From Governess to Countess (Matches Made in Scandal #1)(39)
No! Allison glowered down at the scarf she was about to use to tie back her hair. She was not a harlot, any more than Aleksei was a—whatever the male term might be. Though of course, she thought bitterly, rather tellingly there was no male equivalent.
But it was with a sinking heart that she made her way to the garden room, where she was surprised to find the crowd of patients awaiting her was no smaller than usual. And as the consultation progressed, and not a word or a hint of anything other than gratitude was spoken, Allison’s spirits lifted considerably. As she tidied away the detritus of her work and checked the contents of her herb chest, she was singing lustily to herself in the Gaelic.
‘I think that is a happy noise, but I’m not absolutely sure.’
She whirled round to find Aleksei standing in the doorway. ‘It is a song about the cutting of the peats—that is the turf that is burned in the Highlands instead of coal. The peat is thick and dark and moist, and it wobbles as you cut it, and the cutting of it makes your shoulders burn, and the burning of it when it is dried fills your croft with an unmistakable aroma.’
He laughed. ‘A very happy song, then.’
‘Oh, aye,’ Allison said, deliberately broadening her accent, ‘for when it is done you have fuel to last the whole winter.’
‘Are you finished consulting for the day?’
When she nodded, he came into the garden room, closing the door behind him. ‘Good,’ he said, taking her into his arms and kissing her.
‘Aleksei, we must not—not here.’ But even as she protested, she was standing on tiptoe and claiming another kiss, and then another, and another, until they dragged themselves apart, breathless.
‘If someone came in...’ Allison said, then stopped short. It would make no difference if they did, if this morning was anything to go by. She locked her herb chest and slipped the key into her locket.
Aleksei was idly turning a pestle in an empty mortar. ‘Do you think that a permanent dispensary here would be worth considering? I was thinking about what you said, about the servants having nowhere else to turn. Obviously if they were seriously ill, a doctor would be summoned—at least I’d like to think so—but from all you’ve told me, the complaints you treat, they are not life-threatening, are they?’
‘Only painful and often very debilitating. Are you serious?’
‘Yes.’ He smiled at her. ‘Michael’s valet has been singing your praises, and so too has the butler. All of the staff are much happier, I’m told. And what’s more, we’ve had any number of servants from other palaces enquiring about employment here. Thanks to you.’
‘Oh.’ A lump rose in her throat. ‘That is most—most gratifying. Thank you.’
He laughed, catching her hands in his. ‘It is I who am grateful. Do you think it’s something I should pursue?’
‘Absolutely, but do not underestimate the effort required to establish a dispensary, Aleksei. You would need to find a herbalist, for a start.’
‘Wouldn’t you be able to train someone?’
‘Yes, but it would take months, if not years, and I...’
‘Won’t be here for much longer.’ He let go her hand, turning away. ‘Nor will I. I shall simply have to make the suggestion to whomever I find to replace me.’
His shoulders lifted in a shrug. She had not seen that shrug of his for some time. I won’t let it bother me, that shrug said, which meant it did.
If only she could help. Allison caught herself just in time. She picked up the mortar and pestle Aleksei had been toying with, and placed them on a shelf. ‘Was there something you wanted from me?’ she asked, keeping her voice light. ‘Apart from a kiss that is?’
‘Yes.’ He turned back to face her, keeping his own voice light too. ‘There is to be a grand picnic to celebrate peace in Europe at the Peterhof Palace in a couple of days’ time. The Emperor wants to reward all the men who fought for Mother Russia—though of course, he means only the officers. I thought that the children might enjoy it.’
‘Did you indeed? You are in danger of concerning yourself with their welfare.’
‘It will be good for them to get out a bit more, now that the mourning period is over.’
‘That is true.’
‘And I was thinking that Nikki would enjoy the spectacle, for there will be every uniform in the country on display.’
‘That is a nice thought, Aleksei.’
He drew her a wry look. ‘I am not entirely indifferent to them, you know. There will be a fair, puppet shows, that kind of thing. Plenty to entertain them all.’
‘And time for them to get to know their Uncle Aleksei a little better?’
He shrugged again, but he also smiled. ‘Do not push your luck, Miss Galbraith. I am hoping that it will also present the opportunity for me to do a little more digging, hopefully finally track Grigory down, but with the pleasure of your company to take the edge off the tedium. What do you say?’
She wanted to say that if he tried to get to know the children better he’d find them eager to reciprocate. She wanted to say that it would not take much for them to overcome their awe of him, if he could overcome his reserve. But she did not want, as he had warned her, to push her luck. He was reserved for very good reasons. So she smiled up at him, dropping a curtsy. ‘I say thank you very much, Count Derevenko. The children and their governess will all look forward to it with great anticipation.’