She gazed up at him quickly. "You don't mind?"
He swallowed back his bitterness. "No, of course not. He has the prior claim of acquaintanceship, and crippled as badly as he is, he will need all the assistance he can get. I remember what it was like all too well, and was only injured in my back."
She sensed his jealousy and hastened to add, "And a nurse or doctor, and a couple of good servants. Though Blake does say here some of his old comrades will undoubtedly be looking for work now that the war is over."
"Aye, there will be many more dispossessed men than me. I'm sure you're going to try to help them all."
She detected the edge of bitterness in his tone then, and grasped his elbow. "Don't tell me you think I'm only here with you because I, what, pity you?" she asked in exasperation.
"Oh Sarah, I wish I didn't," he confessed in an agonized whisper. "But you speak of Michael and the other Rakehells so fondly, and--"
"Stop it right now!"
"But Sarah, answer me honestly," Alexander demanded. "If I hadn't been injured, would you really have taken a second look at me?"
She stiffened in his arms and slid away on the bench. "I'm not in the habit of taking second looks at any man. You're the only one, Alexander, so handsome you take my breath away. Even beyond your magnificent physique, there's your heart and soul.
"I know you don't remember very much, but there's nothing in your character I feel I have any cause to fear. We like all the same things. I feel like I could spend a lifetime with you and never run out of things to talk about. I love you, Alexander Deveril. Perhaps if you hear it often enough, you might start believing it."
He pressed next to her once more and held her close, rubbing his face against her silken soft hair. "I'm sorry. I'm delighted your friend is still alive. Really and truly, my dear. I just love you so much. And well, I am astonished you never fell in love with any of them if they are all so wonderful as you say."
"I was a hoydenish little thing, determined to keep up with my brother, hunting, shooting, fencing. The only time I played with dolls was to practice nursing them. So friends, yes, romantic attachment, no. I doubt they ever took a second look at me," she admitted with a laugh. "Especially not the titled one. We are respectable family but certainly can't come near the wealth of the Elthams or Avenels. Why marry a poor hoydenish miss when they could have their pick of fine ladies."
"I can't picture it, somehow. To me, you're all woman."
"But not to them," she said, patting him on the knee. "To them I was a little sister striding around in breeches. So you have no cause to be jealous like that."
He sighed, and squeezed her hand. "I don't me to be. It's just that like you said, I can't imagine anything worse than losing you."
She straightened her back and thrust out her chin. "Then don't. Because I won't let it happen."
"You're a strong woman, Sarah. I want believe you. Sitting beside you like this now, I can believe anything is possible."
"It is," she promised, moving to sit in his lap, heedless of the rest of the people strolling up and down in the park in the bright sunshine. "You make me strong. Your love, having you by my side, makes me feel like I can take on the world and win. Love isn't a weakness, Alexander. We can't allow ourselves to be frightened of the magic we share, or doubt or mistrust it."
"I won't. Not ever again. You're mine for as long as the gods see fit to spare us."
"Yes, Alexander, I'm all yours, forever," she vowed, kissing him until they began to pant with need.
At length he pulled away shakily. "Well, I think we just told everyone in Bath I'm your lover."
"There are not many people about at the moment, and I don't care anyway. Come, let's go to the housing agent for Blake and Michael, and head back to the Crescent. Are you all right on foot, or do we need a carriage?"
"Foot, please. It's a glorious day, made even more splendid by the lovely woman at my side."
"Why thank you, kind sir." She rose from his lap and took his arm.
They left the park and proceeded back up towards the Hot Baths this time. As they walked, it appeared to Sarah that the town seemed more beautiful than ever.
But she was sure it was only because of the company she was now keeping. Her love for Alexander made her see the world in a whole new light.
She basked in the warmth of his tender regard as he held her close. She returned the loving pressure, feeling all of her flesh and soul rise up to meet him, and prayed they would have many more such days and nights of unalloyed bliss.