current appearances, we fell in love with each other during the time she cared for me. Dr. Shirley recognized our feelings, and encouraged me to act on them. I did, but Audra held firm onto her promise to the doctor; however, I used her feelings for me to force her hand.”
Garrick swirled the dark liquid in his glass. “She feels guilty.”
“I am afraid so.”
“Be tenacious Alfie, do not make the mistakes I made. Some thing’s you can never regain once you’ve lost them.”
I intend to.
Chapter 13
Eva took a seat next to Audra. “How long will you, and Alfie stay here at Lexington?”
“My understanding of his plans are he intends to stay until the transition of the lease is complete, then we will return to Lockwood Farm.”
Nora leaned forward from her chair and laid a hand on Audra’s. “I am so glad you found a way to each other.” Nora looked at Eva. “We both realize it must not have occurred smoothly, but we are glad to have you as a part of our family, and we are here for you if you need us.”
Audra had to respond with a nod of her head to keep from bursting into tears.
Talk turned to Nora’s wedding, Benjamin’s latest hijinks, and the like. After which, she, Alfie, and Nora returned to the cottage.
Audra hurried to bed in hopes she would be fast asleep before Alfie joined her, but it wasn’t to be. Her head had just settled down into her soft pillow when he entered. Surely he would not expect to consummate their union here—now. Her guilt and anger was still too close to the surface. She still felt confused about her feelings. She had fallen in love with Alfie, but she couldn’t work through the guilt she felt at betraying her lifelong companion. She knew he suffered, and blamed herself as well as Alfie for it.
As before they left Lockwood, she felt his weight press down on the bed, and soon after the touch of his bare skin against her arm. Despite her animosity, her pulse sped at his nearness. The unique scent of his skin wafted over to her; her desire for him resurfaced. She felt a tear escape. She wanted to reach out to him. Deep inside, she knew Robert had encouraged him, and would want nothing more than her to be happy, but the guilt held her captive.
*
Garrick provided a barouche for their early morning travel to the church. The ladies sat together with Garrick, and Alfie across from them. Side by side Audra could examine the half-brothers. Alfie was slightly shorter than Garrick, and three years his junior. Garrick dark in color, and mood where Alfie was light and charming. He was always ready with a mischievous smile. The commonality being those astounding greyish-green eyes. The ceremony was much like her own. The return trip forced her to sit with Alfie as Nora rode back to Lexington Hall with her new husband.
As they entered the entrance hall, young Benjamin awaited them. Audra had yet to meet the little fellow she had heard about. He ran as fast as his chubby little legs could carry him, straight to Alfie. It was apparent who his favorite person was at the moment.
“Benjamin. I would like you to meet your Aunt Audra.” Alfie was aglow with love for the boy.
“Hello little one,” she said as she took his wet fingers in hers as greeting. He smiled then turned his face into Alfie’s shoulder. She was in awe as Alfie laid one of his hands against the boys curly dark hair, and cradled him. He was a good man, but her niggling brain said so was Robert.
The wedding breakfast prepared was far more than they could consume. Eva had arranged for a little of everything: ham and eggs, hot rolls, cake...
Eva and Audra took turns on the piano as an accompaniment for some playful dancing. Alfie danced with Nora while Audra played. Once Eva took over the piano, Audra danced with Alfie for the first time. She could feel the muscles of his shoulder move beneath her fingers, which aroused memories of his unclothed physique slumbering in her bed. The warmth from his hand at her back
Garrick swirled the dark liquid in his glass. “She feels guilty.”
“I am afraid so.”
“Be tenacious Alfie, do not make the mistakes I made. Some thing’s you can never regain once you’ve lost them.”
I intend to.
Chapter 13
Eva took a seat next to Audra. “How long will you, and Alfie stay here at Lexington?”
“My understanding of his plans are he intends to stay until the transition of the lease is complete, then we will return to Lockwood Farm.”
Nora leaned forward from her chair and laid a hand on Audra’s. “I am so glad you found a way to each other.” Nora looked at Eva. “We both realize it must not have occurred smoothly, but we are glad to have you as a part of our family, and we are here for you if you need us.”
Audra had to respond with a nod of her head to keep from bursting into tears.
Talk turned to Nora’s wedding, Benjamin’s latest hijinks, and the like. After which, she, Alfie, and Nora returned to the cottage.
Audra hurried to bed in hopes she would be fast asleep before Alfie joined her, but it wasn’t to be. Her head had just settled down into her soft pillow when he entered. Surely he would not expect to consummate their union here—now. Her guilt and anger was still too close to the surface. She still felt confused about her feelings. She had fallen in love with Alfie, but she couldn’t work through the guilt she felt at betraying her lifelong companion. She knew he suffered, and blamed herself as well as Alfie for it.
As before they left Lockwood, she felt his weight press down on the bed, and soon after the touch of his bare skin against her arm. Despite her animosity, her pulse sped at his nearness. The unique scent of his skin wafted over to her; her desire for him resurfaced. She felt a tear escape. She wanted to reach out to him. Deep inside, she knew Robert had encouraged him, and would want nothing more than her to be happy, but the guilt held her captive.
*
Garrick provided a barouche for their early morning travel to the church. The ladies sat together with Garrick, and Alfie across from them. Side by side Audra could examine the half-brothers. Alfie was slightly shorter than Garrick, and three years his junior. Garrick dark in color, and mood where Alfie was light and charming. He was always ready with a mischievous smile. The commonality being those astounding greyish-green eyes. The ceremony was much like her own. The return trip forced her to sit with Alfie as Nora rode back to Lexington Hall with her new husband.
As they entered the entrance hall, young Benjamin awaited them. Audra had yet to meet the little fellow she had heard about. He ran as fast as his chubby little legs could carry him, straight to Alfie. It was apparent who his favorite person was at the moment.
“Benjamin. I would like you to meet your Aunt Audra.” Alfie was aglow with love for the boy.
“Hello little one,” she said as she took his wet fingers in hers as greeting. He smiled then turned his face into Alfie’s shoulder. She was in awe as Alfie laid one of his hands against the boys curly dark hair, and cradled him. He was a good man, but her niggling brain said so was Robert.
The wedding breakfast prepared was far more than they could consume. Eva had arranged for a little of everything: ham and eggs, hot rolls, cake...
Eva and Audra took turns on the piano as an accompaniment for some playful dancing. Alfie danced with Nora while Audra played. Once Eva took over the piano, Audra danced with Alfie for the first time. She could feel the muscles of his shoulder move beneath her fingers, which aroused memories of his unclothed physique slumbering in her bed. The warmth from his hand at her back
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