A Scarlet Bride (15 page)

She saw that his shoes were covered with sand and a piece of seaweed clung to his pant leg.

He took her by the hand and pulled her back towards the ocean.

"Don't," she cried, but she didn't put up much of a resistance. "Ladies aren't
suppose
to frolic in the sea."

"No one is watching! It will be our secret."

She laughed as they ran down the beach, playing chase with the surf, sometimes getting wet, sometimes outracing the water. Connor held onto her tightly, keeping her fears at bay.

When they finally made it back to the bicycles, the sun was beginning to slide toward the edge of the sky, casting long shadows on the ground.

"We better start heading back," Connor said reluctantly.

Alexandra looked down at her skirt. At least three inches of her hem were damp with water and sand. Her toes squished inside her shoes, their dampness chilling her feet. But the amazing thing was
,
she was happy. She'd had more fun today than she could remember in the last six years of her life.

She couldn't let the day go by without saying something. Moving to within inches of Connor, she picked up his palm, his fingers strong as she shook his hand.

"Thank you for today, Connor. I had a wonderful time."

He reached down and planted a kiss on her nose, and it was then she felt the gritty feeling of sand on her face. Yet his kiss was touching and sweet and somehow left her aching for more.

"You're welcome, Alexandra. Let's go home. Leona will have dinner waiting."

Yes, Connor Manning was definitely a rake, a charming rake, one she was determined to resist with body and soul. But he was definitely making it more and more difficult.

***

Candlelight illuminated the table, flickering over Connor's irresistible stubborn jaw and full lips. The gas lamps had been turned down, creating a cozy atmosphere of intimacy. Connor had hovered over her all evening, waiting on her like a cherished mate, and even though she resisted, she couldn't help but feel special. It had been a long time since anyone had treated her like a lady, and after their outing today his attention made her feel extraordinary.

Yet, the odds of him winning the Kentucky Derby were greater than the chance of him getting into her bed. But then the poor man had not accepted the reality of the situation and though she enjoyed his attention, she knew she was playing with fire.
Fire of a sensual nature.
For some reason, when the man kissed her, he had the uncanny ability to make her burn with a flame she had never experienced.

The last two days had given her a grudging sense of respect for Connor. He carried with him a sense of legacy and responsibility regarding his home. He was a complex man, much more than the rake she'd met at the
Rutherfords
'.

Rising from his chair, Connor said, "If you're finished, why don't we have coffee in our sitting room upstairs?"

Alexandra blinked, trying to refocus her thoughts.
"All right."

He walked around the table, then pulled out her chair and offered her his arm. Together they climbed the stairs, her skirts rustling against his legs, the sound loud in the stillness. The lamps were low as they entered their sitting area, and Alexandra took a seat on the divan.

"Do you play chess?" Connor inquired as he paced the floor before Alexandra.

Years had passed since she'd last played chess with her father, since the first and last time she'd beaten him. One loss to his daughter and they had never played again.

"I play a little," she said, smiling at him, thinking this might actually be fun.

"While Leona is bringing up our coffee, I'll set up the board."

"Okay."

Alexandra glanced around the room. Though they shared this sitting area, it had a decidedly male flavor. The drapes were heavy red brocade. Two tables made from rich dark wood graced the room along with the Oriental carpets that covered the floor. If she were the permanent woman of the house, she would change this room to reflect more of a neutral atmosphere.

Connor finished placing the chess pieces on a wooden board set on one of the oaken tables in the center of the room. She joined him, sitting across from him, and before he could object, turned the board around and moved a white pawn out two spaces.

"I gather you want to go first," Connor said, his eyes scanning the board as he decided where to make his first move.

"Ladies first."

He glanced up at her, his blue eyes twinkling with laughter. "Why do I get the feeling I'm about to take a tumble?"

She shrugged. "Whatever would give you that idea?"

"Your eagerness.
Beating a man at chess is not ladylike," he chastised.

"Then why did you ask me to play—unless of course you thought I would bow to your superior male qualities,
then
swoon at your feet in glorious reverence when you won."

The corner of his lips turned up into a smirk. "The idea of you swooning before any man is ludicrous."

She smiled. "It is rather comical, isn't it?"

For a few minutes the only noise in the room was the slide of wood against wood as they made their moves.
Each one testing the other.

Moving his knight into position, Connor captured her rook and gave her a confident grin.

Alexandra moved her knight, capturing his rook. She leaned back and relaxed her, every move in control.

Stunned, he gazed at her in amazement. "How long have you been playing this game?"

"Long enough," she replied.

"Did Gordon teach you to play chess?"

"Hardly.
Gordon didn't want a wife who knew how to beat him at anything."

Connor moved his queen into position, threatening her king. He glanced at her, the blue of his eyes seeming to envelop her as he laid his hand on her arm."You've never spoken to me about your marriage to Gordon. Someday I would like to hear your side of what went wrong."

Alexandra quickly returned her gaze to the safety of the board. For a moment nothing was said, but the warmth of his hand lay against her arm, feeling like the weight of a chain. The memories his words evoked were restrictive and heavy.

Finally she looked up from the board, her eyes meeting and holding his gaze. What was Connor up to now? She swallowed nervously. "I don't care to discuss my marriage to Gordon with you or anyone else."

She moved her bishop into place.

He sighed and moved his second rook before his gaze returned to hers. "There are two sides to every story. All I'm asking is to hear your version."

Panic almost overwhelmed her as she realized he was waiting, listening for her to tell him what Gordon had done to her. No one had ever asked for her side, or shown an interest that she could have been wronged. Part of her wanted to confide in Connor, yet she couldn't bring herself to talk about the wretched situation. To unlock and trust him with the intimate knowledge of her first marriage was more than she was capable of right now.

She rubbed her temple, trying to ease the tension she felt building in her head, and then moved her queen before she glanced up and met his blue eyes. "My first marriage was a terrible mistake and I knew it almost from the beginning. I was
young,
I was naive about... what happens between a man and a woman. Suffice it to say that we were miserable together, and I soon realized he married me for my dowry."

Connor's eyes shifted from her to the chess game.
"Doesn't sound much different from other marriages."

"It wasn't at first."

He moved his knight into a precarious position, leaving her open to capture his bishop. "Then what happened?"

Alexandra felt the familiar surge of hate she felt for Gordon start to build within her. Memories of her previous husband's perfidies returned in force, fueling the anger inside. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

A long moment of tense silence ensued while they took turns moving chess pieces, until finally he raised his gaze to hers. "Someday, I hope you'll tell me your side."

He moved one of his pawns.

"Maybe," she replied noncommittally.

She took a deep breath and glanced down at the chessboard. If he fell for her bait, she could end this game in two moves. But would he be so gullible? She moved her queen into position.

She watched as he ran his tongue across his lips, concentrating.

"While I think you are an excellent chess player, much better than I expected, I hereby capture your queen." He raised his dancing blue eyes to hers. "It's almost impossible to win without your queen."

He sat back, a smug smile on his face.

Alexandra leaned over the table and moved her second rook into position. "My queen was the sacrificial lamb. Checkmate."

A stunned look crossed Connor's face as he stared at the board. He scratched his head in amazement before raising his eyes to meet hers. Leaning back in the chair, he smiled. "You are quite good."

Alexandra felt a rush of pleasure. Her father had never told her she was a competent player, but had refused to play her after she beat him. He had even gone so far as to tell her she should always let the man win, which she had promptly dismissed.

"Thank you."

"But do me a favor. Can we keep this our little secret?'' he asked.

Laughter bubbled forth from Alexandra, and she realized she was having fun. For the second time today she was enjoying a man's company. How long since she could honestly say she had enjoyed being with a man? "If it will make you feel better, I promise I won't tell anyone."

He let out an exaggerated breath. "Whew. I thought for a moment my reputation was ruined."

Standing, Alexandra moved to a table and poured coffee that Leona had brought up earlier. Turning, she found his eyes upon her, dark and warm, sending a shiver of anticipation through her. How could one look have the power to make her ache inside?

"Would you like a cup?" she asked in a shaky voice.

"Thank you, please."

She poured him a cup and turned to find him standing behind her. They moved to a Louis XV chaise and sat side by side. Alexandra sipped the hot liquid, trying to calm her rapidly beating heart. Her hands shook slightly as she placed her cup and saucer on a nearby matching console table.

Connor leaned over and set his cup and saucer beside hers. He slipped his arm behind her and pulled her next to him, their bodies touching at different points. For a moment, Alexandra tensed as she felt his body through their clothes. But then she couldn't help but notice how nicely they fit together, and the feeling that somehow this was where she belonged slowly stole over her, leaving her disturbed.

"So what have you planned for us tomorrow?" she asked.

"I'd like to do what all newlyweds do."

'4Write
thankyou
notes?''
Alexandra asked innocently.

"Hardly.
I was thinking more along the lines of just spending time together."

She faced him, eyebrows raised.

"Really?
I thought you meant something more sexual." She paused, Connor's comments regarding Gordon and the memories he evoked pulsing through her veins. "Why do you expect me to believe you, when everything you say sounds like your typical rake's line? It's almost as if you believe with the right words, you can seduce me into your bed."

"No," Connor protested his voice unconvincing.

She took a deep breath. "You asked me earlier about my first marriage. You've heard the gossip. They say I committed adultery. What do you think, Connor? Do you think that I'm the type of woman who would break her marriage vows and dishonor her family with scandal? Do you think I committed adultery?"

Connor stared at Alexandra. How could he respond? When he first met her, he'd thought her an easy conquest because she was divorced. Weren't all divorced women free with their favors? He'd once thought so, but now he wasn't so sure. For a woman of easy virtue, he had met more resistance from her than a spinster Sunday school teacher.

Before he could think of a response, the door to the sitting room burst open and Suzanne ran into the room, a wide smile on her face.

"Hello," she called. "I'm home."

Alexandra jumped away from him. Damn! He had planned on Suzanne being gone at least one more night. He was enjoying having his wife all to himself. He wasn't ready for their days alone to end.

"Welcome back," he said, trying not to sound disappointed, knowing he wasn't doing a very good job.

"Did you enjoy staying with Aunt Clara?" Alexandra asked.

"We had fun. She taught me how to play whist. Then today Mr.
LaRoux
took me to town."

''I thought you were going to stay a few days,'' Connor couldn't refrain from saying, hoping he disguised his frustration.

"I did too. But I was ready to come home. Besides, Alexandra's going to teach me how to embroider and sew."