Page 71 of A Stolen Heart

Nicola smothered a giggle, and the Countess stared at Alexandra’s gun in horror. “My dear! I had no idea. I thought you lived where it was civilized!”

Alexandra chuckled. “We do. But you must remember that my aunt lived through a war, the only one there to guard the house while her father and brother went off to fight. She taught me how to load a gun and shoot. My mother had been terrified by the rioting she lived through in France, and she encouraged me to learn.”

The Countess turned toward Sebastian in amazement. He shrugged, his eyes dancing, and said, “I have found Miss Ward to be a most unusual woman, my lady.” He turned to Alexandra. “However, I do think, Miss Ward, that you don’t need the pistol here at the opera.”

“Oh.” Alexandra looked at the gun in her hand and stuck it into her reticule. “Sorry.” She turned toward the Countess. “I don’t mean to displease you. But we really are capable of protecting ourselves. And if need be, I shall hire extra men for protection.”

“I have a better idea,” Thorpe suggested. “I shall lend you my valet, Murdock. He’s worth five ordinary servants in a fight. He can stand guard outside your rooms.”

Alexandra looked at him coolly. “It is quite unnecessary, my lord.”

“But it will offer me peace of mind—as well as the Countess. Surely you cannot deny us that.”

Alexandra would have liked to argue. She did not want any help of any kind from Lord Thorpe. If nothing else, it would probably mean that she would have to see him again, and that was much too unsettling for her peace of mind. However, she could not think of any way that she could refuse without sounding churlish, especially since he had come to her rescue when she so desperately needed it.

“All right.” She gave in rather ungraciously.

Sebastian gave her an ironic little smile. “Thank you, Miss Ward.”

Alexandra turned to look at the stage, grateful that the opera was finally about to begin, so that she would have something to divert her attention from Sebastian. However, she found that no matter how much she might concentrate on the spectacle onstage, she could not help but be aware of Sebastian’s constant presence.

She thought about the Countess’s suggestion. The idea of spending the next few days or weeks with Sebastian in the Countess’s country home was dangerously appealing. It would be pure folly, of course, she reminded herself; the only good course was to turn it down, as she had done. And yet…She could not keep herself from indulging in a daydream about stolen kisses in the moonlight.

“Miss Ward?”

Alexandra started and turned, realizing that the intermission had arrived and the lights had come up. Lost in her daydream, she hadn’t even noticed. It was obvious from his quizzical expression that this was not the first time Sebastian had said her name.

“What? Forgive me. I was…so lost in the story. What did you say?”

“I suggested that we take a stroll during the intermission, perhaps get some refreshment.”

“Oh. Yes, thank you.” She rose, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, telling herself that in all politeness she could scarcely refuse to walk about the opera house with him. She could feel Nicola’s speculative eye upon her, but she steadfastly refused to look at her, certain that she would blush if she met Nicola’s knowing gaze.

They walked along the wide hallway for a moment without speaking, Thorpe nodding toward acquaintances, but not pausing to speak to anyone.

Finally he said, “I spoke with Bertie Chesterfield today. He said that he would be happy to talk with us about Lord Chilton and his family and what happened in Paris. I suggested tomorrow afternoon, if that’s amenable to you.”

So he had gotten her alone only because he wanted to make practical arrangements about talking to Chesterfield! Alexandra tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her chest.

“Yes, of course, whenever you wish,” she returned politely.

They lapsed into silence. Sebastian guided her into a somewhat secluded space beside a large potted palm and stopped. “Alexandra…about what you told me about Mrs. Ward…”

Alexandra straightened, her cheeks suddenly flaming with color. “About her madness? Really, I don’t think there is anything to discuss.”

He looked at her, his eyes dark with frustration. “I did not know—”

“Of course not. How could you? Please, I’d rather not—”

“Ah, Thorpe, there you are.” A cultured male voice interrupted them, and Alexandra looked up to see the Earl of Exmoor standing only a few feet from them. “And Miss…Ward, is it not?”

Alexandra nodded, glad for any interruption to this talk. “Yes, that’s right. Good evening, my lord.”

“Exmoor.” Sebastian made no effort to conceal his irritation. “What do you want?”

“Thorpe, dear fellow, even you are usually not so crude in your manners. Can’t one stop to greet a…well, I guess one could not say friend…an acquaintance, then?”

“I’ve rarely seen you go out of your way to be friendly—unless you have some reason.”