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“Then Major General Brock’s offices are there?”
He nodded. “Why are you so interested in my meeting with Brock?”
“Because you were obviously disturbed when you returned. I merely wondered—”
“I had other reasons to be disturbed,” he reminded her.
She blushed but refused to be put off. “You were in a dark mood before we … before you …”
“I know what we did, princess. And, yes, you’re right. I was in a foul mood after my meeting with Brock.”
“Is the situation worse, then?” she asked anxiously.
Drake shrugged. “I don’t know. No information was imparted to me.”
“You believe there will be war.”
Drake started. He had forgotten how astute his little spitfire could be. Well, he wouldn’t lie to her.
“Yes, I believe there will be war.”
“Why?” She looked more curious than alarmed.
He should have known better than to worry about frightening her. “Because,” he explained, “the Americans will not be content with their independence from England. Among their leaders are certain greedy expansionists who believe Canada will be an easy conquest because England is too preoccupied with Napoleon to intervene. But they are wrong. With our passage to Europe blocked, England needs Canada’s vital resources more than ever. And Canada neither needs nor wants to belong to the States. The situation is highly volatile.”
He stopped abruptly, watching Alex’s face for a reaction.
“Perhaps you are judging the Americans too harshly,” she returned.
“And how is that?” Drake’s brows went up. How typical of Alex to defend the fledgling nation. She undoubtedly saw some parallel between the “oppressed” Americans and herself.
Her next words confirmed his opinion.
“Perhaps the Americans are guilty not of greed but merely of enjoying their newfound freedom, of reveling in their limitless opportunities. The British presence on their continent must unnerve them.”
She had a way of making a power-hungry nation sound like an innocent colt that had just discovered his legs and learned to walk. Drake understood, better than Alex realized, her abhorrence of repression. She had suffered from it all her life … as had he.
Unfortunately this was different.
“I agree that the British presence in Canada must make the Americans uneasy,” he countered. “But having fought for their own independence, they should respect the right of self-determination in another nation, not try to usurp that right, as I am convinced they intend to do.”
“I hope you are wrong,” Alex said sadly.
“So do I, princess.”
They walked on in silence past a section of modest two-story homes. Then gradually the buildings grew more grand. Drake pointed to a huge frame structure at the end of the street. Its graceful balconies and ornate fence bespoke wealth and power.
Alex did not need to ask where they were. Grim anticipation seized her, and without realizing it, she reached for Drake’s hand, seeking comfort and strength.
Immediately Drake’s own larger hand closed around it, enfolding her trembling fingers in his warmth. “Your journey is over, Alexandria,” he said softly.
Alex had a sudden overwhelming urge to run—anywhere—and hide. The security of La Belle Illusion felt far away, as did England. In mere moments Drake would be gone as well, and she would be alone with her father’s coldness and disapproval. This was the part of the journey she had refused to think about. But it could be avoided no longer.
She turned to Drake. “I know you are eager to return to your ship and prepare for your journey back to England.” She paused. “I am not sure how to express my gratitude for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Everything?” He cupped her chin tenderly and was rewarded with a faint stain of color on her cheeks. “Save your good-byes, princess,” he continued. “You will continue to be my responsibility until I place you safely in your father’s hands.” He didn’t add that seeing her free spirit so tightly reined both pained and angered him. There was not a chance that he would allow her to face Geoffrey Cassel alone. The reasons did not matter; he would be there for her.
Alex smiled, seeing the reasons very clearly. “Thank you, Drake.”
