CHAPTER 4

THE ADJUSTMENT

Aria’s first week as Mrs. Alexander Blackwood was nothing short of a blur of overwhelming newness. The stylist had come on time, just as promised, a rail-thin Frenchman named Pascal, who peered through her windows with critical eyes, and declared her “a blank canvas with surprising potential. ”Four exhausting hours later, she’d been measured, photographed and taught the names of designers she’d never heard of, the promise that her new station wardrobe would arrive just in time.

"Your husband has wonderful taste, " Pascal had told him when he was hesitating between fabrics (swatches of fabric, Pascal believed, that in this respect he was most careful).

Too shocked for Aria to answer. Alexander, how with all the cool efficiency could he notice her skin colour, this? It seemed unlikely.

Now in the dressing room’s hallow mirror at the head, she was hardly visible, as the green gown Pascal had chosen for tonight’s charity gala cradled her bust and flowed gracefully down to the floor. Her naturally wild chestnut hair had been styled by the personal stylist, another surprise arrival—into an elegant updo which did justice to her neckline and delicate diamonds in her ears.

The diamonds had arrived that morning in a velvet box with another tease note; *Wear these tonight. They belonged to my grandmother.*

The jewelry felt heavy with significance she couldn't decipher. Why would Alexander loan her family heirlooms for what was essentially a business performance?

A knock at her sitting room door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in, " she called, still undaunted by the thought of staff waiting for her approval.

Harrison appeared, his expression as impassive as ever. "Mr. Blackwood asked me to tell you the car would be ready twenty minutes after.

“Thank you, Harrison, ” she hesitated then added, “Maybe you... maybe you could tell me what to expect tonight? I'm not exactly used to charity dinners. ”

Something of sympathy flickered in the butler's eyes. "The Barnett Foundation Annual gala is one of the highlights of the season, madam. And you will be expected to meet most of Boston's elite, who will be a little curious about the new wife of Mr. Blackwood.

She literally freaked out and got into a catatonic state. "And what is the cause of the foundation? "

"Research into the cancer of children, " Harrison replied, "something Mr Blackwood has generously contributed to over the years. "

At least that was something she could talk really strongly about with a condition like her father's. "Thank you Harrison. That's good.

"If I may, Mrs. Blackwood, " Harrison was unexpectedly uneasy. "This social circle you've entered can be rather difficult -- especially for somebody new -- since Mr. Blackwood's position puts you at an inherent disadvantage for gossip and scrutiny. "

"I'm beginning to understand that," she admitted.

Mr. Blackwood himself, "may seem... tawny, but he is respected. " Keep yourself close to him, follow his advice, and you will do all right. "AdvertisementWith such surprisingly personal advice... Harrison bowed and went back.

Aria calmed down and focused in her mind on the evening ahead. She needed to be poised, charming and completely obsessed with her new husband — and he’s been the man she’d barely said ten words to in the three days since their wedding. Alexander had been so obvious about it, sneaking out early and returning late, and their only contacts were short, awkward dinners when he asked how she was doing in moving into her new life.

When she was finally able to descend the grand staircase Alexander was sitting in the foyer, his expression unrecognizable, staring at the ladies as he noticed her appearance. He looked deceivingly handsome in black tuxedo, his hair well brushed, his tall frame more than half-panned in power and menace.

"You look..., " he muttered, looking desperately for the right word. "Apposite. "

Despite her disappointment Aria felt a bit of disappointment at the vague assessment. "Thank you. The earrings are lovely.

"They really suit your eyes. " The comment surprised even him. He didn't think he had meant to have thought of that. Recovered quickly, he added, "They also certainly show you're a Blackwood. My grandmother wouldn't take them off. They became sort of a signature. "

Before she could answer such an overtly intimate conversation, he offered his arm. "Shall we, Mrs. Blackwood? We are going to make our first public appearance.

The drive to the gala was quiet. Alexander looked through his phone while Aria watched the city lights blaze past the window. It was only once the car slowed to a stop before a brilliantly lit historic building that he referred again.

“A few things to remember, ” he said, sliding his phone into his pocket. “The story of our crazy romance is all set out in the press release. ”We first met six months ago through a rare disease foundation, kept our relationship a secret and got married quickly when we knew we had found 'the one. '" The sarcasm in his voice when he spoke those last words was obvious.

"I can remember the timeline. I was studying it for the test, Aria, " said him with a smile, "I had forgotten about it.

“Good. ” He polished up his already perfect cufflinks. "You’ll always be met with curious wives of society who want to check out the woman who’d caught the ‘notorious bachelor'. ’ Answer questions in vague terms, move on to sensible subjects, and never speak about our finances, ever. "

"I'm not an idiot," she replied, stung by the implication.

Something of amusement flickered in his eyes. “No, you are not. That’s really why you’re here and not some drunken socialite who would commit suicide after two glasses of champagne.

Before she could judge whether that was a compliment, Alexander said, "You're going to have to show some public affection, to hold hands, standing closely, my arm around your waist, and a few kisses at your temple or hand... No more than that, but enough to convince people. "

She swallowed hard and nodded to her understanding. Thinking about his hand - touching, even professionally done - made her unnaturally nervous.

"Ready? " he said as the car door opened before him into a red carpet of waiting photographers.

"As I'll ever be," she whispered.

Alexander's face changed, as soon as we got out of the car. He used to be cold and unassuming, but that all changed when he looked at her for a second and kissed her with a warm and inviting lips. His eyes then relaxed, he took her hand, and for a minute Aria thought it was all staged.

“Just follow my example, ” he whispered, his lips close to hers in what seemed like a whisper to observers, “And smile, sweetheart. You’ve just married the man of your dreams. ”

Cameras flitted around them as Alexander led her up the steps with his full grip on the small of her back. Aria tried to force her lips into what she was hoping was a convincing glance of wedded bliss - all too aware of the scrutiny they were under.

Inside the old hall was turned into a magic wonderland of crystal, candlelight and the glittering maze of richest people in Boston mingling in formalwear probably more expensive than her father's medical bills.

"Alexander! " The portly man with the shock of white hair yelled at them, holding a champagne glass. "The rumors were true! You've finally been caught! "

Alexander let go of her body and his arm slipped around her waist and pulled her closer to him, the warmness of his hand against her was eerie.

“Roger, allow me to introduce my wife to you. ”He was so proud of himself that Aria almost thought he was saying it herself. “Aria darling, this is Robert Barnett, Chairman of the Barnett Foundation. ”

"Mrs Blackwood, " Robert took her hand, his eyes twinkling with very real affection, "What miracle did you do to convince this erroneous bachelor that marriage was necessary? "

Alexander answered before she could. “That miracle was all mine, Robert. Finding a woman who could bear my working hours and stubbornness, so I was not going to give her up. ”

His words though they belonged to his fiction, had a genuineness to them that caught Aria off guard. She had never expected him to speak with the cold precision of anything about him other than his eyes, but the man next to her seemed genuinely... happy.

"It is so wonderful to be here, Mr. Barnett, " she said, opening her mouth. "And Alexander lauds your foundation for its work. Being of family with a cancer patient myself, I greatly admire your sincere commitment to research.

Robert's expression grew serious. "Alexander mentioned your father's condition. 'Rare forms are particularly devastating; they get so little attention and funding.'"

"That’s why your work is so vital," she said, and she meant it.

Robert beamed. "I like her, Alexander. "Warm, much warmer than your usual type."

Before Alexander could respond, they were circled by curious well wishers who just had to meet the woman who had 'tamed' the infamous Alexander Blackwood. The names and faces quickly blurred into one for Aria, who lost herself in the act of making sure her smile and their relationship stayed in line with fiction.