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The dogs were elated to be out walking with Alec, dashing ahead and then returning. Lady didn’t dash much, but she kept close to Alec’s side, looking up at him with adoring eyes.
At the cottage, Alec waited outside while Ella went in, turning on a few lights since it was already dark, leaving the gifts on the dining table and going up to her room for warmer things. Coming back down the stairs, she glanced around the dimly lit living area and the dark kitchen. The hearth had been cold all day. She missed the fire Baird had kept going, the warmth and light, the comforting crackling sound. She missed seeing Baird’s coat on the hook by the door.
She missed Baird in a chair by the fire, his long legs stretched in front of him as he poured over documents from work.
She missed him, and it was that simple and that complicated. Was it her fault he’d gone? Had she been too harsh?
Her chest felt painfully tender as she snapped her coat up and tugged on her mittens. She missed Baird and this missing was different than the missing last August. This missing wasn’t about heat or passion. It wasn’t from a hot kiss but the abrupt loss of his company. They’d grown closer during the last five days and their day spent Christmas shopping and visiting the castle in Chesterfield had been special. Dinner had almost felt like a date. She had real feelings for him. So problematic, she admitted, stepping outside and closing the cottage door behind her.
She didn’t even realize she’d sighed until Alec asked her if she was okay.
Ella looked up at him and managed a faint smile. “Yes. Why?”
“You’ve been on the quiet side all day,” he said as they started walking in the direction of the village.
“Maybe today just seems anticlimactic after dinner last night.” She glanced at him. “If I was shocked by the appearance of Mr. Phelps, I can’t imagine how you felt.”
Alec didn’t immediately respond. They walked through a cluster of ancient trees, branches bare, and yet beautifully sculptural in the moonlight.
“So, you know who he is, and what’s happened,” Alec said eventually.
“Baird told me, and then when your relatives arrived, there was more discussion. Cara didn’t know what had happened, not until you came home, though. Baird made sure of that.”
“He’s a good friend,” Alec said simply.
They walked in silence, passing cottages glowing with light, all with cars parked out front. Some even had some Christmas decorations. But every one of the cottages on this side of the manor had been booked for the holidays.
“Do you want to ask me anything about the prenuptial agreement?” Alec said, as they neared the edge of his property. If they crossed the street, they’d be just a few minutes’ walk from downtown Bakewell.
Ella flushed, uncomfortable and embarrassed. “Not really.”
“I don’t mind if you do. It’s probably a shock for you. I’ve been raised knowing that any marriage of mine must have an agreement. For the last seventy-five years, every Sherbourne marriage has required the agreement, protecting the house and land, as well as other legacy properties. If the marriage fails, both parties will receive assets—the nonfamily member receives a sizable cash settlement, and the Sherbourne with the estates.” He looked at Ella. “My children will have the same agreements when they marry. But I can assure you, Ella, that I love your sister with all my heart, and I can’t imagine my future without her. You do not have to worry for her.”
Ella’s eyes had filled with tears as he spoke, his voice so low and earnest, and it moved her, making her feel so many things at so many different levels. Cara was lucky to have him. Ella wished she hadn’t been quite so harsh with Baird. She wished she and Baird were better at communicating.
She reached up, brushing away tears with the tips of her gloves. “Baird said one other thing.” Her voice cracked. “He said marriage had made you soft.” She wiped away another tear. “I was so mad at him for saying that. You aren’t weak. You are strong, you are kind, and you are the best husband in the world.”
Alec suddenly brought Ella in for a swift hug. “You shouldn’t let my beastly friend get under your skin. He’s tough, but he’s very loyal, not just to me, but to Cara, too.” He released Ella but kept a hand on her arm. “I can’t imagine any friend more protective.”
“He hates marriage.”
Alec smiled, amused. “That’s because he’s never been in love.” Alec whistled for Milo and Albert who’d nearly run beyond the estate gates. They immediately returned, racing at full speed.
“What about Fiona?” Ella said.
“He loved Fiona, but he wasn’t in love with her. They were a very compatible couple, but there was no passion, no excitement, no friction, no emotional or intellectual challenge. It was easy between them, and they were happy until Fiona asked for more and Baird refused.”
“Fiona must have been heartbroken.”
“I think she was fine with it. The relationship had run its course and served its purpose.”
“And what purpose was that?”
“Companionship without risk. It was easy. There was no need to grow or change.” His lips curved, crookedly. “Love—real love—requires growth and change. It also means you fight for that person. You fight for the relationship. You don’t just open the door and wave goodbye.”
“Baird will never fight for love. It’s notlogical.”
Alec laughed. “The first thing to know about Baird is that he isn’t always logical. He just likes to think he is.”
