The butler cleared his throat. Humor dancedin the eyes of an otherwise stoic face. “You were always a perfectgentleman, your lordship.”
Bowing formally, Sebastian intoned, “Welcometo London, my lady and Captain Elwins.”
Alexandra smiled. She liked him already.“Thank you, Sebastian.”
Sebastian gestured inside with his hand.“His Grace, Lord and Lady Rutland await your presence.
Alexandra’s gaze roamed the large, opulententry. At one end of the entry was a helloidial staircase thatspiraled up to a fourth floor. White marble floors glistenedbeneath a crystal chandelier and paintings of colorful landscapeshung on the walls. Several carved doors graced the sidewalls.Sebastian skirted ahead and opened one of them.
She fought the urge to turn and bolt.Nicholas’s family would take one look at her, put Nicholas in anasylum and send her packing. White-knuckled, she gripped Nicholas’sarm and he looked down on her.
He patted her hand and smiled. “O ye oflittle faith.”
“Lord Rutland and Lady Sutherland havearrived, your Grace.”
She was stunned the butler had spoken herunproven title, but Nicholas had introduced her as such andSebastian had taken his lead. Nicholas propelled her forward. Theroom had clusters of sofas and chairs scattered about and a massivefireplace with pictures of ancestors on the walls beneath elegantmoldings trimmed in gold.
Everyone stood when they entered. Nicholas’sfather, Duke Richard Rutland, his brother, Anthony, an elderlywoman, and the beautiful woman she had spied on the London docksthe day of their arrival.
Silence. Maybe her presence was not the rosypicture Nicholas had painted. Her stomach started to cramp. Shewanted to run from the room.
Nicholas’s father strode toward her, hisface serious. She licked her lips. Was he going to throw herout?
He took her completely by surprise, brokedecorum and hugged her. “Thank you for saving my son’s life. I amindebted to you.”
Her breath hitched. Nicholas’s fatheracknowledged her. Of course his family would be grateful becauseshe saved Nicholas’s life but accepting her into the family wouldbe another matter.
The auburn-haired woman rushed forward andhugged her, too.
“I’m Rachel and welcome, Alexandra.”
Her accent was different. Alexandrafrowned.
“My accent confuses people. I’m from theColonies.” Rachel laughed. “We have heard so many wonderful thingsabout you. And this is my husband, Anthony, Nicholas’sbrother.”
Anthony shook her hand and Samuel’s. “Iunderstand you had a bit of trouble in Deconshire.”
Nicholas shrugged negligently. “I took careof it, convincing them of their lack of respect for Alexandra.”
“It was more than what Lord Rutland modestlyallows,” said Samuel. “Thugs tried to kill Alexandra and LordRutland took care of them in the first order.”
“He’s handy with his fists.” Anthonygrinned. “Been awhile since we’ve had a serious bout, brother. Areyou still in shape?”
Nicholas snorted. “Try me.”
Samuel spoke up. “I can confirm thecondition of those two thugs if you’re worried about hiscompetence. I was grieving in the cemetery and did not notice thetwo toughs following Alexandra. Lord Nicholas’s arrival at thattime was by pure providence or she would have been cast over thecliff.”
“When I get done questioning them, I willrelease them to the magistrate. But enough of that controversy fornow. This is Alexandra’s introduction to the family and I don’twant to spoil the occasion,” Nicholas said, his undisguised prideshowing in his dark gaze.
“How did you survive that horrid Portugueseslaver? Hurricane? What did you eat?”
Amid the firestorm of questions, Rachelasked, “Tell us about your adventures.” Everyone quieted, awaitingher response.
Alexandra answered to the best of herability, leaving out certain details. They were spellbound as shedescribed how Nicholas had saved her from Damiano and how he huntedon the island for food and piped in water so they wouldn’t have tocarry the water so far.
Alexandra glanced to the elderly womanunfolding from her chair and hobbling forward on her cane. “You arefar too modest, Lady Sutherland, reciting what Nicholas hasaccomplished.”
She took Alexandra’s elbow and ushered herto a settee. “Am I the only one with civility? Sit and rest fromyour journey.” The old woman skewered Anthony. “Where’s Samuel’schair?”
