Although he spoke to the crowded room, his gaze never wavered from her.
“How did you manage that feat?” Cliff asked, smiling proudly at his son.
Alexi turned to his father. “That is a long story, one that involves a few pretty pennies and a very astute and greedy comprador.”
Elysse realized she had remained upon the last few steps like a statue. What on earth was wrong with her? She quickly started down them, still watching Alexi as he turned to one of her girlfriends, who asked him what Pekoe tea was like. Before he could answer, Elysse felt herself miss a step and stumble.
She seized the railing, mortified. She was usually very graceful. As she grasped the railing, someone caught her arm, preventing her from crashing to her knees and utterly humiliating herself.
Alexi slid his arm securely around her.
As he helped her straighten, Elysse looked up into his dazzling blue eyes.
For one moment, she was in his embrace. He began to smile, as if amused. “Hello, Elysse.”
Her cheeks felt terribly hot, but that was from the embarrassment of being so foolishly clumsy, not from being in his arms—she was certain. Still, she was terribly confused and almost disoriented. She had never felt so small, so petite and feminine, and Alexi had never seemed so strong, so tall or so male. His body was hard and warm against hers. Her heart was thundering now.
What on earth was wrong with her?
Somehow, she stepped away, putting a proper distance between them. His smile seemed to widen. Her flush felt as if it had expanded—even her chest was hot. “Hello, Alexi. I have never heard of Pekoe tea.” She lifted her chin.
“I am not surprised. No one gets first pickings—except, of course, for me,” he boasted. His gaze seemed to be on her décolletage, then her eyes. She wasn’t certain what had just happened. She wondered suddenly if he found her beautiful, as her many suitors did.
It took her a moment to recover. “Of course you got the best tea.” Strangely unnerved, she said lightly, “I didn’t know you were back. When did you get home?”
“I thought Ariella sent you a note last night,” he drawled, and she realized that he had instantly seen through her deception. “I docked in Liverpool three days ago. I got home last night.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his riding coat, making no move to walk back into the salon.
“I’m surprised you even bothered to come home,” she said, deciding to pout.
He gave her an odd look she could not decipher, and suddenly lifted her hand. “So you’re not wearing a ring.”
She pulled her hand free. His touch had made her heart slam. “I have had five offers, Alexi. And they were very good offers. But I turned each gentleman down.”
His gaze narrowed. “If the offers were such good ones, why would you do that? I seem to recall that your intent was to be wed by the time you were eighteen.”
He was laughing at her! Or was he? He was smiling, but he had glanced aside. “Perhaps I changed my mind.”
His gaze flickered. “Hmm, why wouldn’t that surprise me? Have you become a romantic, Elysse?” He laughed. “Are you waiting for true love?”
“Oh, I had forgotten how annoying you can be! Of course I am romantic—unlike you!” His teasing was familiar and it felt safe.
“I’ve known you since we were children. You are less a romantic than an insatiable flirt!”
Now she was truly annoyed. “All women flirt, Alexi—unless, of course, they are old, fat or ugly!”
“Ah, you remain rather uncharitable. I am thinking that your suitors must not have had the necessary qualifications to become your husband.” His eyes danced now. “Have you set your sights on a duke, maybe? Or an Austrian prince? How suitable that would be! Can I play matchmaker? I know a duke or two!”
Surely he wasn’t serious? “Clearly, you do not know me at all. I am very romantic. And no, you may not play matchmaker!”
“Really?” He was chuckling openly at her now. “We know each other very well, Elysse. So don’t pretend we do not.” He tilted up her chin. “Have I annoyed you, somehow? I am only teasing you, sweetheart.”
She slapped his hand away. “You know you have! Nothing has changed! I had forgotten how you love to infuriate me. And who are you to talk? I have heard you have a woman in every port.”
“Ah, a gentleman does not kiss and tell, Elysse.”
“Your reputation is well-known.” She scowled. Secretly, she wondered if he really had a mistress in every port. She wasn’t certain why she should care, but she did.
He touched her chin again. “Why are you scowling? Aren’t you pleased to see me?” His tone softened. “Ariella said you were worried about me—that you expected me to vanish into the China Sea.”
She inhaled, furious with her friend and uncertain what his murmur signified. “Ariella was wrong. Why would I worry about you? I am too occupied. I just got back from London and Paris, Alexi. In those salons, we are not talking about tea or typhoons!”
“Or me?” he asked, straight-faced but clearly trying not to laugh. “Everyone is talking about the China trade, Elysse. It’s a new world. The East India Company can’t possibly keep its grip on China, and China has to open up its ports to the world.”
“I don’t care about China, free trade or you,” she huffed, aware of how completely she was lying. After all, he had been her friend since they were children—he would always be her friend.
“God, my heart is forever broken.” He smiled slightly. “And we both know you do care about my travels—you’re your father’s daughter.”
She folded her arms and his gaze slammed to her bosom. Taken aback, despite her earlier desire for him to notice how womanly she had become, she managed to speak. “Will you lease out to the East India Company again?”
“Oh, I am going back to China—I will get well over five pounds per ton, Elysse, after this last run. But there is gossip the Company will lose its charter soon.”
So he would go make the run again. “And when will you leave this time?”
He grinned. “So you do care, after all! You will miss me!”
“I won’t miss you—I will be too busy, fending off my suitors!”
“Now my heart truly is broken.”
She trembled, dismayed. She would miss him this time, perhaps because he had been gone so long. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed his company—even his horrid teasing. And he had guessed.
“When will you go to sea again?” she heard herself ask. The best time to run to China was the summer. It was now the end of March. She couldn’t imagine Alexi staying in the country, doing nothing, for another two months.
“So you did miss me,” he said swiftly, his gaze piercing.
She
