Page 64 of His Sinful Touch

Chapter Twenty-Two

TO ALEX’S SURPRISE, Sabrina launched herself into his arms. He squeezed her to him, his cheek against the softness of her hair, letting the anxiety drain out of him. Finally recalling that they were standing in a public hallway, he stepped into her compartment, carrying her with him, and closed the door. Only then did he set her down.

“Thank heavens you’re here.” He smiled down into her face, smoothing one hand over her hair. “I’ve alarmed every passenger in this car, looking for your compartment.” He wasn’t going to tell her how scared he’d been, thinking that he had chosen the wrong direction and she was lost to him.

She laughed, and her eyes shone in a way that warmed him. “Perhaps you wouldn’t have alarmed them so much if you didn’t look like a wild man.” She cast a meaningful glance at his hair.

“Yes, well, I wouldn’t have looked so much like a wild man if I hadn’t had to run to jump on board.” He combed his fingers through his hair, bringing it back into some kind of order.

“Did you really?”

He nodded. “The conductor thought I was a madman.” He paused, then added candidly, “That occurred to me, as well.”

“But why? How did you know where I was? How did you even know I was gone?”

“I can’t explain it. I didn’t know what it was at first—I just felt uneasy. We were busy watching the Dearborn carriage and their cohort, and I suppose I laid it down to that. But suddenly I realized that the house felt...empty.” Alex shrugged. “So we looked for you, and then I questioned the maid you bribed.”

“I didn’t bribe her.”

“That’s good because she gave you up as soon as I asked. Next time I’d choose another if I were you.” He tilted his head, his voice turning serious. “Did you really think I wouldn’t follow you?”

“I—” Sabrina paused. “You shouldn’t have.”

“Why not?” He placed his hands on her upper arms, his eyes intent on hers. “Tell me, Sabrina. Do you really wish I had not? Would you rather I stopped hanging about? Left you alone?”

“Of course I don’t,” she snapped, turning away from him.

“Why did you leave, Sabrina?” He hadn’t intended to ask her, at least not so abruptly, so harshly, but he couldn’t stop the words. She turned back sharply, her eyes searching his face, as he rushed on. “Why didn’t you tell me before you left? Why did you sneak out of the house as if you were escaping prison? Were you so unhappy there?”

“Of course not. I was happy. Horribly happy.” Tears shone in Sabrina’s eyes. “I had to leave secretly because that man was watching the house. I knew I must use a disguise. What else was I to do?”

He steeled himself to her tears. “You could have stayed. Did you not trust me to take care of you? Did you think I was too weak to hold off Niles Dearborn? Or was it that you feared I wouldn’t protect you when it came down to it? That I would turn you over to him despite everything I said.”

“No!” Sabrina cried. “I trust you with my life. But even you can’t defy the laws of England. I couldn’t let you sacrifice yourself and your family. Don’t you see?”

“No,” he said flatly. “I don’t. All we have to do is stave them off for a couple of weeks until your birthday. Then Dearborn will no longer be your guardian. He won’t have any right to control what you do.”

“That won’t matter if I’m married to his son!”

“You’re not. There’s no reason to think—”

“But there is.” Sabrina’s voice caught. “I—I remembered something. That’s why I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t—” Her voice broke and she had to start again. “I couldn’t bear to tell you... I think it may be true. I’m afraid I’m married to Peter.”

“Why? Miss Holcutt said you had a dream about him, surely that’s not enough to—” He stopped, a sharp pain in his chest. “Did you remember something? Are you... Did you realize that you loved him?”

“No!” She looked up at him, her expression so horrified that Alex relaxed. “I don’t feel anything when I look at him except fear and dislike.” She paused, frowning. “But if I am married to him, I’m legally bound. You can’t protect me—no one can.”

“I don’t give a damn what the law says.” Alex’s eyes flashed. “I’m not turning you over to either Dearborn unless you want to go back. If it comes down to it, I’ll take you out of the country, where he cannot get you. We’ll go to America.”

Her gaze softened, and she reached out to him. “Oh, Alex...you are very kind. But I can’t ask that of you.”

“You don’t have to ask. That is what’s going to happen. I can protect you, and I will, no matter what.”

Sabrina burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.

“Sabrina...no, don’t cry.” Alex folded her into his arms, holding her as she sobbed. He stroked her back soothingly, laying soft kisses against her hair, and made comforting noises. When her tears began to quiet, he said, “It’ll be all right. If you don’t want to leave the country, we shan’t. I’ll find another way.”

She made a little noise, half laugh, half sob, and said, “It’s not that. I don’t care where I go.” She wiped her tears away and looked up at him. Her eyes were soft and glowing, her lashes clinging together wetly, like the points of a star. She was, he thought, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She went on, “When I’m with you, I feel as though anything is possible.”