“Then you also might acknowledge that I have nothing but your best interests at heart?” Max gestured for Alex to sit again.
He did as his friend requested but his mouth set in a hard line. “It’s not me I’m concerned about.”
Max grimaced. “I’m beginning to understand. But perhaps you could tell me what has transpired to change your mind so completely. Because last I remember, you were intent upon courting Miss Charlotte.”
“I was.” Alex swiped a hand across his forehead. He didn’t want to have this conversation now. He was due in the library in just a few minutes and he didn’t wish to be late. “But then I actually met her.”
Max’s mouth dropped open for a moment before he snapped it shut. “I see.”
Alex shook his head as he scrubbed the back of his neck. “I thought that I wanted a woman who was predictable. Meek, even. One who would bring quiet and peace into my life and help my heart and head to heal after the war but...”
Max leaned forward on his elbows. “You were looking for a woman who was boring?”
That made Alex smile. Leave it to Max to speak so plainly. “Maybe.”
Max grimaced. “Abigail is never boring, I’ll give you that.”
“No. She isn’t. But it’s more than that, Max. What I realized about my interest in Charlotte was that I was looking for a woman who was safe, not one whom I actually cared about. And while I thought I needed security, what I was actually craving was…” He searched for the right word.
“Are you going to say excitement?” his impatient friend cut in. “Because if you were, is it possible that Abigail is equally detrimental, just in the completely opposite direction of Charlotte?”
Alex spread his hands before him on the desk. “It’s more than excitement. She makes me feel… lighter. Alive. Happy. Ready to live life again.”
“Abigail?” Max asked, his incredulous tone making Alex bristle again.
He straightened. “Since we began talking about your courtship with Marigold, let me remind you that I never once told you whom you should or should not have feelings for. I simply asked your future wife to dance, sparking your natural jealousy.”
Max had the decency to wince. “I understand your point. But it’s just that Abigail is so…”
Alex’s teeth clenched. “I heard Marigold’s story. She acted as most debutantes would.”
Max shook his head. “She turned on Lily when Lily needed her most. If I’m honest, I’m afraid she would do the same to you.”
Alex paused, one of his hands gripping the arm of the chair he sat in. “Max.” he let out a long breath, attempting to keep his calm. He knew his friend wanted to look after him, but he was being completely unfair. “I know that you have done things in your past that filled you with regret.”
“You know that I did.” Max’s voice was laced with pain. “There is much, especially with my father, that I wish I could do over.”
“I understand. And I honestly think you should understand that it is unfair to judge Abigail based on one event of wrongdoing that happened years ago. We grow, we change, we learn from our pasts and we hopefully become people of substance. She made an error in judgment. Yes. But will you paint her as a villain for the rest of her life?”
Max didn’t reply, but his silence and the way his head bowed, spoke volumes.
But Alex wasn’t done. “As I have spent a great deal of time speaking with Abigail, I can tell you that I know her nature far better than you.”
Max grimaced, his fingers scratching at his jaw. “You’re right.”
Alex sat back, not expecting the words from Max. “I’m right?”
“Yes. And if you really think she is a woman of substance, I’ll support you. But I do warn you, this is going to make next Christmastide rather difficult. To think of Abigail joining our circle…”
Alex grinned, his chin tucking down. Because the very idea of being with Abigail at Christmastide, of building a life together... “Oh, how tongues would wag.”
Max chuckled. “That would be rather fun.”
“It would.” Alex stood again, this time far slower and without irritation.
Max stood too. “You know your own mind then.”
“I do.” And he also had a pretty good idea of Abigail’s too. And if he wasn’t mistaken, he’d upset her with that kiss. She was right, he should have waited until it had been completely clear that he and Charlotte were done and that his interest was only in Abigail. That was his mistake and one he intended to correct post haste. “If you would excuse me, I really do have another appointment.”
Max nodded. “Go. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Alex turned and left the room, intent upon reaching the library before everyone gathered in the salon. He was running out of time as he heard the clock strike seven from somewhere in the foyer. He’d asked for this meeting and if he didn’t arrive—
But he hadn’t made it a few steps down the hall when he was accosted by more well-intentioned friends. For which he had almost no patience left.
But as Marigold and Lily fell into step on either side of him, he was forced to slow his pace. “Ladies, whatever you wish to speak with me about, can it wait? I’m already late.”
“It can’t,” Lily replied, never one to mince words.
“Lily,” Marigold soothed, her voice gentle. “We promised to be delicate.”
“Then I must delicately suggest that Major Mayfield stop and listen to us rather than rushing off to wherever he is going.”
His eyebrows lifted as he assessed the red-haired beauty. She and Abigail as friends must have been a force to be reckoned with. “Or perhaps,” he replied. “You should make an appointment for which I will do my absolute best not to be late.”
Marigold made a squeak, letting him know that he’d surprised her. He knew he wasn’t acting like his usual self, but he had no
