I am for this?”
She followed the line of his strong jaw with a lingering gaze. “Maybe I’ll think of something,” she murmured. He was incredibly handsome. Reckless, impulsive thoughts came to mind. Visions of his wide hands touching her in more intimate places. She felt a steamy flush wash over her entire body.
There was a commotion in the hallway outside the parlor and an older man in tropical casuals burst through the door and hastily crossed the room. He was carrying a small leather case and he immediately pushed Phillip aside to get close to Alex. “Your boy tells me the young lady took a bad fall.”
“Yes, Doctor. She was on Eros.”
“Couldn’t you have found a more reliable mount for her?” he chided Phillip. “Last time you jumped him, it was a fiasco.” Alex got the impression that the doctor must also be involved with European jumping to be so aware of the horse’s problems.
“I’ll explain later. Just look to her, will you?” Phillip snapped irritably.
Alex smiled, amused by his impatience. It was clear he was going to suffer through the disapproval of a lot of people for a long time because of her accident.
The doctor made everyone including Phillip leave the room while he opened her blouse and examined her shoulder, then he listened to her heart and checked her reflexes.
“Well?” she asked when he was done.
“You are in amazingly good shape for the spill you took, miss. But that shoulder is sprained. You’ll need to wear a sling to rest it until it heals.”
“How long will that take?” she asked.
He frowned, looking uncertain. “I’d give it a few weeks.” He took supplies from his bag. “This might hurt a bit while I adjust the tension of the sling. Do you want Phillip back in the room to hold your hand?”
She thought for a moment. “No. A little more of this fine brandy will do.” She took four very long swallows, draining the snifter. Immediately, a heady stream of warmth flowed through her throat, filling her chest and rushing out to the tips of her toes and fingers. She shut her eyes and braced herself. “Go for it, doc.”
Phillip paced the vestibule while his housekeeper looked on worriedly. “Are you sure, sir, there is nothing I can—”
“Nothing, Maria. Thank you. Just go on with—” He waved a dismissing hand. “Whatever.” No doubt she had been preparing their luncheon, which would never be eaten now.
Alone again, he stared helplessly at the closed door to the parlor. A single sharp cry of pain made him jump. He took three hasty steps toward the door, his hand reaching out for the knob. Then he stopped himself. The doctor had sent him out for good reason. He must respect Alex’s right to privacy.
Phillip bit down on his lower lip so hard he tasted the salt of his own blood. The outside door opened.
It was Paulus. “I was taking a walk through your fine garden while I waited, and heard there had been an accident.”
“Alex, yes. But she’s all right. The doctor says it’s a sprain.” Phillip had been listening at the door, unable to wait for an official announcement.
“I’ll call the palace and inform them.”
“Yes,” Phillip said, realizing that was probably something he should have been doing instead of all this useless pacing. “Thank you.”
A moment later, the door still hadn’t opened and Paulus returned. “King Daniel says I’m to bring her back with me as soon as the doctor says she is able to be moved.”
“Oh.” A shadow of dull, gray disappointment fell over Phillip. Why had he assumed Alex would remain here with him? “No,” he said hastily.
“No?”
“It was my fault, the accident. I didn’t warn her strongly enough. She should remain under my roof to recuperate.”
The man hesitated. “I…well, that’s not the king’s wish. It isn’t for me to say whether—”
“She’ll stay here,” Phillip stated, his mind made up. “I’ll speak with King Daniel. She shouldn’t be moved any more than is necessary.” He didn’t know that to be a fact, but it sounded a good enough reason. “I’m responsible for her condition, and I should see to her recovery.”
Paulus looked puzzled but didn’t argue further. “I will return to the palace with your message.”
“I’ll call as soon as I have my physician’s report.”
Phillip turned back toward the parlor door. It was quiet now inside. He hoped that was good news.
Alex was barely aware of the doctor leaving the room. The brandy had numbed her, and the pain in her shoulder had retreated to a dull ache as soon as the doctor finished messing with the sling. She nestled into the soft cushions of Phillip’s settee and drifted off to sleep.
She floated.
For the first time in weeks Alex felt detached from the terrible disappointment that had chased her halfway around the world to her brother’s new home, Altaria. She hadn’t planned to attend the ball in his honor, but it had provided a welcome escape from her troubles.
She remembered Robert’s words as he spoke to her friend Jessy and the cruel sound of his laughter, slurred by too much alcohol. “Love Alex? You’ve got to be kidding. But marrying her is well worth the sacrifice of my freedom in exchange for all I’ll gain from Connelly Corporation.”
She remembered every word as clearly as if he stood before her now, speaking them anew. Oh how she wished she’d listened to Justin’s words of warning. He knew that Robert was a womanizer, that Robert was just using her. Why hadn’t she seen the man for what he was? Tears filled her eyes as she slept.
A hand brushed the dampness from cheek. She blinked her eyes open.
Phillip bent over her, his honey-colored eyes concerned. “Is the pain bad?”
“No,” she whispered.
“It hurts enough to cry.”
She shook her head. “That’s something else. I’m being silly. Never mind.”
He frowned, obviously confused, but she wasn’t about to explain her aborted wedding to him.
“I’ve arranged for you to stay here,” he said.
“What?” She looked up at him, astonished. “Why would I want to do that?”
“You were injured on my property, so I’m responsible for your recovery. I intend to see to your care.”
“I see. And that will soothe your conscience?”
“Conscience aside, it’s only right.”
“I don’t know…” She tried to pull herself into a sitting position, but a sudden tightness in her shoulder promised pain she didn’t want to feel and she
