"Thank you, Papa," Alex said. "And, Mama, don't worry. Ranelagh's really very nice."
"Very nice, indeed. I'm not taking issue with his niceness, which is well known. It's the democratic expanse of his niceness that concerns me."
"I can take care of myself, Mother. Could we please not discuss this?"
Pandias shot a stern look at his wife, and with pursed lips, she fell silent.
"Look!" Tina exclaimed. "A silver rattle… a very old silver rattle. What do you think, Alex, is it Elizabethan or Jacobean?"
The baby chose that moment to wake with a howl, curtailing any discussion of stylistic differences in silver and instantly becoming the center of attention. She was fussed over, held by everyone, admired, and praised until no longer amused by her relatives, she screwed up her little face and set up a fresh wailing.
"She's hungry," Tina observed, "so if you'll excuse me…"
In short order, the room emptied of all save Alex, who remained at Tina's request.
Lounging in a chair near the bed, Alex gazed at the enchanting picture of mother and child. She felt left out, alone, as though she were outside looking in on an idyllic world beyond her reach.
"Do you ever wish for children?" Tina asked, taking note of Alex's pensive expression.
"I do right now. I envy you completely."
"Perhaps Ranelagh will be the one." Tina's voice held a teasing note.
"Not likely. He's the man least willing to have children, I suspect. Nor do I envision anything so outre."
Her mouth quirked in a rueful smile. "You know I go through this passing melancholy every time you have a baby."
"I have a feeling you just might consider Ranelagh as a possible father for your children," Tina speculated playfully. "In your current mood, I mean."
"He's soured on matrimony. I think we can scratch Ranelagh as a candidate." Alex's brows flickered. "Even if I were so inclined…"
"You never know," Tina observed.
"I wouldn't bet my fortune on his walking down the aisle again, and really, Tina," Alex said in a lighter tone of voice, "I adore my freedom. I don't wish to marry again."
"Someday you may fall deeply in love," her sister-in-law noted. "Not like the companionship of your marriages. But desperately in love. Then you may change your mind."
Alex smiled at her friend. "You're an incurable romantic, darling. But remember, I've never been as starry-eyed as you."
"Ranelagh's different though, isn't he, and don't tell me I'm wrong-and don't tell me it's been only a few days." She winked at Alex. "You're mad for him."
The two women had been confidantes since childhood, the London Greek community small and extremely close, their families neighbors. They'd shared girlhood wishes for knights in shining armor, blissful true love, and any number of other romantic ideals.
"I might be just a little mad for him," Alex admitted, grinning. "He's incredible in bed."
Tina giggled, the baby whimpered, and after calming her daughter, Tina returned her gaze to Alex. "I knew it the minute you walked in today. I could tell you were different. He's brought a new glow to your eyes."
"And my body too." Alex couldn't help but smile.
"Better yet. I hope he didn't really leave."
Alex shook her head. "He's waiting down the road." She sighed. "I feel like a schoolgirl waiting to sneak out of the house."
"You needn't wait. Go to him."
"I thought I'd stay with you until you fell asleep."
"Don't even consider it. There's absolutely no need for you to stay. I'm feeling fine, and the baby is a perfect darling, as you can see," she added, the pride in her voice unmistakable.
"Don't rub it in."
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to gloat. Go to Ranelagh now and have a baby of your own."
"Don't put any dangerous notions into my head." Alex grinned. "Especially when I'm feeling so deprived."
"That's why I said it." Tina wasn't above a little matchmaking for her friend, who, in her estimation, had married both times for all the wrong reasons. "I'm just saying think about a baby. You seem enraptured by the man-your excitement fairly glows. So go now, go to your Ranelagh. I'll make some excuse to your mother, I'll tell her I've sent you to the City on an errand for me. Don't I need that lace peignoir you and I saw in Westbourne Grove last week?"
"The lavender one? And Ranelagh's not mine, not in the remotest way."
"Yes, the lavender one, and he's yours right now, waiting for you because he wants to see you enough to drive all the way from London, knowing the entire family is in residence. You have to give him credit for courage," Tina said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Or foolhardiness."
"Not an altogether displeasing trait in this instance. I'd say he wants you badly. Now, go," Tina commanded. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You're corrupting my nobler impulses."
"Good. It's about time. You have far too many noble causes and charities for a young woman. You spend half your time taking care of others, not to mention the years you tended your husbands. You're allowed to think of yourself, darling, and have a little fun. Now, if you aren't gone in two minutes, I'll call your mother back and make you both play bridge with me after the baby goes to sleep."
"Horrors!" Alex jumped to her feet. "I'd sooner walk over hot coals than play bridge with my mother."
"There," Tina replied brightly. "The very best incentive to go and see darling Ranelagh. Once I'm recuperated, promise to bring him out for tea so I can see the stunning legend for myself."
"Don't say that. I particularly dislike his legendary status."
"But you've brought him to his knees, haven't you, darling? Or at least a long, long way from London. That has to mean something."
"It means he likes sex."
Tina shook her head. "Sex with you, my sweet," she amended. "I doubt there's a dearth of women in town who would be willing. Now, bring the lovely man for tea someday soon."
"He doesn't drink tea."
"What man does? We'll ply him with ouzo."
"I'll extend your invitation. And thank you," Alex said softly, "for all your sensible advice. I really do like him."
"Think about that baby." Tina smiled at her friend.
"You're not exactly helping me to be virtuous."
"You could talk to him about it."
Alex laughed. "And watch him run."
Tina lifted her brows. "Maybe… maybe not."
Chapter Twenty-one
But Alex didn't have the opportunity to say more than yes to Sam's query about sleeping at the Adelphi before he kissed her hard and long and deeply.
Some minutes later, as they sat side by side, gently rocking to the rhythm of the carriage, their hands entwined, their smiles indication of their good spirits, she did mention Tina's facetious proposal.
Rather than shrink from her improbable comments, Ranelagh replied casually, "A baby-really. I haven't thought about it-for say-my entire life."
She punched him then because he was obviously mocking her. Once they were finished tussling, and once they'd stopped kissing again, he smiled at her in a particularly sensual way. "You know, maybe it's not such a bad idea after all."
Her gaze half narrowed. "You know it's ridiculous, and I'll sleep with you anyway, so you needn't be polite. I wouldn't have even mentioned it, except babies are on my mind." She smiled at him. "Tina's little girl is so soft and cuddly and adorable. I held her for the longest time, and she looked up at me with her big blue eyes and I think she even smiled once. I instantly melted in a puddle of love. So you see, I'm not exactly rational at the moment. You needn't take it personally."
"Maybe I don't mind taking it personally."
"Are you proposing?" She fluttered her lashes playfully.
"It depends."
"On what, pray tell?"
"Whether you become pregnant or not."
"Ah…"
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means-never mind, Ranelagh, you wouldn't understand." She was about to take issue with his callousness and disinterest in love, until she remembered with whom she spoke.