The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(34)

Perhaps it was because their roles had been reversed? In her society, men were expected to be the strong ones, to pursue and woo. With Alexander, he needed her help. He was weak and vulnerable, but oh so alluring.



She found herself looking forward to the next time she saw him, spoke to him, was able to touch him. She did not think it was because she felt sorry for him, either. He was not like some stray puppy or kitten that she had decided to rescue. He was a living, breathing, warm, intelligent man from a good background. A man who made her heart thunder and her knees go weak.



His enigmatic nature was alluring as well. She had a number of clues about his background. For example, he had similar tattoos which, if not exactly the same as her brother's, still indicated that it was a safe guess that he and her brother knew and liked each other.



In that case, she was as sure as she could be of anything that he was a decent man. She would help him get to the bottom of the mystery. In some senses, she didn't think discovering his name was going to make that much difference. He seemed to belong here in some strange way. And if her brother didn't know him after all, she felt sure Jonathan would have some ideas for Alexander's future.



They were not exactly poor. They could help him easily, and she would be delighted to do it. And to share her life with him...



It was an impractical fantasy in a lot of respects. A blind, limping Prince Charming with no clue as to his identity was not exactly the hero she had had in mind in her girlish romantic fantasies. But he was warm and decent, and so solid, so real. So sensual...



The most wonderful thing about Alexander was perhaps that he simply seemed to accept her as she was, not worrying about if she was rich or poor, pretty or ugly, witty or dull.



Jonathan had dreamt of finding a woman who would love him for himself, not his fortune. He and Pamela had endured the hardest of tests of their love, and come shining through. His two closest friends had also won women who had been able to look beyond the surface and see the soul within.



Alexander could not see the surface. He could only try to look into the soul within. When he touched her hand affectionately, she was sure there were many things he could see which ordinary men could not.



She had no idea how long she had been staring into space, but Alexander shifted on the divan, and observed, "Jenny is coming with the soup. I think it might be easier to eat it at the table."



She started up from her chair. "You're right. If you're feeling up to it."



"I am."



"All right. This way."



He stood up and took her arm. She led him down the hall into the dining room and seated him.



"Napkin, spoon, bread, bowl, water glass." Sarah took his hand and placed it on each item. She watched him solicitously while he tucked his napkin in under his chin, and proceeded to eat.



"And some for you as well, Miss?"



"Yes, Jenny, thank you, I believe I will have some."



When he had emptied the bowl, she asked, "Would you like more?"



"Yes, please."



Jenny returned with another full bowl, and Alexander polished it off as well. Whatever had been amiss with him as a result of the dream, at least it had not affected his appetite.



"More soup, or some dessert?" Sarah offered.



"Dessert, please."



They had pears poached in brandy with fresh cream, and coffee while they chatted about inconsequential things for a time, the weather, Jenny's superb cooking, Caleb's general usefulness around their home. She deliberately kept the talk light, not wanting to remind him of the funny turn he had just had.



"I'm glad to see you're feeling so much better," she commented when he had cleaned his plate.



"I do feel better. Good food, hot baths, caring company. It's more than I ever could have hoped." He smiled at her, and rubbed the back of her hand.



"I'm glad you're content. Jonathan believes things always happen for a reason. It may be obscure at the time, but it's nonetheless a good reason. You came to me at just the right time, the right moment in my life. I think it's a sign."



Alexander reached out for her shoulder. "It's kind of you to say so, Sarah. But I can't think that sending you a poor, blind cripple is such a huge boon."



"Oh, but it is. I was feeling sorry for myself, at a loose end now that my friends and family have gone away for the summer. I could have gone with them, but I felt guilty giving in to pleasure. I wanted to help more people. Stop being so self-centered. Then you appeared on my doorstep. It's fate, I tell you."



"I can't imagine you as self-centered, Sarah," he said sincerely.



"Oh, I enjoyed myself very much in Bath this past spring. I will own to having had my head turned a bit by the fine society, lovely gowns and balls and so on. Being in the Duke of Ellesmere's company is a genuine privilege. He is the most genial of hosts, with a wonderful townhouse in the Royal Crescent. I feel sure you will visit it some time. And Bath is a marvel."