Page 20 of Never a Bride
Blythe’s blue eyes widened. “Oh my goodness! Was he offended?”
“Of course not. Naturally Sir Alexander did not wish to be found, either.”
“Then he might have had to marry you,” she said, wearing an impish smile.
Emmeline’s mouth suddenly went dry as a hot summer day. Marriage to a man like that? Forever knowing that he’d beenforcedto marry her? Even spinsterhood was a better option.
“I certainly would not let such a thing happen,” Emmeline said in a tight voice. “I could never hurt you like that.”
“Dearest Emmy, your happiness could not harm me. Losing one suitor of many would be a small price to pay.”
“It is of no consequence, because we were not discovered. We were able to leave the stable unseen.”
Blythe nodded, then caught her lip between her teeth. “Was Alex angry that I did not come to meet him?”
“Of course not. He understood that our father had newly returned and wanted your company.”
After a quick kiss to Emmeline’s cheek, Blythe walked to the door. “Thank you, Emmy. I will return the favor the moment you ask.”
“You will waylay strange men in the stables for me?”
Blythe giggled as she opened the door, looked carefully both ways down the corridor, then closed it behind her.
Soon Emmeline lay in bed watching the patterns cast by the fire across the beamed ceiling. But she could only remain still so long. She rolled over on her side and punched the pillow into a new position. After a moment, she groaned and rolled onto her stomach, but still her rambling thoughts would not allow sleep to claim her.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered Alex’s cheek against her hair, his body pressed to hers. He was so large that he made her feel delicate.
She pulled the coverlet over her head. What could he have been thinking? Surely he was just making sport of her.
But when she was with him, she felt like the only woman alive. Truly, he was gifted with this unique ability to make a woman feel like the focus of his every thought.
But he focused oneverywoman, not just her.
Emmeline covered her face with her hands. Why did he have to be intelligent? Why was there so much more beneath the surface he showed everyone? He intrigued her, and that wasn’t good.
She thought again of the poem he’d created so quickly. She wanted to giggle—she wanted to sigh at such talent being lost on a man who could not appreciate it except for its ability to seduce women.
Clifford had known the true beauty of poetry. Clifford had never abused its power.
But Emmeline had been forced to send him away.
Chapter 7
Three days later, Alex stood before the entrance to the grand London home of the Marquess of Kent. Columns rose high above him, and carved stone flanked the massive doors. Tall windows let in the light.
He had to court Blythe for a kiss, which meant visiting her.
Then why did his evening with Emmeline spring immediately to mind?
He could admit to curiosity. He wanted to face her in the light of day, and see if her customary serenity could be upset by memories of their time together.
Or did he mock himself? Was it he who wanted to forget the sensations he’d felt as he held her lush body? He remembered the brief taste of her flesh, the brush of her hair against his skin. Such simple things with other women—but downright erotic with Emmeline.
He lifted the doorknocker and let it fall. The door opened immediately, as if the liveried manservant’s only duty was to welcome guests.
“I have come to call on Lady Blythe. Is she at home?”
The servant bowed as Alex stepped in. Stone walls rose high above him, covered with paintings and tapestries, and clean rushes were strewn across the floor.
