Page 8 of A Wallflower's Christmas Wreath
"I have made you laugh. It has been too many years since I heard that sound. One I never thought to hear again," he said. "It is nice."
His words caught her off guard and her stomach twisted into a delicious knot. Of course, she ought to be angry with him, not forgive him his past sins against her, but she had never been one to stay angry for long, and certainly not toward a person who apologized. Up until this very day, Levinstone had not said a word of apology, but that did not mean he would not.
"It seems to have been a long time since I had reason to." She sat back as the second course was removed and delicious lobster rissoles were laid before them. She picked up her fish knife and spiked a little of the tail, slipping it into her mouth. "How I love eating seafood on a cold winter's night. It always reminds me of summer."
"I think for us people who have grown up near the sea, the fruits of the water are always coveted most," he replied, digging into his meal with gusto. "But returning to our conversation about my betrothed, when I told her that I would require my wife to be in Cornwall with me for the majority of the year and that we would come up to London maybe every two or three years for a Season, she agreed that we had made a mistake and would not suit. We ended our engagement affably, and she's now married and settled in Scotland. So perhaps my person disagreed with her and not so much the ruralness of my home."
"Well," Heidi said. "I think she is a little absurd not to agree to marry you. Who would not want to be the mistress of such a beautiful, grand home? A home that overlooks one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall, if I do say so myself. And the staff, who are the most loving and kind to anyone who knocks on your door. She does not know what she missed out on when she agreed to let you go, my lord."
Heidi wasn't sure where the words came from, nor had she thought her truth would result in silence from the viscount. He watched, his eyes making her heart beat fast and heat kiss her cheeks.
"Are you saying that should I have asked you to be my wife, you would not have said no? That living here, where we do, is favorable?"
"I love it here. You know that. Our village, my home, and your grand estate, even when I was terribly mad at you, I still admired all of it."
Levinstone threw back his head and laughed, clasping his stomach. "I have missed you so very much, Heidi. How did we let our friendship go as we have? What a travesty and what a miracle you being here this evening has been. To be stuck here with me where you cannot get away."
Heidi swallowed as nerves fluttered in her stomach. His lordship's words were not what she expected, nor had he spoken to her thus in years. But there was something different, something had changed, and it had not taken them long to slip into their old, comfortable ways and discuss matters as they had always done.
A knock sounded on the door, and the viscount sat back in his chair, bidding the servant entry.
"My lord, the wreath is complete, and you may hang it after dinner if you wish. As per the tradition," the butler announced.
Heidi reached for Levinstone without thought, taking his hand. "Do not tell me that I have arrived on the one night you hang the coveted wreath on the Levinstone's estate door? I have not been here for so many years. I did not know if you still did this or not."
His lordship raised his chin, pride crossing his features. "That you have, Miss Lewis. Would you like to help me hang it? I would be honored to have an old, lifelong, and possibly renewed friend at my side when I do."
His fingers entwined with hers, and heat licked at her skin. His attention dipped to her lips, and butterflies fluttered in her belly. She had never seen him look at her in such a way. Certainly not even when they were on the verge of adulthood.
He's looking at you as if he wants to kiss you, Heidi.
The thought was not unwelcome, which in itself was thought-provoking. Did she want him to kiss her? Did she want to be his friend and talk and spend time with him as they once did?
Yes. Yes, she did.
She had missed him too.
"I would be honored, my lord," she said.
Without another word, he pulled her up from the chair and dragged her out of the room. The butler stood beside the front door, holding the wreath of holly, mistletoe, and dried fruit to add to the picture that it told of Christmastide and good cheer.
"Thank you, Smithers. I shall need no further assistance," Levinstone commanded.
Heidi watched as the old retainer walked back toward the kitchens before she turned to the viscount.
"Come," he said, reaching out to take her hand. His fingers entwined with hers once again, and she had the overwhelming feeling that this was right. He was home, and being at his side was where she had always meant to be.
That from this night on, no matter their history, their friendship was righted, and they would never part again.
He opened the front door and the wind whipped inside. They quickly hoisted the wreath onto the small hook. "Help me, Heidi. I merely need to hook it on the door," he said, his voice straining.
Heidi helped him lift it and was surprised by its weight.
The wreath fought and poked them with its prickly pines and foliage, but still, they persisted, and soon it was a welcome decoration to the door. A tradition for his family, after all.
A family she had once been part of in years past and now hoped to be so again.
Matthew pulledHeidi against him and returned indoors, shutting out the wind and rain that battered the outside.
