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Her breath caught at the honorific. Death by a thousandLottiessuddenly seemed merciful. “Is…is Marta still watching?”
“Not at present. But that could change any moment.” His eyes remained fixed on her, his face sphinxlike, while he held out his palm. An offering. The candlelight flickered against his bare skin. How many times had she grabbed it so carelessly as a girl, never understanding the power in such a gesture?
He raised an eyebrow at her hesitation. “And a man escorts a lady from a room, especially his wife.” He added, with a hint of challenge, “Surely you can endure something so trivial.”
“Of course,” she scoffed, sliding her palm against his. It was larger now, and the skin was rougher, but she felt that bone-deep spark of recognition again.
As she rose to her feet, Alec placed her hand in the crook of his arm. Lottie flinched at the powerful warmth rising from him; it instantly penetrated the layers of their clothing to caress the bare skin of her arm before spreading lower. Alec’s dark gaze bore into hers, the candlelight still lapping at the sharp angles of his devastating face. “Do you really hate me that much?” The question was practically a whisper, almost as if he were speaking to himself.
Lottie hadn’t realized she was holding her breath. “Heavens,” she huffed. “I don’thateyou. I could never…” She shook her head and glanced away. That was more than enough of an answer.
“But you do dislike me,” he offered. “Violentlyso.”
Her gaze snapped to his and she raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t use the word ‘violently.’”
That spoke of emotions too strong, too raw, to be controlled.
Alec smiled at that, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Fair enough.” He moved toward the entryway, but Lottie hung back.
“Why did you never—”
Just then Marta swept into the room to clear the table and saved Lottie from her blunder. “A letto, tutti e due! Go! Go!” She waved her hands toward the door, practically shooing them out of the room.
Why did you never write?
There was no answer that could possibly satisfy her.
No acceptable reason that would take away the sting of his rejection. Of being cast aside so easily and forgotten by a man she had thought a friend.
Her great friend.
Once they were in the hall, Lottie didn’t resume her question and Alec didn’t ask. They silently ascended the staircase to her bedroom, their footsteps echoing on the worn stone. With each step, Lottie’s heart beat ever faster. By the time they reached the bedroom door, it was as if she had finished a race. Alec pushed it open and gestured for her to enter first. Lottie swallowed and stepped inside. A fire was lit and the room freshly turned down. Marta had even placed a vase of cut flowers by the bedside.
A young couple on their honeymoon.
The door shut softly behind her, but Lottie couldn’t move. Alec swept by and retrieved his battered satchel from the corner. He pulled out a small leather case then glanced up and noticed her still standing there. Lottie’s eyes skittered toward the bed.
The corner of his mouth lifted almost in apology. “I’m going to sleep on the floor.”
Was that relief or disappointment swelling within her? “I—I know.”
Why not both?
She hurried toward the wardrobe and retrieved her nightgown before darting behind the changing screen. She began unbuttoning her dress, listening to the sounds of Alec rifling through his bag, no doubt preparing for tomorrow. She was pulled from her thoughts by the room’s sudden silence. Now clad in only her chemise, Lottie gave herself a shake and finished changing into her nightgown. On the other side of the screen it sounded like Alec had developed a cough. “Are you all right?” she asked as she pulled on her dressing gown.
“I’m fine.”
He sounded a bit hoarse. Lottie stepped out from behind the screen. Alec had removed his dinner jacket, and his braces hung limply by his sides. He seemed rather flushed.
Lottie raised an eyebrow. “You’re sure?”
“Quite,” he said tightly as he walked toward the hearth and leaned a forearm against the wall.
Lottie removed her dressing gown and climbed into bed. Only then did he turn around. His cheeks weren’t red anymore but his gaze was wary. Disturbed.Unsettled.He cast her a quick glance and then continued to sort through his things.
Lottie relaxed against the pillows. “Good night.”
He didn’t look up. “Sleep well.”
