My cheeks flush a little, and I reach for the tea. “She didn’t poison it, did she?”
Alex chuckles. “Not that I’m aware of.”
I look toward the door, expecting her to appear at any moment. “Where is she now?”
“I sent her to the market.”
After stilling my racing heart, I blow on the steaming tea. “I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.”
“You’re worth all the trouble in the world.”
I lift my eyes to his, smiling despite myself. “We have a show today.”
Suddenly, Alex is all business. “We do. I’ll have my driver take you to Frederick’s house so you can freshen up, and then we’ll meet at the theater and pretend we didn’t spend the night together. Does that sound all right?”
“You make it sound tawdry.” My blush deepens. “No wonder your housekeeper was so taken aback.”
“Never mind that.” Alex sits next to me, deftly setting my tea on the bedside table as he moves in for a kiss. “How are you this lovely in the morning?”
“Stop it,” I say with a laugh, pushing him away. “Give me back my tea.”
“Kiss me first.”
And I do. Alex makes a deep noise in the back of his throat, and I wrap my arms around his neck, deciding tea can wait. Leaning forward, he presses me against the pillows.
“ALEX!” Ms. Kettinson screeches from the doorway, startling us both.
We bolt upright, and Alex leaps off the bed.
“I thought you left,” he demands.
The housekeeper glowers at me. “I forgot my clutch.”
She continues her long, piercing gaze for several seconds before sweeping out of the room. Alex turns back to me, trying not to laugh. “I must soothe her ruffled feathers. I’ll leave you to drink your tea in peace.”
He closes the door behind him, and I flop back in bed, wondering how I’ll win the woman over now.
And then I realize it won’t matter if she takes a liking to me. I won’t be here that much longer.
Suddenly sullen, I sip my tea and try not to look at the ring on my thumb.
* * *
I thankAlex’s coachman after he drives me to Frederick’s house, hoping no one notices I’m wearing the same dress as yesterday.
“Mr. Devereaux has instructed me to wait for you,” the driver says. “Take your time. I’ll be ready when you need me.”
I nod, trying not to twist my hands as I walk into the house.
It’s not as if the maids pay that much attention to me. They likely wouldn’t notice if I wore the same dress all week.
“Sabine,” Lord Cavinder says as soon as I step in the door, almost like he’s been waiting for me.
Startled, I come to a stop.
The older man’s eyes travel over my dress, and faint amusement crosses his face. “I hoped I’d see you this morning. I’d like to have that chat now.”
“Isn’t Frederick here?” I ask, desperate. He was supposed to return early this morning.