Alex took one glance at the card, and his eyes widened. The piece of paper featured a photograph of two elegantly dressed young women in charming straw hats. They were facing away from the camera. On the other side was printed an address and the words Come see us from the front.
Uh...no, not a milliners. He cleared his throat, aware that his face was turning red.
Oh. She sounded a little disappointed. I thought one of the hats was quite attractive. She peered at him. What is it? Are you all right?
Yes, yes, of course. He had the feeling his smile was unnatural. It would certainly fit how he felt at the moment. He tried desperately to think of some way to turn the conversation, but his mind was a blank. Well, not a blank, really, but what was there was completely inappropriate.
She waited for a moment, then asked, Then what sort of business is it? I dont understand.
Its one that, um, well, isnt the sort of thing a lady usually receives. Its a...a mans sort of, um...
Her eyes widened. You mean its a house of ill repute?
Well...yes.
Oh, my. Her blush was even deeper than his as she snatched the card back and examined it. They look so...ordinary. Again she sounded disappointed, so much so that he had to smile. I thought they would wear something more, well, you know.
Yes, I know. It was bizarrely titillating to be sitting here talking about bordellos with this girl, all the while remembering how her springing curls had felt beneath his fingertips. The fact that she was dressed as a man somehow only made it more tantalizing. His flush had started from embarrassment, but it was quickly turning into something else altogether. I believe the intimation is that if one saw them from the other side, they would be more alluring.
Oh. I see. From the way she was looking at the card, he suspected that she did not, but he refrained from saying so. Sabrina went on, Have you gotten cards like this, too?
Well, yes, now and then. He cleared his throat. Now, perhaps we might continue.
Her eyes glinted with amusement as she put the card back into her pocket. Oh, heres the ticket. She pulled her hand out of the pocket, extending the piece of paper to him. But all it says is Newbury to Paddington.
Well, at least we know you came to London from Newbury.
I suppose that is where I live, Sabrina said doubtfully. It doesnt seem familiar...though, of course, nothing does.
That gives us something to work with. He leaned back in his chair, thinking. I know nothing about Newbury, other than its west of Reading. I think. Wish Con was herehes a wizard with geography.
Whos Con?
My brother. Alex straightened suddenly, his eyes lighting. Thats it. I know where we should go. He turned and started for the door.
Where? What are we doing? she asked, following him.
Im taking you home.
Chapter Three
WHAT? SABRINA STIFFENED, her eyes flying to his. The nerves in her stomach had died down since she had been here; she felt safe. Until this moment. Now warnings about strangers and wild stories of white slavers darted through her headand, really, why could she remember things like that and not have any idea of her own name?
No! I didnt mean that, he said hastily. Its not my homewell, I mean, it is, of course, but what I meant is, its my parents home. My familys. My mother and father will be there and...and lots of other people. I promise you, its perfectly respectable.
He looked so flustered she had to laugh. I see. Very well.
I do beg your pardon, he went on as he ushered her out the door. He offered his arm, and she automatically reached to take it before both of them recalled the attire she was wearing and they moved apart. He continued, I should have explained my reasoning first. I realized that we could get help at the house. Megan will know if theres been something about you in the news or she can learn it. Well call on my sister Kyriaif youve gone to a party in London, shell recognize you. And, of course, the most important thing is that you need to be someplace safe.
You think Im in danger? Alarm rose in Sabrina again.
I dont know that you are. Alex hailed a passing cab, and once again they went through the confusion of his reaching to hand her up, then remembering she was dressed as a man. Inside the vehicle, he went on, Perhaps there is some other explanation for your bruises and your loss of memory and your disguise, but I dont want to take the risk. Do you?
No, youre right. But, Mr. Moreland
No, please, call me Alex. Or Alexander if you would like to be formal. It seems wrong that I should call you Sabrina and you call me Mr. Moreland.
All right. Alex. But surely you dont want to bring danger into your parents home. Sabrina looked up at him. He grinned, and it lit up the angular planes of his face in a way that made her stomach flutter.
Dont worry. They wouldnt even notice. When she raised her eyebrows doubtfully, he laughed. Youll see. Anyway, Id back our butler to keep anyone out the door. He has a paralyzing stare. He raised his head, looking down his nose as if he had detected an offensive smell, and Sabrina had to laugh.
It was strange that she could feel so at ease with a man who was, really, a complete stranger. But when she met him, she had immediately thought she knew him. It had so startled her that shed gasped and stopped. For a wild, hopeful instant, she had thought he would say her name and everything would fall into place. But it had quickly become clear that he didnt recognize her.
Still, she couldnt help but relax, and it had been easy to tell him everything. There was a strength in him, a competence that was immediately reassuring. He was just so...calm. He hadnt turned a hair at her peculiar attire, nor had he said that her even more peculiar story was ludicrous. No name, no memory, masquerading in mens clothes, bruises and a knock on the headnone of that had fazed him. He had simply listened and nodded, as if such things happened every day.
Having no knowledge or experience, she could rely on nothing but instinct. Instinct told her to trust Alex Moreland.
Still, she felt impelled to protest. But thats too much of an imposition, surely. Your mother cannot like having some girl she doesnt know shoved into her life. Look at me. She glanced down ruefully at her attire. Im masquerading as a man, and she knows nothing about my family or what Ive done. Shes bound to be shocked.
To her astonishment, Alex let out a crack of laughter. Trust me, it will take more than that to shock the duchess. Mother will be delighted. Shell want to question you on everything, of course.
But I cant answer her questions. I dont know anything about myself.
Oh, not things like that. Shell want to know where you stand on the vote for women and what you think about factory workers conditions, foundling homes, that sort of thingand if you dont know, shell be delighted to tell you all about them.
Oh. Sabrina gazed at him blankly, wondering if he was joking. And what had he called his motherthe duchess? Was this an affectionate nickname? Some sort of slang that was another thing she did not remember? Surely the woman couldnt really be... No, that was mad; Alex could not be a dukes son.