The problem was that Olivia was completely focused on separating Jane from Elliot. And if she didn’t want her sister with Alexander’s friend, then she certainly wouldn’t want Alexander for herself. Especially because she would blame Alex for Jane’s demise.
Alexander grinned.
“I’m trying to warm up your hands.”
She watched him suspiciously as he reached out and grabbed her other hand. Both their gloves were a hindrance he didn’t want, and he wondered what she’d do if he removed them. Probably slap him again, he conceded. Though it would be worth it.
Alexander chuckled at her scowl.
“What are you at, Fincham?” she asked. Well, demanded.
Alexander placed a hand to his heart.
“I am wounded,” he pronounced dramatically. “There I was trying to be gentlemanly, and you suspect my motives.”
She scoffed in a very unladylike manner and looked out of the carriage window.
“I very much doubt anything you want to do to me is gentlemanly.”
Alexander’s entire body froze. She couldn’t know what her words meant to him, couldn’t know how they sounded coming from her innocent lips. Couldn’t know how torturous it was to hear them and imagine how they could be spending their time together in this carriage.
Was he truly no better than Elliot St. Clare?
The thought should repulse him, but he couldn’t think coherently in the face of her innocent words.
“Olivia,” he said softly, bringing her eyes back to his once more.
She sighed and threw her eyes to heaven, muttering under her breath.
“What?” she snapped.
“I—” Alexander hesitated, wondering what to say. It was odd; most of his conversations with the woman sitting across from him now had been teasing or insulting. Never had he wanted to justtalkwith her. Until now. ”I think perhaps we should get you home.”
Her beautiful eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“This was your idea,” she reminded him softly.
Alexander sighed and ran a hand through his hair, a sign that he was agitated. The last thing he wanted was to get her home. Which was exactly why he should.
“I know, I know. But—” He reached out and clasped her by the shoulders. God, how he loved touching her. “It’s better – for you – for both of us, to just leave here now. We can figure out what to do about your sister and Elliot tomorrow. Away from here.”
She was gazing up at him, a frown of consternation upon her brow, and Alexander had to fight the urge to pull her against him and kiss her the way he wanted to.
“Do you want people to see you here? With me?” he asked, a nervous energy coursing through him. “You’ve been so worried about your sister’s reputation. But what about yours?”
“I don’t care,” she answered mutinously. “I know you won’t hurt me.” His chest swelled with pride at her trust in him. “But I don’t know that he won’t hurt Jane.”
“If someone you know should see you –“
“Why do you care?” she blurted. “About any of this, I mean. At first I thought that perhaps you’d – you’d developed atendrefor Jane. But you’ve said you haven’t and – and you k-kissed me. So – so why? Why, when you despise me?”
Alexander felt suddenly nervous.
She hadn’t pulled herself from his hands yet and he tightened his grip on her upper arms.
“Isn’t it possible that two people who have long considered themselves enemies could find themselves, well, the opposite?”
“I want to believe it is,” she said softly. “But I think—”
