are incredibly curious. I can’t even imagine you as a child. Were you this outspoken then?”
“Worse.” Cara smiled ruefully. “I think it’s my virtue, but others see it as a negative. But why not be curious about the world? I love learning new things, meeting new people, having conversations I wouldn’t have at home.”
He shook his head. “Now that’s where we are different. Conversations with strangers? No, thank you. Meeting new people, why? Learning new things? If it’s useful, exciting, or pertaining to what I do, and how I could do it better, fine. Otherwise, learning things just to learn them? I see it as a waste of time.”
“If I knew you better, I might call you a stuffy stick in the mud.”
For a moment, Alec looked shocked, and then he laughed once. “Thank goodness we’re not friends then.”
“Do you see your friends often?”
He hesitated, expression shuttering. “Not as much as I used to. It was easier when we were all young and just starting careers. But friendships grow more challenging as we age, one’s responsibilities increase. But my friends remain my friends, whether or not we get together like we used to.”
“Since you’re single, and you don’t see your friends as often as you wish, how do you fill your time?”
“With work. Sadly, there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, either.”
“What do you do?”
“I run a business, analyze risks, surround myself with the best people, and hopefully, always make informed decisions.”
“That sounds very serious,” she said.
“I manage immense amounts of money. It is serious.”
