indescribable.”
She smiled with obvious fondly-recalled memories. “I know you will find this. You are too dear not to.” She hesitated again, adding, “Had Jonathan and I been blessed with girls, I would have wanted a daughter just like you.”
Sarah could only squeeze her hand in return, tears in her eyes. It was a touching ending to an already poignant lunch. This would likely be the last time she saw Lady Clara before returning to the U.S.
They exchanged their contact information, with promises that they would stay in touch. Sarah vowed this was not just an empty gesture, whatever might happen with Alex.
Once outside the restaurant, they hugged one last time then, true to her British roots, Lady Clara squared her shoulders and turned to walk up the street.
Sarah tried to follow her lead, turning to walk in the opposite direction.
Chapter 15
Lady Clara was right. The shop she’d recommended had some lovely dresses. Sarah had chosen a violet shantung silk sleeveless dress with a modest jewel neckline, but a deeply scooped back that left much of her back bare. A shimmery silver wrap and the strappy sandals she wore to the reception finished the ensemble.
She was pleased with the way the rich, saturated color of the dress made her green eyes stand out. She pulled her hair up into a simple twist using a silver jeweled clip she’d also purchased from the shop, letting a few stray tendrils frame her face.
She didn’t know why, but this felt more like a date than any of the other activities they’d enjoyed the last few days.
Having most of the day to think about it only gave her more time to get nervous. Picking up her purse and wrap, she walked down to the lobby.
Alex waited near the foot of the stairs, with a gaze so intense she felt the frisson of pleasure down to her toes.
He had resolved to show her a good time tonight, and let her down easy with some story about leaving on pressing business. That, he figured, would be that. But one look at her, her eyes shining, her face radiant, he saw his resolve dissipate.
Sarah paused on the bottom step with a soft smile on her face. Even standing a step below her, he was taller than she was. Her admiring gaze started at his feet, clad in classic black wingtips, and swept up his athletic frame to his charcoal gray suit, the pale purple stripe in his white shirt, and to her surprise, his matching purple silk tie. They looked as if they’d coordinated their attire.
If he noticed the coincidence, his face didn’t reveal it. He looked at her with such frank admiration, her knees felt weak.
“Sarah.” He stepped forward to take her hand. “You are breathtaking. I didn’t think it possible to surpass your entrance to the reception, but I stand corrected.” He leaned down and nuzzled the hollow beneath her jaw. He inhaled, murmuring against her skin, “Ah, sweet jasmine.”
She shivered at the intimacy of his gesture, making her breath catch in her throat and her pulse quicken. Blushing with pleasure, she thanked him. “You’re not bad on the eyes yourself.”
He gave her a provocative smile, holding her hand to his lips for a kiss. “Shall we go?”
They walked out to the street, his hand on her back guiding her to a sleek silver Mercedes coupe. He had a delectable view of her bare back, and he found it sexier than even the most revealing neckline. He longed to glide his fingertips down her spine and feel her shiver in response.
“Is this yours?” she asked, surprised. She didn’t know why, she just assumed he’d left his car in London, seeming to prefer the train.
“Yes. Trevor needed his car this evening, so I drove out from London.”
The plush leather interior of this car was a far cry from the serviceable Renault they’d been using all week.
“Where are we going again?” she asked after he climbed in behind the wheel.
“Nice try, but it’s a surprise, remember?”
She sighed in frustration. “Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“I’m probably stepping far outside the boundaries of propriety, but may I ask you about your marriage?” he said, his voice soft and searching.
He hadn’t planned on probing any further into her previous marriage, but for some inexplicable reason, he needed to know what happened.
They lingered over dessert at a restaurant overlooking the Avon River.
“There’s not much to tell, really,” she replied hesitantly.
“Ouch,” he muttered, behind a wry grin. “I’m sure your