A Scarlet Bride (16 page)

"Tell me you had someone bring you home, that you didn't ride home alone," Connor said, still perplexed at his little sister.

"Mr.
LaRoux
accompanied me," she answered, clearly oblivious to her brother's frustration.

Alexandra spoke up. "Connor can take us to Charleston tomorrow and we can get the supplies we'll need to start your stitchery. I need to check my mail anyway."

Connor rolled his eyes and murmured beneath his breath. "Just the kind of day I wanted to spend with my new bride."

Alexandra looked up at him, her green eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe we'll run into some of your previous female companions and you can inform them we're married."

He tried not to smile at her innuendo, but somehow he couldn't keep from grinning. "I'm sure they've heard."

"Did Connor take you riding and show you River Bend today?" Suzanne asked.

"We did that yesterday. Today we rented bicycles in Charleston and rode through the city."

Alexandra began telling Suzanne about their days together, while Connor sat
beside
her wishing they were alone, wanting his wife all to himself. Like a leaky hot air balloon, the honeymoon had never gotten off the ground, and now apparently was over. How could one woman make something usually so easy this difficult?

He shook his head. A more puzzling woman he'd never met. Was it just that she had an aversion to him? No.

There was a definite attraction between them. The kiss on the verandah had proven the arctic princess could melt. But damn, it was late summer and at times he still almost felt frostbitten.

Maybe he was moving too fast. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day and their marriage was only
fortyeight
hours old. But his flesh and blood did not understand the word patience.

He stood. It was time to admit defeat for now and retire for the night.

"I think I'll leave you ladies to chat awhile."

An amused look crossed Alexandra's face. "Turning in so early?"

The little twit knew of his discouragement and found it funny. "Just for tonight, dear."

***

Riding into town the next morning, Alexandra watched the way Connor's hands handled the reins of the surrey. Gently he pulled on the ropes, communicating to the horses which way to turn as they wound their way down the crowded streets of Charleston. As they turned onto Main Street, Alexandra glanced at the shops lining the avenue. People hurried about their business; street vendors called out their wares.

"Well, ladies, I have no desire to stand around in a woman's shop while you decide which cloth is the best. So, I'm going to leave you here. I'll meet you at Miss Applebee's Tea Room in two hours."

"Where is the post office from here?'' Alexandra asked. She hadn't checked her mail since the day she'd arrived and set up her post box. It was imperative to see if she had received anything from her editor.

"I know where it is," Suzanne claimed. "We'll go there last, before we meet Connor."

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you? We could go after tea," Connor said.

"No," Alexandra quickly answered. "That's quite all right. Suzanne and I will find it."

A letter from New York would be easy to hide from Suzanne, but Connor would ask questions. Questions she had no desire to answer.

They waved goodbye and watched as Connor drove down the street, the surrey disappearing from sight. For a brief moment, she wondered where he was going.

Though he was a man, with a man's needs, and married to a woman who would not take care of his more basic desires, he wouldn't visit one of his previous paramours, would he? After all, why did she care if he visited his most recent paramour? Why did she care if he had sex with someone other than herself?

But she did care. A sick feeling formed in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want him near any woman willing to service him, even if she would not. She knew it was irrational, but she didn't care. The man was married to her now.

Even though they were married, it would not do for her to begin to care for Connor Manning. It would be in her best interests to remain emotionally detached. For when she regained her independence, Connor Manning would be an absent husband and she would live alone. Surely, she was only upset because the thought of Connor with someone else reminded her so much of the way Gordon had treated her.

Quickly, she pushed the thoughts from her mind. She didn't have time to consider these confusing feelings right now.

For over an hour, Alexandra and Suzanne moved from store to store, buying thread, material, and yarn for their creations. Suzanne had decided her first projects would be a new shirt for her brother and, later, a wall sampler for her hope chest.

Suzanne and Alexandra strolled down the street, enjoying the summer breeze, the smell of salt water lingering in the air. They paused in front of the apothecary shop, their last stop before the post office.

A small bell tinkled, announcing their arrival, as Alexandra pushed open the door. A group of ladies stood at the end of an aisle, chattering like little birds. The smell of spices and herbs lingered as Alexandra stepped into the room. The women's voices halted at the sight of Alexandra and Suzanne. Even though she continued smiling, Alexandra's stomach tightened as she recognized one of the women from the night of the
Sloanes
' ball.

"Good morning." She nodded her head in greeting as she walked past.

No one responded and Alexandra took hold of Suzanne's hand, pulling her gently down the aisle.

Loud whispers and pointed looks had her scouring the shelves for the bottle of chamomile flowers and witch hazel. It was no surprise her name was the center of much speculation. Over the years, however hard she had tried to accept the public scrutiny, part of her had rebelled. She had done nothing to deserve being treated this way.
Done nothing to any of these women.

"Why are they whispering and staring at us?" Suzanne questioned.

"I'm sure it's over my hasty marriage to your brother," Alexandra replied, trying her best to ignore the women.

"But why?"
A frown marred her young face. "If you love each other, why should you have waited?"

Alexandra handed a bottle of witch hazel to Suzanne. "Marriage is not always about romantic love."

With a quick glance at the ladies, Alexandra walked toward the counter.

"Was it because you were divorced?"

She stopped and faced her new
sisterinlaw
. "No. And if you don't mind, I'd like to discuss this topic in a more private place."

Suzanne glanced at the women who were staring at them. "I'm sorry, Alexandra. I wasn't thinking."

"It's quite all right, dear. Now let's hurry before we run out of time."

After paying for their purchases, they made their way to the post office, where to Alexandra's
delight,
she spotted a letter from her editor among the other correspondence from friends in England. She quickly stuffed the envelopes into her reticule.

"Come on, Suzanne, let's hurry. We're already going to be late." They had five minutes to meet Connor and it was at least a
fifteenminute
walk to the tearoom on Church Street.

Leaving the post office, they walked quickly toward their destination. A block before they reached the tearoom, Alexandra groaned. Walking toward her was Robert, Gordon's cousin. Why did the man seem to be forever running into her?

He stopped, blocking her path, the look on his face a seductive sneer. An uneasy feeling coiled in her stomach as she realized he was leaving her no polite choice but to speak to him.

He nodded in greeting. "Good morning, Alexandra. What a pleasure to see you."

"The pleasure is mine," Alexandra replied with just a touch of sarcasm. "I didn't think you'd be out this early."

"Duty called me. And speaking of calling ..." He placed his hand on Alexandra's arm, gripping her tightly. "It must be extremely lonely for you. Next time, send me a note when
you're needing
company." He pulled her close. "Surely I could find a place more suitable than a verandah to see to your needs."

Alexandra gasped at his blatant implications. Obviously, the gossip regarding the
Sloanes
' party had reached his ears, but to accost Alexandra so publicly on a street riled her beyond words. The man was an overgrown snake. Crawling on his underbelly would be much too good for Robert.

Jerking her arm free from his grasp, Alexandra raised her chin defiantly. "Don't believe everything you hear, Robert. I'm not wasting away from lack of companionship. But even if I were, I'd rather spend time with a—"

"So you're the reason my ladies are late." Connor's deep baritone voice gave Robert a start.

Alexandra whirled around and felt an immense sense of pleasure at the sight of her husband. Connor placed his hand on the small of Alexandra's back and she glanced at him, giving him a tender smile. God, she'd never felt more relieved to see anyone in her entire life.

"Your ladies?"
Robert questioned.

"Of course.
I was certain of all people you would have heard the news. Alexandra and I were married two days ago.

Robert's face paled, and his mouth drooped just a little before he recovered. He glanced nervously at Alexandra, fear etched on his face. After all, duels had been fought over less.

"Aren't you going to offer us your congratulations?" Connor asked.

Sweat beaded on his upper hp. "I'm shocked.
Con—
gratulations
."

Alexandra placed her hand on Connor's arm and smiled warmly at her husband. "Robert was just expressing his concern for my wellbeing. But I was in the process of telling him about our marriage. And to assure him you see to my every need."

She turned her gaze back to Robert. "I'm sure if someone were to damage my honor, all I would have to say is 'Connor, dear,' and it would be taken care of."

Robert's face turned a sick shade of white. "I hate to run, but I must hurry off to the bank. Good luck."

It was all Alexandra could do to keep from laughing as she watched Robert almost sprint down the street.

Suzanne frowned as she watched the man hurry away. "I didn't like him. He wasn't very nice to Alexandra before you got here, Connor."

Connor gazed at Alexandra. "Do I need to hunt Robert down and defend your honor?"

"Would you if I asked you to?" she asked, curious.

Connor patted her on the arm.
"Of course.
You're my wife. I expect you to be treated with respect by all men."

The sun appeared to shine in his blue eyes, reflecting his sincerity. Alexandra felt a deep sense of gratification. No one had ever offered to defend her before. Not her father, nor Gordon. She didn't want him to hurt Robert, but the offer was enough to make her feel satisfied.

"I think telling him we're married will be enough to deter Robert from trying to foist his unwanted attentions on me anymore."

"Are you sure I don't need to speak with him?'' Connor replied
,
his forehead wrinkled in a frown.

"Thank you, but no."

"Then let's find Miss Applebee's. I'm famished."

Connor turned and held out his other arm for Suzanne, but before she could place her hand on him, a horseless carriage careened around the corner.

The spit and sputter of its engine sounded like a gun shooting sporadically, frightening a horse on the street next to the sidewalk. The animal's eyes widened in fear, and a screech came from its mouth as the horse raised its front hooves, trying desperately to fling the rider from his back. But the horseman managed to control the animal, and when the stallion's hooves touched the earth once more, he danced wildly.

Connor pulled Suzanne out of the path of the black stallion, bumping into Alexandra as he stepped back. Jostled unexpectedly, she lost her grip and her reticule went flying through the air.

The beaded bag landed on the ground with a plop, spilling its contents, her letters sailing in all directions.

"My apologies,'' the rider called once he had the animal under control
. "
They should outlaw those noisy carriages."

"Are you all right?" Connor asked Suzanne, the young girl's face pale with fear.

"Yes, just startled."

He pulled his sister in close and hugged her. "We'll get a bit of refreshment,
then
you'll feel better."

Alexandra knelt, trying to assemble the contents of her reticule before Connor had a chance to offer his help. A gust of wind lifted the envelopes, scattering them like paper leaves blowing on a fall day. She scrambled to retrieve the tumbling letters.

Connor and Suzanne saw her dilemma and came to her rescue, chasing after the wayward mail. Finally, the three of them managed to pick up the letters and Alexandra started stuffing them back in her reticule. As she placed each envelope inside, she quickly glanced at the return address trying to find the one she so desperately wanted.

Suzanne held out her small stack and Alexandra searched through them.