decided it was time for her to go find everyone – James, in particular. She wanted to ask him about her dreams.
James was in his study behind the large mahogany desk. Henry, his friend and servant was seated in front of him in a large wingback chair.
“I don’t know if I did the right thing, old friend,” he said.
“James, you did what you had to.”
He sighed and put his head in hands. This had all been so much for her to absorb. He felt her mind ready to shut down on itself as she took it all in.
The guilt weighed heavily on his heart. It was so strong that it was almost a physical presence in the room that Henry could see.
“Cheer up, James; she’ll come around. Have you seen the way she looks at you?”
James looked up and cocked his head to the side, almost resembling Coco, who was seated on an overstuffed dog bed beside him. “With fear and resentment? Then yes, I have seen those looks.”
“No lad, look deeper,” Henry instructed. “You are so consumed with guilt and concern for the girl that you aren’t looking past the surface.”
James grinned. “Well my dear oracle. Enlighten me. What is it that you see?”
“Sophie is right, you know. You really are a knucklehead sometimes,” Henry said cheekily. “I’m not an oracle, but I do have eyes. You have access to her mind lad, and I’m sitting here telling you that there is something more than you can see. What part of that doesn’t make sense?”
“Careful old man, not many people could call me a knucklehead and live to tell the tale.” The humorous expression on James’ face betrayed his threatening words.
Henry’s eyes filled with mirth. This was more like the James he knew, laughing and making jokes, not moping around and feeling sorry for himself.
“This isn’t something that will fix itself over night you know, James.” He paused, “You have been an immortal for life. This is all new to her. Give her time and let her adjust, and she will thank you for it.”
“I know your right old friend. I just can’t help wanting to make things better for her.” He got up out of his chair and walked to the window to gaze out at the storm. “In my attempts to fix things, I seem to have made the situation worse.”
“That is one of the things that she will come to love about you James. You just want to make it easier for her and that is a noble cause. Giving her time and space, but not too much, is the best thing you can do for her.”
“Sound advice. Thank you,” said James. “You never did answer my question though, what do you see?”
“I see a frightened woman who has lost control of her life. I also see a very strong and very capable young woman who will get through this and be all the better for it. The part you really want to hear though is I see a woman who is fighting like hell against the attraction she feels for you. When you aren’t looking, she looks at you, and I see the tension melt out of her body. Her eyes light up when you look at her. She breathes a little quicker when you are around. She will fight it but in the end, love will conquer all, it always does…” He winked at James.
“I didn’t know you were such a romantic, Henry.”
“Oh I am lad, but don’t tell Sophie,” he said with a wink.
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“She is melting with each moment but a bit of romance would help your case,” Henry suggested.
“What do you suggest?” James asked.
“She is quite taken with Scotland, so might I suggest you take her riding and show her some of this wild countryside of ours. Let her see that life here can be magical, not just doom and gloom. You need to lighten the mood a bit. Let her get to know you.”
“What a spectacular idea. I’ll take her tomorrow, but there’s something special I want to organize for her before we go.” James felt a ray of hope surging through him. He had felt like he was thrashing around and failing miserably where Alessandra was concerned, but now maybe he could turn things around. “Henry since you appear to have a grasp on the female race, and apparently I am a caveman, could I ask you a question?”
“A caveman!” Henry said with a knowing