The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(86)

"I suppose you're right," he conceded reluctantly.



"I am right. Now think no more of it. I would just as soon forget all about your old life and concentrate on the future."



"I don't want to look back any more either."



"Then we won't," she said firmly, kissing him hard.



When she eventually lifted her lips she continued, "Anyway, the evenings here in Bath. What do you think?"



"I have no objection to going to the concerts, Sarah."



"The Duke has a box at the theater if you think you would enjoy it, but we don't have to go if you don't wish to. Then there will be recitals and so on at the Abbey. We can go to a ball or two in the Lower Rooms. It will be much less formal there. But we don't have to go if you're fatigued or bored."



"Or if you are fatigued or bored."



"I'm a bit tired now with the drive. If you don't mind an early dinner and bed, that would be most welcome."



"For me too." He grinned.



They each had a bath and then met in her room, and curled up in front of the fire on the divan.



"Happy?"



"Yes, very. You?" Sarah asked, snuggling into his embrace.



"I couldn't be more happy if I tried."



"Well, I can think of one way." She kissed him lingeringly.



He instantly got the hint. He stood up, swung her into his arms, and headed for the bed, his hands divesting her of her wrapper the instant her back hit the mattress. His hotly seeking mouth roved all over her quivering flesh until there was no Sarah and Alexander, just one soul seeking its ultimate bliss.





Chapter Twenty-three



They did not rise too early the next morning, for the luxury of being stretched out beside her lover and not having a hundred chores to do was more than Sarah could resist.



But eventually they dragged themselves downstairs for breakfast, and then went to the small and more exclusive Cross Baths. For this first occasion, she got changed into the dark brown gown which the ladies wore.



Alexander, in the men's changing rooms, was asked to put on a pair of baggy drawers and a shirt, and then he was led in by an attendant with a towel.



Sarah tried not to hover anxiously as he approached the stairs. They could of course be a bit slippery, but he got in without incident, and then she joined him.



Perched on the ledge together, they chatted about the heat and the strong smell of sulfur. Some of the more ambulatory of the people there came over to strike up their acquaintance. They introduced themselves and discussed the weather, the news from Europe, and the latest crop and share prices.



After a time, Sarah got out and went to change, while Alexander sat with a group of the young men who had all been soldiers. Unbeknownst to Alexander, a couple of them kept looking at him as though they were sure they had seen him before, but couldn't place him. He was certainly a most striking looking man with those rare tawny eyes like a panther's. They chatted amiably for some time, until one by one they got out, leaving him alone once more.



Alexander immediately began to feel better in the steaming hot waters, and told Sarah the good news as soon as she returned.



"Stay in for as long as you can then, and I shall read to you."



"Tell me about the history of this place from your guide book?"



She flicked through the pages until she found the correct place. "The Pump Room for drinking the waters was completed in 1796 by Thomas Baldwin and John Palmer. The Baths of course are ancient, built between the first and fourth centuries. The town was called Aquae Sulis, and the baths were part of a temple to the goddess Minerva. There is a fabulous Gorgon's Head, and in 1727 they also excavated part of the altar, which has a picture of Hercules and Bacchus. There is also a mastiff carrying a roe deer, a hound chasing a hare, and a depiction of the four seasons revolving around the pediment which represents Luna."



"I wish I could see it."



"You can. You can touch it all the way you touched my face, dearest."



"Not quite the same thing."



"But better than nothing."



He grinned. "And sometimes touching is indeed far better than looking."



"Behave!" she said, slapping his shoulder playfully. "Anyone could come in and hear you."



"But not before I heard them. At least my hearing has improved."



"That's something, I suppose. So let's see what nice things I can let you hear."



She opened the book of poems she had brought with her, and read some light Cavalier poetry.



"I know. You love roses, so what about 'Go, Lovely Rose!' by Edmund Waller?"



"Perfect. I think it was always one of my favorites."