She shivered. “I know. I…I did my job. I always thought Carter was a misogynist, but he was never mean. Merely dismissive. This isn’t likehim.”
“Which is why I’m keeping you close,” Alexander said with a tender kiss to her knuckles. “Let’s get back inside. I believe dinner is about to begin.” Alexander kept his hand at the small of Elizabeth’s back. He’d meant what he’d said. She would be safe. She was his, and he always protected hisown.
Dinner was passable: tiny pillows of pastry filled with a salmon mousse, lobster, bitter greens, and whipped potatoes. Elizabeth relaxed after a glass of scotch and a few well-placed kisses to her neck and behind her ear. Soon, she was laughing, and the rosy glow returned to hercheeks.
Throughout the meal, they exchanged stories. She told him about her first week in Boston, getting lost, discovering Mike’s Pastry in the North End, and subsequently gaining five pounds in a little over a month from an overdose ofcannoli.
Alexander’s stories centered around his time in the Royal Army, including the attack that had left him with a scar that bisected his chest and the tattoo he had on his right arm. “When I recovered from the grenade attack, my division brought me to the tattoo parlor before I reported in to my commander. All five of us were inked thatday.”
“Will you show it to me later?” she asked, trailing her hand over hisbicep.
“Oh, mostdefinitely.”
After the crème brûlée dishes had been cleared away and coffee served, an adjoining room opened up, glittering with white lights, and a ten-piece band started toplay.
“I’m not a great dancer,” Elizabeth said wistfully. “Darren always said I had two leftfeet.”
Alexander wrapped his arms around her. “Elizabeth,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “I thought we’d already established that Darren is an idiot.” He swept her towards the dance floor, holding her so securely that she couldn’t possibly fall. “Smile,chérie,” he whispered into her ear. “Tonight, I plan on showing you exactly who you are. I want that dress off of you, my silks binding you to my bed, and you begging for more as I tasteyou.”
Elizabeth shivered. She followed his lead, her feet landing lightly only centimeters from his. They waltzed around the dance floor, their bodies pressed together, moving as one. “What are you thinking?” heasked.
“That I haven’t locked myself in my own head since we sat down to dinner. That this party is stuffy and overdone, but being with you is refreshing. That I could talk to you all night, but I really want you naked.” Flecks of gold shone in her eyes, and Alexander wondered just how far he’d already fallen, and how much further he couldgo.
“If it wouldn’t be seen as a snub, I would carry you out of here right now,” Alexanderreplied.
They danced off and on for an hour, and Elizabeth never faltered a single step. Her cheeks glowed. Alexander shed his jacket and longed to loosen his tie. When the tango began, she begged for a rest, and they moved off the dancefloor.
A tall man with dark brown hair shorn close to his head hailed the two of them from next to one of the open bars. Alexander guided Elizabeth over to him. “Governor, may I introduce my companion? This is ElizabethBennett.”
“It’s a pleasure, Miss Bennett. Call me Marco.” The governor took her offered hand and shook it firmly. “I’ve heard rumors that you’ve tamed one of the city’s most eligible and cantankerousbachelors.”
Elizabeth laughed, light and musical, the practiced tone she’d used on the press all night. “I don’t think anyone tames him, Governor. Marco. If anything, I’ve brought out his cantankerous side even more. He doesn’t seem to like me out of hissight.”
“I can’t say I blame him. However, I would like to steal him away for a brief moment. Business and all.” The governor’s smilefaded.
“Of course. I need some fresh air anyway.” Though her words were polite, Alexander noticed the tick in her jaw at being relegated to the sidelines. In that single moment, he knew. He’d fallen for her, and he might not ever let hergo.
“Marco, Elizabeth has a head for business, and there’s nothing I wish to hide from her. You can speakfreely.”
The governor raised a brow but then inclined his head as he gestured to a table far from thecrowd.
“It’s coming up on the end of the year. I’ve sent several requests to your office this week inquiring as to the timing of your donation to my re-election campaign, and none of them have beenanswered.”
Money? This was about money?“I’m afraid I’ve been a bit distracted of late,” Alexander said. “All of the companies under the Fairhaven umbrella are undergoing a full financial audit. It’s something we do every few years, and it’s fallen on me and my brother directly to oversee it. I’ll get you a check nextweek.”
“Alexander,” Elizabeth said. The drape of her fingers tickled the fine hairs on the back of his hand. “Trust me on this. If the governor can wait, make your donation on January 1st. It’ll be a lot easier tax-wise when you file next year, and you’ll be able to contribute a bit more.” She leaned closer and pressed her lips to his ear. “You’re going to get a major settlement when this is through. The political donation in the next tax year will help offset your bottomline.”
“You heard the woman, Marco. I’m sorry, but we’ll make the bulk of our donation on January 1st. To ameliorate the delay, I’ll add ten percent. Is thatacceptable?”
“Oh, quite,” the governor said. “I apologize for bringing down the evening with business, but a politician’s job is never done. I love this state too much to give itup.”
Alexander’s world tilted on its axis. He knew how the man felt. He couldn’t give Elizabeth up. He wouldn’t. Not if she’d have him. He rose and shook the governor’s hand. “It was a pleasure, Marco. We’ve had a lovely time, but, I’m afraid we must be going. Elizabeth and I have a…binding engagement to getto.”
