I should say not! Aunt Hortense crossed her arms pugnaciously.
But sometimes I cant help but think these things she says and does are not simply genteel eccentricities. Arent they something worse? More peculiar? In a person without wealth or standing in the community, mightnt they be called evidences of madness?
It doesnt matter what theyd call it if she were poor, because she isnt and never has been. Shes not mad. Shes justmore fragile than the rest of us.
I hope youre right. Alexandra summoned up a small smile for her aunt, but she could not completely rid herself of doubt. Nor could she admit, even to Aunt Hortense, the other cold fear that lay beneath her worry. If her mother did indeed lean toward madness, would the taint of it lie in her own blood, as well? Might she, someday, disintegrate into insanity?
CHAPTER THREE
ALEXANDRA TOOK A LAST LOOK AT HERSELF in the long mirror of the hallway; then, satisfied that she would look her best among the titled crowd this evening, she turned toward the staircase. Her deep rose satin gown would doubtless be outshone by many of the gowns on the ladies present at the ball. Her clothes, while of good cut and material, were not in the first stare of fashion in London, and she had not brought her very best ball gown with her, not thinking that she would attend anything dressier than the opera. Still, she knew that the dress was fashionable enough to cause no comment, and she had the satisfaction of knowing that its rose color was excellent on her, bringing out the rose in her cheeks and contrasting stunningly with her black hair. Her hair was done up in a mass of curls, thick and shining, with a pale pink rose nestled on one side as adornment. In her hand she carried, besides her fan, a small corsage of rosebuds delivered an hour earlier and sent, she was sure, by Lord Thorpe, though the card had contained no message.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she walked into the formal drawing room. Much to her chagrin, she saw that Thorpe was already seated there with her aunt. Alexandra had made it a point to come downstairs as soon as the maid had brought her word of Thorpes arrival precisely because she did not want Lord Thorpe to be subjected to her aunts inquisition. From the frozen look on Thorpes face, she guessed that he had already been here for several minutes, and Alexandra was struck with the suspicion that her aunt had deliberately bade the servants to delay taking Alexandra the message that his lordship had arrived.
As she started into the room, Lord Thorpe was saying tightly, I assure you, madam, it is a most respectable party, given by one of the leading peers of the realm.
Alexandra had to stifle a smile at the mans barely concealed look of affront.
Her aunt continued blithely. Be that as it may, Lord Thorpe, I dont know any of your peers of the realm, so their respectability is unknown to me. Ive heard stories of some of the doings of so-called noblemen, and its not what would be called suitable in America. The Hellfire Club, gaming hells, houses of
Miss Ward! Lord Thorpe looked shocked. You cant believe that I would take your niece to such places!
Alexandra wasnt sure whether his dismay came from the idea that her aunt thought him capable of such ungentlemanly actions or because she so bluntly brought up the subject.
Too bad, Alexandra interjected lightly. They sound terribly fascinating, I must say.
Miss Ward. Thorpe jumped to his feet, relief spreading across his face.
Good evening.
You look
Alexandra raised an eyebrow as he paused. I hope you are not going to say like a country bumpkin.
No, indeed. It is simply that you render me speechless. His gray eyes shone in the candlelight as they drifted involuntarily down the front of her body, taking in the curves to which the rose satin clung. You look stunning. I fear you will cast our London beauties into the shade.
Alexandra chuckled. Very pretty words, my lord, but I am not so naïve as to believe that. She turned toward Hortense. Good night, Aunt. I am going to take your victim away from you.
Victim! Aunt Hortense assumed a look of great offense. I was merely looking out for my nieces best interests.
Your aunt is a very careful woman, Thorpe remarked politely. You are quite rightly cherished.
Alexandra grinned. You see, Aunt Hortense, how polite he is.
A servant brought her Paisley shawl, which Thorpe took and draped across her shoulders with a courtly air. The brush of his fingertips against her bare arms sent a tingle through Alexandra, intensified when he leaned in to murmur, It seems a shame to cover up such beauty.
Alexandra ignored the little thrum that started along her nerves and smiled at him. It is a lovely dress.
It was not the dress of which I spoke. His gaze dropped significantly, if fleetingly, to the expanse of bosom that swelled above the square-cut neckline.
Alexandra wrapped the shawl more tightly around her, covering the swell of her breasts. I think its time to leave, she said repressively. Good night, Aunt.
She smiled across the room at her aunt, who was glowering suspiciously at their whispered conversation. Lord Thorpe sent the other woman a polite bow, and they left the room.
Outside, he helped her into the same elegant carriage that had taken her home this afternoon, and they settled across from each other on the plush seats.
I was beginning to fear that your aunt was about to question me about my intentions toward you, Thorpe said dryly.
I am sure she would have, given enough time. Her first concern, of course, was the wickedness of the place you were taking me. Aunt Hortense has a collection of stories of what has happened to innocent girls in the Babylon of London.
I dont doubt that. What intrigued me was why she presumed I was going to introduce you to these evils.
That is easy, Alexandra replied with an impish grin. The English are given to wicked pursuits, but those who are most given to them are English noblemen, who, apparently, spend most of their time abducting or seducing innocent maidens.
Indeed? I suspect that abducting you would prove to be a tiresome experience, so I must stick to seduction. His sensual mouth curved up in a way that made Alexandras heart pound.
Indeed? Alexandra smiled, striving to keep her voice light. Im afraid you might find that experience equally tiresome.
Oh, no. His eyes glittered in the dim light. Lengthy, perhaps, but never tiresome, I assure you.
Alexandras mouth went dry, and she had to glance away from his gaze. She looked out from beneath the rolled-up curtain of the carriage window, watching the houses go by as she tried to collect her scattered thoughts. Why did this man have such a strange effect on her?
After two blocks, the carriage turned and joined a long line of carriages stretching down the block. At the front of the line stood a house ablaze with lights.
Is that where we are going? Alexandra asked in some astonishment.
Yes. Why?
But itit cant be more than four blocks from my house.
Probably. He looked at her, faintly puzzled.
Wouldnt it have been easier to walk? She looked at the stalled line of carriages again. Faster, too?