Castles

quite ill. The sisters at Holy Cross are well known for their nursing skills, and once it was determined that Victoria would recover, her family felt it safe to leave her there to recuperate. She and I became fast friends, and after she returned to England, she wrote to me at least once a month, sometimes more. I do wish I'd saved the letters, because in two or three of them she made references to a secret admirer who was courting her. She thought it was all very romantic.'

'Perry… where have I heard that name?' Colin wondered aloud.

'I don't know, sir.'

He smiled. 'I shouldn't have interrupted you. Please continue.'

She nodded. 'The last letter I received was dated the first of September. I immediately wrote back, but I didn't hear another word. I was concerned, of course. When I reached your father's home, I told him I was going to send a messenger to Victoria to request an audience. I wanted to catch up on all the latest happenings. Victoria led such an exciting life and I so enjoyed her correspondence.'

'And did you get your audience?'

'No,' Alesandra answered. She stopped and turned to look up at Colin. 'Your father told me about the scandal. Victoria was supposed to have run off with a man from a lower station. They were married in Gretna Green. Can you imagine such a tale? Her family certainly believes it. Your father told me they've disowned her.'

'Now I remember. I did hear about the scandal.'

'None of it's true.'

He raised an eyebrow over the vehemence in her voice. 'It isn't?' he asked.

'No, it isn't,' she said. 'I'm a good judge of character, Colin, and I assure you Victoria wouldn't have eloped. She simply isn't the sort. I'm going to find out what really happened to her. She may be in trouble and need my help,' she added. 'Tomorrow I shall send a note to her brother, Neil, begging an audience.'

'I don't think the family will want their daughter's embarrassment drudged up again.'

'I shall be most discreet.'

Her voice reeked with sincerity. She was a dramatic thing, and so damned beautiful it was difficult to pay attention to anything she said. Her eyes mesmerized him. He happened to notice she had her hand on the doorknob to his room. He was further distracted by her wonderful scent. The feint smell of roses floated in the air between them. Colin immediately took a step back to put some distance between them.

'Do you mind that I'm sleeping in your bed?'

'I didn't know you were.'

'Flannaghan's going to move my things into the adjoining chamber tomorrow. He didn't think you would be coming home tonight. It's just for one night, sir, but now that he's had time to put linens on the bed next door, I'll be happy to give you your bed back.'

'We'll change in the morning.'

'You're being very kind to me. Thank you.'

Colin finally noticed the dark smudges under her eyes. The woman was clearly exhausted and he'd kept her from her sleep by grilling her.

'You need your rest, Alesandra. It's the middle of the night.'

She nodded, then opened the door to his bedroom. 'Good night, Colin. Thank you again for being so hospitable.'

'I couldn't turn my back on a princess when she's down on her luck,' he said.

'I beg your pardon?' She didn't have the faintest idea what he meant by that remark. Where had he gotten the idea she was down on her luck?

'Alesandra, what was the other reason for coming to London?'

She looked confused by the question. The second reason must not have been very important, he decided. 'I was merely curious,' he admitted with a shrug. 'You mentioned you had two reasons and I wondered… never mind. Go to bed now. I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well, Princess.'

'I remember the reason now,' she blurted out.

He turned back to her. 'Yes?'

'Would you like me to tell you?'

'Yes, I would.'

She stared up at him a long minute. Her hesitation was obvious. So was her vulnerability. 'Do you want me to be honest with you?'

He nodded. 'Of course I do.'

'Very well then. I'll be honest. Your father suggested I not confide in you, but since you have insisted upon knowing and I did promise I would be honest…'

'Yes?' he prodded.

'I've come to London to marry you.'

~

He was suddenly hungry again. It was peculiar to him the way the craving burst upon him all at once. There was never any warning. He hadn't thought about a hunt in a long, long while, and now, at the midnight hour, while he was standing in the doorway of Sir Johnston's library listening to the latest gossip about the prince regent, sipping his brandy with several other titled gentlemen of the ton, he was nearly overwhelmed with his need.

He could feel the power draining away from him. His eyes burned. His stomach ached. He was empty, empty, empty.

He needed to feed again.

Chapter 3

Alesandra didn't get much sleep the rest of the night. The expression on Colin's face when she had blurted out her second reason for coming to London had made her breath catch in the back of her throat. Lord, he'd been furious. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to block the image of his anger long enough to fall back to sleep.

So much for honesty, she thought to herself. Telling the truth hadn't served her well at all. She should have kept silent. Alesandra let out a loud sigh. No, she had to tell the truth. Mother Superior had drummed that fact into her.

Her thoughts immediately returned to Colin's expression of fury. How could a man with such an adorable dimple in his cheek have eyes so frigid? Colin could be dangerous when he was riled. She really wished his papa had mentioned that important fact to her before she had embarrassed herself so thoroughly and infuriated Colin so completely.

She dreaded her next encounter with him. She took her time getting dressed. Valena assisted her. The maid kept up a constant chatter while she brushed Alesandra's hair. She wished to know all the details of her princess's day. Was she going out? Would she wish her maid to accompany her? Alesandra answered her questions as best she could.

'We may have to find another lodging after today,' she remarked. 'I shall share my plans with you as soon as I've formulated them, Valena.'

The maid finished buttoning the back of Alesandra's royal blue walking dress just as a knock sounded at the door.

Flannaghan requested the princess join his employer in the salon as soon as possible.

Alesandra didn't think it would be a good idea to keep him waiting. There wasn't time to braid her hair, and she didn't want the bother anyway. She didn't have a lady's maid while living at the convent and found the formality a nuisance. She had learned to do for herself.

She dismissed Valena, told Flannaghan she would be downstairs in just a moment, and then hurried over to her valise. She pulled out the notecard her guardian had given her, brushed her hair back over her shoulders, and then left the room.

She was ready to take on the dragon. Colin was waiting for her in the salon. He stood in front of the hearth, facing the door, with his hands clasped behind his back. She was relieved to notice he wasn't scowling. He looked