A Headstrong Woman(115)

“To answer your question, no, the person I was interested in is otherwise engaged in his affections,” she answered truthfully. A general hush fell over the table as everyone looked everywhere but at each other.

“I see, how fortunate for me,” Ted was wondering why everyone was avoiding the topic of Anna’s love interest. Anna turned red and conversation moved on. After their food arrived, conversation was more erratic and a short time later, desert having been finished, they moved outside.

“Thanks, Dad,” Alexandria hugged her father. “We enjoyed having dinner with you.”

“You’re welcome, we enjoyed it too.”

“It looks like it might rain, we should probably all get going,” Jonathon suggested with an eye on the sky.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Clay agreed. They made their farewells and were soon on their way home.

***





Alexandria found herself at a loss as to what to do with herself the next day after she finished her chores that morning and decided to take a bath while her husband was busy on the range. She had just dressed in a comfortable day dress and pulled her hair from her face with two hair combs when she heard a knock at the front door. Millie had gone to town and Alexandria and Lilly were alone in the house. Lilly was napping.

Alexandria reached for her loose her hair and cringed. It would be highly improper to answer the door with her hair down as it was. She had no option she realized and hurried to answer it. She was wishing she hadn’t when she found Lane on her doorstep. She hadn’t expected to see him here again.

“Hello, Lane,” she didn’t invite him in.

“Alexandria, I’ve come to apologize for my behavior the last time I was here. Can you ever forgive me?” his face was truly repentant.

Alexandria was wary, “I’ve already forgiven you, Lane.”

“May I come in? I’d like to talk with you. Calmly this time,” he said hopefully.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Alexandria hesitated.

“Please, Alexandria? I just want to apologize,” Lane pleaded. Alexandria rather reluctantly opened the door for him to enter. “I apologize for my hair, I had just washed it and there was no time to pull it up,” she said as she led the way into the parlor and perched nervously on the settee. She had expected Lane to claim the seat across from her. She stiffened when he sat down beside her.

“Your hair is beautiful. I had forgotten how it pulls into soft curls when it’s down. I haven’t seen it down since we were kids,” he watched her pull further away. He wanted to be angry with her but reminded himself that her fear was a result of his handling of her on his last visit. He hadn’t meant to lose his temper and scare her.

Alexandria didn’t like the intimate nature of this conversation. “You said you wanted to talk,” she prompted coolly.

“Alexandria, I really botched things the last time I was here. I know that your dead line is fast approaching and I want…I want to marry you, Alexandria.”

“Lane, I’m already married,” she informed him.

“Alexandria, I know that you’re still mourning Elijah. I understand, however, he’s gone, my dear. You’re still here and have your whole life ahead of you.”

“Lane, I know that Elijah is dead…”

“Your hair, it really is beautiful,” his eyes darkened.

Alexandria swallowed hard. This wasn’t going well, she had learned in her short marriage to Jonathon what that look meant.

Lane tried to pull his eyes from Alexandria’s long tresses, but failed. She was beautiful. Did she have any idea how distracting she was? She haunted his thoughts during the day and his dreams at night. She had become an obsession.

“Come here, Alexandria,” he ordered.

Alexandria jumped.

“I just want to kiss you, like I should have last time,” he told her. Alexandria’s eyes widened and she flew to her feet.

“Lane, I think we should continue this discussion at a later time. I really shouldn’t have permitted you into the house without Millie here,” she said as she moved away from him.

Lane had come to his feet and was pursuing her.

“Come here, Alexandria,” his voice was low and caressing.

“Lane, I’m a married woman,” she argued as she skirted around him, he grabbed her arm.

“We’ve been over this, Elijah is dead,” he attempted to pull her close.