Chapter One
Cynthia Vogel was stretched out on her sun deck; her light robe parted slightly so the sun would get to her bare legs underneath. She had a pair of shades covering her eyes so that she could lay back and enjoy the warm rays on her skin. It was rare she was able to sit outside without all of the layers required of a woman in her position. But Cynthia was beginning not to care what they all thought of her.
Cynthia’s nearest neighbor was miles away, and her land was vast, stretching out around her on all sides. Her late husband had amassed quite a lot of land, and the house behind her was enormous. Unfortunately, his untimely passing had left her with a great fortune but also with a huge debt that she was still trying to decide what to do about.
Soon Alexander would be here and extinguish her candle of loneliness. He always made her feel so much better about life. It was unfortunate he was so young. She couldn’t imagine being with someone eight years her junior. Besides, she had been friends with him since he was ten years old, almost twelve years ago, when she was his governess. Their friendship was more like a brother-sister relationship and Alex never failed to lift her spirits whenever he was around. She didn’t have to pretend to be someone else. She didn’t have to watch what she said. She could be herself.
Cynthia reached over and picked up her glass of sherry, taking a long drink from the glass before replacing it on the table next to her. She sighed. Life was so boring. Nothing to do but get ready for parties and talk to people all day long. She wanted to accomplish something. Something other than being a wife to some Duke, Earl or Lord. Whatever his station, she was unimpressed. The King himself could come for a visit and ask for her hand in marriage, and it wouldn’t happen.
She giggled, her thoughts bringing her some amusement. She heard Alexander calling to her from the doorway of the house behind her and turned to look back at him.
“Come along, darling. I’m here, and I have sherry!”
She could see him smiling and was immediately relieved. He strolled across the green lawn to get to her, leaning over to give her phantom kisses on both cheeks, which she returned as he did.
“Hello, gorgeous,” Alexander said. “How is my lovely lady today?” He took his usual place in the lounge chair on the opposite side of the table.
“I’m doing well, Alex, thank you for asking. Waiting for you to come along and lift my spirits!” She turned and gestured to her servant, who had let Alexander in. The girl disappeared into the house and would reappear moments later with a glass for Alex. “How have you been today?”
Alex shrugged, his eyes looking out over the beautiful landscape. “It’s been the same for me today as any day, dear. Just taking care of a bit of business for my father.”
“Is his business still floundering?”
Alex nodded, taking the glass from the servant and smiling up at her. “Thank you, Alice.”
“You’re welcome, sir.” The girl curtsied slightly, turned and hurried back to the house, her face slightly flushed.
“She likes you, Alex. Why do you tease her so?”
Alex looked offended but had a sparkle of amusement in his green eyes. “I’m not teasing her!” he exclaimed and then smiled. “She deserves to feel appreciated. And she knows there would never be anything further to explore here.”
“If you say so.”
“Yes, father’s business is still in the red since he made those bad deals earlier this year. It is a shame that he was fooled in such a way, but there can be nothing done about it.”
“I wish I could help you more but at this point…” She drifted off, not wanting to continue. Alexander knew of her predicament.
“I understand, Cynthia. Believe me, I do understand. It is almost as if the men who betrayed my father of his money also betrayed your late husband of his.”
“It would seem so.”
“You are dealing well with his passing. You were back to your old self much faster than I would have predicted.”
Cynthia took his words as a compliment. “Thank you, yes, I just couldn’t see staying in mourning for an entire year or longer. I loved James, don’t think I didn’t. But I have also enjoyed being alone. I like being able to do what I want to do when I want to do it.”
“And you have me to bring you male companionship. Friendship.”
She smiled at his clarification and glanced at him. He was such a handsome young man. It was too bad their relationship could never be more. “Have you found a bride yet, Alex?”
Alex snorted and gave her a sarcastic look. “You mean since yesterday, which was the last time you asked me that? No, Cynthia, I haven’t found a bride.”