Chapter Thirteen

The concierge at the chateau informed them that Chillon Castle was indeed open for visitors. He offered one of the phaetons that were kept available for guests but noted that the castle was near enough to reach on foot.

Laurie turned to Amy. “Shall we walk, then?”

She nodded and slipped her arm through his. “Are you sure you do not mind walking?”

“Very sure, although we may return immediately if you feel tired.”

“No, no. I simply wish you to be comfortable. That is, I do not want to inconvenience you.”

“Amy, I am here for you. Walking with you could never be an inconvenience.”

She fell silent, and Laurie was acutely aware of her pinched look and furrowed brow.

Something had altered between them. Was it just his perception of things, or did Amy feel it as well? Her nearness left him rather tongue tied. After remarking upon the weather, he fell silent, unwilling to speak if he was only going to utter nonsense. Amy seemed lost in her own thoughts, and he left her to them, wishing to be a comfort rather than a burden. She need not make conversation to please him.

The castle was stunning. Only accessible by bridge, it boasted high walls of a defensive nature. The facade that faced the lake, however, was fit for a prince. Large windows looked out onto the water and the mountains beyond. It was full of romantic charm.

Amy wished to tour the three courtyards, so they walked arm-in-arm down the little path that led to the gardens. As they enjoyed the beauty around them, she seemed to relax a little, her grasp on his arm becoming less stiff.

“Laurie, I am so glad you came. My heart feels lighter now that you are here.”

“I could not have stayed away.”

She was not looking at him as he said this, but he noticed her sharp intake of breath. When at last Amy did meet his eyes, her own were rather tight as if she were trying to control some great emotion. Was she thinking of Beth?

“It’s fine, dear. You can cry if you need to.”

“It’s not that.”

“What, then?” She shook her head and looked away once more.

The tension built to an intolerable level. Laurie could not bear it a moment longer—he must take Mr. Darcy’s advice and ascertain the lady’s feelings once and for all.

“Amy, do you remember when I visited you in Nice?”

“Of course I do.”

“And do you remember when we went to the ruins and sat among the roses there?” He looked down in time to observe a blush rising in her cheeks.

“Yes, I remember. I scolded you dreadfully, and for that I am sorry.”

His steps faltered, and he turned to face her. “Do not apologize! That scolding woke me from my melancholy! I would still be wasting my life but for you.”

Amy blinked at him. “Why do you bring up Nice and the flower garden if you did not intend to rebuke me?”

Laurie cleared his throat and found himself unable to formulate a coherent answer. Instead, he silently led them further along the pathway. The roses were in bloom here, too. Their delicate fragrance enveloped them both as they walked among the thorny bushes.

Gathering his courage, he continued. “When we were talking that day in Nice, you mentioned something, and I have not been able to get it out of my mind.”

He felt Amy stiffen beside him, and his heart sank. Apparently, she had no wish to speak of such things. Still, he was determined. “You said we were not so different—that we both had experienced unrequited love. Do you remember?”

Amy only nodded. Laurie suddenly realized he must make her understand about Jo. “Well, I was completely mistaken about my heartache. Jo came into my life so soon after I had lost my father. I was lonely, and she was vivacious and welcoming. My boyish heart loved her dearly, and I assumed that she cared for me, too.”

“She does care for you, Laurie.” Amy gave him a sad smile. “I am sorry it could not be in the way you wished.”

“That’s just what I’m trying to say. I love Jo, but I am not in love with Jo.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m doing a bad job of explaining myself.” As they walked a few more paces, Laurie searched his mind for a way to make Amy understand what he had only recently come to recognize.

“You know Romeo and Juliet, of course?”

“Of course,” Amy said, clearly confused at his mention of the tragic pair of lovers.

“Remember Rosaline?”

“A beauty that could not match the sun? Yes, I remember. The play begins with Romeo practically weeping over her.”

Laurie cleared his throat, a feeling of awkward embarrassment washing over him. “Yes, he thinks himself in love with Rosaline, but then he comes to realize it wasn't love at all. He meets Juliet and understands what true love is.”

Amy stopped walking, her eyes still trained on the ground. Despite noting that her breath seemed to quicken, Laurie decided to press on, come what may. “I have grown up, Amy. I understand things that I did not before. ‘Did my heart love till now?’”

“‘For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night,’” Amy recited.

“Who was it that would not love you, Amy? Will you not tell me?”

When she spoke, her voice shook ever so slightly. “I do not think you will like the answer.”

He thought for a moment. She was right. If she told him she would forever love another, he would hate the answer.

“Though that may be true, I still wish to know. I…I need to know.”

“Do you?” She raised her head, her eyes locking with his. He felt as if they were standing on the edge of a cliff. One wrong step would send them tumbling into oblivion.

“I am being a coward, my dear,” he said in a soft voice. “Instead of asking for your truth, let me tell you mine.”

Slowly, he raised his hand to her cheek and let his fingers gently stroke her soft skin. “I have fallen in love with you. You alone have my heart.”

Tears welled up in Amy’s eyes, their blue depths magnified by the glistening drops. One slid down to meet his hand where it rested. When she continued to say nothing, Laurie let his hand drop, unsure of her feelings.

Had he ruined their friendship forever?

Then Amy reached out and put her delicate hand in his. She seemed unable to speak, but this motion said enough. He lifted his other hand and stroked along her hair, coming to rest at the back of her neck. Gently, hesitantly enough to allow her time to step back, he leaned toward her. In response, she stepped up to him, and he pulled her even closer, her lips mere inches from his. His heart was beating so fast, he could barely think. He felt his emotions building to a boiling point. Her closeness, her scent, her warmth—it flowed in and around him, mixing with the scent of the roses.

Just before his lips met hers, she stopped, her eyes lifting to his. “It has always been you, Laurie.”

The explosion of feeling at her words caught him by surprise, and he pressed his lips to hers with more force than he had intended. But she matched his intensity, her arms rising to wind around his neck. Then he hugged her close, one hand still resting on the back of her head.

“My darling Amy. My heart is so full.”

***

Amy sat at her vanity and stared dreamily into the glass. Theodore Laurence was in love with her! She smiled, absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair around her finger. How could it possibly be true? Closing her eyes, she replayed the moment in her mind. Laurie had declared his love for her!

A knock at the door startled her out of her reverie. “Yes?”

The maid entered and announced the arrival of Mr. Laurence.

“Oh! Thank you, Evelyn. Tell him I shall just be a moment.” Amy looked with earnestness in the glass now, made a few adjustments to her adornments, and then hurried out to meet Laurie.

A smile lit his eyes when he turned from the window as she entered. “Good evening, Diana.”

She brightened at the memory of their Christmas together in Nice. Offering her hand, she dipped a formal curtsy. “Good evening, Apollo.”

Laurie bent and kissed her hand, sending a thrill through her happy heart. “You look beautiful, as always, my dear.”

How those two little words had changed! Laurie had often addressed her in such a way, but it held a different meaning now that she knew he loved her.

Flo entered the room, closing the door softly behind her. “Theodore Laurence, how good you are to come.”

Laurie shook his head as if to wave this comment away and dutifully kissed Flo’s hand. “I am happy to see you again. How is your mother?”

“A little better, thank you.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“Shall we go in? I believe dinner is ready.” Flo led the way into the small dining parlor.

The three of them enjoyed a simple supper of ?lplermagronen, a delicious Swiss meal of pasta, cream, cheese, and potatoes. Though it was a dish she had only had here in Switzerland, it reminded Amy of home.

“I have not had this in many years,” Laurie said.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Amy replied.

“It tastes like home.”

“Exactly!” She beamed at him.

“We must get the recipe so we can make it for your mother and sisters when we return to America.” Laurie took another bite.

“This and those wonderful Biber cakes.”

“Marmee would like them. She is particularly fond of gingerbread.”

“She is, indeed. I wonder if Meg’s little ones have tried gingerbread yet. I plan to be the aunt who spoils them the most.”

“You will be the perfect aunt, I have no doubt,” Laurie said. “Though Jo may let them get into all kinds of scrapes, you will give them presents and teach them to be elegant.”

Amy giggled. “You make me sound quite frivolous.”

“Not in the slightest. Meg’s children will value pretty things just as you and their mother do. And I am sure Daisy will find you absolutely enchanting with your beauty and European ways.”

“How I wish they knew me!”

“They will come to know us both. And I am sure they will love you as—as everyone does.”

Amy felt her cheeks heat. She glanced over to Flo, who was observing her with some bemusement. “Forgive me, Flo. How are you enjoying the ?lplermagronen?”

Her cousin laughed merrily. “Please do not stop your conversation on my account. This is the happiest I have seen you in many weeks.” She looked at Laurie with an approving nod. “I am pleased you have come, Mr. Laurence. You have done our Amy a world of good.”

He acknowledged Flo’s compliment with a smile. “That was my intention, though I would be lying if I claimed to be the only one performing a good service. Being with Amy has eased my heart, as well.”

Flo’s eyes went again to Amy, who perceived some suspicion there. It was gone in a moment, however, replaced by a benevolent smile.

The rest of the evening was spent in pleasant reminiscence about Concord. Flo was also rather homesick and eager to return once her mother was well enough to travel.

“When do you think that might be?” Laurie asked.

“The doctor has advised at least two more months of rest here in Vevay, but we cannot know if Mother will be strong enough even then.”

“She is recovering, though?” Laurie asked with some anxiety.

“She is, truly. Every day she is a little better.”

“This winter must have been difficult for you as well as your mother.”

Amy looked at her cousin. “Yes. It’s been a trying time, hasn’t it, Flo?”

“It has, there is no denying. But perhaps we have turned the tide now.” She smiled at Laurie, and then her eyes shifted once more to Amy, whose attention returned to her plate.

For dessert, they enjoyed a delicious walnut cake. The Swiss certainly knew how to create a sweet confection! By the time the evening was over, Amy was full to bursting.

Too soon, it was time for Laurie to go. She felt almost bereft even before he left. He gave them both a low bow and promised to call first thing in the morning. She sighed as the door closed behind him.

Flo put her arm around Amy’s waist. “It is good that he is here with you.”

“Yes. I am grateful that he came.”

“He looks happier than he did when we saw him in Nice. Now he seems to benefit from being near you, and you clearly take solace from his company.”

Amy blushed. “Having a friend like Laurie who shares my heartache makes it easier to bear.”

“I must go and see Mama.” Flo turned toward her. She took Amy’s hands and gave them a squeeze. “Is there anything you need, my dear cousin?”

Amy smiled at her concern. “I am feeling more myself this evening than I have in quite some time. I shall be well.”

“Then I shall see you tomorrow. Rest well.”