He nodded. “Trying different routes.”
“Good idea.” Her smile dimmed. “I’m annoying all the people around me. Minnie is shocked by my behaviour, the dowager wants to throw me in prison, Benedict thinks I want to kill him, Mother has no idea what I’m doing, and you must think…”
“Think what?”
“That I’m a wanton, wild woman with murderous urges.” She stifled a sob, but her shoulders shook.
Alexander took her hand gently and led her to a secluded corner. “I told you I don’t think that.”
“Yes, you do. You said I attacked you.”
“It was clear you weren’t yourself, though.”
“What happened to me?”
He wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “I think that potion pushed you to do all the things you’ve always wanted to do without inhibitions.”
“And what are those things? Threatening a man with a blade and attacking another? Is this who I really am? I’d rather not be myself, then.”
“You’re yourself now, and you’re lovely to me.”
She gave him a little smile. “I wanted to enjoy myself. Instead, I ruined my reputation and ruined other people’s nights, maybe your competition, too, and I’m holding a cloak soaked in blood. It can’t be worse than that.”
“There might be rumours about you, but they’ll end.” He was discovering an optimistic side of himself.
“And I’ll never have a suitor. I’ll live with my parents forever.” She froze. “That would be even worse than a scandal.”
“Esther.” He cupped her cheek. “That won’t be your future.”
She leant into his touch, and he caught a breath.
A tear hung on the tips of her eyelashes, and it looked like a tiny diamond against the backdrop of her sapphire eyes.
“I’ve never met anyone like you,” he said.
“Completely out of my wits?”
He laughed. “No. I would say lively and spirited.”
“Me? Spirited? I’m the most boring woman in the kingdom.”
“I haven’t been bored since I met you. And you’re a crack shot with a cricket bat. I don’t know your mother well, but I think you should follow your instinct more often.”
“Thank you.” She blinked, and the tear slid down her cheek.
He acted on sheer impulse and captured it with his lips. They both shivered.
“I don’t think you’re a wild woman. I think you’re a fine lady,” he whispered.
“Let’s see if you still believe that if we don’t find your foil. Who knows what I did with it? Maybe I sold it, or someone stole it.”
He wiped her cheek again. “I’m sure we’ll find it.” Actually, he wasn’t, but making her smile was more important.
She leant against him as they walked along the alleyway. “What bothers me the most is that I tried to undress you. I would never behave in such a way.”
“You were teasing and laughing. It was almost funny, if not for the fact you were intoxicated.”
“I’ll never drink any mysterious tonic ever again.”
