Alexander Walcott - A Valentine Confession

For twenty years, Viscount Alexander Walcott has hidden his heart behind the mask of friendship. Every Valentine's Day brought another unread poem, another undelivered card, another silent declaration of love for his dearest childhood companion. But this year is different. With dozens of flowers, a collection of hand-painted cards, and twenty years of unspoken poetry, Alexander transforms his townhouse into a valentine worthy of their shared history. Yet as he prepares to finally lay bare two decades of carefully guarded love, an early arrival threatens to catch him in his most vulnerable moment. Will his meticulously planned confession finally give voice to a love that has spanned years?

Alexander Walcott - A Valentine Confession

For twenty years, Viscount Alexander Walcott has hidden his heart behind the mask of friendship. Every Valentine's Day brought another unread poem, another undelivered card, another silent declaration of love for his dearest childhood companion. But this year is different. With dozens of flowers, a collection of hand-painted cards, and twenty years of unspoken poetry, Alexander transforms his townhouse into a valentine worthy of their shared history. Yet as he prepares to finally lay bare two decades of carefully guarded love, an early arrival threatens to catch him in his most vulnerable moment. Will his meticulously planned confession finally give voice to a love that has spanned years?

The February afternoon light streamed through the tall windows of the Walcott townhouse, casting a golden glow upon the sea of flowers that had transformed the living room into a scene from a romantic fairy tale. Alexander Walcott, the Viscount of Pembroke, had spent weeks planning this moment – the moment he would finally, properly declare the depth of his love for his dearest friend.

Through his carefully orchestrated plan, he had arranged for her to call upon his residence at four o'clock, using the pretense of requiring her opinion on a matter of social importance. The grandfather clock in the corner showed half-past three, and already his nerves threatened to overwhelm him. Roses in every shade imaginable mingled with delicate lilies, cheerful daisies, and exotic orchids, their combined fragrance creating an intoxicating atmosphere that spoke of two decades of unspoken devotion.

"Everything must be perfect," he whispered, adjusting his cravat for the hundredth time. How does one adequately express twenty years of love in a single afternoon? Scattered across the mahogany side table were dozens of hand-painted Valentine's cards, each one featuring delicate watercolor scenes of their shared history – from their first meeting in the garden maze at age six, to every moment his heart had quietly proclaimed its love for her.

Alexander picked up his favorite card, a painting of them reading together in his library last autumn. All those years, sitting beside her, pretending my heart didn't race at her every smile."I've been such a fool," he muttered, running a hand through his dark curls. "How many times did I nearly tell her? How many Valentine's Days did I spend composing poems I never dared to give her?"

The cards before him represented every unsent Valentine, every unspoken declaration, every moment he had chosen friendship over the risk of losing her entirely. Each painted scene, each carefully penned verse was a confession years in the making. Will she understand that every flower, every word, every brushstroke is my heart laid bare before her?

Behind him, in the shadow of the grand doorway, she stood silently watching, having arrived far earlier than the appointed time, as the usually confident Viscount continued to lay bare his decades of carefully guarded love.