my life, but I also did my duty and saved this estate from going to the highest bidder.”
She sighed. “I’m not going to tell you who you can marry, but find an agreeable woman, and if you’re madly in love with her, so much the better. Settle down.” A mischievous smile smoothed her knitted brow. “Sarah Edwards would make a lovely countess.”
“Grandmother,” Alex said, frowning.
“I like her. She’s got pluck. But she’s also attractive, bright, and personable.”
As if he needed to be reminded of her best qualities. He was all too aware of her superlatives, and many more than his grandmother enumerated. But he didn’t see how it would work. Why would she abandon her life in the U.S. only to be placed under a microscope by the British tabloids?
As if reading his mind, Lady Clara said, “Listen to me, my boy. You may be the Earl of Rutherford, but don’t think I won’t take you down a notch or two if you hurt her.” She patted his cheek just as she’d done when he was a child. “If you have no serious intentions towards her, then let her down easy, stop seeing her, and move on to your next flighty conquest.”
“Clarice was not flighty.” She was quite smart, in fact.
“No, but she doesn’t have the best reputation, either.”
That part was true enough.
“I know you mean well, but stay out of my love life.” He kissed her cheek before leaving.
Watching her grandson leave, Lady Clara sincerely hoped that her matchmaking scheme didn’t end with Sarah’s broken heart.
Sarah woke at first light. Again. She rolled onto her side and grabbed the pillow, hugging it to her. There were times . . . like now, when she was on vacation that she wished she could sleep in.
She sighed, closing her eyes and hoping sleep would overtake her. After lying there a half hour, she finally got up. Her disobedient mind would not settle down, especially where Alex was concerned.
Generally, she was happy in solitary pursuits, but last night and this morning she found herself anxious for his company. The thought of spending her day without him was daunting.
Luckily she had lunch with Lady Clara to look forward to.
After breakfast, she sent a text message to Ann and Becca to tell them she was enjoying herself, an understatement, and that she missed them, also an understatement. She, Ann, and Becca, saw one another at least weekly, and spoke almost daily. It was strange to only communicate by abbreviated text messages all this time.
On second thought, maybe it was better that way. She knew if she spoke to them by phone, she would never be able to keep Alex a secret.
Since she had some time before lunch with Lady Clara, she sat down at the desk with her travel journal and the beautiful fountain pen. She’d been somewhat faithful in keeping her promise to herself, if not writing each day, at least writing about each day.
She discovered enjoyment in the process of capturing her daily activities, recollections, thoughts, and fears.
Some days the entries were a sort of stream-of-consciousness exercise, where she wrote as fast as the thoughts entered her head; other days the entries were a travelogue, detailing the wonderful places she’d been, the memorable meals she’d eaten, and the history of the area. In some ways, those entries resembled a travel guide. Of course, her most recent entries included her interactions with Alex. Those resembled a lovesick teenager’s diary.
Lady Clara was already seated when she arrived at the cafe. She glanced up and smiled as Sarah approached.
“Am I late?” Sarah asked, concerned that she’d kept her waiting.
“No, my dear,” she replied, as she rose from her seat to take Sarah’s hands and kiss her cheek. “I arrived a little early to claim my favorite table.”
The table was located in a quiet corner of the restaurant, with only one other table nearby. Sarah sat down across from her as the waiter hurried over with menus. He greeted Lady Clara by name.
“Good afternoon, Richard,” she responded cheerfully.
As soon as the waiter left, Lady Clara leaned in conspiratorially and asked, “How is my grandson?”
Sarah blushed and murmured, “Fine,” looking down at her menu as if it was the most interesting thing she’d ever read.
“Come, come, my dear.” She sat back in her chair, eyebrows raised. “I can see by the blush that he is more than fine.”
Sarah sighed in exasperation. She knew the conversation would include a probing inquisition from Lady Clara, she just didn’t expect