Sabrina found it hard to believe that his mother would be quite so sanguine about her, as Alex thought, but it seemed silly to keep insisting on her own unsuitability. Besides, what else was she to do? She had no place to stay, no idea where to be. If she could only relax, take a little time, perhaps it might all come back to her.
As the carriage rattled on, she studied Alex. He was looking out the window, his face just as handsome in profile. Then he turned and smiled at her, and she realized that, no, he could not possibly look as good as he did straight on. She could not remember what she considered an ideal appearance in a man, but Sabrina had the feeling that Alex Moreland was a perfect example.
He wasnt hirsute, as so many men were these daysno mustache or beard, neatly trimmed sideburns, his thick dark hair cut short. But then, he had no need to hide any feature. His face was perhaps a little thin, but it suited the angular lines of his face. He could have appeared somewhat severe, with those sharp, high cheekbones and the slashes of straight black brows, except that his green eyes were warm, his mouth full and inviting.
Realizing she was staring rudely, Sabrina glanced away. They were passing an elegant row of housesno, there was only one door, so it must be all one house. Made of blocks of gray stone, it looked as if it had stood there looming over the street for centuries. She thought it must be some government building, perhaps, but the carriage rolled to a stop, and Alex reached over to open the door.
Sabrinas jaw dropped, and her stomach fell to somewhere around her knees. Was this his house? She watched as Alex climbed out and turned to her expectantly. She followed him, filled with a dire suspicion as to why he had called his mother the duchess.
Is this Her voice came out barely more than a whisper, and she cleared her throat. Is this your home?
What? Alex turned back from paying the driver. Oh, the house. Yes. I know it looks a little...grim. But its much nicer on the inside. Youll see.
Nicer? She wasnt sure what he meant by that. It certainly couldnt be grander. The door was opened by a footman; at least he was not dressed in livery, which she had half expected after seeing the size of the house.
Good day, sir. The man took Alexs hat and turned to her expectantly. There was nothing to do but hand her cap to him, revealing the tumble of her hair. If the footman was surprised or confused by the odd picture she presented, he didnt show it.
Hello, Ernest. Wheres my mother?
I believe shes in the sultan room, sir. Her callers left shortly before you arrived.
The sultan room? Sabrina asked in a hushed voice as they crossed the floor of the large entryway, arranged checkerboard fashion in black and white marble tiles. She could not keep from staring around the huge hall, two stories in height and decorated with portraits and landscapes as tall as she was. A wide staircase, also in marble, dominated one side, splitting at the landing to go up in opposite directions. Theres a sultan here?
He laughed. No. Never been one as far as I know, though my grandfather knew some pretty odd sorts, Im told, so perhaps there was a sultan in there somewhere. Its called that because my great-grandfather decorated it when he was in some sort of Arabic fever. It looks rather like the inside of a harem. Or perhaps its a sheikhs tent. We were never sure. At any rate, its rather ghastly, but were all used to it, and its more comfortable than the assembly room. Grandmother apparently tried to rename it the red salonyoull see whybut that never stuck.
Wait, Sabrina blurted, plucking at Alexs sleeve. When you called your mother the duchess, you really meant it? Shes a...a...
Duchess? Yes.
Oh, my. She could feel the blood draining out of her face. Then your father is...
A duke. Here, now. He grabbed her arm as she began to sag. Youre not going to faint on me, are you?
Im not sure.
He whisked her over to a stone bench and went down on one knee in front of it, gently pushing her head down. Just breathe. Youll be all right. I nearly fainted once, when I broke my arm, but it passed.
You broke your arm? She looked up at him. His face was only inches away, and the sight of him so near, his eyes warm with concern, was enough to steal her breath again. But this time the heat came flooding back into her face.
Oh, yes. His worried gaze turned to a twinkle. I told you I was accustomed to dealing with bruises and cuts. Sprains and broken bones, as well. Now...feeling better? When she nodded, he said, I should have thought to ask. Have you eaten this morning? Ill bet you havent.
I dont think so. Not since I got off the train at least.
We must remedy that. As soon as weve seen Mother, Ill ring for some food for you.
Alex. Your motheryou cant introduce me looking like this. Her voice rose in alarm. She could picture his mother, an imposing woman, maybe something like the queen herself, stiff and haughty and looking at Sabrina as if she were a bug. I didnt realize she was a... That your family was so...so grand.
Oh, were not grand at all. In fact, everyone says were deplorably plebian. He grinned and hauled her to her feet. Come, youll see. Shes not stuffy at all.
Sabrina found that hard to believe, but she had little choice but to follow, her cheeks already burning in anticipation of her coming humiliation. Alex took her armwhether to support her or keep her from fleeing, she wasnt sure.
They walked down the hall and through a set of open double doors. As soon as they stepped inside, Sabrina understood both the names given to the room. The couches and chairs and a chaise longue were upholstered in a rich red damask, relieved only by the dark wood of various tables. The walls and even the ceiling were all hung with billowing folds of fabric so that it did, in fact, resemble the inside of a tent. A very luxurious tent.
Alex, dear. A woman rose from a love seat. She was tall and beautifully dressed, her hair a dark auburn almost overtaken by gray. She had clearly been a beauty when she was youngstill was beautiful, in fact. It all added up to an imposing figure, though not the one Sabrina had imagined. But that image was dispelled by the warmth of her smile and the kindness in her gaze. I see youve brought me a guest. Come, sit down, child. You look white as a sheet. Reaching out, she took Sabrinas hands in hers. Goodness, your hands are cold as ice. Alex, ring for some tea.
As Alex turned to tug the bellpull, Sabrina said, I beg your pardon for barging in on you like this, Your Grace. And I know the way I am dressed must seem, um... Well, she really didnt have the words to sum up how wrong her appearance was.
Tis nothing. The duchess waved her words away and led Sabrina over to a sofa. Now sit down here with me and tell me what has happened. I can see that you are in some distress. Is it an employer who beat you? Has your father turned you out of the house? Men! Taking their pleasure wherever, whenever they want, but woe betide the poor woman whos caught with the consequencessuch hypocrites. She looked over at Alex with a smile. Not my boys, of course. Theyre gentlemen just like their father. So I know its not Alex who has gotten you into trouble.
Sabrina goggled. What?
Its all right, dear. The older woman patted her hand. You neednt be afraid here. No one is going to judge you. I dont allow that in any of my houses.