“Really?” Phoebe tried to imagine it and couldn’t. “There was always a cab waiting for her at the front of the theater to take her home or to dinner. If she walked anywhere, it was in the park, usually with a gentleman at her elbow.”
“I got that impression. Not from your sister. From my father. He told me he competed with a throng of younger men, richer men, and better-educated men for Fiona’s attention. It was a coup when she chose him.”
“He was young enough, rich enough, and smart enough. And Fiona liked his smile. She told me so.”
“His smile,” Remington repeated.
“Also, his confidence. She said that’s what made her take notice. He stood back, eyes focused, and waited, just as if he knew she would come around to him. Confidence is attractive.” Her head swiveled in his direction. “Why didn’t you tell me your name?”
The sudden change in subject made Remington feel as if he’d been pushed sideways. Still, he was able to answer without missing a beat. “I wasn’t certain about you.”
“But you knew who I was.”
“Yes, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that you were an innocent in this. Even Mrs. Tyler had questioned whether you were taken or went willingly.”
“Well, I didn’t fight them, that’s true. After firing my pistol and missing my target, I didn’t see the point. That doesn’t mean I was part of some grand scheme to rob the passengers.”
“Not only rob the passengers,” he said, “but to extort money from my father.”
“You know that’s something an insane person might say.”
“It sounds like it now, but for a while it did not seem so far-fetched.”
“How could you even imagine that I had the resources in New York to organize and manage a robbery here?”
He shrugged. “Hadn’t gotten around to parsing all the particulars.” Which was a lie, but he thought he told it well enough to pass scrutiny. “Let’s just say that I came around to another way of thinking, same as you.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Let us just say that.”
He slanted her a grin. “I can understand why my father enjoyed your company.”
“He said that?”
“Several times.”
“He was kind to say so. I enjoyed spending time with him as well.”
“You’re like her, you know, but I suspect you’ve heard that before.”
“I have.” No matter how well intentioned, Phoebe did notfind the comparisons flattering. She hoped her curt reply would keep him from waxing on. It did, more or less.
“You’re what? A dozen years younger than your sister?”
“Something like that. I am not being coy. For myself, I don’t care, but Fiona is sensitive about her age. Most actresses are.”
“Twenty-three?” he asked.
“Fiona would be flattered.”
“I was asking about you.”
She sighed. “Yes. I’m twenty-three.”
“I’m twenty-eight.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Weren’t you curious?”
