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СКАЧАТЬ brow cleared. He studied Lexie long enough to make her uncomfortable, a smile tilting one corner of his lips. “Yes, Adelaide is beautiful,” he finally said.

      “That’s it?”

      “You want more?”

      “No. It’s none of my business.”

      “You’re right. It’s not. But I’ll tell you this much. She’s not my Everest. Not even a foothill.”

      “Does she know that?”

      “Of course.”

      “I didn’t mention her to Adam.”

      He cut her another look, but didn’t respond.

      Activity in the halls, particularly on the lower levels, had increased from when she’d made her way down. And this time she did draw glances. Although given that the most lingering glances were from the female staff, she was assuming they were lingering on Rafe, not on her. She didn’t blame them. Her gaze wanted to linger, too. She kept it focused straight ahead.

      Her steps slowed as they reached her corridor. “Apparently, all of your friends are bachelors. And when they find partners and marry, your contact generally dies off.”

      “Not true,” he said at her side. “I have friends who are married. I must have.” They stopped outside her door, Rafe silent and thinking. “Mark and Karen,” he announced proudly. “They’re married, they even have a baby. I’m going to become its godfather at the christening in a few days. Though it has to be said, Mark’s not as much fun as he used to be. Which is what happens when people marry. They get caught up in each other. Two’s company and what have you.”

      “Can’t you see you’re shutting yourself off from even the possibility of happiness?”

      “Can’t you see that I am happy?”

      “Adam says you feel uncomfortable around couples. It makes you realize the emptiness of your lifestyle.”

      Rafe laughed. “Perhaps Adam’s transferring his feelings to me, because, Precious, that’s not what I feel.” They were standing close. “But surely you and Adam had better things to talk about than me?” His words were low and curious and teasing. “Otherwise I’d suggest you and Adam have problems.”

      She didn’t step back, didn’t want to reveal how unsettling his proximity was. She lifted her chin. “Don’t flatter yourself. Of course we talked about other things. You were one brief snippet in the whole evening.” She didn’t detail the other topics, affairs of state, diplomatic considerations, the upcoming anniversary celebrations. Sadly, Rafe had for Lexie been the most interesting topic of conversation. She’d tried to draw Adam out about himself, but it wasn’t till she’d lain in bed that night thinking over her evening that she realized how skillfully evasive he’d been.

      “Today we’re going to the Royal Garden Show, and tonight we’re attending the orchestra.”

      “You didn’t suggest a nightclub? Some dancing?”

      “Do you think he’d like it?” she asked, hopefully. It hadn’t occurred to her. She didn’t think Adam was the type.

      “No. He’d hate it. Pressing crowds, loud music.”

      “Just like the orchestra?”

      He laughed but quickly sobered. “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for him?”

      Lexie lifted her chin. “He’s not asking me to sacrifice anything.”

      “Because he doesn’t know you. Doesn’t know that he’s not meeting the real you.”

      “I have more than one side to my personality. He is meeting the real me. He already knows me better than you ever will.”

      Rafe raised his eyebrows. “Sure.” Not believing her any more than she believed herself. Rafe seemed to see a part of her she didn’t even acknowledge she had.

      He reached past her, turned the handle of her door and pushed it open. Then he turned her with his hands on her shoulders. His voice was close to her ear, his body close behind her. “Go have a shower, Lexie. Make yourself look regal. Your prince is waiting.”

      Seven

      There were just three of them, and too much food, left at the shady outdoor table. The scent of roses drifted on the breeze. Adam sat with his phone pressed to his ear, and though Lexie wasn’t actively listening she couldn’t help hearing him patiently placating whoever was on the other end.

      They had spent a pleasant afternoon together yesterday. She was slowly getting used to the concept of their engagement, and she certainly felt comfortable with Adam. They talked easily about so many subjects: Shakespeare, gardening, his charities, his work with the government. And when there were silences, they were companionable. They didn’t thrum with tension and anticipation. Not like—

      She glanced at Rafe, the other person at the table, leaning back easily in his chair, his meal half-eaten, watching both her and Adam. He’d come late to the lunch. A shaggy gray dog, close to the size of a small horse, lay at his side, its eyes following Rafe’s every movement.

      “The dog’s yours?”

      “I’ve moved on from frogs.”

      She met his smile, felt the curious warmth it inevitably stirred. “What’s his name?”

      “Duke.”

      “What breed?”

      “Irish wolfhound.”

      And there was that silence again. Even with Adam beside her talking, the short distance, the width of a table between her and Rafe was filled with the tension of thoughts and words not spoken. Of mistaken touches. Why did he fascinate her so, and how did she stop it?

      He lifted his glass in a silent, almost insolent, toast to her.

      “I apologize, Alexia.” Adam disconnected his call. “Only half a dozen people have my private number. And they only call if it’s important.”

      He hadn’t given the number to her. Not like—She cut off that thought. “It’s okay, I understand. There must be incredible demands on your time.”

      “There are, and there always will be—” he covered her hand with his “—but they’re not so important that I wouldn’t rather spend my time with a beautiful woman.”

      He was talking about her? He meant well, but probably had no idea how rehearsed and…insincere he sounded.

      Adam turned to his suddenly coughing brother and thumped him lightly on the back. He didn’t see the unholy amusement dancing in Rafe’s eyes.

      Lexie focused on Adam. “Are you still okay for riding the palace grounds this afternoon?”

      “Absolutely. I have a couple more phone calls to make first. We’ll meet in an hour.”

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