Sammy's head came up. "Rem?" Her eyes glowed. "Oh, Alex, he's so wonderful."
"I've met him several times. He's very handsome."
"Yes ... he is." Sammy grinned impishly. "I fell in love with him the moment I saw him, even before we spoke. Was it that way for you and Drake, too?"
Alex's lips twitched. "Actually, I think Drake and I would have killed each other if we could."
"Yes, I know, but underneath it all, you were drawn to each other from that first instant. You probably fell in love right then and there but never realized it."
"I won't argue with you—our feelings for each other were certainly intense. But then, Drake is a very volatile man. Is Remington?"
"Yes ... and no. Like Drake, Rem is a force to be reckoned with. But unlike Drake, Rem keeps his power carefully restrained. Outwardly, he's so charismatic he makes women melt. Yet there's something almost dangerously controlled about him, as if there's a volcano inside threatening to erupt. At the same time, I know he'd never hurt me. Does that make sense?"
"He sounds much like your long-awaited hero."
"He is."
Silently, Alex contemplated Sammy's radiant face, her own worry unappeased. After three inseparable years, she, better than anybody, understood Sammy's innocent, fanciful mind. She also knew that if Sammy's loving heart went astray, the results could be disastrous.
Taking a deep breath, Alex plunged right in. "Sammy, you say Remington is in love with you. How do you know?"
"He's told me so ... in words and in actions."
"Then why didn't he declare his intentions to Drake the day he was at Allonshire?"
"He was shielding me; he wanted to wait for the right time."
"He told you this?"
"Yes."
"But if he loves you, why has he made no attempt to reclaim you?" Alex raised her hand to stave off Sammy's protest. "I know Drake ordered you back to Allonshire. But the way you described the earl, he doesn't sound like the kind of man who could be deterred, even by Drake, if he wanted you—loved you—enough."
Sammy had opened her mouth to reply, when Rem's words resounded clearly in her head. Imp ... you're going to have to forget everything you overheard here tonight. ... Tell them anything you want. Just stay at Allonshire until I come for you. And Samantha ... I will come for you.
Slowly, Sammy exhaled. "Rem hasn't come for me because I asked him not to ... at least not right away."
Alex looked puzzled. "When did you speak with him?"
"I ran straight to his Town house after my argument with Drake."
"Samantha, it was the middle of the night!"
"I barely noticed. Not that it would have made any difference. I could never have left London without seeing Rem." She raised her chin. "Were you in my position, you would have done exactly the same thing."
"You're right. I would have." Alex gave her a wry smile. "Or perhaps worse."
"The decision to comply with Drake's command was mine. Rem agreed to give me some time to talk to Drake and, hopefully, to change his mind. But he won't wait forever. Any day I expect him to explode into Allonshire and come to blows with my brother."
"Not a pleasant thought," Alex commented dryly. "Speaking of waiting forever—" She broke off, unsure of how far she dared trespass.
"Rem has had scores of women," Sammy responded to the unasked question. "But all that ended the day we met. He's told me so himself... and I know it's true every time I'm in his arms. Oh, Alex, I see the wonder of discovery in his eyes; as if he never knew he could feel these things, as if we're both experiencing them for the first time—together."
Alex cleared her throat. "Sammy, no matter how I phrase this next question, there's no way to alter the fact that I'm prying. My only excuse is that I love you. So forgive my boldness. And if you choose not to answer, I'll understand."
"All right."
"How far has this relationship progressed ... physically?"