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I rose early and decided to spend the day out-of-doors. I packed a small luncheon and plan to be gone with a good book most of the day. Please do not worry.
Ally
That little minx! Evan knew very well where she had gone—London.
No chance of sleeping for him this night. He’d have to go after her.
A half an hour later, after interrogating the servants, he found out that one of them had been paid off to get Alexandra to Bath tonight. His business would have to wait. Evan promptly dismissed the man in question and rode his stallion, Leopold, into Bath. After checking the inns and rooming houses, he located Alexandra, ironically, at the same hotel where he’d spent the previous night. Rather than abducting her and taking her back to the estate, he booked a room himself. He would deal with this in the morning.
And he would deal with it in London. Forcing her to go back to the estate would be futile. She would only run again. The woman was determined to go, so rather than trying to stop her, he would simply follow her.
* * *
Alexandra woke early the next morning, her backache increased from sleeping in a bed she was not used to. She rang for a hot tub, bathed quickly, dressed in her traveling clothes, ate a light breakfast, and walked to the railway station.
Freedom! Within days she would be a married woman, and her freedom would be limited. However, her purse would not be limited. Still, she would relish these last few days of liberty. She inhaled the summer breeze on the sunny July day.
Big mistake. She was no longer in the country. In the city, the aroma was vile. Clearly not everyone had indoor plumbing in Bath. She wrinkled her nose. London would likely be no better.
But London was where her future lay. She reached the railway station, purchased her ticket to London, and sat down to await her train. She gazed around at all the people. Other women her age appeared to be riding the train alone, so she didn’t feel too out of place. Despite what her stepbrother might think, young women of an age frequently traveled alone. People from all walks of life gathered at the station—young women like herself, many young businessmen, families with small children, and older couples as well. She looked back toward the ticket booth. A man stood, his back to her, purchasing a ticket. With broad shoulders and a shock of wheat-blond hair, he could have been Evan. But of course Evan had no idea where she was. She turned her head and gazed in the other direction. She had bigger fish to catch.
The train ride was rickety, and she’d purchased an inexpensive ticket, so her seat was lumpy and uncomfortable. She hadn’t packed a lunch, so by the time they reached London she was quite famished. She disembarked and found a small café near the station where she took a repast. Then she hired a coach and asked him to take her to the Brighton townhome.
When she knocked on the door, an older gentleman opened it.
“Yes, madam, may I help you?”
“Yes, you may. I am Lady Alexandra MacIntyre, the earl’s new stepdaughter. I will be staying here for a few days while I visit a good friend in town.”
“Of course, my lady. I am Forrest Clay, the caretaker. I will summon the butler at once. We have been expecting you. We were so sorry to hear about the accident that you and Lord Evan were involved in. Is he with you?”
“No, I’m afraid he could not make it this time. He had some business that could not be avoided.”
A throat cleared behind her. “Lady Alexandra is mistaken. I am here, and I will be acting as her chaperone.”
Alexandra’s neck heated. She turned to face Evan’s angry glare. “What are you doing here?” How had he found her? Drat, he would ruin everything.
“I live here, Alexandra.” His lips were pursed into a thin line.
“Very well, then.” Alexandra entered.
Another man appeared, dressed formally. “Lord Evan, it is wonderful to see you.” The man took Evan’s valise.
“May I present my stepsister, Lady Alexandra MacIntyre. Alexandra, this is our butler, Woods.”
“A pleasure, my lady.” He took her satchel as well. “Lord Evan knows where his chamber is, but let me escort you to yours.”
Alexandra followed Woods up a winding staircase and down a hallway of doors. He stopped in front of one and opened it. “Here you are, my lady. I will send Mary to attend to you.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”
The butler took his leave, and Alexandra looked around her chamber. It was a good size, though nothing like her chamber at the estate, which included a sitting room and a bath chamber. This would do nicely, however, and she was thrilled to be here. All except for that thorn in her side—Evan. Most likely he would insist upon accompanying her to the balls.
She chuckled to herself. Just days ago, when he had insisted upon accompanying her to London, she had thought it a splendid idea. Who better to catch her in the act with Mr. Landon? Now, given their past couple of days together, she wasn’t sure he was the right person at all. Nothing to be done about that. He was here, and he would be going to the balls.
Her maid, Mary, arrived shortly and helped her out of her traveling clothes.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, my lady?”
