LOVE BY THE BOOK @page { margin-bottom: 5.000000pt; margin-top: 5.000000pt; } � � LOVE BY THE BOOK By Dara England Electronic Edition Copyright © 2011 Dara England Edited by Lauren Dee Cover art by Dara England ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Excepting brief review quotes, this book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the copyright holder. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, real events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. This work was originally published in 2009 by Lyrical Press Inc under the title Brought to Life. DEDICATION To my hardiest companion with the most blood on her sleeve and to all the inventors of the Traditional Irish Sandwich (you know who you are). Chapter 1 My romantic obsession with an imaginary man began the week after I was fired. That’s right, I got the sack. And I wasn’t even particularly sorry when I got it. Okay, maybe a teensy bit worried but not enough to risk streaking my double-curlicious mascara and shimmerberry eye shadow down my cheeks. What? Oh, you thought I was going to explain about the imaginary man? Well, that story begins something like this�Ś �śYou’ve got to read this book, Meggs. The hero is this Victorian duke and he’s majorly dreamy.” With that glowing endorsement, Carlita slapped the thin paperback down on the edge of the bathroom counter. I spat a mouthful of toothpaste into the sink, never taking my eyes from my reflection in the mirror. Speaking around my toothbrush, I reminded my roommate, �śThat’s what you say about all your brooding noblemen and handsome cowboys.” At least that’s what I tried to say, but it came out as an unintelligible string of gibberish. Pulling my toothbrush out, I added, �śAnd let’s not forget your countless widowed doctors with their dark secrets and smoldering eyes.” �śNow you’re confusing my novels with my soap operas. Anyway, this book’s different. The author�"Virginia Lace�"she’s amazing. She makes the characters so real you feel like you know them.” I rinsed and spat. �śVirginia Lace? Please. Who has a name like that?” Leaning closer to the mirror, I changed the subject. �śI think I found a wrinkle today. Look here. Do these look like crows-feet to you?” �śWill you stop with the wrinkle-check already?” Carlita gave me a light smack on the arm. �śYou’re not even thirty yet and already you’ve got to look in the mirror every morning and make sure everything’s still there.” �śI know it’s still there,” I mumbled, �świth more besides. It’s the �Śmore’ that’s keeping me worried.” I glanced enviously from Carlita’s smooth, bronzed skin to my own painfully pale complexion. If she were anyone else I might hate her for that perfect tan. But she and I had been best buds for nearly two years now, since meeting in beauty college. I’d had time to move beyond envy and get to know what lay beneath her pretty exterior. She was snarky, obnoxious, always sure she knew everything�Ś Yeah, she was me. If I had long, wavy hair and wore a D cup instead of an A. I gave up examining my face in the mirror. Pulling the twisted towel from my short, dark hair, I ran a quick comb through the damp locks. �śBy the way, can I borrow your gray slacks? Mine are in the laundry and I want to look professional for my interview.” Carlita snorted, dropping her pajamas and stepping into the shower. �śIf you want to look all cute for an interview at a coffee shop, knock yourself out. You probably won’t get the job anyway.” She might’ve said more but the rest was interrupted by the noise of water blasting out of the showerhead. Like I said, best friends. �śThanks for the encouragement.” Hanging my wet towel on a hook, I slipped on a pair of fuzzy house-shoes and padded out of the room. �śHey,” Carlita called after me, voice muffled by the roar of the shower. �śDon’t forget the book.” �śSure. Whatever.” I backtracked to grab the novel lying on the linoleum counter. I glanced at its cover and was mildly surprised to find it wasn’t one of Carlita’s typical bodice-rippers�"the kind displaying a shirtless hero with rippling abs embracing a gorgeous heroine in front of a fiery sunset. This cover lacked illustration, instead presenting the title, Noble Hearts, in swirling gold script across a simple black background. Shoving the book into the pocket of my robe, I went to my room. There the glowing numbers of the digital clock on my nightstand told me I was in danger of being late for my interview. Forget blow-drying my hair. My favorite thing about my recently acquired short ’do was how low maintenance it was. I squirted a little gel into my hand, combed it through my locks, and put on just enough makeup to cover the humongous zit that had popped up on my chin overnight. Yeah, I was twenty-eight and still dealing with zits. The universe is a cold, unfair place. Throwing on a fitted blouse�"freshly ironed last night�"and raiding Carlita’s closet for the promised slacks, I readied myself in double time. Thanks to my speed I wound up with a few minutes to spare after all so I sat down at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal. While I ate I checked out my horoscope. I was a Capricorn, which means I was supposed to be cautious and set in my ways. Also, maybe a bit on the conventional side. Today my horoscope read: Big changes are coming your way. Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith. I wrinkled my nose and tossed the paper aside. Leaps of faith didn’t come naturally to us Capricorns. Something furry brushed against my legs just then. I squeaked and nearly leapt out of my chair. But it wasn’t a giant rat, just Frigga. Truthfully, close proximity to Frigga was about as scary as a rodent attack. The skinny black cat had adopted Carlita and me months ago and, moved by the stray’s ragged condition, we’d taken her in. She bonded instantly with Carlita but for some inexplicable reason considered me the bane of her life. She was also, by the way, grossly misnamed. According to Norse mythology, Frigga was supposed to be some sort of motherly goddess who protected children. I’m fairly confident if our Frigga ever saw a kid she’d eat it. Even now she was glaring balefully up at me as if to say if I didn’t feed her this instant she’d have my toes for breakfast. I put my dishes in the sink, dumped food in Frigga’s dish (from a safe distance), and was on my way out the front door when I remembered Carlita’s romance novel. Maybe I’d need some light reading material while I waited in the coffee shop. I retrieved the paperback and tossed it into my Louis Vuitton handbag. Okay, my cheap imitation of a Louis Vuitton handbag. Whatever. I’d wasted too much time and was again in danger of being late. *** There was no wait at the coffee shop. Just my luck, the one time I wasn’t on time for a job interview the boss was waiting on me. I’d no sooner told the teenager at the front counter about my interview than the store manager appeared at my elbow. As he led me to a quiet seat in a far corner of the shop, I cast a glance back at the acne-faced kid at the register. He caught my eye, winking suggestively. I looked away with a grimace. Was this how far I’d sunk? Pushing thirty and desperate enough for work I was ready to take a job that could be manned by kids barely out of high school? So much for those wasted months at beauty college. That the first guy to hit on me in months was a pizza-faced coffee boy was no great ego-boost either. Over the next twenty minutes my last shreds of self-confidence were ripped to tatters. The manager of Hot N’ Steamy was anything but hot and steamy. A balding man in his mid-sixties with hairy arms and a fuzzy unibrow, he had all the charm of a big boss from a 1930s gangster movie. I didn’t know if it was that analogy, popping into my head out of nowhere, or his naturally unpleasant persona that made him seem so creepy. Either way, my impression of him didn’t make much difference, because his estimation of me was equally unfavorable. I didn’t get the job. I lacked the �śpeople personality,” as he put it. Evidently peddling coffee in a rundown sidewalk shop required a good deal of enthusiasm both for people and for the drink. As I passed back out the door of the shop, I wondered exactly what it said of me that I didn’t have the qualifications to serve up some hot water and coffee beans. Seeing the pimple-faced coffee boy cast me a look of commiseration as I left, I felt bad for mentally calling him pizza-face�"felt bad for noticing the acne at all. Heck, it didn’t take much to make me feel bad at the moment. I decided to stop in at the neighboring café and comfort myself with a pastry. Maybe a chocolate éclair would soften the blow of the failed interview. I bought a fat éclair and a bottle of milk and took them outside. Finding myself a lonely table away from the other customers, I sat with my back to the busy street and ate away my worries. Um, I mean, I soberly considered my situation. I was still a little sour about losing my old job. Two years ago, I had moved all the way to the city and spent three months in beauty college to pursue my dream career, the chance to become a manicurist at the second tiniest beauty salon in Central district, Baltimore. Okay, so that wasn’t the original plan. I’d first moved to the city with the crazy idea of getting by on my artistic skills as a painter. Hey, don’t laugh. I’d been painting since I was a kid and had been told I wasn’t half bad. Just the same, the artistic career wasn’t supporting me. So in an effort to find another creative outlet I took some courses, got my certificate as a nail technician and snapped up the first job that’d pay the bills. And what do you know? It turned out I had this natural talent for massaging strangers’ feet and for trimming and buffing their toenails. That was until last Tuesday when my boss caught me slipping my Avon business cards to the customers (only to the ones who severely needed makeovers). Hey, I was doing a service to humanity. Anyway, the boss flipped out over it. Apparently a girl wasn’t supposed to make a couple extra bucks on the side by selling quality beauty products from home. And so I came to my current sucky situation. The savings I’d managed to put back and the trickle of money I still made selling Avon were a lifesaver. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to stretch my savings more than a couple months. Sooner or later I was going to have to find a day job again. And one thing was sure, that collection of painted canvases heaped in the corner of my tiny bedroom was never going to translate into a career. Sure, I’d given plenty of my art away�"one or two old co-workers at the nail salon had even paid me a few dollars for pieces they liked. Still, I knew I was a long way from earning enough at it to live on. Closing my eyes, I tilted my face up to the warm sunshine and tried to distance myself from the noises of the traffic and the conversations of my fellow diners. I weighed my options. I was a single woman of nearly thirty, with only a manicurist’s license to my name and coffee shop managers turning down my resume. Maybe I was wrong to try and move in a different career direction. Should I take Carlita’s advice and hit up the beauty salons and spas in Inner Harbor? At least it was work I was familiar with, even if it didn’t exactly feel like my niche. Shaking my head, I brought my thoughts back to the present. Checking my watch, I saw it was only a little past ten. I had a whole empty day ahead of me yet. Although I dreaded the thought of spending another afternoon practicing the time-honored tradition of the unemployed�"watching soap operas and chomping potato chips�"I couldn’t work up much enthusiasm for getting back to the old job-hunt either. Instead, I dug around inside my purse and pulled out Carlita’s romance novel. I wasn’t usually much of a reader, but I might as well crack the cover so I could tell Carlita I’d at least tried to read it. Settling comfortably in my chair and propping my black flats on the seat across from me, I tuned out the busy world passing me by and focused on the first sentence of the book. It was at the avenue of shattered hopes and half-realized dreams that I first crossed paths with the enigmatic duke. I rolled my eyes. Carlita had picked another one. I read on, skimming the chapter that described the 19th century heroine’s first dramatic meeting with the dashing and mysterious nobleman. An entire page was devoted to a description of the handsome hero. At this point, I found myself becoming interested in the story. The plot itself was pretty cheesy but Carlita had a point. There was something vaguely appealing about the gallant hero. At the end of the first chapter I glanced at my watch and closed the book. Nearby tires squealed sharply against pavement. I jerked my head up just in time to see a long blue car sliding across the street, breaks screaming as it tried to come to a stop. But it was too late. Chapter 2 The car collided into a pedestrian standing in the center of the road and the man went down. For the space of a heartbeat, I sat paralyzed, eyes riveted to the spot. I mean it wasn’t every day you see some guy get mowed down right before your eyes. Outside of TV, I meant. Before I knew what I was doing I was up and dashing across the street. A crowd was gathering around the scene of the accident, and over their shoulders and heads I could just get a glimpse of the injured man lying in front of the car. The shouting of the car’s driver rose over the buzz of the onlookers. �śI’m telling you it wasn’t my fault! The guy just appeared right in front of me. One minute there was nothing and the next, there he was. I think I only bumped him anyway.” Right. Because every time you bump someone with a little old car they collapse unconscious to the pavement. Everyone was staring but nobody made a move to help. I shoved my way through the crowd to reach the still figure sprawled in the street. Kneeling at his side, I noted in a glance that he was still breathing. There was very little blood except for a thin stream trickling from his face, which was turned down toward the pavement. That was probably a good thing because I wasn’t sure my abrupt urge to play the good Samaritan could stand up to a lot of gore. �śSomeone call an ambulance,” I ordered. �śThis man needs to get to a hospital.” �śI tell you it was like he just appeared,” repeated the driver, coming to stand over me. I ignored him. In the background, someone was speaking into a cellphone, presumably to an emergency operator. �ś�Śthe intersection of Fairmont and Main,” the woman was saying. �śA man’s been hit by a car. I think he’s dead.” He wasn’t dead. Already he was stirring and making slight moaning sounds. I didn’t dare move him for fear of injuring him worse. Instead, I twisted around and lay so that my face rested on the road, level with his. �śIt’s all right,” I soothed. �śDon’t try to move. Help is on the�"” Catching my first glimpse into the face of the injured man I cut off mid-sentence. There was something incredibly familiar about him. Those impossibly gorgeous eyes, the sharp cleft in his chin. Then there was his hair. I’d once read someplace where someone’s hair was described as the shade of sun-ripened wheat. That seemed to suit this guy. His emerald colored eyes were wide open but even in his apparent pain I could read no fear in them. Instead, his gaze was fixed steadily, confidently, on me. The expectancy in that look sent an odd chill through me. For a moment, I had the weird sense that he somehow knew and trusted me better than I knew or trusted myself. I cleared my throat. �śDo you know what’s happening? You’ve been hit by a car but help is on the way. Don’t be scared. Just stay with me here and you’re going be okay.” He mumbled something back, but it was hard to make out. It might have been, �śI know.” Then his eyes closed and he went limp. For a second I thought he was dead, before realizing he hadn’t stopped breathing, he’d only passed out. At that moment the wail of a siren reached my ears. Relief flooded through me as I watched the ambulance pull up. The paramedics shouldered their way through the crowd and in moments they were lifting the injured man onto a stretcher. Backing out of the way of the medical personnel, I stepped on something lying in the road beside the wounded man. Bending down to scoop up the object, I found it was an old-fashioned gold pocket watch, the kind you usually saw in museums or antique shops. I glanced toward the injured stranger. Was it his? As I stood back, watching him being loaded into the ambulance, I felt dazed. This was the closest I’d ever come to seeing someone killed in real life. �śAre you family, ma’am?” someone was asking me. �śWhat?” I tried to focus on the question. Everything was happening so fast. �śAre you with him?” the paramedic, a middle-aged man with a crew cut, asked. �śIf you are, you can ride along to the hospital.” I remembered the trusting way the injured stranger had looked into my eyes. �śYes,” I found myself saying and I looked the paramedic in the eye. �śI’m�Śa friend.” He accepted that without question and allowed me to climb into the back of the ambulance. Crouching beside the stretcher and trying to keep out of the way of the paramedics working over their patient, I asked myself what on earth I was doing. Ten minutes ago I’d been sitting in a sidewalk café reading a book. Now I had stepped into a scene from one of those TV medical dramas and was rushing off to the hospital at the side of a man who, until a few moments ago, I’d had no idea existed. I wondered if I was crazy. Scratch that, I knew I was crazy. I realized I was still holding the stranger’s pocket watch. I hesitated and then slipped it into my pocket, telling myself I’d turn it in to someone when we arrived at the hospital. The sudden scream of the siren coming on and the jolt of the vehicle moving forward brought me back to the moment. Odd-looking hoses and medical instruments rattled around me. I wanted to ask the paramedics, laboring with urgent efficiency over their patient, how seriously he was hurt but was afraid to bother them. �śHey, can you hear me, buddy?” one paramedic kept asking. �śYou’re gonna be fine. Just hang in there.” The unconscious man didn’t respond. I was grateful no one asked me for his name because I would’ve had to admit I had no idea what it was. As we careened toward the emergency room, I belatedly remembered my purse, still lying back at the café. I could only hope some honest person would turn it in. When I got to the hospital I would call Carlita and ask her to run down and grab it on her lunch break. Then I had no more time to worry about anything but the here and now. We had pulled into the entrance of the ER and the ambulance’s back doors were being thrown open. Chapter 3 The paramedics quickly wheeled their patient in through the wide doors, and I hurried after them. On entering, other medical personnel swarmed us. I hung back, following at a distance. We passed a check-in desk and turned down a long hall. At the end of this corridor the stretcher was shoved through a pair of double-doors. �śSorry, ma’am. You can’t come through here,” a nurse told me. I hesitated, watching the heavy doors swing shut behind the staff. Through a high window I could see the stretcher being swiftly wheeled out of sight. I was left behind, wondering what to do. Why had I even come here? �śAre you a friend or a family member of the patient?” another member of the hospital staff was asking me. �śWe’ll need you to fill out some forms.” I stared stupidly at her. Time to confess. �śUm, I don’t actually know the patient. I witnessed the accident, and I guess I was just hoping I could hang around and make sure everything turns out all right.” Yeah. That didn’t sound weird or anything. The nurse gave a sympathetic smile. �śNo problem, honey. You can have a seat in the waiting room.” I accepted the suggestion gratefully and left the cold, white corridors for the ER waiting room. It was a depressing place with rows of uncomfortable plastic chairs lined up along the walls and a noisy television blasting in the background. I took a seat between a harried looking couple with a screaming infant and an old man with a long, bloodied bandage across his forehead. Over the next two hours, I used the waiting room phone to make my call to Carlita, used the coins I found in the pockets of my slacks, or rather in the pockets of Carlita’s slacks, to raid the snack machine, and went to the bathroom twice. Anything to get out of my seat for a while. The crying of the couple’s sick infant was wearing on my nerves. The old man with the bandage smelled strongly of sweat and urine and he kept leaning over to share with me the charming story of how he’d cut his forehead by slipping and smacking it on the edge of a toilet. I nodded politely and tried to bury my face in a magazine. It was just a health journal, but what the heck. Anything to buy myself a little solitude. I was devouring a fascinating article about enlarged prostates when Carlita arrived. I was relieved to see my friend toting my lost purse with her. �śYou found it!” I cried, forgetting for a moment where I was. Then remembering to lower my voice I added, �śEverything was so crazy I totally forgot about it until it was too late to go back. Thanks so much.” �śNo problem. I had nothing better to do on my lunch break anyway. I sure wouldn’t want to spend it, you know, eating or anything.” �śI’ve got half a bag of chips from the snack machine,” I offered. �śForget it. How bad is your friend hurt?” I felt a bit stupid as I offered the explanation I hadn’t had time to give over the phone. I’d been afraid Carlita would think I was nuts, running to the hospital like this over a total stranger. But she just looked at me like I’d done the greatest thing she’d ever heard of. �śYou’re a good person, Meggs,” she said. �śNot too many people would do this for someone they never even met before.” I shrugged. �śI don’t know if I’m actually doing it for him. I think it’s more for me. I got this funny feeling when I first looked at him, like I knew him from someplace, but I don’t know where. I guess when I came here I was just kind of hoping to figure that out.” Then too there had been that look in his eyes when he’d gazed up at me. Shut up, Megan, you’ve read too many of Carlita’s cheesy novels. My friend looked at her watch. �śUh oh, I’ve got go. I’m already over my break time, and I’m gonna have to fight traffic if I want to make it back to work before the boss notices.” We exchanged quick hugs and then she was gone. I was alone again. Well, alone except for the company toilet-head. At least the couple with the noisy baby had finally left. I sank back into my hard plastic chair and took up the health journal again. Then I put it down and reached for my purse. Had Carlita found�ŚYes, Noble Hearts was tucked safe away inside the bag. I dug the novel out and lost myself in the world of the fascinating hero and his heroine. I was really beginning to see what the heroine�"and Carlita�"saw in the man. He had a certain sort of nineteenth century charm, a chivalrous suavity you didn’t see anywhere today but in the movies. I was just wrapping up the part where the heroine was nursing the hero back to health after a life-threatening illness when I realized someone was speaking to me. �śMa’am,” one of the hospital staff called from the doorway. It took me a moment to remember her as the same nurse I had spoken with earlier. �śYes?” I stuffed the book inside my bag and rose. �śI thought you’d like to know the patient you came in with is going to be just fine. He’s got a lot of bruising, especially in the shoulder area, but there’s no permanent damage. His recovery time should be short.” �śOh,” I said, suddenly at a loss. �śThanks. Can I�"I mean would it be possible�"” The nurse nodded. �śHe’s been asking for you. That is, if you’re the beautiful woman who saved his life. I’m afraid visitors aren’t permitted just yet. But if you’d like to come back tomorrow during visiting hours you should be able to see him then.” I thanked her but couldn’t help feeling this was all kind of strange. First I was riding to the hospital with the man and now I was coming back to see him tomorrow. But I had to come. He’d asked for me. Besides, I still wanted to know if and where I had met him before. Then, too, what he had called me didn’t hurt much either, I admitted to myself, almost smiling. Beautiful woman. I could count the number of times I’d been called that without any fingers at all. As I called a cab and left the hospital I felt a little like the heroine of my book. Not only was I beautiful but I had just, according to him, saved the man’s life. My day was certainly looking up. Chapter 4 When I arrived back at the apartment it was still only late afternoon. Feeling younger and more energized than I had in a long time, I bounded up the front steps two at a time and slipped through the narrow double-doors leading into the foyer. Inside, the elevator was down again. Just as well. It always reeked of B.O. I took the back stairs up to the apartment I shared with Carlita. It was a good climb, five floors to the top level, and I was out of breath by the time I got there. Digging around in my purse, I found my keys and unlocked the front door. I didn’t go in right away, though. Instead, I stood back and surveyed the wreckage inside. It had only taken Carlita one morning to undo all the cleaning I had done the day before. Clothes were flung over the furniture and floor. Magazines and tubes of cosmetics were scattered across the low counter that was the only thing separating the kitchen from the living room. A half-eaten bowl of soggy cereal rested on the battered coffee table. One lamp had been left on and the TV was playing on mute, although there was no one home to watch it. Good grief, my roommate was a slob. I heaved a sigh and stepped inside, using one hip to nudge the door shut behind me. I hung my purse on a coat-hook and kicked off my shoes beside the door. It was going to be a long afternoon. After changing out of my good clothes and into a pink fitted T-shirt and jeans, I set to work tidying up the apartment. I’d never considered myself a neatnik before moving in with Carlita, but I didn’t like to wallow in a pigpen either. Even I needed a little organization. I moved my friend’s scattered clothing to her room, turned off the TV, and washed the dishes in the sink. Then, after returning Carlita’s makeup to the bathroom where it belonged, I started a load of laundry. Once the initial tidying was over and I’d told myself I had made at least a dent in the mess, I went to my room. Sitting on the foot of my bed I found my mind wandering, for no particular reason, to the strange man I’d rescued on the street today. How was he doing in the hospital? Would he even remember me tomorrow? Then I asked myself if I should really visit him at all. But he had asked for me. Which was a little weird, really, since it wasn’t like we knew each other or anything�ŚDid we? I shook my head. I’d stop by for just a few minutes tomorrow on my way out to pick up some more job applications. We’d have a brief, polite visit, which I suspected would be awkward. Then I’d make some hasty excuse and leave, having done my charitable duty. I’d never see him again. The thought suddenly reminded me I still carried his pocket watch. After finding my discarded slacks and digging the watch out, I turned it over in my palm, examining it. It looked just like one of those shiny watches that wealthy gentlemen wore dangling from their vests in the olden days. I flipped it open and studied the simple inscription engraved inside: D.C. His initials maybe? Whatever the letters stood for, the watch looked expensive. I’d be sure and return it tomorrow, I told myself, going to the living room and dropping it into my purse. Back in my room my attention fell on the stack of blank canvases leaning against the wall beside my dresser. I went to my beat-up little desk�"it was a child’s school-desk really�"and dug out my set of paints. But I only looked at the multicolored bottles in their tray before putting them back again. I hadn’t touched a paintbrush in months. Once it had been easy to dream big but these days it was hard to stay enthusiastic about old aspirations. My plans to make a living off my paintings seemed far away now. Shattered hopes and half-realized dreams. Where had I heard that? Oh, right. Carlita’s silly romance novel. My hands wandered back into the desk again and came up this time with a sketchpad. If I didn’t have the urge to paint anymore maybe I could ease myself past this painter’s funk�"the equivalent of an artistic writer’s block�"by playing around with some sketches. At least it would keep me in practice. I dug out my pencils and prepared to work. Next door, Ms. Mouth, as Carlita and I had dubbed our neighbor, was having another screaming match with her boyfriend. Their raised voices leaked easily through the thin walls separating the two apartments. The deaf could’ve heard them. I pounded on the wall, knowing it was a useless gesture. When the yelling continued I hopped off my bed and turned on the radio to drown out their fight. Then I settled down, back against the wall, to sketch. The blank sheet of paper stared up at me. I hadn’t had the artistic urge in so long I hardly knew where to start anymore. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. Out of nowhere an image rose before my mind�"startling green eyes, unreal in their intensity, looking up at me from under waves of wheat colored hair. I put pencil to paper and began to draw. I couldn’t make a very clear sketch of the handsome stranger I’d met today. Everything below his throat had been covered in a full-length dark coat, and I had seen his face only at weird angles. Besides, it had been a stressful occasion, and I hadn’t devoted too much time to studying his features. His eyes, though�"I remembered those just fine, and that was enough to get me started. I worked steadily, unaware of the passing time. I kept erasing, re-sketching, and erasing again, determined to get those eyes down right on paper but always unsatisfied with the results. By the time Carlita returned from work she found me surrounded by a sea of crumpled, discarded drawings. �śWhat’s this?” she asked, dropping her purse onto my bed. She picked up a sheet of paper from the floor and smoothed it out. �śWho’s the hunk?” �śNobody.” I didn’t look up from my current effort. She stepped over to turn off the radio, and then studied the pictures strewn across my bed. �śInteresting. You must have done a dozen sketches here, all of the same nobody.” �śHuh?” Not until I looked up did I realize she was right. I had done a million sketches of the guy’s eyes, all alike and yet each different. I suddenly realized my hand was cramping from so many hours spent clutching a pencil. I felt exhausted. More than that, I was frustrated. �śOh, this is useless!” I threw my pencil at the wall. �śI can’t paint. I can’t draw. I never could! I’ve spent hours on these and not one of them captures him even remotely.” �śYou mean the nobody who doesn’t exist?” �śHe exists, I guess,” I admitted. �śHe’s the guy I sat with at the hospital today.” My friend glanced at the most complete sketch. �śNow I see why you spent all afternoon down there. Looks like a hottie.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulled off her high heels. I shrugged. �śHe’s pretty cute I guess. But nobody is at their best while bleeding all over the pavement.” I ran a hand through my hair. �śHow was work?” �śSucked. Every Monday sucks for me. But I don’t want to think about it. I’m gonna heat up a frozen dinner. Want one?” �śWhy not.” I cast a last lingering glance at my sketches and then followed her to the kitchen. �śHey, did you read any of that book I gave you?” Carlita asked. �śYou know, Noble Hearts? ” �śUh-huh. I read a little at the hospital.” I watched Frigga patter into the kitchen to twine herself around my roommate’s ankles, all the while giving me the evil eye. Like I needed any warning to keep my distance. Carlita absently rubbed the cat’s back with one bare foot while opening the freezer and nearly causing an avalanche of frozen dinners. Neither of us were exactly the world’s greatest cooks. �śIsn’t the hero amazing?” she asked, ducking her head into the freezer. �śHe’s so dreamy. You want mini pizzas or enchilada dinners?” �śEnchiladas. And he’s pretty cool, I guess. So far he hasn’t done much but get rescued by the heroine.” �śIt gets better,” Carlita promised. �śYou’ve got to read the next chapter.” I shrugged. �śMaybe I’ll get to it tonight.” Chapter 5 My eyes were red-rimmed and puffy the next day because I’d stayed up until all hours reading Noble Hearts. I was really getting into the novel now and I’d decided Carlita was right. The hero did make the book. But that morning I was paying dearly for my late night read. No matter how thickly I applied my concealer, the dark circles still loomed visibly under my eyes. Finally I gave up and slapped the concealer stick back into my makeup box. Never mind. Who was I trying to impress anyway? I thought of the stranger I would be visiting this morning. He can take me or leave me as I am. Despite the brave words, I peered into the mirror for a final check of my short white skirt and blue blouse, cinched with a broad black belt. I’d added a white headband to set off the skirt and my favorite black pumps. The ones that looked like Christian Louboutins but had only cost half as much. A pair of hooped earrings was the finishing touch and then I was grabbing a bagel and slipping out the door. The elevator was working today�"a questionable stroke of luck�"and as I stepped into its creepy, dimly lit interior I prayed as I often did this wouldn’t be the day I made the headlines. Woman found chopped up in apartment house elevator. It really did look like the ideal spot for a horror scene in a movie. On the ride down, I peeped inside my purse. The gold pocket watch was still there, nestled between a coin-purse and an eye shadow kit. I had to give it back today. If that was real gold�"and it sure looked like it�"this was a pretty valuable antique. Leaving the apartment building, I caught a cab to the other side of town. In the back seat, I finished the last of my bagel and checked my supershine lipstick in my compact mirror. I always spent a generous amount of time applying my makeup. As an Avon representative, I liked to think it was my duty to give potential customers a living sample of what we had to offer. But this morning I’d spent even more time than usual in front of the makeup mirror. Just for fun, of course. It was a nice autumn day and I rolled down my window to let in the breeze. Skyscrapers towered over me, blotting out the sun. Watching the pedestrians hurrying by on the streets I was reminded of what had made me fall in love with this city. It had an energy�"an excitement about it. Then too it had seemed like a place where even the most unreachable of dreams, like an artist’s career, could come true. The fact Baltimore had recently been rated the third best place in the nation to shop had nothing to do with it of course. Nope, nothing at all. We were pulling up outside the hospital. After I paid the cab driver, I passed through the entrance and was immediately engulfed in the antiseptic scent I remembered from yesterday. I’d come in at a different entrance from the one I used then. Right in front of me stood a check-in desk. Obtaining directions from the check-in clerk wasn’t easy. Until the moment I opened my mouth to ask for the patient’s room number, I’d forgotten that I still had no idea under what name he would be registered. Luckily, I remembered what time he had been brought into the ER, and as it turned out, he was the only male collision victim to have been admitted at that hour. Now I learned he was no longer in the ER but had been moved to a regular room. On the clerk’s instruction, I found the elevator and took it up to the third floor. I felt nervous, walking down the long corridor. What if he didn’t remember me? Would he think I was some kind of freak for hanging around in the ER and now showing up to visit him? But I had to know why I had this feeling of knowing him. Plus, returning the watch made a good excuse. The door to room three-eighteen was open. Still, I stood back and knocked tentatively. When a deep voice answered with, �śCome in,” I stepped hesitantly inside. And stopped short. I hardly recognized the man I saw today as the injured stranger from yesterday. He was tall with a fairly muscular yet narrow build. I definitely wouldn’t define him as athletic. His hands were slender�"I could better imagine them grasping a pen than a football�"and the pallor of his skin suggested he didn’t see much time outdoors. The bookish type then? Maybe a librarian or a teacher? His face was finely boned, his jaw well defined and tapering down to a long�"almost too long�" chin. His nose was aquiline�"not a word you’d normally pair with attractiveness, but on him it looked good. In fact, his whole face managed to merge good looks with an air of self-awareness�"not arrogance exactly, but he looked like a man who knew his worth. He wouldn’t have passed for the lead in a romantic movie, but he had that undeniable appeal I remembered from yesterday. As I entered, he was looking toward the door with an air of expectancy in his green eyes. I examined his eyes. I almost had them. Just a little more depth and some heavier shading would have done it. But that faint air of superiority to the world, I hadn’t caught that. Then again, I figured it was hard to look superior while sprawled unconscious on the pavement of a city street. �śYou came,” he said, interrupting my perusal. He sounded like he’d never doubted that I would. �śI, ah, heard you’d asked for me.” I could’ve bit my tongue off for sounding so self-conscious but something about him left me feeling about as small as an ant. I couldn’t help noticing how the sunlight slanting through the window lit his hair with a golden glow, revealing faint tints of red woven throughout. Bad chin or not, he was gorgeous in his own way�"even more so than I remembered. Of course no one was at their hottest after being smacked by a car. Today he sat upright in his hospital bed, looking perfectly healthy. I didn’t know what I’d expected. Possibly to see him lying miserably in a bed of pain. Certainly I hadn’t thought he’d look this good. The narrow bandage across his forehead and the sling around his arm were the only indications of his recent brush with death. I realized I was staring. Gawking even. Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice. Most likely he got this sort of reaction from women all the time. I blinked and forced myself to say something to kill the awkward lull. �śMy name’s Megan. Megan Hurst. We didn’t exactly get a chance to introduce ourselves yesterday.” He offered a polite smile, one that served to melt away a little of the stiffness his face had held before, but I noted he didn’t answer with his own name. Summoning my courage, I crossed the room and offered him a handshake�"a sure icebreaker if there ever was one. I didn’t realize until it was too late that his only good hand was all but tied down by a string of IVs. The needles in his wrist didn’t hold him back much though. He accepted my clumsy hand in his elegant, long-fingered one and startled me by raising it to his lips. His mouth brushed my skin so lightly I hardly felt it, and then my hand was released as quickly as it had been taken. He seemed to find nothing awkward or inappropriate in the action. His expression was as casual as if he kissed strange women’s hands every day. Maybe he did. To keep him from seeing how weirded out I was by that, I cleared my throat and jumped to the first safe subject that crossed my mind. �śI brought your watch back.” His brows drew together. �śMy watch?” �śYes.” Digging around in my purse, I produced the gold pocket watch. �śI found this lying in the street beside you. I figured it had to be yours, so I held onto it for you. I really did mean to give it back before, but somehow I forgot.” I dropped the watch on the bedside table, and he picked it up. There was no recognition in his eyes as he turned the object over. �śI can’t say I recall owning anything like this, but then I’m afraid the accident has clouded my memory. It was good of you to return it, Miss Hurst.” Okay. When he talked he was even weirder. There was something very odd about his voice�"or more specifically his choice of words. He spoke in a stiff, formal style, like he was reading lines from a script. And his accent didn’t sound like anything I’d ever heard. But I shook my questions away. Maybe he was just feeling self-conscious. Even if he didn’t look it. Besides, despite his weird speech the smile he offered seemed genuine. I found myself thinking what a gorgeous smile he had with his shallow dimple and dazzling row of perfectly white teeth. They could’ve come from an ad for porcelain veneers, except I was pretty sure all of them were real. I realized I was staring again, but he didn’t seem to mind. �śPlease, sit down,” he invited. �śI haven’t had a chance to thank you for what you did yesterday.” I took a seat on the edge of the straight-backed chair beside his bed. �śDon’t thank me. I wasn’t much help really and I just did what everyone there should have.” �śYes, but none of them did,” he pointed out smoothly. �śOnly you.” I felt my cheeks redden. I’ve always been an easy blusher, especially when being heaped with praise from handsome strangers. It was my curse. I searched for something relevant to say that would remove the uncomfortably warm spotlight from me before I started sweating, something I did not want to do while wearing my favorite silk blouse. �śIt must have been a terrifying experience, looking up and seeing that car coming at you. I can’t even imagine.” As soon as the words were out I felt like an idiot. Naturally it was terrifying, you moron! Who wouldn’t be freaking if they saw a huge hunk of speeding metal flying at them? Luckily, my companion either didn’t notice how inane the question was or was too polite to let on if he did. �śTo tell you the truth,” he said, �śI don’t remember much about it. Everything happened so suddenly. There is one thing I remember very clearly, though�"lying on the pavement, waiting to die, and then�ŚAnd then looking up to see you and thinking maybe I wouldn’t after all.” His tone and expression were matter-of-fact, his bluntness saving the statement from sounding romantic. He shrugged and went on. �śPerhaps it sounds foolish, but I felt less alone to have you there. Something about you seemed so safe. I felt like I’d known you all my life.” My heart beat faster. Here it was. I was going to find out why he felt so familiar to me. I forgot my awkwardness and asked abruptly, �śCan you tell me�" that is, have we met somewhere before, D.C.?” I couldn’t say what made me add those initials. I had been thinking of the engraving on the watch and it just popped out. �śD.C.?” He looked puzzled. �śWho is D.C.?” �śIt’s you. I mean I had thought it was you, but I guess maybe it’s not.” I felt my face color further and scrambled to explain. �śIt’s the initials I found engraved on the watch. Not that I was looking! That is, I didn’t mean to snoop�"” I realized I was babbling and forced myself to slow down. �śAren’t the initials yours?” He looked uncomfortable. �śI wish I could say.” �śWhat do you mean?” �śWell�ŚYou’re going to think me out of my mind but�ŚI don’t know what my name is. Ever since I awoke here my caregivers have been trying to pry that information out of me, but it’s no good. I told you the accident fogged my memory. It would be more accurate to say that it completely wiped it out. It’s as if my life was a blank sheet all the way up to the point where I found myself lying in the street.” I tried not to show my skepticism. �śSo you don’t remember a thing before the accident?” �śI don’t even know how the accident happened. The first thing I remember is, well, you.” He gave the faintest of smiles as he added, �śBut that’s not such a bad memory to start off with, is it?” Why did such a direct statement, offered totally without nuance, set my stomach to doing flip-flops? The guy was feeding me a ridiculous story straight off an afternoon soap opera, and I was eating it up like candy just because he happened to have a gorgeous smile. Riiight. Time to get outta’ here. If I stayed another minute I might find myself actually believing in his supposed amnesia. �śUm, you know what? I think I have to go. I just remembered something I have to do.” I made a pretense of checking my watch before scrambling a little too quickly out of my chair. �śAh, yes,” he said. �śI understand. I’ve taken up too much of your time already.” He knows darn well I’m not swallowing his crappy story. Then how did he manage to look so sincere? For a second, he reminded me of a little boy who for all the world believed in the monsters in his closet. �śListen,” I said on my way to the door, �śI hope everything works out all right for you and you get to feeling better soon.” �śOh, I feel very fit now. The doctor says I’ll be ready to go home in a day or two. Just as soon as I figure out where home is.” The uncertainty in his tone tugged at me and I paused in the doorway. Don’t be an idiot, Megan. Still, I found myself turning around and sighed. �śYou really don’t know who you are?” I asked, not bothering this time to hide my doubt. He shook his head. �śAnd I guess that means you don’t know who your family is or how to get in touch with them?” Another negative. He looked genuinely unhappy with the answer, although whether it was for his own sake or because he could see I didn’t believe him, it was hard to say. Why was he putting on this act? He didn’t even know me. Why construct this insane lie? The guy was a jerk. I nodded, my mind made up. �śAll right then. Good luck to you.” If I sounded sarcastic he deserved it. I turned and ducked out the door before he could respond. On my way back to the elevator, I caught a nurse who was hurrying past. �śExcuse me,” I said. �śThat patient in room three-eighteen, do you know what his name is?” �śThree-eighteen?” The nurse laughed. �śOh, he’s our mystery man. Nobody knows who he is�"except he seems convinced he’s somebody pretty important.” �śThanks.” I bit my lip. Maybe I’d been too hasty in disbelieving his story. As the nurse hurried off down the corridor, I was left alone with my nagging conscience. Chapter 6 I tried to dismiss the idea I’d been unfair to the guy I was beginning to think of as �śMystery Man.” But a vague sense of guilt hung over me for the rest of the morning and late into the afternoon. Finally, after a few hours of pounding the pavement and picking up job applications, I realized there was only one thing on my mind that took up equal space with the stranger. It was the dull ache of my empty stomach. I hadn’t had a bite since breakfast. Stopping by the same hotdog vender I visited every time I passed the park, I ordered my usual�"two chili-cheese dogs, extra cheese, extra relish. Carlita would have given me The Look but I didn’t care. I’d never been into dieting. I passed on my ten-dollar bill and tried not to actually drool over the plate Bill the Hotdog Man shoved at me. I was glad my suave mystery man wasn’t here now to see my eyes bugging out over a couple buns stuffed with chili. Struck by a sudden thought, I said, �śHey Bill, what do you do when you don’t know who you are?” Bill paused in slapping relish over a hotdog and squinted at me. It wasn’t particularly sunny out, but Bill always squinted. �śWhat d’ya mean?” he asked. �śYou feelin’ sick or something?” �śNo, not me. But let’s say I have a friend who’s been in an accident and claims he doesn’t remember his name anymore or where he comes from.” Bill snorted. �śSounds like somebody’s been watchin’ too much daytime TV. Is this guy on the level?” �śThat’s what I want to find out.” �śSo I’m guessing you don’t know who he is either?” �śNot exactly, no. And,” I hastened to add, �śI’m not in any hurry to drag too many people in on this in case�Ś” In case what? In case he’s making up this whole thing and I wind up looking like a major idiot? The hotdog man shrugged. �śGuess the easiest way would be to check out a missing persons list. See if anyone meeting your guy’s description has turned up missing around here.” There was an idea. At least it’d be one way to satisfy my nagging curiosity without becoming too involved. I nodded. �śThanks a lot, Bill. I’ll give it a try.” I took my lunch into the park and found a lonely bench under the trees. Of course, in the city it was impossible to be really alone with the noisy streets and towering buildings only a short distance away. But at least none of the strangers walking, rollerblading, or riding their bikes past paid me much attention. Laughing children played on the grass nearby and old people walked past, leading their dogs on leashes. Couples strolled by hand in hand. People-watching as I wolfed down my lunch, I indulged in a brief moment of self-pity because I seemed to be the only one alone today. I distracted myself by thinking of my mystery man. Was he for real? What reason could he possibly have for inventing a ridiculous story about losing his memory for me, a total stranger? Had it all been some sort of joke? But no matter how I argued it, I just couldn’t convince myself he was intentionally lying. There had been something so sincere about him. He might have some pretty inflated ideas about himself but there was still a sort of old-fashioned honesty to him. Like he came from someplace where you could take people at their word and they didn’t pull crap on you. I shook my head at my thoughts. I was over-romanticizing this guy. There was only one thing for it. I was going to have to find out the truth. I thought about Bill’s advice. Where could I obtain a missing persons list? *** A half hour later, I plopped down into a creaky seat behind a computer at the public library. If I had learned anything it was that when stumped with the ultimate puzzle there was always one force to turn to�"the awesome power of the internet. And since my laptop was fried and Carlita didn’t own one, I had to rely on the charity of the good folks at Pratt’s Central Library. I tried not to hold my breath as I waited to see what information the search engine came up with. When the results did show, they were disappointing. My search was too broad, I decided. I needed to narrow it down. *** When I returned to the apartment that evening my heart felt so heavy it might as well have been a brick thumping away in my chest. A whole afternoon spent on my fruitless research and pretty much all I had discovered was that if my mystery man really was a missing person, no one seemed interested in finding him. I was tired and frustrated and my feet were killing me after an entire day in heels. I kicked the shoes off inside the door of the apartment and sank down onto the couch. What a wasted day. I was sitting there dejectedly rubbing at my sore feet, when Carlita came out of her bedroom. �śWhere’ve you been, Meggs? I’ve been home for an hour.” �śOut,” I replied vaguely. I sniffed the air. �śSomething smells good.” �śFrozen lasagna.” She looked apologetic. �śI finished off the last of it. Sorry.” �śNever mind. I’m too tired to eat anyway.” I yawned. �śSpending an afternoon not working wears me out.” �śAw, no success in the job market today?” Carlita asked. She eyed the multiple application papers sticking out of the top of my purse. �śNot really, but I didn’t spend a lot of time looking,” I admitted sheepishly. �śI visited that guy in the hospital today�"” Carlita interrupted, �śOh, right. The cutie whose life you saved.” �śI didn’t exactly �Śsave’ him�"” �śWhatever. Come on. Tell me all about him while we look for something for you to eat. Tired or not, you’ve gotta’ have dinner. Then you can take a nice hot shower and go to bed.” �śSure,” I said, following my roommate into the kitchen. �śMight as well get an early start to bed so I can be up at the crack of dawn for a full day of�Śnothing.” �śWill you stop complaining? I wish I could have a day to just hang around the apartment. I could catch up on my soap operas, reread one of my novels�ŚBy the way, how are you liking Noble Hearts? ” I opened the freezer and poked around inside. �śActually I’m sort of getting into it,” I admitted, checking the expiration date on the back of a box of fish sticks. �śAt first it started pretty cheesy but once I got to the duke guy�"” Carlita sucked in a hissing breath between her teeth. �śTell me about it. Isn’t he amazing?” I dropped the fish sticks into the garbage. �śI don’t know if I’d use that word. But he does grow on you. When the heroine meets him she thinks he’s this old-fashioned, too-gallant-to-be-true guy, and she’s suspicious of his motives. At first he does seem like he’s just a stiff, pompous nobleman who expects everything he wants to be handed to him. But then she starts to feel like there’s something sorta’ real about him.” I ripped a frozen burrito out of its packet and put it in the microwave. �śI don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but I can see how she winds up falling in love with him.” Carlita laughed. �śIt’s not like you to have romantic sentiments. The duke has converted you, I think. Or maybe�Ś” She looked sly. �śOr maybe it’s not the duke at all. Tell me more about this handsome stranger who had you playing Florence Nightingale today.” She hopped up on top of the counter to listen. And so I filled her in on my hospital visit that morning. I was a little embarrassed when I came to the part where my mystery man revealed his memory loss. It didn’t fit in with my no-nonsense reputation to go around swallowing whale-sized tales from handsome strangers. I couldn’t blame Carlita for looking skeptical as she asked, �śAnd you didn’t fall for that, did you?” �śOf course not,” I said defensively. �śGood. The guy sounds like a nut job, dreamy eyes or not. I’m glad you left when you did. The last thing you need is to get tangled up with some kind of psycho.” �śActually�Ś” I busied myself with removing my dinner from the microwave. �śI’m thinking about going to see him again.” �śWhat!” �śI’m not saying I believe him,” I pointed out. �śI just have some questions, that’s all. I mean, suppose he was telling the truth. How lousy would that make me for not helping him out?” Carlita narrowed her eyes. �śAnd just how do you plan on �Śhelping him out?’ Has this creep asked you for money?” �śNo! I just ... I feel something. I can’t explain it. I just know there’s something about this man. I need to find out why he seems so familiar to me. I want to know who he is and why he appeared when he did.” �śAppeared?” �śYeah. After the accident the driver of the car said it was like the guy came right out of thin air or something.” �śThe driver,” Carlita replied, �śdidn’t want to admit he’d been too busy stuffing his face with coffee and doughnuts to watch the road.” She heaved a sigh. �śBut whatever. This isn’t my business. I’m just warning you, this guy sounds like trouble. I don’t want you to get taken into some crazy scam or something, that’s all.” �śThanks, but I’ll be fine. All I want to do right now is figure out who this guy is and where he comes from.” I explained about my online search of all the missing persons databases I had been able to get into. �śThere’s no record of anyone who sounds remotely like him disappearing from the Baltimore area yesterday,” I finished. Carlita shook her head. �śWhy should there be? Think about it. If this guy is serious�"and I’m not saying he is�"and he honestly hasn’t contacted any of his family from the hospital, that doesn’t mean they’re out there searching desperately for him yet. I mean, it’s only been a day, right? Besides, maybe he lives alone. Suppose his people are all out-of-towners like yours? They could go without hearing from him for a month and not suspect anything’s wrong, you know?” �śMakes sense,” I admitted. �śBut if nobody’s reported him as missing, what other options do I have for finding out who he is?” Carlita shrugged. �śI dunno. Guess you’re right back where you started.” She glanced at the microwave clock. �śIt’s getting late. I’ve gotta’ get some sleep. Some of us still have a long work week ahead of us.” She hopped down off the counter. �śAnd look at you,” she added. �śYou need to crash. You look half dead.” �śThanks,” I said dryly. �śWelcome. Night-night, Meggs.” She gave me a brief hug and was gone. I forced down my burrito�"it was cold by this time�"and turned a weary eye to the stack of job applications peeping out of my purse. I shook my head and went to the bathroom for a long, hot soak instead. On the way past my room, I caught a glimpse of Noble Hearts resting on my nightstand. Snatching it up, I took it with me. Maybe I’d do a little reading in the tub. Even tired as I was I couldn’t leave the duke and his lady stranded where I had left them last. Chapter 7 When I stepped off the hospital elevator the next morning I had my hands full. I carried a box of doughnuts tucked under one arm and a cardboard drink carrier with two cappuccinos. I hesitated with my load outside room three-eighteen. Suppose he wasn’t here anymore? Or even if he was, maybe he’d be weirded out by my showing up like this again. After all, he’d already thanked me for my help. As far as he was concerned there was probably no more to be said. I bit my lip and dredged up the determination I had felt last night when I’d made this decision. I had questions that begged for answers. Once he satisfied them I’d be on my way, but not before. Besides, I had a good excuse. I’d been too abrupt yesterday. Practically rude. It was perfectly natural to drop by and offer an apology and a couple of doughnuts as a peace offering. Wasn’t it? Still�ŚStaring at the closed door in front of me, I admitted to myself that wild resolutions made during the restless hours of the night looked a lot less rational after a few hours sleep. I wrestled with myself for another minute before finally setting aside my doubts and knocking on the door. There was no answer. He probably wasn’t in the same room anymore, I decided. If he hasn’t already been released from the hospital. I balanced the cup holder on top of my box of doughnuts and turned the knob. �śDr. Barnes will be in later to talk to you,” a strange voice was saying, as I pushed open the door. Mystery Man wasn’t alone today. A heavy man in green scrubs stood over him, chatting as he checked the IV bags. The patient was sitting upright at the edge of the bed with a blood pressure cuff around his bicep. His shirt was off, and he wore nothing but a thin sheet stretched across his lap. I squeaked and nearly dropped my load. Both men turned at the noise. �śMiss Hurst, you’re back,” Mystery Man observed, a hint of a question in his tone. Before I could speak, the other man, whom I guessed to be a nurse, said, �śI’m sorry but we’re in the middle of an examination. Could you come back in a few minutes?” �śOh�"yes. Absolutely.” Red-faced, I fumbled with my packages and dragged my eyes away from Mystery Man’s bare shoulders and ripped abs long enough to look for a place to set down my things. I ended up dumping them hastily onto a rickety metal stand and backing toward the door. �śWait, it’s entirely all right,” Mystery Man called after me, appearing unembarrassed. �śYou don’t have to go.” But I shut the door on his words. Out in the hall, I could’ve choked on my mortification. It wasn’t walking in on him in the middle of a physical that had done it. It was my clumsy reaction that kept replaying itself in my mind. Blushing like a teenager! Not only that, but he couldn’t have missed my eyes burning twin holes into his bare chest. And a pretty amazing chest it was too. Mystery Man must hit the gym once in a while. Maybe he wasn’t a librarian after all. I checked the silly thought as I paced down the hall. Carlita was right. I should never have come back here. Something about this man seemed to make a gawking idiot of me every time I was near him. I toyed with the idea of abandoning the food and not coming back. But that would be a childish and pathetic move, and I had the humiliating sense that he would somehow know why I had done it. Besides, those doughnuts I’d left behind were blueberry and cream filled�"one very worthy reason to hang around. In the end, I took the elevator to the second floor and wandered down to the maternity ward to kill time. I’d always liked looking through the nursery window at the newborns. Here lately they also served as a little needed reminder that I was pushing thirty and still what they used to call an �śold maid.” I would’ve preferred the term �śsingle career woman” but supposed you had to have a career before you could lay claim to that title. Never mind. I couldn’t stay in a bad mood in such a joyful place. Evidently, this had been a busy day in the maternity ward. Every face I passed in the hall looked like a smiley sticker. I joined the handful of grandparents and other visitors crowded around the glass, cooing over the new arrivals. Taking up a stance before the prettiest and the happiest infant behind the window, I goo-gooed and made silly faces at the wide-eyed newborn until it started to fuss and cry. Then I melted off swiftly into the crowd, before anyone could peg me as the troublemaker. Back in the elevator, I checked my watch. Surely the patient was done with his exam by now. I had to find out this guy’s name today, I realized. I couldn’t go around thinking of him as Mystery Man forever. But then after today I really wouldn’t need to call him anything ever again, would I? I paused outside his room. This time no voices drifted out. Even so, I rapped my knuckles loud and clear against the doorframe to announce my entry. �śUm�"hi,” I called through the door. �śIt’s me again. All finished in there?” To my surprise, the door was tugged open and there stood Mystery Man himself. He was in his bare feet and hospital gown and still carried his arm in a sling, but other than that he looked like any ordinary healthy person standing in the doorway�"except this doorway happened to be the entrance to a hospital room. I couldn’t help noticing that he had run a comb through his hair since last I saw him and had donned a robe over his gown. I supposed that was as far as a patient could go around here toward preparing for company. �śMiss Hurst, I’m glad you’ve returned. I was afraid you wouldn’t.” The faint irony in his tone suggested he knew full well what had driven me away in such a hurry. �śI said I’d be back, didn’t I?” Nervousness made me defensive. What was wrong with me? �śI really just dropped by to apologize for yesterday,” I continued stiffly. �śI realized after I left maybe I was a little rushed on my way out. And I was worried I might have come off as kind of skeptical about your, um, problem.” I still couldn’t quite bring myself to acknowledge his amnesia story. �śAnyway, I hope I wasn’t too rude and that I didn’t offend you or anything.” �śI assure you I wasn’t in the least offended, Miss Hurst,” he said, surprising me with a self-deprecating smile. �śThe truth is, I completely understand how you might find my condition difficult to believe. It’s an unlikely situation.” Although he spoke about himself, I couldn’t help but be aware of the way he flicked his gaze up and down me. I felt instantly self-conscious, wishing I had given more care to dressing this morning. My khaki colored cropped ankle pants and slender black belt were cute enough, but my beige ruffled tank was last year’s style. It was also a little humid outdoors and I could imagine what that had done to my makeup. Not to mention the wind outside had probably wreaked havoc on my loose hair. But if he noted these details, his opinion wasn’t evident. He stepped back and made a welcoming gesture. �śPlease, step inside. I’d like a chance to speak with you again.” I shook my head. �śI don’t want to bother you, so I should probably be going.” �śYou won’t be bothering me in the least.” He sounded as if it were all decided. �śI’d like some company. And besides you’ve left your packages inside.” �śIt doesn’t matter. It’s nothing important. Just some coffee and doughnuts. I know how foul this hospital food is and I thought you might like a decent breakfast.” �śThat’s perfect then. We’ll have breakfast together.” He opened the door wider, and I had no choice but to step inside or look impolite. Anyway, truth to tell, I wasn’t entirely reluctant to spend a little more time in Mystery Man’s company. Whether he was a fraud or the real deal, he fascinated me. And besides, hadn’t I been dying to get some answers about his real identity? Maybe I’d find a chance over breakfast to trip up his amnesia story, if indeed it was false. Once I entered the room, he appeared suddenly awkward, the first time I had seen his self-assurance falter. �śI apologize for this,” he said abruptly, indicating his outfit. �śI don’t usually receive female visitors in this fashion, but the clothing I arrived in seems to have been confiscated by the staff. I haven’t been able to find out what’s become of my things.” I swallowed a smile. It must be uncomfortable hosting breakfast with a stranger in what was basically an ugly nightgown and robe. Good. Maybe his embarrassment would put us on a more equal footing. �śNever mind,” I said, gaining confidence. �śYou look fine. Let’s just eat.” I spotted my packages still resting untouched on the rickety table by the door. The nutty scent of the cappuccino called to me and my stomach began clamoring for some of those blueberry and cream doughnuts. �śI’ll set things out, okay?” I said, �śWhere do want to eat?” �śOut there actually. I’d like a bit of fresh air.” �śOut where?” I followed his gesture to the room’s single window. It overlooked a pebble-paved courtyard below, with a couple of benches standing beneath some scrawny shade trees. �śUm,” I said doubtfully. �śAre you sure you should be going out? Maybe it’s not allowed.” After all, you were flattened by a car day before yesterday. Shouldn’t you be bedridden or something? The eyebrow he arched at me suggested he wasn’t accustomed to debating his decisions, but I refused to back down. �śI’m going to check with a nurse first,” I said firmly. And that was how a few minutes later I found myself eating breakfast under the warm sunshine in the hospital courtyard with my nameless stranger. Chapter 8 A soft breeze made up for the humidity in the air and kept the beating sun from making me too warm, as I sat on a metal bench. My companion didn’t have to worry about any such problem. The hospital staff had found him some slippers and a pair of pants that looked like old scrubs, but he was still ridiculously underdressed for an outdoor picnic. We were the courtyard’s only inhabitants and as such had parked ourselves in the choicest spot directly beneath a pair of skinny trees backed by a circle of low shrubbery. I had felt a little weird pushing Mystery Man’s wheelchair down the pebbled path and situating him beneath the shade of the trees�"evidently it was some sort of hospital policy that even healthy patients weren’t allowed to use their legs. This was the first time I’d been on what felt strangely like a date with a man who looked unsettlingly like a decrepit grandfather, sitting in a wheelchair with a blanket spread over his knees. But he seemed oblivious to my discomfort, clearly just enjoying this simple opportunity to be outdoors. Evidently the fine weather put him in a generous mood because his manner lightened considerably. Some of the formality between us fell away and by the time the doughnuts had been finished to the last crumb, he had me laughing with his ironic impersonations of a crotchety invalid. Over the coffee, however, conversation grew more serious. �śI’m told I may be released tomorrow,” he said. �śSo soon?” I frowned. �śI mean, I know you’re already up and around and all, but you’ve still been through a major accident. Isn’t that pretty serious?” He shrugged. �śMaybe. But I feel fit enough now to outrun a steam engine.” I scalded my tongue on my coffee. �śA what?” �śA steam engine. You know, one of those new locomotives. Have you seen the things? Beautiful, aren’t they? A marvel of modern engineering.” I coughed. �śUh, I guess maybe they were a hundred years ago. Today we just take the subway. You know,” I joked, �śthose little trains that run underground?” �śUnderground? Really? How I would love to see such a thing.” For the first time since I had met him his eyes blazed with enthusiasm. That settles it. He’s not from Baltimore. Still, it was nice to see he was capable of putting his stiff manners aside once in a while. �śYou can catch a ride on the Baltimore Metro any time you want,” I said. �śJust take a cab to the nearest station.” He said excitedly, �śWhy, that’s exactly what I’ll do as soon as I escape this place! And the moment I get my clothes back.” I laughed. �śThat would probably be best, yes. They’ve seen everything on the subway, but I don’t think a cab driver would let you into his car in that getup.” �śCar?” he repeated. I snorted. �śYou’re not going to say you’ve never seen one of those? You were nearly pancaked by one two days ago.” For a split second he looked lost, and I wondered uneasily if he was going to claim some weird memory thing again. It was a relief when understanding dawned in his eyes. �śAh, of course. I’ll never forget that, will I?” I sobered. �śNot while you’ve got that knot on your head anyway.” I indicated the small bandage on his forehead. �śHow’s it coming along?” �śWell enough. I hardly feel it anymore.” I decided to test the waters. �śAnd your memory? Are the holes filling in there too?” He didn’t appear uncomfortable discussing it. �śAfraid not. I’m as adrift as a rowboat on the Serpentine. But it’s oddly refreshing, this sense of freedom. I have a vague impression of always being weighted down before, as if there were duties and obligations pressing in on me. Now,” he waved a hand, �śall of that’s gone. There’s just the sunshine and the breeze and you sitting beside me. Almost perfect but for this.” He rapped his knuckles against the arm of his wheelchair. I wasn’t going to be sidetracked. �śUh-huh. So, you have no clue where you came from or where you were headed before the car hit you?” �śNone.” He sounded almost pleased at the fact. I cleared my throat. �śListen, I don’t want to call an end to your�Śvacation, but you can’t stay in the hospital forever. Have you thought about where you’ll go when you leave?” A new thought struck me. �śOr even how you’re going to pay your hospital bill?” �śSettling my account, you mean?” �śCertainly your account,” I exclaimed. �śYou didn’t expect to be fed and kept for free, did you?” �śNow that you mention it, I suppose that’s a valid concern.” He looked worried for the first time. �śI’ve never been one to leave a debt unpaid. But,” he continued, his expression quickly clearing, �śyou’re not to worry, Miss Hurst. I’m certain these good people will accept some reasonable arrangement. I’ll write them a note promising to repay the debt as soon as I’m able and I’m sure they’ll be content to wait.” I snorted. �śI wouldn’t count on it.” But he looked so pleased with his solution I hadn’t the heart to launch into a lecture of how bills and payment actually worked in the twenty-first century. He’d find out soon enough. For the first time, I decided that whoever he was, Mystery Man must have come from a financially privileged background. Only the rich could afford to be so carefree about money. �śSo, suppose you do escape the money situation. What next? Where are you going to go?” �śNaturally I’ll visit this Baltimore Metro you spoke of,” he said. I rolled my eyes. I was beginning to realize that good looking and confident as he might be, this guy had a streak of naiveté that was going to get him into trouble�"and me too if I wasn’t careful. �śAnd after you finish your subway ride, which incidentally you also have no money to pay for, what’s going to become of you then?” He frowned. �śAre you always so negative? The moment I answer one of your concerns, you meet me with another.” Before I could respond, he continued. �śI don’t know where I’ll go from there. But that’s a problem for another day. For today, let us simply enjoy the weather and this delicious�"what do you call it? Coffichino?” �śCappuccino or coffee,” I said distractedly. A thought had struck me. �śI wish you’d try a little harder to figure out what your name is,” I told him. �śI can’t go on calling you Mystery Man.” �śMystery Man?” He looked amused. �śNever mind, just give me a name. I’m past caring if it’s the right one,” I said. He looked thoughtful for a minute and then reached into the pocket of his robe. When he withdrew his hand, he was holding the gold pocket watch I had returned to him yesterday. �śI like keeping it close,” he said as if I had asked for an explanation. I nodded. �śIt must be reassuring to have some tie to your past identity.” �śIt’s not that. It’s just that a rather lovely lady once gave it to me.” �śReally?” I asked, interested. �śWho?” Then I caught myself, blushing. �śOh, yeah�ŚI forgot.” What was with this man? He could recite cheesy lines straight out of a romance novel but say them as casually as if he were simply chatting about his health. Obviously such comments were nothing more than ordinary pleasantries to him, the sort he would offer anyone. He flipped the watch open and turned it to face me. �śD.C.,” he read aloud. �śIt’s the only thing I’ve got to go on.” �śYour initials maybe? Do they sound at all familiar?” �śPossibly.” His usual assurance sounded like it was wavering. �śHey, it’s okay,” I told him, feeling suddenly sympathetic. �śThey don’t have to be your initials if you don’t want them to be. Maybe they stand for something else. Maybe a place�"like Washington D.C.�"or an occupation�"like Dr. somebody-or-other. How about that? Do you think you could’ve been a doctor?” �śA physician? That feels unlikely. No, I can’t say I feel particularly close to any one occupation. I suspect I may have been a gentleman.” I blinked. �śUm, a gentleman isn’t an occupation. It’s more a state of manners. And anyway, trust me, there aren’t too many of those floating around the city nowadays.” I changed the subject. �śHow about if we forget the occupation for now and settle on a name for you? Maybe David?” He offered a hint of one of those amazing smiles. �śWhy David?” he asked. I realized it amused him, this prospect of being named like a pet. I shrugged. �śIt starts with a D and it seems there’s at least a chance that’s your real initial.” �śWell, choose another. I don’t feel like a David.” �śDerek? Darrel? Donald?” I ran through every D name I could think of only to have all of them rejected. At length my companion grew impatient. �śNone of these are right. I won’t be called by someone else’s name.” �śI’m sorry, but unless your memory suddenly kicks into gear, these are what you’ve got to choose from.” His face took on an almost petulant expression. �śYou know, I hadn’t thought it good manners to mention it until now but you’re a rather overbearing woman. Where I come from, well brought up young ladies are less opinionated.” I passed over the opportunity to ask where this fabled kingdom of mindless women lay, since I was sure he would claim not to remember. Instead, I said, �śWhere I come from strangers are appreciative of those who try to help them.” �śI am chastened,” he said, though he didn’t sound it at all. �śAs I am in your debt, I’ll try to overlook your ill-bred exterior.” �śThanks for the forbearance.” I snorted. �śThis peasant is grateful to receive your royal pardon.” Why ever had I wanted to help the man? Time to make my getaway. I glanced at my watch. �śAnd now it’s past noon and time for me to go. You’re getting irritable�"I hear that’s the way of invalids�"and I’ve got work to do.” I began gathering the remains from our meal and tossing the cups and napkins into a nearby trashcan. �śWork?” �śYes. I’m sure this’ll come as a shock to your medieval mindset but around here even ill-bred women have to work for their daily bread.” �śAh, I see.” He looked strangely uncomfortable. I paused. �śWhat? You want to say something?” He looked awkward. �śPossibly you’ll think I’m prying, our acquaintance being so brief. But you’re not a�"I mean, that is to say�ŚYou don’t do anything demeaning do you?” �śDemeaning?” I couldn’t help laughing. �śNothing more demeaning than scrubbing toilets in supermarket restrooms. And that was back in high school. You could say my work these days is looking for work since I now belong to that dignified class called the unemployed.” �śGood. I am greatly relieved,” he said with a satisfied nod. I raised my brows. �śOkay, I’m glad you’re pleased to find me a jobless hobo, but now I’ve got to get going. On my way, I’ll grab one of those nurses to take you inside if you can’t wheel your way back on your own.” I looked around me. �śNow where’d I put my purse? Ah! Here it is.” I snatched my bag up from the bench. �śYes, you hurry along,” he said. �śI’ll look for you around ten o’clock tomorrow. You may bring some more of these pastries and coffichinos when you return.” �śReturn?” I was startled. �śWho said I was coming back?” �śYou promised a few moments ago to help me, so I took it for granted you meant to keep your word.” �śWait a minute, wait a minute,” I protested. �śI don’t remember making any promises. I was simply trying to get across to you that if a person were to try and help you, you should be grateful.” �śVery well,” he said passively. �śIf you are in the habit of breaking your promises�"” �śHey, nobody’s breaking any promises!” I argued, and then gave up. �śForget it. I’ll come back tomorrow if that’s what you want, although I don’t see what good I can possibly do you. Happy now?” �śExcessively so.” �śGood. See you tomorrow, Duke.” �śDuke?” His expression was puzzled. I was a little surprised myself until I made the connection. �śYeah, you remind me of someone from a novel I’m reading called Noble Hearts. It’s about this�"” He interrupted, saying in a strange tone, �śI believe I’m familiar with the story.” �śOh? Seems like everybody’s read this book but me. Well, you’re like the duke from the novel. He expects everybody to bow and scrape for him too. Anyway, forget it.” �śNo, I don’t believe I will,” he said thoughtfully. �śDuke. I like the title. It can stay. It feels right somehow.” I sighed. �śI’m sure it does.” He did like to set himself up as a gentleman after all. �śAll right, I’ll see you in the morning.” There was a moment’s awkward hesitation as I tried to decide if I was bound to say or do anything else. I hardly knew him really. Surely he didn’t merit a friendly hug even if he was in a wheelchair. And I was too miffed at this point for a polite handshake. In the end, I simply turned my back on him and walked off down the graveled path. Chapter 9 I resolved not to touch Noble Hearts that night. A long day of doing nothing had left me feeling too tired to crack the cover. Besides, as I crawled beneath the sheets I found myself feeling oddly irritated at the book’s hero. He’d been downright supercilious to the heroine in the last chapter, and I had the ridiculous notion of punishing him by refusing to further the story. A good night’s sleep would do me more good than a long read anyway, I told myself. Unfortunately my body wasn’t in agreement with my mind on the subject. Tossing and turning into the gray hours of the morning, I finally gave in to restless curiosity. Flicking on my bedside lamp and snatching up the book with a blend of annoyance and eagerness, I plunged back into the world of the duke and his lady. During the passage of the next hour I learned that the noble duke was more than he seemed, that his love interest was just starting to puzzle out his secret�Śand that my own stomach was not capable of going a full eight hours without food. Reluctantly, I closed the book and dropped it into the drawer of my nightstand. Making my way to the kitchen, I fixed myself a quick bowl of cereal�"my poor stomach didn’t have the patience to wait for anything else�"and flipped on the TV, keeping the volume low so as not to wake Carlita. The morning news was depressing�"so full of murders and disasters I felt a little guilty that I could calmly keep shoveling down my oat and bran flakes while watching the sordid stories and teary faces on the screen. Why couldn’t I live in a simpler time? Maybe bad things happened in the days of Noble Hearts, but they didn’t have a TV or a radio, so they didn’t have to know so much about them. I turned my thoughts to what all was going on in my life. Deliberately avoiding sensitive topics like my joblessness and the failure of my artistic career to launch, I thought about my new friend�"should I call him that?�"down at the hospital. The real Duke. I smiled. What was he doing right now? Had his memory returned? Had anyone been to see him? Maybe by now his family had realized his disappearance and tracked him down. I felt oddly antsy at the thought. What if they came and took him away and I never got a chance to talk with him again? Not that that would be so world shattering, I quickly told myself, but I didn’t want him to step out of my life before I’d had the chance to uncover his mystery and discover who he really was. I tossed my dishes into the sink, fed Frigga, and went to my room to dress. Maybe I’d just drop in on Duke for a quick moment. I had promised to come back, hadn’t I? All the while I defended my logical reasons for going, in a quiet corner of my mind I asked myself why I felt this sudden urgency to rush to his side. Would it be the end of the world if he did check out of the hospital today and I didn’t get to say goodbye? Absolutely not. I gave a firm nod. Now, what to wear? I threw open the door of my closet and surveyed my wardrobe. Strangely, my collection of clothes looked small and inadequate today. I had never noticed before how few nice things I had. Maybe I’d borrow something from Carlita’s closet. Certainly my friend had plenty enough to spare. Creeping on tiptoe around the corner and into her room, I pushed open the creaky door. Carlita’s sleeping form, sprawled facedown across the mattress, never stirred. An earthquake couldn’t wake her. The room was a pigsty, but fortunately I didn’t have to wade through the piles of shoes and dirty laundry to reach the closet. Carlita’s wardrobe was too massive for the tiny closets in the apartment. Instead, she had hooks and racks of clothes lining the walls. Fashion was Carlita’s hobby and entering her world was like stepping into a clothing store. Quietly, I dug through the nearest rack until I had gathered the beginnings of a decent outfit and then slipped back out of the dim room. As I went, I snagging a pair of gold colored wedge sandals that I was pretty sure were genuine Jimmy Choos. Back in my room, I stepped into a pair of white cuffed capris and pulled on a cream-colored sleeveless top with beaded trim. I slipped on the sandals, donned a pair of golden hoops, and put on even more makeup than usual before deciding I looked presentable enough to go out. Pausing to study my reflection in the mirror, I thought I didn’t look like a woman of twenty-eight with no career and no relationships in sight. Good. After Duke’s condescending attitude yesterday, that wasn’t exactly the face I wanted to show to him. Today I would be confident, independent, and in control of my destiny. Nodding at myself in the mirror, I snatched up my purse and made for the door. *** Occasional sprinkles splattered against the window of the cab carrying me toward the hospital and I thought regretfully that it was a ridiculous day for wearing white capris. At any moment an incredible storm was about to let loose over the city and I hadn’t so much as an umbrella on me. I had also forgotten to pick up the promised coffee and doughnuts. The cab turned into the entrance to the hospital parking lot, and the large gray building loomed in the distance. I was peering out the window at the thick, dark clouds floating overhead and wondering if I could make it into the hospital before the downpour began, when a moving blur caught my eye as my cab rolled past. I did a double take. A man was crossing the parking lot, dressed only in a pale hospital gown and a pair of green pants that looked like doctor’s scrubs. �śDuke?” I said. Then I shouted, �śStop here!” at the startled cab driver. The car had no sooner screeched to a halt than my feet hit the pavement. �śHey, what about my money?” the driver called as I slammed the door. Quickly, I dug a wad of cash out of my billfold�"I had no idea how much it was�"and threw it at him. Then, whirling around, I made off across the parking lot. Duke was just leaving the hospital grounds and setting foot to the city sidewalk when I caught up to him. �śHey! What are you doing? Where are you going?” I demanded, stepping in front of him. Apparently startled by my sudden appearance, Duke jumped a little but quickly regained himself. �śMiss Hurst. What an unexpected pleasure, our meeting up like this.” My eyes narrowed. �śIf it’s such a pleasure why were you sneaking off?” �śSneaking?” He looked perplexed. �śI am strolling down a public street beneath the broad light of day.” I sighed. �śNever mind that. Just where is it you think you’re going? You shouldn’t be walking around yet. You have no decent clothes on and, in case you haven’t noticed, you’re about to find yourself in the middle of a downpour.” Thunder rumbled overhead, emphasizing my point. Duke merely smiled as if in a cheerful mood this morning. �śOh, don’t worry about me. I always liked a walk in the rain. Besides, I thought I’d wander on down and have a look at that marvelous underground train we were speaking of.” Now it was my turn to be perplexed. �śWhat? You can’t just up and leave the hospital like this without a word to anyone.” �śI never intended to. I’ve left a detailed note explaining my circumstances and promising repayment for their services immediately on my procurement of the sum. All is now happily settled.” I raised my eyebrows. �śIt might be happily settled for you, but I doubt it’s settled as far as the hospital’s concerned.” �śNonsense. You worry too much. I’m sure the rest of us are content all the way around. Now come. You’re just in time to show me around this amazing city of yours. I confess I don’t know one street from the next.” He was walking again and I had no choice but to begin walking backward myself or be collided into. �śAre you serious?” I demanded. �śYou’re just going to stroll right out of the hospital and onto the street with no money, no friends to go to, and no destination in mind?” �śThere goes your natural pessimism again. I have a destination. I’ve told you I’m going to the subway.” He was beginning to look peeved. �śOh, and are you going to be living in the subway too?” He looked surprised. �śDo people do that?” �śActually, yes,” I admitted. �śBut that’s not the point. You need to stand still and listen to me.” He stood still. That was a start. I tried to sound reasonable. �śLook, I understand you’re tired of sitting in a tiny bed in a white room all day. But you can’t take off like this without making a plan first. You have to realize that you have no money in your pockets and nowhere to go. Do you have any friends nearby you could go to?” �śI have you,” he said winningly. I refused to be mollified. �śI mean someone who can put you up. Someone who can take care of you until you’re feeling�Śmore like yourself.” I didn’t want to say saner but I was certainly beginning to question his mental condition at this point. Who did things like this? He broke into my thoughts. �śI’ve told you before I haven’t a soul that I know of. But don’t let that concern you. As you can see, it doesn’t concern me. You know your trouble�"” �śI know, I know. Again with the negativity.” I suddenly realized tiny cold drops were spattering down all around us and had been doing so for some minutes. �śOh, great,” I muttered. �śIt’s started.” He followed my gaze heavenward. �śAh, there’s nothing like an invigorating walk in a spring rain.” He sounded so content I could’ve punched him. �śRight,” I snapped. �śExcept this isn’t spring, it’s autumn.” Really, where had he been that he didn’t even know the season? �śNow we’re going to be wet and freezing,” I added testily. Nearby on the street, a car whizzed past, splashing up a newly formed puddle that sprayed a muddy line across my white capris. I squeaked and jumped at the cold spray. �śAnd my borrowed clothes are ruined!” I shouted at no one in particular. �śGood. Now you won’t spend the afternoon worrying about them,” he said matter-of-factly. �śCome now. Let us get moving and warm ourselves. On our way to the subway you can show me the sights of this fantastic city. I’ve never seen buildings so immense�Ś” Having stepped around me, he was already moving away so that the last of his words were lost to me. I gritted my teeth and stared longingly at the bright yellow cabs zipping by on the street. I could just leave him here. I could flag down a ride and go straight back home to change my clothes and huddle under a warm blanket with Noble Hearts for the rest of the afternoon�ŚAnd worry about him. I would never find him again if he became lost in this city. There was no telling what would become of him as he wandered the streets like a crazy man. I sighed, threw my already damp hair out of my face, and hurried after him. Chapter 10 The rain stayed light but I was drenched just the same by the time I caught up to Duke. �śCouldn’t we take a cab?” I panted breathlessly after him. �śOne of those,” I added, pointing for emphasis to the passing taxis. He did profess, after all, never to have heard of a subway before yesterday. �śAnd deprive ourselves of this refreshing exercise?” He seemed to be truly enjoying himself as he strode down the sidewalk in his weird, wet outfit. I became uncomfortably aware we were not alone. Dozens of pedestrians pushed past us on the sidewalk, umbrellas open, hurrying to get out of the rain. Even distracted as people were by the storm, Duke’s strange appearance was still collecting a number of odd glances. Did I really want to be seen with him in the subway? We reached a busy intersection and I suddenly came out of my damp, gloomy shell to realize the �śDon’t Walk” sign was lit at the crosswalk. Simultaneously, I saw that my companion had no intention of stopping. �śDuke, wait!” I cried, catching his arm and dragging him back onto the sidewalk as soon as he had set his first foot to the street. �śAre you crazy? You can’t just walk out into the middle of the road!” �śWhy ever not?” On the street, the light turned and a stream of vehicles sped past. �śThat’s why not.” I gestured toward the passing cars. �śI don’t wonder now how you got yourself creamed the other day. You wait for the light to change to �ŚWalk’ before you step into the street.” �śReally? How clever of you to know such things,” he said without irony. I couldn’t decide whether he was making fun of me or not. The light changed and we crossed over. We were coming into a busier part of the city now. Even in the rain the sidewalks grew crowded with men and women jostling us on all sides. One woman bumped Duke as I passed. �śI beg your pardon, Madame,” he tried to say but she hurried on without letting him finish. Duke scowled after me. �śWhere are all these people coming from?” he demanded quietly. �śMuseums, restaurants, work. Who knows?” I wrapped my arms around myself to stave off the chill. I was shivering under my wet clothing but Duke seemed unaffected by wind or rain. �śAstonishing,” he said to my statement. �śHow many people live in this city?” �śI don’t know. Around half a million, I think. Close to three million if you count the greater metropolitan area.” �śIncredible.” �śNo,” I said. �śI’ll tell you what’s incredible. Incredible is me walking down the sidewalk with you in the middle of a rainstorm when there are perfectly good shops and restaurants all around where we could wait out the weather. Incredible is you not being ashamed to be seen walking down a busy street in the broad light of day wearing nothing but a short dress and some thin scrubs. That’s what’s incredible.” Even as I spoke, I seized his elbow and dragged him, protesting, out of the stream of pedestrians. �śWhat�ŚWhere�Ś” he exclaimed, but I ignored his questions and pulled him through the doorway of the nearest clothing shop. �śI’m not wandering the rainy streets another minute with you in that getup. We’re buying you an ordinary set of clothes.” I led the way to the men’s department, ignoring the pointed stares of the store’s clerks as we left a trail of wet footprints across the carpet. In a few minutes, I had gathered the first men’s T-shirt I saw and a pair of denim jeans that looked the right size and had shoved both him and the clothes into a dressing room. �śThrow the clothes over the door if you need a different size,” I called through the door. There was no answer from within. I didn’t know if his old world type sensibilities were offended by such a suggestion or if he simply didn’t hear me. I was amazed at how fast I had gotten over my initial awkwardness with this man. Was it only two days ago I had been stuttering and clumsy over him? Now, after only a few meetings, I was already taking over him with the same confident assurance that had made me the best manicurist in Lucy Lu’s nail salon for the past two years. When Duke stepped out of the dressing room outfitted in everyday clothes, it was a shock to see him suddenly looking like a perfectly normal person. No more scrubs. No more crazy man in a hospital gown. Aside from his impressive shoulders and chest, shown off admirably in the well-fitting T-shirt, and the attractiveness of his features, which would have drawn a second glance from any woman, he could actually have passed as just an ordinary guy. �śIs it that bad?” he asked into the silence. I didn’t realize until then I’d been staring. Maybe he could still make me gape once in a while. He ruined it by continuing with, �śI feel like a workman. These clothes are quite ill tailored. Are you sure they haven’t any nicer gentleman’s apparel?” �śWe can’t afford anything nicer.” I snatched the bundle of his former wet clothing from under his arm. �śWe’ll get a plastic bag for these at the register. Come on.” There was an embarrassing scene at the cash register when he refused to let me pay for his purchases, until I reminded him he had no choice. The girl ringing us up made matters worse by openly eyeing Duke up and down. �śNervy little bleached brat,” I muttered as we left the store. �śWho? The shop girl? She seemed perfectly nice to me.” �śI’m sure she did. She was going out of her way to flirt with you right in front of me.” �śWas she? Really?” He seemed amused. �śIs there some reason why she shouldn’t?” �śNo, of course not. It’s just that�ŚOh, never mind.” Just that it didn’t even occur to her we might be a couple. Did I really look like I couldn’t possibly be with someone like him? I said, �śThe rain has stopped at least. Let’s get you to your precious subway.” Fifteen minutes later, we were descending the steps into the underground station. Duke’s awe both of the location and of my knowledge of it was gratifying enough to make me forget about the irritating shop girl. The tunnel interested him immensely, but when an actual train pulled in he was childishly enthused and eager to board one. �śWhere do you want to go then?” I asked, smiling despite myself. We were out of the weather, my clothes were drying out, and my companion’s enthusiasm was contagious. �śAnywhere,” he said, a spark of excitement in his jewel colored eyes. �śWhat are the most important sights to visit in this city?” �śWell, we’ve got the National Aquarium, the Baltimore Basilica, the Phoenix Shot Tower�Ś” By chance, my eye caught on a brightly colored bit of paper littering the floor�"a pamphlet. �śBut I think I might know a better place to start,” I said, laughing. He reminded me of a boy at the moment, so I would treat him like one. �śWhat do you say to the city zoo?” �śThe zoo? It sounds marvelous!” he exclaimed. Then he added more quietly, �śEr, what is the zoo exactly and what does one do there?” I tried to put it into words he might understand. Since he seemed fond of old-fashioned references I told him it was something like a large menagerie of wild animals from all over the world locked up together in big cages. �śI would give up my very estate to visit such a place,” he said seriously. I took that as assent. I purchased the tokens, we boarded the train, and I spent the entirety of the ride trying to prepare him for the visit by explaining a few of the rules and regulations most people took for granted at a zoo. I had horrible visions of him leaping into a pool to swim with the sea lions or bolting a wall to get a closer view of the tiger’s den. Just as my imagination had played out a million horrible scenarios and had firmly convinced me that the last place in the world where I should be taking this man was a zoo, we arrived. Leaving the station and climbing the steps, I had hoped to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin outside. Instead, I ascended into the gray light of an overcast afternoon. The streets and sidewalks were full of puddles and dark clouds still lowered overhead, threatening another drenching at any time. �śMaybe we should save this trip for another day,” I tried to suggest. �śThe animals are really at their best on a sunny�"” But he would have no talk of postponing the visit and to my regret we found ourselves standing outside the fence of the city zoo in no time. With continuing reservations, I purchased two passes and then we were within the gates. �śWhat first?” But by the time the words had left my mouth my companion was no longer at my side, instead already hurrying off to the first display�"the gorilla habitat. It was like that most of the afternoon. I had always considered myself in decent enough shape, but chasing from one arena to another after the untiring Duke was like trying to keep up with an energetic child or a wild puppy that had escaped his leash. Finally, somewhere between the kangaroo pen and the emu habitat, he began to slow down. �śDo you suppose we could get something to drink somewhere?” he asked. �śI’m parched.” I bought us each a soda pop from a machine and we sat side by side on a wooden bench, sipping our sodas and trying to fend off a herd of wandering geese that seemed to think we had something to eat. I chose this relatively quiet moment to ask, �śSo, how’s your head today? Has any place we’ve been or anything we’ve done jogged old memories loose?” �śNo.” He sounded unconcerned. �śI remain in a fog. But let’s not let that trouble us on such a pleasant day as this.” �śAnd when should it start to trouble us?” I asked, unwilling to change the subject. �śYou can’t sleep at the zoo, you can’t work in the zoo, and you sure won’t find any free food here.” �śNo. But it seems to me I won’t need to lie down to sleep for some hours yet. I’m not currently in need of work, and I haven’t even begun to feel hungry. All this makes your questions worries for another day�"or for the end of this day at least.” I let it go. �śHow about your shoulder?” I questioned, eyeing the sling he wore over his new clothes. �śCouldn’t feel better. I’m thinking of taking this thing off�"” �śDon’t you dare!” I ordered. �śThat sling’s staying put until a doctor says it’s ready to be removed.” �śIf you command it,” he said, seemingly untroubled by my forceful tone. I was rather surprised at myself. �śI’m not usually this domineering,” I forced myself to say. �śI guess something in you brings out the bossy side of me.” �śIt’s all right,” he said, unperturbed. �śI’m not usually this willing to be bossed, but something in you brings out my submissive side.” I laughed, and then felt a tiny droplet of rain patter down on my face. �śNo,” I complained. �śNot again!” The first drop was swiftly followed by another and then the sprinkles were hailing down in earnest. �śIf we run I think we could make it to that pavilion over there before it lets loose,” I suggested. �śWhy? We’ve already been soaked to the bone once today.” I tugged him up from his seat. �śCome on. I didn’t buy you a new set of clothes so you could get them all soggy again.” Even as I spoke, the light sprinkles started coming harder and faster. �śLet’s go,” I called over the wind and the rain. �śI’ll beat you there.” Not waiting to see whether he followed, I took off running across the pebbled path. The pavilion was a small, open-sided structure across from the tortoise habitat and bordering the duck pond. By the time Duke and I reached, it we were both out of breath and dripping wet, but we were laughing as we ducked beneath the shelter of the low-hanging roof. So much for escaping a soaking. My hair was sleeked to the sides of my face and my shoes made squishing noises when I walked. As I stood at the edge of the pavilion, wringing out my soggy clothes, a pool of water collected around my feet. �śWe may as well have swum with the sea lions after all,” I said. �śI’m sorry about your borrowed clothes.” �śDon’t worry about it. My friend won’t mind�Śmuch. Anyway, it’s just a little water, right?” I was surprised to find I meant it. In the happy mood I suddenly found myself in, the wet weather I’d thought very miserable this morning no longer seemed so bad. Under his scrutiny I abruptly felt very aware of my appearance. Tendrils of damp hair clung to my face and neck. My top was sticking wetly to my skin. I imagined my makeup must be smeared and running. I felt myself color at the thought. What I wouldn’t give for five minutes alone with a mirror and a comb. He appeared unaware of my embarrassment as he came to stand at my side. �śLook.” He pointed out over the pond to where a pair of swans, disturbed by the drizzling rain, waddled down to the bank and slipped into the rippling water, becoming suddenly graceful the moment their clumsy feet left the shore. �śIsn’t it funny,” I said, �śhow beautiful they are on the water when they’re so ugly on land?” �śHmm,” he said. �śPeople are the same way though, I think.” �śWhat?” I laughed. �śWe’re ugly on land?” �śNo. We’re clumsy when we’re out of our element. But put us under the right conditions and even the worst of us can shine.” I quickly sobered. �śWow, I would never have suspected it.” �śWhat?” �śThat you had such deep thoughts. Somehow I’ve been kind of thinking of you as�"” �śStupid?” he finished for me. �śNo, no,” I protested. �śNot stupid. Exactly. But maybe more impressive outside than in. A pretty face with an empty head, if you know what I mean.” Instantly I was kicking myself. In a single sentence I’d just admitted to thinking him gorgeous and an idiot. Fortunately, he offered a reassuring chuckle. �śThat’s a first. Young ladies don’t often refer to me as �Śpretty.’ My father always told me I had the face of a scholar, so I would do better to apply my efforts to my education than chasing women.” I laughed. �śStrangely, my mother used to have similar advice for me. �ŚYou’ll never make a living off your face, sweetheart,’ she used to tell me, �Śso you’d best start sharpening those wits.’” �śYour mother said that? It seems a little harsh.” I shrugged. �śMaybe. But my mom had a tough life after my dad left. I guess there wasn’t much room left in her for softness. Even for her kids.” �śYour father left?” �śWhen I was eight. Never heard from him again. But we don’t talk about it. Even when I visit home for the holidays, my sisters and I go out of our way not to dig out the old photos or reminisce about seasons past.” �śI understand,” he said. �śDwelling on the past can be painful. I too lost my father when I was rather young.” Suddenly realizing what he was saying, my ears perked up. How long had he been making references to his youth? Were these chunks of returning memory or was he just slipping up and forgetting to hold onto his amnesia story? Either way I had to be careful not to do anything to draw his attention to the fact. �śHow old were you when your father passed away?” I asked, keeping my voice casual with an effort. It seemed like a cruel topic to draw him out on but I told myself it was for his own good. Besides, if he was faking his memory loss I had a right to know. �śI was sixteen years old when he met with his riding accident. Horse threw him cleanly out of the saddle. The physician said his neck was broken by the fall, and death was instantaneous.” His voice grew thick as he became caught up in the memory. �śI was away at school at the time. Everyone said there was nothing anyone could have done. I suppose they were right, but all the same I’ve always regretted that I wasn’t there when it happened.” I asked gently, �śAnd what happened to you then?” �śAfter that�Ś” His voice trailed off and he looked at me suddenly. I knew in that moment that we were both aware of his slip-up. He cleared his throat. �śYou did that on purpose,” he accused. �śYes,” I admitted. �śWasn’t it good to recall something from your past?” �śI suppose,” he said but still looked wounded. �śAt the hospital they said this might happen,” he added defensively. �śBits of memories might come floating back at any time. The whole might take longer to return but there could be patches of light in the darkness.” Patches of light in the darkness? Was that all it had been, I asked myself. I had never fully believed in his amnesia story. At times I had come very close�ŚThis afternoon I had come close. But at this moment I found that I once again didn’t know what to make of him. Under my examination, he looked away over the pond but not before I saw the look of betrayal in his eyes. I decided now was not the time to try and trap him into further confessions. Already he was mistrustful. Besides, whatever the truth was it was clear he had been moved by the memory of his father’s death. It felt wrong to press my advantage at such a moment. I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself. Suddenly the warmth had gone out of the day. �śListen,” I said with forced cheerfulness to his back, �śyou want to get out of here and grab a bite to eat?” �śThat would be good,” he said but I sensed he still had his guard up. He wasn’t about to put his secrets out into the open again. We lingered another half hour beneath the roof of the pavilion, waiting for the rain to stop but we kept to opposite sides of the shelter. Whatever temporary bond had begun to grow between us this afternoon had been severed. Chapter 11 Afternoon had faded into evening by the time we left the park behind. I persuaded Duke to take a cab this time and soon we found ourselves seated in a beat-up booth at my favorite pizza restaurant. The tables were dirty and the lights overhead were dim and flickering, but the smells coming from the kitchen were enough to set the driest of mouths watering. I didn’t realize I had skipped lunch until my stomach started rumbling in response to the scent of cheese and tomato. �śI’m starved,” I confessed to Duke as the waitress left our table, leaving behind a thick pan of pepperoni and an order of bread sticks. My belly gave another particularly loud rumble to punctuate the statement. If Carlita had been there we would have laughed about it, but with Duke it was embarrassing. I snatched up my soda and swirled the ice cubes around in the glass, hoping their gentle clinking noise would cover any further awkward commentary on the part of my insides. But if the pizza looked great to me, Duke was less impressed. He sat opposite me, eyeing the cheesy meal at if he expected it to crawl off his plate any minute. �śSo, what is this concoction exactly?” he asked. �śPizza.” I was getting used to explaining things to him as if it was the first time he had seen�Śwell, anything. �śJust give it a try. You’re going to love it. It’d be unpatriotic not to. It’s, like, our national food.” Duke poked reluctantly at his plate. �śDo you eat here often?” he said in an apparent effort at conversation. �śSure, several times a week. Or at least I used to back when I was working and could afford it.” But as I said it, I looked around the dimly lit interior and tried to see it as a newcomer must. The wallpaper was peeling and under the stronger scent of the pizza the room had an unpleasant aroma. The tables were scratched up, the chairs rickety. The blaring jukebox in the corner was playing songs twenty years behind their time. The cooks behind the counter wore tomato-smeared aprons that looked as if they’d never been washed, and the waitresses dressed like hookers. �śThe food’s good, and they have the cheapest pizzas in town. Believe me, I’ve tried everywhere else.” I laughed but he didn’t seem to get it. �śBut don’t you find the neighborhood somewhat seedy?” �śEr, well, I live just two blocks away�Ś” I said quietly. �śI see.” There was no implication in the words but I felt defensive nonetheless. �śListen,” I continued, �śI don’t know what sort of luxuries you’re used to, but around here ordinary people make do with what they have. Especially ordinary people who are devouring pizza someone else paid for.” He looked abashed. �śYou’re right. I apologize. It was not my intention to appear ungrateful.” �śHmph,” I said. �śEat your pizza.” And he did. All of it in fact and most of the second one we ordered. �śWow. You know how to put away a pie,” I commented as he finally sat back and called it quits. Around us the waitresses were locking the doors and making half-hearted efforts at cleaning up the empty tables. I looked at my watch. �śI think maybe it’s time we got out of here. Looks like they’re trying to close up.” �śIs it so late already?” �śI’m afraid so. You know what they say, �Śtime flies when you’re having fun’�Śor pizza.” �śI suppose you have a point,” he said. �śI still need to find a place to lay my head for the night anyway.” I felt a qualm, imagining him wandering the streets of a strange city in the dark. �śLook,” I began as we left the restaurant, �śthis isn’t the safest place to be wandering around lost in the middle of the night. Besides, you’ve got no money and nobody around here’s going to put you up for free. At least nobody you want to spend a night with.” He missed the humor, as he usually did. �śWhat do you suggest then?” I looked at my shoes. Carlita was going to kill me for this. �śI don’t know. That you come on home with me, I guess.” I wasn’t used to asking strange men to spend the night in my apartment. Then again, did Duke really count as a stranger? I spoke quickly to cover the awkwardness. �śIt’ll probably be a bit�Śsimpler than anyplace you’re used to but it’s clean and reasonably safe, I hope. I can’t offer you anything more than a couch to sleep on, but it’s got to be better than sleeping in the gutter.” There, I’d accomplished two purposes in one. Reminded him he had nowhere else to go while tactfully clarifying any misunderstandings he might harbor about the sleeping arrangements. I half expected him to refuse the offer. Somehow I could easily imagine him, like some old-timey gentleman, putting up a fuss about propriety and a lady’s honor. I could see him pulling off his gloves and challenging someone to a duel. Except in this case there was no one to challenge but the lady herself. With thoughts like these it was a welcome relief when all he said was, �śIt sounds like a reasonable proposal. I’m sure I shall be quite comfortable on whatever accommodations you provide.” I nodded. �śYeah, well, the �Śaccommodations’ are this way then.” And I led the way homeward. *** My roommate was beyond not pleased. I could see it as soon as I walked in the door with Duke. I could see a lot more as well as I surveyed the wreckage of our living room. Carlita had struck again. �śIt’s, um, usually a little tidier around here,” I said apologetically as I watched him take in his surroundings. Laundry littered the furniture. There was trash on the floor and a half-eaten frozen dinner growing cold on the coffee table. �śIt looks more than adequate,” he said reassuringly. �śI’m sure I’ll be very comfortable here.” �śOh, you will, will you?” Carlita asked dryly from where she stood, having just stepped out of the bathroom doorway. �śCarlita,” I said, forestalling any further comments. �śCan I have a word with you, please? Duke, excuse us.” I took my friend by the wrist and dragged her into the bathroom, closing the door behind us. �śWho is this guy?” she demanded when we were alone. She didn’t seem concerned about the way her voice carried, echoing across the bathroom tiles. �śI thought we had an agreement. When we moved in together we decided�"both of us�"to set up certain rules. And the cardinal rule, in case you don’t recall, is no boyfriends�"” �śIt’s not like that, he’s just a friend. He wants to sleep on the couch. He has no money and nowhere else to go. What could I do?” �śPitch him out on his ear,” she suggested coldly. �śI don’t like the look of this bozo. The fact he has �Śno money’ and �Śnowhere to go’ is hardly a rousing recommendation for letting him live on our sofa.” �śIt’s only for one night. Please let him stay. He’ll be on his best behavior, I promise. It’ll be just like the time your brother Marlo stayed over. Only this guy won’t get drunk and puke on the rug.” She still looked unconvinced. �śLook, I give my word he’ll be outta’ here by morning.” We were interrupted by a subtle throat clearing noise from beyond the door. �śIs everything all right in there?” Duke called from the other side. �śEverything’s fine,” I snapped back. �śWe’ll be out in a minute.” I turned back to my roommate. �śPlease, Carlita. He’ll be good. I’ll be good. I’ll owe you one, okay?” �śHmmm�Ś” she wavered visibly. �śI have just one question.” �śYes?” �śAre you at all into this guy or anything?” I hesitated and she continued, �śBecause if you are, I guess my answer’s �Śyes.’” �śWhat? I thought I wasn’t supposed to have any boyfriends.” �śNo boyfriends in the apartment,” she clarified. �śThat was the deal. But�ŚI do want to see you happy. You’ve been depressed lately and you’re outta’ work�"” �śAll right, all right. I get the picture. So he can stay then?” �śIf you really like him,” she reminded me. �śYou know�ŚI think maybe I do.” I frowned. �śI do,” I repeated more firmly to myself. For a moment I was caught up in the surprise of the revelation. Then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My face was flushed and glowing. My eyes sparkled and�Ś�śOh, my gosh! Look at me!” I screeched. �śI look like a wet cat. I’ve been out all day with the first guy I’ve liked in I don’t know when, and I’ve been running around with my hair plastered to my skull and mascara dripping down my cheeks.” At my screech, a gentle knock sounded on the door. �śAre you sure you’re all right in there?” Duke called through the door. �śGo away,” we shouted simultaneously. I surveyed myself in the mirror again. �śHey, are those my clothes?” Carlita asked. �śOh, my gosh,” I moaned. �śMy pants are stained. My shirt is plastered�ŚMy bra’s showing!” �śThat’s a good thing,” Carlita put it helpfully. �śNo, it’s not, it’s embarrassing! Why didn’t somebody tell me I looked so awful?” �śWe were all trying to be polite. Anyway, he obviously doesn’t think you look �Śawful’. I mean, he followed you home, didn’t he?” �śLike a lost puppy,” I admitted. �śWell, there you are.” �śYou think so? Do you really think he’s interested?” Another gentle throat clearing sounded from the other side of the door and Duke’s muffled voice filtered in. �śUh, ladies, at this stage it no longer seems delicate to tell you this but�ŚI can hear you.” �śOh, no,” I wailed softly. Burying my burning face in my hands, I sank down to sit on the edge of the tub. Of all the horrible, humiliating things that had ever happened to me�Ś �śIt’s okay,” Carlita whispered, dropping down beside me. She patted my shoulder comfortingly. �śI mean, he was bound to find out sooner or later, right? And it’s not like you said you were in love with him or something. You just admitted to maybe liking him a little bit.” �śYeah, I guess,” I groaned, unconvinced. �śUm, I can still hear you,” said the voice again from beyond the door. �śHey, jerk-o,” Carlita shouted, beating my knuckles against the bathroom door. �śAct like a gentleman and don’t listen at the door!” That at least seemed to silence him. Carlita dropped her voice. �śI do think he likes you,” she whispered. I didn’t raise my head. �śDo you like me?” �śOf course.” �śThen do me a tremendous favor and go keep him busy while I compose myself and get cleaned up. I can’t face him like this. You go out and talk about something distracting. Make him forget what he heard. Feed him. He likes food.” �śSure, Meggs. I’ll do that for you. You take your time and make yourself beautiful. And don’t worry about what he heard. One whiff of my famous cranberry muffins from a box and he’ll forget everything he ever knew.” �śThanks, Carlita.” After my friend was gone I showered, washed away my wrecked makeup, and combed out my hair. Waiting until Duke and Carlita had their backs turned at the kitchen counter, where they were indeed paying homage to a pan of fresh-baked muffins, I crept out of the bathroom in a towel and slipped into my room. In minutes, I was in my own cozy pajamas and feeling much more like myself. At least I looked human again. I could face anything now. And then I peeked around the corner of the door to spy on the darkened living room. Carlita was out of sight, and Duke was already sprawled sleeping across the couch. It was just as well. I didn’t think I could have looked him in the eye tonight without blushing up a storm anyway. It was best if we all just went to sleep and forgot today ever happened. Crawling into bed, I told myself it might even be best if I didn’t see him at all after this. Carlita could show him the door in the morning. I’d never have to handle the embarrassment of facing him again. Trying to sort out how I’d feel if that happened started my mind working so furiously I knew I’d never be able to sleep. Dimming the lamp, I reached into the drawer of my nightstand and withdrew Noble Hearts from its resting place. Now, the duke’s lady, she would never shove her foot in her mouth the way I had just done. Even if she did, her duke would’ve been too discreet to call attention to it. Settling back against the pillows, I revisited the world of the nineteenth century gentry with all its mystery and romance. Chapter 12 A short while later, a light rapping on the door made me look up from my book. I wasn’t reading anymore�"just sitting, arms folded, staring down at the cover before me. The door squealed softly on its hinges. �śMeggs, are you still up?” Carlita whispered, ducking her head around the door. I bit my lip for a moment before making a decision. �śSure, come on in. We need to talk.” �śYou bet we do.” She stepped into the tiny room and eased the door shut behind her. We both kept our voices low, mindful of the man asleep in the next room. She climbed onto the bed and sat down, cross-legged. �śWho is this guy? I’m still waiting for an explanation on that. I tried to quiz him while you were showering and got nothing. What does he do for a living? He wouldn’t tell me. Where does he live? Who are his family? Also nothing.” �śI was as clueless as you a few hours ago,” I said. �śWhen we left the hospital I was thinking, do I even wanna go off with this strange�"” �śWhoa. Hold on. This is the nutcase from the hospital? The crazy loon who doesn’t know his own name?” �śShh,” I shushed her, glancing toward the door. �śYes, it’s him. But keep it down, will you? I’ve had enough embarrassing incidents for one night.” �śI don’t care if he hears. If I’d known you were dragging some crazy home, no way would I have let him stay here. How do we know he won’t do anything psycho during the night?” �śHe’s not dangerous,” I insisted, frowning. �śAt least I don’t think he is.” �śYou don’t think?” I waved her to silence. �śWill you just be quiet and listen? I’m trying to tell you something. I think I’ve finally figured out who he is.” Carlita immediately sobered. �śSo spill it,” she encouraged. �śI’m listening.” I paused, chewing on my bottom lip again. I glanced down at the book across my knees. �śIt’s gonna sound pretty fantastic. No, beyond fantastic�"more like crazy. Impossible. Insane.” She raised dark brows. �śCraziness doesn’t faze me. I put up with you, don’t I?” I shook my head. �śThis is serious, Carlita. I don’t want any laughing, and above all no shrieking. He can’t hear this.” Carlita shrugged. �śFine. Hit me. I can take the truth. Who is he?” Instead of answering, I handed her Noble Hearts. �śHere. Read this part.” �śI don’t see what this has to do with anything.” I cut her off. �śJust read,” I said seriously. With another shrug, my friend turned her eyes to the passage I indicated. Aloud she read, �śThe duke had had responsibility thrust on him from an early age. He was scarcely past his sixteenth birthday and was away attending school when word came of the untimely death of his father, who had been killed in a riding accident�"” Her words were cut off as I snatched the book back from her hands. Flipping back to the first chapter, I paused at another spot I had marked. �śHere. Read this next.” �śHave you been marking my book with a highlighter?” �śCarlita.” �śOkay, okay, I’m reading it.” She read aloud, �śHis nose was aquiline in a narrow face and if there was a slightly haughty tilt to his brow it was only�"” �śRead the part about his long-fingered scholar’s hands,” I suggested. �śOr his wheat colored hair or how his emerald tinted eyes gazed out at the world with a hint of knowingness.” �śI’ve read the book before, Megan, remember? I already know what the duke looks like.” �śApparently not. Because you don’t recognize him when you’ve got him right under your nose.” She frowned. �śIt’s late, Meggs. Either my brain is very fuzzy from exhaustion or�"and this is the more likely angle�"you’re not making any sense.” �śThe book’s duke is my Duke,” I emphasized carefully. �śMy Duke is the duke. Don’t you see? The descriptions match! And even that bit about his father. I happen to know my Duke’s father died in just that same way when he was a teenager away at school. He told me so just today.” Carlita looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. The fact she didn’t laugh but just looked sympathetic only made it worse. �śSweetie, I know you’ve been under a lot of stress lately and with it being such a long time since you’ve been home with your family you’re probably feeling pretty lonely. And I haven’t helped any, always being on my way out the door someplace.” �śIt’s not that,” I protested. �śI mean, everything you’ve said is true but it has nothing to do with Duke.” �śMeggs, Meggs,” my friend interrupted. �śIt’s okay. I understand what you’re feeling.” �śYou do?” �śSure. When I was growing up my parents weren’t around a lot so I started to invent imaginary friends. I thought the princesses from my favorite cartoons were real. The characters from my bedtime stories used to come and visit me�ŚThe difference is I was eight and you’re twenty-eight.” �śYou don’t get it. I’m not pretending. I’m not playing some game here. It’s just that the answers to everything are all so obvious now. Am I the only one who can see them?” I held out a hand and ticked the facts off on my fingers. �śFirst, I felt as if I knew him from somewhere right away. Why should I feel that? I’d never seen him before in my life. How could I recognize him like I did if I’d never seen him? He recognized me too. I sensed it. He even said it when I visited him in the hospital, that he felt as if he knew me.” �śSecond.” I held up another finger. �śIt would explain the car driver’s description of him appearing out of nowhere. I was just reading the part where the duke met the heroine when all of a sudden this guy materializes out of thin air�"” �śI think you’re being a touch melodramatic,” Carlita put in. �śNo one actually said �Śmaterialized.’” I didn’t let her finish. �śThird, it fits with his amnesia story. If I somehow dragged him from his own world or time or whatever and brought him over to this one, wouldn’t that mess with his head?” �śIt should. It’s messing with mine. He’s a fictional character, Meggs. There is no other world or dimension or whatever that we can just yank people out of.” I ignored that and rushed ahead. �śAnd finally, it can’t be coincidence that I keep learning all these new things about my Duke and then the book comes along and repeats them. I believe it’s true, Carlita.” I looked seriously at my friend. �śI’ve actually come to believe the character from the book has been brought to life. And now by some weird coincidence, or maybe its design, we’ve stumbled into each other.” �śOh, really?” Carlita said. �śAnd who would you then say was responsible for this magical transportation? You think Virginia Lace is some kind of witch or something? The book was written by this middle-aged spinster who probably never stole a kiss in her life.” �śBe careful what you say about us middle-aged spinsters,” I teased. �śSometimes even we get what we wish for.” �śAnd this is what you wished for?” She was incredulous. �śWow. Maybe I should’ve wished a bit harder when I was reading that book. That and every other steamy novel whose hero I’ve ever fallen for.” I looked at her sympathetically. �śI can’t explain why it didn’t happen for you, Carlita. I don’t even know how it’s happening to me.” �śWhoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s stop a minute. Just put everything on hold, okay? Can you come out of your fantasy world long enough to listen to what I have to say?” I nodded. �śI’ll try.” But inside I was still giddy. Giddy with excitement, giddy with hope. And fear, there was a touch of that in me as well. This was all so amazing and hard to take in I could hardly sort out my feelings just now. What did you do with a fictional character once you had dreamed him to life? It was an awesome responsibility, I suddenly realized. What if I decided I didn’t want him after all? Would he just go back to wherever he had come from? Would he die or scatter on the wind like ashes or something? Carlita broke into my thoughts, seizing me by the shoulders. �śNow pay attention to me. I’m going to ask you for a favor. I’ve never asked you for many of those before, have I?” �śNo,” I admitted. �śThen do this one thing for me. Don’t say or do anything wild or rash until you’ve fully checked this guy out. If at the end of a cool, reasonable investigation we find all evidence points to the conclusion this Duke is the duke, all well and good.” She sounded as if she had to force herself to say that last part, so unlikely was it in her mind. �śBut if at the end of that time he fails to convince, we find pieces that don’t add up, or we trip him up in his memory game�Ś Promise me that you’ll let him�"and the rest of this whole silly idea�"go.” I started to protest, but she didn’t allow me the chance. �śCome on. Trust me,” she urged. �śI’m suggesting this for your own good. If you’re totally convinced he is who you want him to be then it shouldn’t be so hard for him to prove himself, should it?” �śAnd how do you suggest I go about trying to prove he is or isn’t the hero from the novel?” She got up from the bed. �śThat’s for you to decide. This is your game. I’m just the ref.” I frowned down at the book in my lap. �śAnd just how long is this business going to last?” �śForty-eight hours. Give yourself two days to make up your mind about him. That’s all I’m asking.” I nodded with a sudden resolve. �śI’ll do it.” After all, if I was one hundred percent confident in this idea, like Carlita said, why should I be afraid to uncover the truth? It was only the means of discovering it that should be a challenge. After my roommate had gone I lay awake long into the night, forming my plans. This is going to be simple, I told myself. Why then did I feel this nagging sense of doubt in the back of my mind? I had been full of certainty earlier. Carlita’s unbelief had forced me to stand firm. But now that I was alone doubts were nibbling away chunks of my confidence. By the time dawn’s cold, gray light crept through my bedroom window to find me still staring wide-eyed at the ceiling, I had come to acknowledge the truth. This game wouldn’t be played solely for Carlita’s benefit. I too needed further convincing. Chapter 13 Gazing at my reflection in the mirror that morning confirmed my fears. I looked like a wreck. Or like I’d been lying awake all night laying out my plans. The face staring back at me was anything but fresh and confident�"the appearance I needed to summon today. My eyes were puffy and ringed by dark circles. My hair was tousled, and my face still held pillow lines. I was a disgrace to Avon representatives everywhere. I cracked my bedroom door and peered into the living room to be sure Duke was still snoozing on the couch before making a run for the bathroom. Just now he was the last person I wanted to bump into. Not after last night’s overheard conversation. Slipping into the safety of the bathroom, I breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed behind me. All the while I was brushing my teeth I was going over my plan for the day. I’d already spent several of my forty-eight hours lying awake plotting my next move. I couldn’t afford to waste any more of them. By the time I left the bathroom there was only one part of the day I hadn’t planned out yet. What I would say or do the first time I came face to face with Duke after the awkward situation of last night? I’d been trying mightily to think about anything but that. During my quick dash back to the bedroom, however, that first meeting was thrust suddenly on me, as I stumbled and all but collided into an unexpected figure waiting outside the door. He had a cup of coffee in one hand and some of the dark liquid sloshed out over the front of his shirt as he sidestepped me in passing. �śSorry, sorry,” I rushed, hurrying past without meeting his eyes. Head ducked, I didn’t stop until I was back in my room. Slamming the door, I leaned my head back against it and groaned in frustration. I would have to run into him like that. Determined to avoid any more such encounters, I dressed quickly in a pair of straight legged jeans and an earth green chiffon top that complimented my eyes. Pausing just long enough to add earrings and makeup, including an extra layer of concealer under my raccoon eyes, I cast a final glance toward the mirror, gathered my courage, and stepped out the door. There he was, seated at the counter with his head bent over a bowl of cereal. Carlita was nowhere in sight, I noted with a sinking heart. I had expected another presence to help me get through this first uncomfortable encounter. All the same, he had already turned at the sound of my door opening and was watching me approach so there was nothing for it but to move forward, feigning a breeziness I didn’t feel. �śI see you’ve found some breakfast,” I said, entering the kitchen and snagging a cup of low fat yogurt from the fridge. I kept my tone casual and hoped he wouldn’t notice that I didn’t quite meet his eyes. I had decided the best approach was just to act as if nothing had happened at all. As far as I was concerned the incident last night had never occurred, or so I would make believe. He seemed willing to play along. �śYes. Your charming friend showed me around your kitchen and invited me to wait on myself. And she showed me how to work this amazing contraption called a coffee maker. I hope you don’t mind.” �śNot at all,” I said. Charming friend. He wouldn’t be calling Carlita charming if he could’ve heard all she’d had to say about him last night. Turning my back to hide a grimace, I got the juice out of the refrigerator and poured myself a glass. Scrambling up onto the stool beside him, I dreaded what I suspected would be a long stretch of uneasy silence, punctuated by noisy crunching and slurping. Fortunately, I was spared that when he started a conversation right away. �śThese are pleasant rooms you keep here. I don’t know that I’ve ever passed a more comfortable night than I did sleeping on that piece of furniture.” I smiled. �śThanks for the lie, but you don’t have to be polite. This place is a roach pit, and that sofa is older than I am. It’s just temporary, until I get my career going and then I’ll be kissing this rat’s den goodbye.” �śReally? What kind of career is that? I thought you mentioned before you were out of employment.” �śI am. It’s just that�Ś” I let my sentence trail off, feeling strangely uncomfortable discussing my artistic dreams with him. I didn’t talk about those much. Not even with Carlita or my own family. He came to my rescue. �śJust that someday you hope to do better for yourself. I understand.” We were interrupted by Carlita entering the kitchen. �śAh, good. You’re both up. I thought you were going to sleep through the day. Not that I’d blame you, but us working girls don’t get so lucky.” �śCarlita,” I said. �śI thought you were gone.” �śAnother second and I will be.” She poured a cup of coffee for herself. �śI’m running late. So what do you two have planned for the morning and afternoon? Tell me quick. I’ve only got about ten seconds.” I hesitated, looking at Duke. We hadn’t discussed doing anything together yet. In fact there’d been no talk of seeing each other again at all after last night. Nevertheless, he was looking at me just as expectantly as Carlita was, as if waiting for me to make the decision. I clutched at the plan I’d come up with during the wee hours of the morning. �śI thought we’d go to the museum. Duke hasn’t seen a lot of the city, and no tourist should miss one of the greatest exhibits in the country.” Duke looked accepting of the idea. �śAh, okay then,” Carlita said easily. �śYou two have fun. Just don’t forget the time, if you know what I mean.” I did know what she meant. I followed her to the door and watched her snatch her purse down from a peg on the wall. We couldn’t talk, not in front of Duke, but she tapped her watch and gave me a meaningful smile as she stepped out the door. �śDuke, it was interesting meeting you,” she called back. �śMegan, good luck.” And then she was gone. �śWhat did she mean by that?” Duke asked. �śGood luck? ” �śUh, it’s nothing. Listen, we’d better get ready to clear out if we’re going to the museum today.” I wasn’t sure why I suddenly felt the need to rush. And then I remembered. Forty-eight hours. And the clock was already ticking. *** Climbing the museum’s front steps and entering with a stream of people through the wide double doors felt odd to me. This wasn’t a place where I’d spent a lot of time lately but I used to come all the time, in the days when I’d been totally absorbed in my painting and my love for art. Once we stood inside the echoing, tiled entranceway, I took Duke by the arm and steered him in the right direction. �śCome on,” I said, �śwe don’t need a tour group. I know this place like the back of my hand. Providing nothing’s changed.” As we bypassed the clusters of visitors waiting for a guide and I pulled him out of the lobby area, I kept my hand tucked lightly around his arm. It wasn’t an accident, but I hoped he would think it was. I had to start somewhere in determining my level of interest and clinging to a muscular bicep was a nice place to begin. �śMy favorite exhibit is this way,” I told him, leading him through the first several rooms. �śWait, wait.” He laughed, trying to slow me down. �śWe don’t have to speed straight there, do we?” I forced myself to join his laughter, though mine had an odd high-pitched quality to it, but I didn’t lose sight of my goal. I hadn’t brought him here for a casual tour. My forty-eight hours were still counting down. Unfortunately, Duke couldn’t know of my hurry. He made several pauses before the more captivating pieces of artwork, and I was forced to stop while he admired them. My knowledge of the pieces appeared to impress him. �śThis was practically my second home when I first moved to the city,” I pointed out. �śI should know it by heart.” Then without planning it, I spilled out the story of how I’d loved art and painting but had eventually lost my enthusiasm after my failure to make a living from it. He listened sympathetically, and I became so caught up in explaining my woes as we walked that I failed to notice where we were even going until we found ourselves standing before an immense wall portrait, gazing up at a youthful-faced women in a flowing red dress. The plaque beneath listed the name of the painter and read, Portrait of an unknown lady as the title. �śThis is one of my favorite pieces,” I admitted to Duke. �śWho’s the artist?” �śYou wouldn’t know his name. A nobody as great painters go. But I’ve always appreciated how the artist challenged himself in choosing to do this portrait the way he did. The subject is beautiful, but she has remarkable features that would be hard to capture on canvas. The lighting in the picture is unusual and the background complex. Everything about this piece feels like the painter was forcing himself to work under the worst conditions and enjoying the challenge.” Duke studied the portrait. �śI confess when I look at it all I see is a well painted picture of an attractive woman in red.” �śThat’s all the casual observer was meant to see. But there’s a feeling that there’s more behind it, a story to be told. You’d have to be an artist to understand.” �śAnd you are.” I hesitated. �śI still dabble a little,” I admitted. �śBut I’m not great at it or anything. It’s just for fun.” I bit my lip. Somehow, brought out into the open like that, the words were painful because they felt so untrue. It’s not only dabbling. It’s the dream of my life. I wanted to speak up and correct myself, but held the thoughts inside. Duke studied me as if picking up a sense of my thoughts. �śSomehow I doubt that,” he said quietly. �śYou’re an intense woman. I can’t see you dabbling at anything. No, when you take up the brush, nothing will content you until you have made your art the best it can be.” I gaped. �śHow can you know that? You haven’t even seen my work.” �śI don’t have to,” he said with confidence. �śI know the artist and that, surely, is tantamount to knowing the work.” My spirits felt oddly lifted. Even as I told myself it was nothing to get excited about, a simple compliment from someone who hadn’t even viewed what he was complimenting, somehow it stoked the fires of ambition within me. I wanted to fulfill his confidence in me. I wanted to be the best that I could be. Already my hands itched to hold a paintbrush, an urge I hadn’t felt much recently. Shaking my head, I tried to put aside the feeling. I hadn’t come here for this. �śThanks, but my talent it really just middling. Now come on, there’s plenty more to see.” I pulled him on toward my secret destination. But something had changed. The initial stiffness that had clung to us all morning had dropped away during our brief exchange. The carefree feeling from our outing yesterday had returned. As we walked, I let my hand slide down from Duke’s arm to his hand. He accepted it casually without a word or a glance, curling his fingers around mine. There was something wonderful in just being with someone special whose company you enjoyed. Never mind whether that man was a real person or a fictional character come to life. I felt a pleasant glow inside. I hadn’t been this content in, well, ever. As we approached our destination, however, my happiness was replaced by a faint feeling of apprehension. A test still lay ahead. I tried to keep my tone light as I said, �śWell, here we are.” We had stepped into a large room, set aside from the others. Duke seemed surprised. �śThis is your favorite exhibit?” I crossed my fingers. �śUh, yeah. I love it.” Duke looked around. �śBut this is just a collection of old farming equipment.” �śNot quite. It’s �Śa trip back in time,’” I read aloud from the caption over the doorway. �śStep back into the lives of real men and women from the nineteenth century.” �śAnd the nineteenth century interests you?” he asked, a hint of amusement around his mouth. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but he had that knowing look in his eyes that never failed to put me on guard. �śSure. I’m a big history buff. Real big. I mean, like, gargantuan.” I gave a forced laugh even but knew I was overdoing it. �śAnyway, it’s not just farming implements,” I rushed on. �śLook here.” I led him over to a display in the center of the room. I read the plaque aloud. �śIf you were a wealthy woman living in the 1800s, you might wear something like this.” The display boasted a faceless mannequin wearing an old-fashioned, neck-to-toe length dress with a ruffled collar. A wig swept into a loose up-do sat atop the dummy’s head, and over that rested an elegant hat with yards of trailing lace and a sweeping feather. �śHey, check out the sexy underwear.” I pointed to where the hem of the mannequin’s dress was pinned up to expose the layers of ruffled petticoats and bloomers beneath. �śI bet women roasted alive in these things.” Duke looked faintly uncomfortable and I perceived that I was somehow embarrassing him. �śWhat? You think the dummy’s shy?” I teased. �śShe doesn’t seem to be complaining.” I playfully tugged up the hem of the mannequin’s dress. �śI don’t hear anything.” I tugged it higher, until the waist of the dummy’s lacey petticoat was exposed. �śStill nothing.” A loud throat-clearing sounded from across the room. I froze. �śMa’am, we have to ask that you do not touch the displays.” The statement came from a severe-faced woman wearing the tag of a museum employee. I blushed. �śYes, of course. I was just, ah, checking for moth damage.” The employee’s expression didn’t alter. �śThese antiques are priceless and very delicate,” she said as if she hadn’t heard me at all. �śWe ask that you don’t touch them.” �śRight. I caught that part before.” I smiled to soften the words. �śI will keep my hands to myself in the future.” As the employee drifted away I tried not to look at Duke, fearing a double disapproval. But to my surprise I heard what sounded suspiciously like a snicker coming from his direction, and that gave me the courage to meet his eyes. �śWhat? You’ve never felt the urge to examine a petticoat before?” I complained. �śI might have thought about it,” he admitted. �śBut I never followed through.” I laughed. �śWe ask that you don’t touch the displays,” I mimicked the stern voice of the employee but then dropped my tone, remembering the woman might still be around. �śCome on, let’s see what’s over here.” I moved to a long counter lining the wall. No fear of touching the goods here, they were all under glass�"common household items displayed like priceless gems. Thimbles, bottles, and a rusted pair of scissors were arranged among countless other objects. Duke asked, �śWhy are all these things kept in a museum? They’re just ordinary items.” �śMaybe where you come from,” I said carefully. �śBut to us they’re oddities�" treasures from the distant past.” Was it my imagination, or did he look vaguely uncomfortable? I supposed it must seem surreal examining objects from your life that were now set out under glass like foreign relics. He must feel as if he were in a different world. Then again, maybe I was just looking too hard for signs. �śTake a look at this pen.” I pointed to an ancient looking writing implement set in silver with fancy scrollwork dancing down the sides. It was like no pen I’d ever held. �śCan you imagine writing with that clunky thing? Give me a modern ballpoint any day. Or even a pencil.” �śThey’re not that bad,” he said defensively, peering over my shoulder. �śThey spatter a little, but the point provides a nice smooth script. I learned to set out my letters with an implement much like that one.” My heartbeat picked up pace. Was he saying what I thought he was? �śReally?” I asked. �śHow did you get hold of something like that outside a museum? These are collector’s pieces today.” He looked up from the display. �śYou know, it’s only midmorning and already I’m quite famished,” he said, ignoring the question. �śAre we about done here? I confess I wouldn’t mind another visit to that dirty little place where they serve bread and cheese on a pan.” I hid my frustration. �śSure, we can go.” As we left the 1800s room behind, I thought regretfully that my strongest plan had failed. How was I to test him next? Chapter 14 A short while later, we were on our way to the restaurant, when Duke’s attention was caught by one of the shops we passed. �śLet’s step inside,” he suggested. I peered through the window into the musty looking little bookshop. �śWhy? It’s just used junk. A lot of dusty old books nobody wants to buy.” �śMaybe I’ll buy something. I’m fond of the classics, and I might find something to add to my collection.” I wasn’t a bookish sort and couldn’t think of a less inviting way to spend a sunny afternoon than digging through shelves of crumbling old tomes. �śWe’re just a block down from the restaurant,” I said. �śYou can see it from here. How about you stop in and have a quick look around the bookstore while I run on down and get us a table. If you don’t take long you can catch up to me by the time lunch is ready.” �śSounds like an agreeable arrangement on all sides.” �śOkay,” I said. �śJust hold on and I’ll leave you some money in case you find anything you like.” He tried to protest but I wasn’t in the mood to go over this again. �śLook, we’ll call it a loan, shall we?” I said, digging a few twenties from my billfold and pressing them into his hand. I tried not to think about what Carlita would say if she could see me now, jobless and handing out wads of cash. But I’d make it up by selling an extra lot of Avon products this month, I promised myself. �śYou can pay me back later,” I told him. �śThen so I shall. But I will spend the money only on something for you.” �śYou’re not buying me any gifts,” I said firmly. �śBut�"” �śNo �Śbuts,’” I said, ushering him into the shop. �śJust go and enjoy yourself.” I didn’t see how he could possibly do that here, I thought as the shop door closed behind him, but that was his problem. I tried to recall if the duke in Noble Hearts had collected books as well, but after a while gave up trying to remember. It was a warm, pleasant day with the only evidence of yesterday’s storms in the shallow puddles on the sidewalk�"too nice a day to waste worrying myself over trivialities. At the restaurant, the arrangements worked out just as I had predicted with Duke sliding into the booth beside me right as a steaming pizza was being delivered to our table. My companion appeared pleased with himself as he bit into his slice of pepperoni, but I noted he had arrived with empty hands. �śYou didn’t buy anything?” �śOn the contrary. I did,” he said between hungry mouthfuls. �śJust not in the bookshop.” I signaled the waitress who came over to take Duke’s drink order. Remembering how the list of sodas had confused him the last time we’d eaten here, I cut things short this time and ordered him a glass of water. �śI hope that’s okay,” I said. �śNow what was it you were saying you’d bought?” �śAn evening of enchantment,” he answered cheerfully, digging into his jeans’ pocket. I looked up from my pizza. �śA what?” �śThat’s what the tickets say.” He shoved two bits of paper beneath my nose. �śLook here. Two seats to tonight’s production of the fine musical Clotilda. At least, I was assured it was a fine play, though I’ve never seen it. I have always been a fan of good theatre however, and I couldn’t resist.” He smiled at my expression. �śI told you I would have a surprise for you, and I see I haven’t failed.” �śI’m surprised all right.” I tried to hide my dismay. I’d been to few musical productions in my life and had never felt the lack of it. I examined the tickets. �śThese are good seats,” I admitted reluctantly. �śAnd at a nice theatre. How could you afford them with the little money I gave you?” �śI met a gentleman on my way here who was selling tickets on the sidewalk. He had a disreputable look, so at first I was slow to trust him. But when he assured me of what an excellent deal I would be getting�Ś” His words trailed off as he noted my incredulous expression. �śYou’re not pleased,” he said. �śDuke, you can’t buy things like this off strangers on the street. These could be fakes, or expired, or anything, and then some stranger would have just made off with your money and left you with worthless bits of paper.” �śI hadn’t thought of that,” he admitted apologetically. �śBut these aren’t bad, are they?” Under his hopeful eyes I studied the tickets. �śThey look good,” I had to admit. �śAnd the date is for tonight. I suppose you didn’t do so awfully this time. Just�Śbe careful from now on, all right?” �śOf course, of course.” But despite his winning smile I had the terrible sense my words had made little impression on him. From now on, I resolved not to let him out of my sight. *** That decision was quickly cast aside when, after lunch, I realized neither of us had anything to wear to the occasion. That didn’t seem to bother Duke any. Apparently it hadn’t occurred to him that people didn’t attend events like this in their everyday clothes. �śThere’s nothing else for it,” I told him. �śWe’ll have to shop for something suitable.” Dragging most men through fancy clothing shops wouldn’t have been my idea of a fun way to spend an afternoon. But Duke behaved so well and attracted so many admiring glances from other women in the stores that I found I didn’t mind at all having him trail me to and from the dressing rooms. He didn’t see the evening gown I eventually selected of course. I drew the line there. Everybody knew it was bad luck to let your date see your clothes for your first big outing together. Or maybe that was just a rule I’d made up on my own. Whatever the case, he followed suit, leaving me waiting on a sidewalk bench as he conducted his own shopping. From across the street, I watched him pass by several nice stores before finally disappearing through the doors of a dingy looking tailor’s shop. All the clothing hanging up in the window looked used and out of date. What kind of outfit would he come up with in there? I just hoped he would tell the shopkeeper what sort of occasion he was attending and get plenty of help in choosing something to wear. I had a nervous feeling about letting him handle this on his own. There was no telling what outfit he was going to wind up with. Nevertheless, I had cooperated with his secrecy, even loaning him more cash to pay for his clothes. I wondered if that made me a trusting idiot. But if he really was up to no good he could’ve just made off with our purses while we slept last night, couldn’t he? All the same, it was a relief when he returned with the left over change. �śDidn’t you find anything to buy?” I asked, noting that although he’d spent money he carried no shopping bags. �śI’ve purchased everything I need,” he answered mysteriously. �śSome of the clothing was simply not fitted to my liking. I’m having the items cut down and will return this evening to collect them from the tailor.” �śUm, okay,” I said. He certainly had his own way of doing things. �śYou want to go back home until then?” �śWhy not?” he replied. *** I glanced at the clock as we stepped through the door to the apartment. �śWe still have a few hours before the production. And before you need to leave to collect your mysterious purchases. How do you want to spend the rest of your afternoon?” He raised his brows. �śMy afternoon?” �śYou’re the guest. What would you like to do until show time?” He smiled. �śWhat I would like to do is whatever you normally do.” �śWhat do you mean?” He shrugged. �śShow me how you spend your day. How you�"how do you say it�"pass the time?” �śOkay. But I’ve got to warn you, it’s not very exciting.” I picked up the remote on the coffee table and flipped on the TV. �śSit down. I’ll make some popcorn and teach you how to kill an afternoon.” *** �śSo, when the young nurse says she loves the one doctor what she means is that she’s really in love with the other man?” Duke was asking a short while later as we scraped the bottom of the bag of popcorn. With his other hand he was stroking Frigga, who slept curled up in his lap. Even the evil she-beast had been won over by him. �śSomething like that,” I said. �śLove’s a complicated thing on these shows.” �śBut not in real life?” �śMaybe sometimes,” I said uncomfortably. �śI don’t know.” He had a knack for bringing up difficult subjects. Ones I never knew how to reply to. At a beeping noise coming from the kitchen I looked up with relief. �śThere goes the timer on that other bag of popcorn. I’ll be right back.” In the kitchen, I turned my back on the television while I prepared our snack. When I looked around again, Duke was gone. At first I assumed he’d gone to the bathroom and I settled down in front of the TV to wait. But when he didn’t return, I started to grow concerned. Maybe he’d walked out the front door and gotten lost. He could be wandering the building, trying to find his way back. Jumping up from the couch, I went and knocked on the bathroom door. �śDuke, are you in there?” �śNo. I’m here,” came the answer. Peering through the door to my bedroom I found him standing before the window. �śIt’s a pleasant view you have out there.” He indicated the small window overlooking a row of neighboring apartments. �śWhat are you doing in here? For a minute I thought you’d left the apartment.” I tried to keep my tone light but there was a hint of accusation in it. Had he been going through my personal stuff? I’d certainly never invited him into my room. He must have sensed my annoyance. �śForgive me. I didn’t mean to pry. I started out just looking for something to bind this up.” He held up his hand. A thin line of blood stood out on his thumb. �śWhat happened?” �śIt’s nothing. I just cut my hand a little on the bag of popped corns.” �śPopcorn,” I corrected. �śStay put while I get you a band-aid. I don’t want you bleeding on the carpet.” �śI don’t think it’s that bad.” But I was already on my way. When I returned, I found him standing over my drawing desk. �śLooks like we’re out of band-aids, but if you’ll just hold this tissue over it�"” I left off speaking when I saw what he was looking down at�"a shadowy sketch lying face up on the corner of my desk. It was one of the drawings I had done of his eyes the day we’d met. Chapter 15 I swallowed. �śThat’s, uh, not very good,” I said awkwardly, watching Duke study the portrait of his own eyes. �śJust a practice piece really.” He didn’t respond. Carefully lifting the page, he studied the next sheet and the next. They were all alike�"all pictures of him. Great. Now I looked like some kind of obsessed psycho. Why did I do that anyway? Who draws a million pictures of the same face? He was expressionless as he looked up from the sketches. �śYou drew these?” His voice was unreadable. �śThis is what you do?” �śNot this exactly. Mostly I’m a painter. Drawing is just something I do to kind of warm up. I’m a bit better with a brush.” �śShow me,” he said seriously. �śShow me some of your work. If you don’t mind, that is.” �śWhy should I mind?” I tried to shrug off my self-consciousness. What did it matter what he was thinking about those pictures? So I drew him a lot. He was a good subject. �śThese are a few of my more recent efforts.” I led him to the stack of canvases leaning against the wall. �śThis is the seashore my family used to vacation on when I was a kid,” I said, pulling out one of the paintings. �śIt’s a little lacking in detail, but then it’s hard to remember something you haven’t seen since you were ten.” I dragged out another, smaller painting. �śThis is a view of my mom’s backyard as seen out the kitchen’s screen-door. I was going for kind of an out of focus look there�"a weird style I took up for a while.” �śWhen did you do that one?” He pointed to a large canvas I had hidden away in the very back, behind all the others. �śThat one?” I asked, embarrassed. �śThat’s garbage. I’m serious. Don’t even look at it. Please.” But it was too late. He was already pulling it out from behind the others. Resting the painting on the desk, he studied it speculatively. �śIt’s, um, supposed to be a picture of my dad.” I felt some explanation was required. �śAt least that’s the way he looked to me when I was little, so it’s how I see him now in my mind’s eye.” He frowned at the unfinished piece and then surprised me by saying, �śIt’s terrible.” �śI know that,” I said defensively. �śWhy do you think I never finished it? It was the last piece I ever did. After that my inspiration just kind of died out, and I could never bring myself to pick up the brush again.” �śYour last piece? How long has it been since you’ve painted?” I shrugged, looking down at my toes. �śI dunno. A few months I guess.” Three months and ten days. �śA few months?” His tone was heavy with disapproval. Reaching into the stack of canvases, he pulled up a blank, unused one and handed it to me. �śHere. Paint something for me.” �śRight now?” I asked doubtfully. �śRight now.” I hesitated. I hadn’t felt the spark in so long. Still, he was looking at me expectantly, and the firmness of his expression brooked no argument. �śAll right, I guess I could slap together something simple.” �śNot simple,” he corrected. �śThink big. Show me what you can do. I want to see a masterpiece.” �śWell, then you’d better go back to the museum.” But as I said it I found I was already moving to collect my paints and brushes from inside the desk. �śNo jokes. Make use of your talent or you don’t deserve to have it. If your last piece wasn’t up to standard it’s because you were feeling hurt and bitter when you did it. You can’t make beauty out of anger. But those sketches�ŚThey tell a different tale. I know the work of a master artist when I see it. I’ve long had an interest in art.” �śIs there anything you haven’t an interest in?” I muttered, moving aside the articles of clothing I had hung over my easel standing in the corner. Despite my terse words my hands suddenly itched to get hold of my brushes again. He was right about one thing. It had been too long. �śIs there anything I can do?” he asked as I dragged my easel out into the center of the room so that what was left of the afternoon light filtered over it from the window. �śYes,” I answered, spreading my paints out where I could reach them before perching on the edge of my bed, before the easel. �śSit on the stool in front of the dresser and keep still.” �śWhat?” I grinned. �śYou wanted to help me get my muse back? You can be an important part of it then. Pose for me and you can take all the credit for my inspiration.” He shrugged. �śVery well. Do you want me smiling or sober?” *** At first, I tried to remain aware of the clock as I worked, but after a time I became so lost in my art I forgot there was another world outside my portrait. I didn’t start with the actual paint, much as I wanted to. That would come later. First, I did a hasty preliminary sketch to help me center the image onto the canvas. Duke had good, distinctive features for a portrait, I noted as I worked. I would play up the strong line of his jaw and the sharpness of his nose. For some reason�"I couldn’t say what made me do it�"I even costumed the figure on canvas in a full length, old-fashioned coat. I scratched out a quick line that was meant to suggest a riding crop and told myself I would add a horse into the background later. Maybe even the chimneys of a country estate rearing in the distance. I was really becoming caught up in my work. The first time I put brush to canvas and swept an arc of color across the white backdrop I felt a swelling of contentment within me. This was good. This was right. I smiled happily at Duke over the top of the easel. He had known it somehow, even when I hadn’t. I was going to dip my brush again when I was startled by the abrupt noise of a door slamming. I almost dropped my brush, so unexpected was the intrusion. Could that be Carlita home already? How long had I been working? Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, I groaned. �śIt’s nearly six,” I told Duke. �śWhy did you let me lose track of the time like that? We’re going to have to rush now or we’ll be late to the theatre. And you still have to go pick up your things at the tailor’s.” �śDon’t worry,” he assured me. �śThere’s plenty of time for that.” �śHello,” Carlita called from the living room. �śAnyone here?” I lifted my voice. �śWe’re in my room.” I scooted aside the easel. �śYou can come in,” I added teasingly as Carlita peeked through the doorway. �śWe’re just painting.” �śPainting? You haven’t done that in�"” Carlita stopped short as she approached the unfinished work. �śI know I’ve barely begun,” I told her, �śbut you don’t have to look at it like that. I think it’s coming along pretty good.” �śIt’s the best of your work I’ve seen,” she said quietly. With a dry expression, she indicated Duke still posed on his stool. �śWho’s your model?” I glanced at Duke. I haven’t figured that out just yet. �śNot doing bad, is he? He posed like a professional. But now we’ve got to get moving or we’re going to be late for the production.” �śWhat production?” And so, while I worked at clearing away my tools, I explained our plans for the evening. Carlita, following me back and forth from the bathroom sink where I was washing out my brushes, found a moment to whisper, �śYou’re sure this is how you want to spend your evening? You haven’t forgotten your forty-eight hours are nearly halfway up already?” �śI know that,” I whispered back and signaled my friend to silence as Duke entered the room. He had removed the sling from his injured shoulder before posing for his portrait and now I insisted he put it back on even though he claimed it was unnecessary. For dinner that night we prepared quick, microwave meals, which we ate in the traditional American custom�"in front of the television. Duke was going to think we lived in front of that box. We made supper a quick affair�"partly because we were running late, and partly because I sensed Carlita’s need to talk to me alone. I made certain the two of us were the first finished and when we stepped into the kitchen to throw away our platters, she caught my arm and pulled me out of sight. �śWell? What did you find out today?” she asked sharply. �śIs the experiment off? Did it only take an afternoon to disprove your wild theory?” �śOn the contrary,” I said smugly. �śI’m growing more certain of him every minute.” �śCrap! I was hoping you would come to see reason under the broad light of day. Crazy ideas are all very well after midnight but normal people learn how to separate dreams from reality�"” �śCarita, stop. I don’t want you questioning him like this anymore.” �śThat’s one thing I’ll never stop doing. I’m gonna take this guy apart one piece of the puzzle at a time, until you finally see the truth and can admit him for what he really is.” I folded my arms. �śAnd what’s that?” Carlita had a ready answer. �śA moocher, a scammer, a psycho�ŚTake your pick. Either he’s aware of your delusions and is taking advantage of them, or he is so crazy even he has begun to believe he’s walked off the pages of a book.” I remembered what Duke had once said of Noble Hearts, that he was familiar with the story. It meant nothing, I reassured myself. At the time I’d thought he meant he had read the book. Now I believed it meant much more than that. Carlita was going on. �śI’m your friend. I can’t stand by and see you used and made a fool of. Besides this whole delusion is unhealthy.” �śHush. Here he comes,” I whispered, cutting off her rant. She shot me a frustrated look but changed the subject as Duke entered the room. �śAnyway,” she said, �śI can’t stand around to send you two off. I’ve got plans of my own tonight.” �śPlans?” I asked absently. My mind was on my own evening, not hers. �śYeah, just some errands. In fact, I’d better get moving out the door now.” �śI too should be stepping out,” Duke put in. �śI’ve a run ahead of me if I want to reach the tailor’s before he closes up his shop.” I had a ridiculous image of him sprinting down the city streets like a madman. �śDuke, please take a cab,” I pleaded. �śYou just step out to the edge of the street, flag down a yellow car, and that little man in the front seat will take you anywhere you want to go. It’s the same principle as a hansom cab.” I rushed to retrieve my purse. �śHere. I’ll give you some money.” Shushing his protests, I shoved the cash at him, all the while very aware of Carlita’s disapproving eyes following the scene. �śI’ve got to get outta’ here,” she announced, shaking her head. �śYou two have a grand old time. I’ll catch you later.” She snagged her purse off the hook, shot me a significant look and then was out the door. I frowned, wondering what she was really up to. �śI’ll make it back with time to spare,” Duke assured me, following Carlita into the hall. He hesitated in the doorway, looking back. I gave him a gentle shove. If he was considering a kiss or something he could forget it. I wasn’t quite that certain of him yet. �śGet out of here,” I said playfully. �śWe’re going to be late as it is.” Closing the door behind him and leaning against it for a moment, I contemplated my situation. I had to make a decision. Did I believe in him or didn’t I? No more of this nearly certain business. If I was going to let my feelings for a man rise to this level I had to know my own mind. Then I glanced at the clock and realized I and my mind would have to make each other’s acquaintance later. I was running out of time. Going to my room and pulling my new dress out of the closet, I carefully slid it free of the plastic covering. Even now the dazzling, lavender, silk fabric made me catch my breath. It was a traditional long skirt with a floor-swishing hem but the fitted waist and hips gave it a more modern twist. The top was simple but elegant in a sophisticated off-the-shoulder cut with a sheer wrap of matching gauzy fabric to drape over my arms. I would feel like Cinderella at the ball in an evening gown like this. But there was no time to stand around admiring the dress. I had to get into it and before that I had to put on my makeup and arrange my hair. I had counted on having Carlita here to help with this part. Now I’d have to do the best I could on my own. I plugged in the curling iron in the bathroom and let it heat while I applied my makeup, raiding my Avon samples for bolder colors than I would normally have worn. When the curling iron was heated, I set to work on my hair. Forming my short, dark tresses into loose barrel curls, I pinned a few back and let the rest fall loosely around my face. A mist of hairspray held everything in place, and a few well-placed crystal-tipped pins around the crown of my head added a touch of sparkle when I turned my head from side to side. A glance at the clock told me I had little time to spare. Stepping into my evening dress, I stood before the mirror as I fastened up the back. I heaved a sigh of relief when I was safely zipped inside. I’d been sucking in a little to get it closed but now that I was in the dress, it fit like a glove. Carefully, I slipped into a pair of silver platform shoes with ankle straps and mile high heels. They were the one and only pair of Salvatore Ferragamos I owned and I rarely wore them. I had terrible visions of myself stumbling over my own feet and tearing a hole in the delicate fabric of my dress. But luckily my clumsy feet seemed to be on their best behavior tonight. I wished I could say the same for my nervous stomach. It was doing a dance now that would have made the cast of Clotilda proud. I asked myself what I had to be scared of. It wasn’t like I was going out with a total stranger. Technically, I wasn’t even sure if this was a date. But it felt like one. Drawing a long, calming breath I let my gaze linger for a moment on the unfinished portrait of Duke still resting on the easel. Nothing to be afraid of. It’s just Duke. Just a nineteenth century nobleman who’s dropped in off the pages of a novel to take me out for an enchanted evening. For the first time since really getting to know him I felt a return of that self-conscious shyness that had gripped me on our early meetings. What was I doing with him? He was probably used to romancing noblewomen or something. He had come from a romance novel, after all. Those heroes were all the same. Then I remembered his slightly prudish behavior toward the museum mannequin’s underwear and decided maybe I had nothing to worry about on that score after all. One romantic hero at least was not the same. I was startled out of my giddy thoughts by the sound of the doorbell ringing. I’d forgotten he didn’t have a key; Carlita would never have stood for it. Snatching up a jar of sparkling body powder from atop my dresser, I hastily gave my exposed skin a quick dusting over before making a dash for the front door. A second later, I came hopping back, trying to avoid tripping over the hem of my dress, to snatch up my wrap. Then half-running, half-stumbling I rushed to the front door, barely catching myself before colliding into it. He would have heard that out in the hall. A glance at the clock revealed I had a few minutes to spare. We wouldn’t be late after all if he suited himself up quickly enough. I paused a moment to draw another calming breath and give myself a final once over in the mirror hanging over the coat-hooks. Then I opened the door. Outside, dressed in magnificent antiquated evening garb and proffering a calla lily bouquet, waited a duke. Chapter 16 I held my breath for the space of a heartbeat before blurting out, �śDuke, you’re�Ś” �śAlready dressed?” he suggested helpfully. �śI was going to say, you’re like a duke,” I responded. I was going to say you’re amazing. �śWhere did you get that costume? You look like you stepped out of a painting.” Or a book. I took in the walking stick and the long cloak trailing down his shoulders to swish the floor. Even the sling had again been removed from his arm for the evening. I thought I ought to chide him for that but what came out instead was, �śYou didn’t steal that outfit from the display at the museum, did you?” I was only half joking. He took me seriously. �śNo, I did not. The tailor on River Street works miracles, that’s all. I ordered more than a few alterations.” �śI see,” I said, studying the old-fashioned shoes incasing his feet and the high, white collar gripping his throat. A silver stickpin had been thrust through the satiny fabric and the familiar gold pocket watch dangled from his vest pocket. I wouldn’t wonder now what all this had cost. He was wearing a fortune’s worth of antiques as casually as I might walk around in a T-shirt and a pair of sweats. Then again I’d never seen him more attractive. He was like the dashing prince out of some fairytale. No, not a prince, a duke. Shaking my head to clear it, I gathered my wrap around my shoulders, feeling suddenly shy under his perusal. �śA gentleman,” he said, �śis accustomed to complimenting his companion for the evening, whatever my appearance. But may I say that I never meant it as much as I do now when I say you look exquisite.” I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. �śYes, you may,” I said and then realized that he already had. I cleared my throat and dropped any images I’d been harboring of myself as a romantic heroine. �śOkay, let’s get out of here. The show starts in forty-five minutes.” *** The theatre’s downstairs lobby was crowded and the line leading upstairs crawled. Nevertheless, I was enjoying every minute of the wait. It was such a classy crowd packed in around me, the men in evening tuxes and the women draped in furs and expensive jewelry. For just a few hours I could be one of them, imagining that I was a wealthy patron of the arts who spent every Friday night like this. Duke’s unusual costume garnered a few stares. Some people even seemed to think he was part of the show. But he wore his two-century-old style clothes so well that no one pointed or laughed. In fact, I sensed as I glided by on his arm that I was the envy of more than one of these women. I felt as if this was all part of some weird dream as we turned in our tickets. When an usher pointed us toward our seats, we found we had indeed made a good deal for ourselves. We had center seats in the front row of the balcony. Duke ushered me to my seat like a true gentleman and was helping me rearrange my wrap around my shoulders when the lights began to dim. The next hour seemed unreal to me. I’d always liked music well enough on the radio or a CD, but attending a live performance was something altogether different. The exotic sets and the bright costumes swept me away to another world, one where lovers broke into song and dance at the drop of a hat and nobody even gave them a second look�"except, of course, for the audience. I applauded so long throughout the ovations that between acts my hands were stinging. During the intermission, Duke asked, smiling, �śCan I take it then your money was well spent? I know you seemed a little put out with me when I bought the tickets, but I hope the music of Clotilda has won you over.” He looked suddenly anxious. �śYou are enjoying the evening, aren’t you?” �śYes, I am. I know you always tell me I’m too negative, but even I can’t find anything to complain about tonight.” His gaze was hopeful. �śYou mean you are happy? Right at this moment?” He glanced around us at the streams of people still trickling back to their seats as the time for the intermission came to an end. �śI had hoped that you would be, because I�"” Whatever he had been about to say was cut off when the lights suddenly faded again and we were plunged into darkness. After the first round from the orchestra had died down and things had grown quieter on the stage, he leaned over and continued, �śI wanted you to be happy with me this evening, because I was beginning to worry there had been some mistake in my coming. At first you didn’t seem to want me here and I thought�"” �śThat’s ridiculous,” I cut him off in an amazed whisper. �śWhy wouldn’t I want you with me? You’re the one who bought the tickets.” �śNo, I didn’t mean here specifically,” he whispered. �śI mean a more general �Śhere.’ In your life, that is.” People around us were beginning to stare and the lady in the next seat made a shushing noise, but it wasn’t that that left me speechless. �śHave I treated you so badly?” I asked. He studied my face. �śNot badly, exactly,” he said and then changed his story in midstream. �śWell, yes, actually �Śbadly’ does cover it rather well.” He smiled as if to soften the words. �śI’ve tried to acclimatize myself to the changes I’ve been forced into so quickly, but I understand your impatience at what must seem to you like oddities in my behavior. It’s clear you see me as an annoyance, a bumbling child you have to look after.” �śI don’t think that at all�"” I tried to protest but was instantly shushed by a half dozen voices. We both fell into an abashed silence for a few moments until our neighbors had returned their attentions to the stage. Then Duke leaned close to whisper very quietly, �śIt’s all right. We can talk about it later. I’m just glad to see you having a good time.” His breath was warm on my ear, and he gave my hand an accompanying squeeze that swept away any worries I’d had. It was too wonderful a night for squabbling. The next half of the performance passed by in a blur of color and song. I hardly heard or saw the rest of what played out before me, so intently was I concentrating on the light pressure of Duke’s hand still resting over mine. He had good hands. Scholar’s fingers, I reminded myself with a smile. Careful not to turn my head enough that the movement would catch his attention, I studied him surreptitiously. I rather liked the look of his profile in the dim light. His nose looked longer and sharper than ever, but his eyes softened his features enough to keep them from appearing too cold or superior. I realized he was aware of my perusal. He never took his gaze from the performers on stage, but the corner of his mouth formed into a small, satisfied smile that said he guessed something of my thoughts. I snapped my attention back to the stage and did my best to concentrate on the performance after that. *** Outside, the sidewalk was crowded with other theatergoers trying to catch taxis. When I would have joined the others milling along the edge of the curb, Duke pulled me back. �śIt’s a pleasant night,” he said. �śLet’s walk a little distance.” �śAll the way back home?” I was incredulous. He shrugged off the question. �śWe can hail a cab when our feet get tired. Come on. The air will do us good.” I gave in and we set off down the sidewalk at a leisurely pace. My high heels wouldn’t allow for anything faster than that. He had been right about one thing. It was a pleasant night. The evening was warm, and the city alive with lights and noise. Cars streamed by on the street and other pedestrians hurried past. But somehow the honking of car horns and the presence of passing strangers didn’t spoil the lingering mood that had overtaken me during the show. We walked in comfortable silence before I finally summoned the nerve to disturb the peacefulness between us. �śDo you want to talk about it?” I asked reluctantly. �śThe thing we were discussing in the theatre? How I’ve behaved like a cold-hearted witch ever since we met?” �śNot ever since,” he joked. �śYou were nice enough while I was an invalid in the hospital.” I laughed. �śYou were so helpless, how could I not take pity on you? But I know I’ve been short with you at other times, and I apologize for that.” �śThen enough said,” he answered agreeably. �śReally?” I asked unbelievingly. �śThat’s all? You’re not going to start a lecture and slam me with some good old-fashioned honesty? Tell me how I should brighten my attitude and change my ways?” �śNow why would I do that? I like your ways. Or most of them. Your attitude, now I’ll admit that could use some work.” I sobered. �śIn all seriousness, I know I’ve been a little bossy and sarcastic, and I want to explain myself. If I’ve been hot and cold with you, I guess it’s because I’m trying to figure some things out right now.” He nodded. �śLike whether or not you’re�Ś�Śinterested’ in me? Is that the word you used in the bathroom? Or maybe it was �Ślike.’ Did you say you �Śliked’ me?” �śShut up,” I commanded, embarrassed. �śYou weren’t meant to hear that, and if you’d been a gentleman you’d have pretended you didn’t and put it out of your mind.” �śThat just goes to show maybe I’m not quite the gentleman you’ve imagined me.” We were passing the neon-lit front of a movie theatre, and he pulled me to a stop suddenly beneath the blue glow of the lights. Taking hold of both my arms, he pulled me closer. �śWait. What are you doing?” I protested weakly. �śYou can’t have in mind what I think you do. There are people all around.” �śJust helping you make up your mind,” he said unapologetically and then pulled me into a tight embrace. He lowered his mouth to mine, and when our lips met I forgot about the strangers streaming past, the noises from the street, and the blinking neon sign overhead. There was just the two of us alone. If I tried just a little I could imagine the serenity of a forest around us and the dark spires of the duke’s country estate rearing in the background. Instead of cold asphalt, I felt soft earth beneath my feet, and in place of horns blaring and cabbies cursing I heard the twitter of birds in the trees and the trickle of a forest stream. Duke’s arms tightened around me. And then a passing pedestrian bumped into us. Reality came crashing in and I pulled back from Duke’s arms. �śGet a room,” the stranger who had stumbled into us snapped as he steadied himself and hurried on his way again. �śHe, uh, has a point,” I admitted. �śI guess here isn’t the best place for this.” �śTell me where would be the place for it, and we’ll go there.” I stepped just out of his reach. �śI think maybe we’d best just go home.” Suddenly, I didn’t know this confident stranger. And yet�ŚI did. He had assumed more fully the role of the duke. I glanced uneasily around us. �śLet’s just get a cab.” He caught my elbow. �śBefore we get back to the apartment and find ourselves under the watchful eye of your friend again, I need you to tell me something.” �śTell you?” I asked vaguely, keeping my eyes on the street. Arm in the air, I flagged down the next passing taxi. I suddenly needed very desperately to be back in the safety of my own room again. Too much was happening too fast, and I needed time alone to think. The cab drew up to the curb and sat waiting, but Duke still held my elbow in a grip that wouldn’t permit me to slip away. His voice grew deeper and more serious than I had ever heard it before. �śWhy don’t you believe in me?” he asked. �śI’ve come all this way for you, and now that I’m here sometimes I can’t tell if you even want me.” My mouth hung open as I registered the statement. The impatient honking of the taxi’s horn interrupted our exchange. Duke’s eyes remained riveted on me, and it was I who looked away first. I said awkwardly, �śWe’d better get in or this guy’s gonna drive off without us.” Clearly Duke was unhappy with the interruption, but he held the door for me as I scrambled into the backseat of the waiting car. It was a subdued ride back to the apartment house. Chapter 17 It was late when we returned, but Carlita had left the living room lamp on for us. When Duke seemed as if he wanted to talk, I told him I was very tired and had a lot I needed to think over. That part at least was true, even if I had no idea of falling asleep for a very long time. I said goodnight to Duke and slipped into my room, ready to drag on my pajamas and fall into bed. As I pulled off my lavender dress and threw it over the back of a chair, I felt a little like Cinderella must have after all the excitement of the ball was over�"weary, depressed, and strangely let down. I avoided looking at the portrait standing on the easel and when my eyes swept over the bouquet of calla lilies in the windowsill, I quickly looked away again. The warm glow I had held onto all evening abandoned me now as I kicked off my shoes and stood in front of the mirror removing my hairpins. A subtle knock sounded on the door just as I was hopping on one foot, peeling off my pantyhose. �śWho is it?” I called, cautiously scrambling out of my hose and pulling on my pajama pants just a second before the door swung inward. �śRelax. It’s just me,” Carlita said, entering. �śHow’d your date go?” There was no missing the disapproval in her tone, but at least she kept her voice low, aware of Duke settling down for the night in the next room. I hesitated. �śI don’t know. I’m still trying to figure that out.” �śDo tell,” Carlita sat down on the edge of the bed. �śWhat did he do wrong this time?” �śHe didn’t do anything exactly wrong.” I avoided my friend’s eyes. Taking up a comb from the dresser, I busied myself brushing the curls out of my hair. With my back to Carlita, I confessed, �śHe kind of�Śkissed me.” �śShocking,” my friend said blandly. �śNobody does that on a date. But did he pull anymore of his psycho crap, pretending to be the character from the book? Surely you’ve made up your mind about him by now.” �śNo,” I said, determination flaring suddenly within me. �śI’m still not one hundred percent sure he’s the hero from the book. But I have made up my mind about something else.” I looked Carlita straight in the eye. �śI’ve decided I don’t care who he is. He can be the duke or just plain Duke. It doesn’t matter to me anymore.” Carlita looked troubled. �śYou’re falling for him,” she accused. I stared. Was I? It all added up�"the way I had glowed in his presence throughout the evening and the way I had responded to his kiss. Even this odd uncertainty that had descended on me ever since. Was this what it felt like to be in love? Content one minute and vulnerable the next? I laid down my comb. �śI�"I think I am,” I said quietly. As soon as I admitted it, I knew it was true. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be if I woke up tomorrow and suddenly Duke was no longer there. I’d meant what I’d told Carlita. I no longer cared if he was the character from some silly book or just himself. I loved him for who he was. Whoever that might be. �śYou’re really sure about this, are you?” Carlita asked glumly. �śYes.” I could think of nothing else to add to the simple statement. All right, I can think of a million things, but none of them are stuff I want to say to Carlita. Suddenly all I needed was to have a chance to talk to Duke alone. There was so much we had to explain to each other. More, I owed him an apology for the cold note I had ended the evening on. What if he was so hurt that he just up and disappeared back into the pages of his book again? Or wherever it was he had come from? My confidence strengthening by the minute, I would have run to him right then and there had not Carlita, apparently reading my feelings, intervened. �śWait,” she said. �śBefore you go out and do anything rash, I think you’d better take a look at this first.” She reached beneath her pajama top and pulled out an awkward package that had been hidden inside. �śI had to sneak it past him,” she explained, nodding toward the door. �śWhy so secretive?” I eyeballed the mysterious package. It was a clear plastic bag about the size of a sofa pillow with something that looked like a coil of dark cloth rolled up inside. Rags maybe? Carlita said, �śI’ve got a friend who’s a janitor down at the hospital where they were keeping your Duke. I asked him for a favor and he came through.” �śWhat do you mean?” A faint feeling of unease was beginning to impinge on my new joy�"a shadowy premonition of something unpleasant to come. My friend opened the plastic package and dumped it out on the bed. �śThese are the clothes Duke arrived at the hospital in. I remembered you saying his possessions had never turned up so I set my buddy to keeping an eye out for them. That was my errand tonight. And here they are.” Nervously, I approached the bundle of clothing, much as I would have a coiled snake. �śDon’t just stand there,” Carlita challenged. �śDig in. Find your proof.” Encouraged by my friend’s skeptical tone, I snatched the first item of clothing off the top of the heap and unrolled it. This was the long, dark coat I had first seen him in the day of the accident. Up close, I took in more of its details than I’d had attention to spare for then. It was nice fabric and expensive looking, but there was something odd about it. �śNobody but Duke would wear an old-fashioned rag like that,” Carlita scoffed. �śI can’t believe they even make stuff like that anymore.” �śMaybe,” I said significantly, �śthey don’t.” She rolled her eyes but I plunged into the pile again, encouraged now by my success. �śAha! What do you have to say to this, my doubting friend,” I demanded excitedly, holding up a black vest with a double row of buttons. �śNot exactly the sort of thing your average modern day man wears about town.” Carlita snorted. �śHaving bad taste in clothes doesn’t make him a nobleman from the past.” But I thought a look of uncertainty was beginning to dawn in her eyes. Quickly, I examined and set aside a pair of men’s trousers, also very old-fashioned in design. �śAnd what do you think of this?” I triumphantly waved a pale, ruffled shirt. �śYou can’t tell me just everybody has a shirt like this hanging in their closet. Look at this stuff. It’s over a hundred years old. Or at least it is in our world. Where he came from it’s probably quite modern.” I didn’t try to hide the relief in my voice. Not only did I finally understand my feelings for Duke, but the other pieces of the puzzle were all starting to come together. Even Carlita was beginning to look convinced, I thought, unable to hold in a giggle at my friend’s crestfallen expression. She had been so sure she was about to put an end to the game, and instead she had come up with the final proof I needed. My heart suddenly felt as if a weight had been lifted from it. And it was then that Carlita said, �śHey, what’s that?” She pointed to a tiny bit of white paper dangling by a string from the sleeve of Duke’s shirt. �śIt looks like a price tag or something.” �śIt’s probably just a label the hospital staff pinned on to identify it,” I said lightly. But inside I had that odd premonition again. My hands trembled slightly as I caught the bit of paper in my palm and turned it over. Carlita leaned forward to peer at the tag over my shoulder. �śArtie’s Antiques,” she read aloud. �śTwenty-eight twenty-nine West Broadway.” That was it. Two simple lines: a name and an address. And yet it was enough to send my whole dream castle tumbling down. �śIt can’t be. It can’t be.” It took me a moment to realize the words were coming from me, and then I couldn’t seem to stop saying them over and over. At a loss for a more sensible response, I curled in on myself and forgot Carlita’s presence, forgot everything around me. Scenes were playing through my head. Duke saying he knew the story of Noble Hearts. Duke describing the death of his father in the very same manner as the duke’s father had died in. But he would know that of course, because he had read the book. Just like he would know of the duke’s scholarly interests and a thousand other tiny facts he had dropped before me every day. And I had eaten them up like a hungry pigeon devouring moldy bread. It wasn’t the revelation that he wasn’t really who I had convinced myself he was that was so troubling. I had meant it when I’d said I loved him whether he was the novel’s hero or not. It was the fact he must have known somehow of my obsession with the fictional character, and had intentionally misrepresented himself to me that was disturbing. How could he know what it would mean to me to have the duke walk into my life at such a difficult time? And why should he have been willing to play the part? I didn’t know what he thought to gain, but the implication that he was willing to go so far to deceive me was chilling. Just who was this stranger I had thought I knew so well? I became aware of Carlita sitting with an arm around me, rubbing my back. �śIt’s okay, sweetie,” Carlita was reassuring me soothingly. �śIt’s going to be all right. We’ll find out who this lunatic is and what he wants. Then we’ll send him packing. Or better yet, we’ll skip the question and answer session and just run him out now. I’ll do it. You don’t even have to see him again.” �śNo, no.” I grabbed her arm, holding her in place. I dabbed at my cheeks, which I suddenly realized were damp. I felt like a fool crying over some man who had turned out to be a total stranger�ŚA sneaky, lying stranger who had taken advantage of my overgrown imagination. Hurt and anger warred within me so that I didn’t know which force was the greater. But I kept my voice steady and composed as I said very softly, �śI will take care of this. I want to talk to him. I want to know why.” Carlita took one look at the stony expression on my face and put up no argument. �śNaturally,” she said. �śAnd I’ll come along to back you up.” �śBut not tonight,” I cut in. �śI need time to get my thoughts in order. So much is happening so fast.” Had it been only a few hours ago that I had stood on the sidewalk in Duke’s arms thinking thoughts very similar to those? And now fate had taken me on another cruel rollercoaster ride. I shook my head. �śI want to sleep on it. I can’t face him like this. I’m so�ŚI just don’t know what I’d say.” �śAll right, you can sleep on it if you need to. But remember in the morning you’ve still got to get up and face him. It’ll only get harder if you put it off.” I nodded. �śCould you go now? I sort of want to be alone.” After she left, I flicked off the light and curled up on my bed. But I didn’t go to sleep. I lay awake atop the covers, my eyes fixed on a silver beam of moonlight that slanted down through the window and fell across a square of partially painted canvas resting on my easel. Chapter 18 Despite my late night out, I woke bright and early the following morning. Sleep hadn’t done much to clear my head or to provide answers to any of the questions that had danced in circles around my mind during the night. I was still lost and confused. More than that, I felt devastated and betrayed. There was something especially painful in learning to put your trust in someone only to have it stripped away so quickly. Unwilling to lie around and contemplate the unpleasant day ahead while waiting for the others to wake, I crawled out of bed and got dressed. I dragged on my rattiest pair of jeans and a plain cotton T-shirt. No makeup today. Somehow, appearances didn’t mean much this morning. Not when you were about to send the only man in your life packing. The morning light was still dim when I tiptoed through the living room, bypassing the couch where Duke snored away, and slipped secretly out the front door. Maybe a brisk morning walk would help me get my thoughts in order or at least provide a distraction from the horrible confrontation ahead. As I took the elevator down to the first floor and then passed through the doors of the apartment building, I didn’t allow myself to go over my list of questions again. I had lain awake long into the night planning what I had to say to Duke, counting his transgressions, and trying to imagine a motive behind his strange actions. I had come up with more questions than answers. This morning, I concentrated on the gray sky overhead and on the hint of a nip still lingering in the morning air�"anything ordinary and safe. The city seemed oddly subdued under the pale light of dawn. Because of the early hour there wasn’t the usual press of traffic on the streets and the rush of people headed to and from work. The sidewalks around the apartment house were all but deserted. It wasn’t a pretty neighborhood for strolling, but that didn’t stop me from making two circles around the block. *** By the time I returned to the apartment I had worked up a sweat. I had no sooner poked my key into the lock than the door swung open from within. Carlita stood facing me in the doorway. For a moment, I attributed the tension in my friend’s face to the stressful situation with Duke. Then Carlita said, �śMeggs, one of your sisters called.” My heart plunged instantly. My family never called. Something must be wrong. �śIs it Mom?” I asked breathlessly. Carlita nodded. �śShe fell yesterday and broke an ankle. They took her to the hospital.” �śYesterday! This happened yesterday, and I’m just now finding out about it?” �śTake it easy. Apparently it wasn’t that serious, and they didn’t want to freak you out. She’s already home again and doing fine.” I ignored that last. �śI have to get down there right away.” I brushed past Carlita and into the apartment. Snatching my purse down from the wall, I added, �śMom underplays everything. If she says her ankle has a little fracture that means it’s really smashed and she’s immobilized for life.” My friend tried to comfort me. �śI really think you’re making too much of this. Your sister said�"” �śWhich sister called?” I cut her off. �śLindsey.” �śLindsey? That explains why she waited so long to call. Lindsey’s always out to get all the attention for herself. Always eager to make Kelsey and me look like the bad daughters. Naturally she wants Mom to think I just don’t care to rush to her side.” Carlita shrugged. �śSo, what are you going to do? It’s a three-hour drive to Well Springs. A cab will charge you a fortune for that.” I hesitated. �śHas your brother still got that old car?” �śYes, but I wouldn’t trust that jalopy on a long drive. You’ll break down on some little country road.” �śI’ll be fine. Call Marlo and tell him to drive it over right away. After what he did to my rug he owes me a favor.” Dropping my purse and sinking down into an armchair, I waited while Carlita went into the kitchen and made the call. �śAre you all right?” a masculine voice asked. I jumped. I had all but forgotten about Duke in the anxiety of the moment. And now I didn’t have time to deal with him. �śI’m sure your mother will be fine,” he said reassuringly, squatting beside my chair. �śYeah, sure.” I avoided his sympathetic gaze. Somehow I couldn’t look at him anymore, knowing what I now did. Carlita burst back into the room. �śHe’s on his way,” she said of her brother. �śJust sit tight a few minutes. He says he’ll be here by seven, and its half past six now.” �śThanks, Carlita. I know you think I’m overreacting.” �śHey, it’s your mom. You’re allowed to be upset.” Then almost reluctantly, she glanced at her watch. �śI should be getting ready for work right now. But if you like I could call in.” �śNo, you can’t do that. Didn’t your boss say any more weekend call-ins and you could count yourself fired?” �śYeah, but it wouldn’t be that big a deal if I was. It’s not exactly my dream job. Besides, I can’t leave you alone today to deal with�Ś” Carlita cast a significant glance at Duke. �śThings,” she finished up. �śYou need moral support.” �śI’ll go with her,” Duke offered helpfully. He had come to stand behind the chair and now rested a comforting hand on my shoulder. Last night I would have been soothed by that. Today I wanted to shake off his hand. But that kind of reaction might have awoken questions I had no time to handle now. Mom first. I’d deal with everything else after I know she was okay. Carlita was shooting Duke a look that should’ve killed him where he stood, but he seemed not to notice. I forestalled any coming confrontation. �śIt’s okay,” I told her. �śI don’t need you to stay. Besides with me out of work, one of us has to hold onto a job. We can’t afford to miss any rent payments.” �śI guess not.” But she was still eyeing Duke distastefully. �śMaybe I’d better be getting dressed then.” She hesitated in the doorway to her room, looking back at us. �śIs there anything you’d like me to handle before I go?” Neither of us looked at Duke this time, but I knew what she was referring to. �śNothing,” I said firmly. �śI can take care of myself. Anyway, nothing’s more important than getting to my mom right now.” �śAll right then.” Carlita disappeared into her room, leaving Duke and me in awkward silence. �śI, uh, better get into some decent clothes too,” I said quickly. �śI can’t go out to Mom’s dressed like this. She’d rather die than see me looking like a street bum. Wouldn’t my perfect sisters love that?” I scrambled out of my chair and made a hasty exit of my own. In the privacy of my bedroom I took a moment to collect myself. How much could happen in one day? In the space of a few hours I’d finally acknowledged that I had fallen in love and had then retracted the sentiment�"or was trying to, at least. And now I was about to rush off to the scene of a family crisis. As if Duke alone didn’t give me enough to worry about for one day. I glanced at the emerging portrait on the easel. At least my artist’s block was over. I took a breath and did my best to shove my other worries to one side. One thing at a time. I had to be ready by the time the car arrived. *** A half hour later, I was fighting the morning traffic as I tried to make my way out of the city. Duke, who had insisted on joining me, sat in the passenger seat alternately leaning excitedly out the window and gripping the sides of the seat in apprehension. �śWill you sit back and roll up that glass?” I finally demanded. �śAs you say.” He leaned back in his seat, bracing his feet against the floorboard as we came to a last minute halt before a red light. �śAre you certain,” he asked when the light changed and we roared forward again, �śthat you know how to drive this contraption?” I sighed impatiently. �śI may be a little rusty, but I’ve still got a valid license. It’s these lousy brakes that are the problem.” �śIf you say so.” �śI do say so.” I bit back any further retorts. I was aware he was being extremely patient with me this morning. He must have seen how upset I was about my Mom’s condition. I almost appreciated his efforts, until I remembered they were motivated by who knew what selfish aims, and covered over in a generous coating of lies as well. �śKeep an eye out for our exit,” I limited myself to saying. �śI’ve got it marked on the map.” He looked surprised. �śYou need a map to get to your family home?” �śNot for the whole way,” I said defensively. �śThere’re just a few turnoffs I forget.” And then because his incredulous expression pricked my conscience a little I went ahead and confessed, �śI don’t exactly go home all that often.” �śI suppose the long journey makes travel a difficulty.” �śIt’s not that.” I stopped myself from launching into further explanations. I owed him nothing. Somehow it was just so hard to keep from opening up to him, even knowing him for the fake he was. �śHere’s our exit,” I said, changing the subject. �śJust a few hours more and we’ll be there.” �śThere? Don’t you mean home?” �śYeah, sure. Home.” *** As it turned out, a few hours didn’t see us at our destination after all. As I squatted alongside the road in a back country lane helping Duke change the tire, I glanced at my watch and saw it was coming up on eleven o’clock. We had made good time until we’d got onto these rutted, country roads. It was then that, much as Carlita had predicted, Marlo’s jalopy gave out on us. Or, to give the vehicle all the credit it was due, it was actually the left rear tire that had given out, and maybe it wouldn’t have if I hadn’t been speeding roughly over so many bumps and potholes. The only good discovery of the morning was in finding Marlo at least had the foresight to stock the trunk with a spare tire. It was also a happy revelation to find that Duke, though he had never before attempted a tire change, was fairly handy with tools and seemed capable of figuring out what needed to be done. Stooping beside him in the dust and lending a hand as he called for it brought back memories to me of long ago vacations in the days when my dad had been around. Many times I had been called upon, as the tomboy of the family, to assist him in just this same way. I shook my head and swiped away the stream of sweat trickling down my forehead, forcing myself to forget the old days. �śI think I’ve got the wheel back on,” Duke said, breaking into my thoughts as he stood and dusted off his hands. �śTire,” I corrected absently. �śIt’s called a tire.” �śWhatever it is, this one should get us to our destination. How much farther must we travel?” �śNot far.” I watched him shift the jack back into the trunk along with the old punctured tire. �śI know these roads pretty well. I used to ride them on my bike when I was a teenager.” �śGood. Then let’s be off.” And we loaded up, me moving with much less enthusiasm than he. In fact the nearer we drew toward my mother’s house the slower I found myself driving. Almost unconsciously, I delayed the moment of arrival as long as possible, using the rough shape of the roads as my excuse. Duke, however, appeared to sense my feelings. �śMegan, I hope you don’t think I’m intruding on your privacy,” he said quietly. I started a little because it was the first time I could remember him ever calling me anything besides �ŚMiss Hurst.’ He continued. �śIf you think I’m prying just say so. But I have to ask, what is wrong with your family?” I prickled. �śThere is nothing wrong with my family.” What’s wrong with you that you would ask something like that? I was tempted to voice the thought but didn’t, remembering that he was, after all, here for me. �śPerhaps there is just something I’m failing to understand, but where I come from it would be very odd for someone to have so little interest in their family or their home, or in discussing either one.” I acknowledged his point. �śIf I seem a little reluctant to talk about those things it’s because it’s a painful subject. You may notice a similar awkwardness in the rest of the family when we get there. Going home always brings up these memories of my dad and then I get back to feeling like I was eight and abandoned all over again.” And just like that I found myself spilling out the very subject I had never discussed with anyone. Not even my mom or sisters. Duke was understanding. �śIt must be very hard to lose a parent that way. Not because death forced you to part but because�"” He stopped abruptly, apparently realizing his error. �śBut because they just don’t care to be with you,” I finished for him. �śI’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put it so clumsily.” I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the road as we turned down a short private drive. �śYou put it like it is. You should never apologize for that. I can take honesty as well as the next girl.” �śCan you?” he asked seriously. �śBecause there’s something I’ve been needing to confess. It’s about my memory loss.” �śReally?” I hated myself for the way my heart beat a little faster. If he decided to come clean now would it be too late to patch things up? Could I still have any kind of relationship with a man who had lied to me and pretended to be somebody he wasn’t? �śFirst, let me say that my condition was genuine in the beginning. I think my head injury addled my wits. However, by the second or third time we met, more of my memory had begun coming back than I was willing to admit at the time. Eventually, the whole of it would return.” I tried not to sound accusing as I asked, �śThen why all the vague answers and pretences? Why didn’t you just tell me the truth about yourself?” He hesitated. �śSome things are hard to explain.” �śOr hard to believe,” I suggested. Speaking of believing, I didn’t know what to think at this moment. Was he trying to make a full confession now because he sensed the game was up? Whatever the answer, I wasn’t about to find it out any time soon. Our conversation died off prematurely as we pulled up and stopped before a small, white house with a wraparound porch. �śThis is it,” I said. �śThis is where I spent most of my life.” Chapter 19 Together we got out of the car. At the sound of car doors slamming, the front door of the house opened. The face of a six-year-old little boy peered out at us. �śThat’s my nephew, Eric,” I explained to Duke at my side. I raised my voice. �śHi, Eric. Go tell your mom we’re here, okay, baby?” Eric remained glued to the spot as we climbed the front steps. �śWho’s that?” he demanded, pointing at Duke. �śThis is my friend Duke,” I said and then repeated more sharply, �śGo get your mom.” �śI’m already here,” a voice called from behind the boy and then my oldest sister Kelsey appeared. Her hair and skin coloring were as unlike mine as we could be. Kelsey had taken our mother’s fair hair and freckled skin while I had inherited our father’s reddish brown hair and slightly darker coloring. There were only seven years separating the eldest sister from the youngest but somehow Kelsey’s motherly attitude�"or maybe it was just her status as the oldest�"made the years seem longer than they were. I always felt myself shrink a little in Kelsey’s presence. This was the sister who had always been acknowledged as the beauty of the family. �śMegan,” Kelsey said, and I thought there was genuine pleasure in her tone. �śI’m so glad you came. Mom didn’t want you bothered�"you’re such a long ways away now�"but I told Lindsey we should call. Well, don’t just stand out there. Come on in. Lindsey’s making lunch.” Then for the first time she noticed Duke standing behind me. �śOh,” I said, realizing I had yet to make any explanation for the stranger I was toting along with me. �śThis is my friend Duke. He offered to ride down with me, and it’s a good thing he did. We had a flat on the road a little ways back, and I don’t know what would’ve happened if I hadn’t had him with me.” �śDuke is it?” Kelsey said. �śPlease, step inside, Duke. I’m very grateful to you for rescuing my little sister. We worry about her so much. She’s the baby of the family and is always so far away.” She looked as if she wanted to say more but, as we stepped into the house, Lindsey made her entrance. Lindsey was like a younger version of Kelsey but with curlier hair and a slightly more severe face. As the middle daughter, Lindsey had always been a little offended at missing out on either of the choice positions of first-born or baby. She counteracted that sensitivity by frequently trying to usurp the roles of both. Most of the time, Kelsey and I let her. �śAll right, all right,” Lindsey broke into our conversation. �śThere’s nothing to make so much fuss over, Kelsey. She’s here now, and it doesn’t look like she’s suffered too much from the trip.” She looked my fairly simple outfit of pink blouse and kakis up and down. �śI don’t see how you come up with money to pay your rent. You must spend every penny you make on your wardrobe. You’re wearing a different outfit every time I see you.” I gritted my teeth. �śThat’s not hard to do when I only see you twice a year.” �śWhat is all that fussing in there?” a distant voice called from another room. �śAre you girls bickering again?” �śNo, Mom,” my sisters and I called in unison. It seemed like there were some areas where we could all agree. I dropped my voice. �śHow is she?” Lindsey said, �śNot that bad really. The pills they gave her keep her out of pain, and she has a pair of crutches to hobble around on until she gets back on her feet. To tell you the truth, I think she’s kind of enjoying having an excuse to do nothing but sit in front of the TV all day.” For the first time, her face softened. �śShe gave us an awful fright in the beginning though, didn’t she, Kelsey? When I came over and found her in the floor like that I was sure she had managed to kill herself somehow.” Kelsey, always the agreeable sister, nodded along. Our conversation was again interrupted by a voice from the next room. �śWas that Megan at the door?” my mother called from down the hall. �śIf it is, she’d better get in here and explain to me what on earth she’s doing down here on a Monday when she should be at work.” Lindsey rolled her eyes. �śIt’s Saturday, Mom,” she shouted back and then turned to us. �śCome on. You’d better get in there to see her or she’ll be up and hobbling out here any minute.” I followed my sisters through the house, aware of Duke’s inquiring eyes on me. I could guess what he was thinking. I had never even told my family I was out of work. I refused to meet his eyes. I just hoped whatever else he said or did he’d have the sense to keep that piece of information to himself. I noted Duke’s curious glances around the rooms we passed through. The front entryway to the house was cool and tiled and the tile continued on into the living room where several rugs were scattered across the floor. Although the look of the family house was distinctly farm-like on the outside, my mom had done her utmost to give the inside décor a more modern, sophisticated look. More than once she had remarked to me that she secretly envied my exciting life in the big city. It was weird to think there had been a time when my mom had once had big dreams of her own and an itching desire to get out of the country. Framed black and white photos decorating the mantelpiece over the fireplace and tucked into little nooks in the wall gave testament to my mom’s own passion�"photography. Duke touched my arm as we passed a low table adorned with an impressive array of oversized photos. �śMom did the pictures,” I explained. �śShe was always good behind a camera. Used to want to be a professional photographer.” �śSo artistic talent runs in the family,” he whispered back. I didn’t answer. We were entering a large, sunny room lit by several long windows. The walls were painted a cheery shade of yellow and long vines of stenciled ivy clambered along near the ceiling. A daybed stood against one wall and several armchairs were pulled in a half circle around it. On top of the bed rested my mother, an open magazine in her lap, a TV remote in one hand and a glass of soda in the other. The only thing to indicate she had suffered any accident at all was her leg, encased in a cast around the ankle and propped up on a stool. I paused in the doorway to study her. She certainly seemed herself. Her hair was prettily arranged and her clothes looked like something she might wear out to lunch. I thought I even detected a smidgen of makeup on her cheeks. �śDon’t everybody stand there staring like you’ve never seen an invalid before,” my mother said. �śCome on inside and tell your beloved mother how concerned you were over her and how terrible she looks.” I forced a laugh, entering the room. �śYou don’t look terrible at all, Mom. But I was worried.” Truthfully, I did feel much better now that I could see with my own eyes that all was well. �śYou shouldn’t have been,” my mother chided. �śThere would have been no need for you to worry if these two had done as I’d told them and kept this quiet.” She sent a reproving stare toward her other two daughters. �śBut the girls, of course, insisted on calling you down here.” �śBoth of them insisted?” Duke interrupted, giving me a nudge. �śSo nobody was trying to make you look like the bad daughter after all.” I cleared my throat loudly, hoping no one else had heard the comment and said, �śMom, I’m glad they called me. If it was up to you I’d never know when anything went wrong around here.” �śThat’s as it’s supposed to be,” my mother said. �śMothers are supposed to take care of their daughters and not the other way around.” �śBut Mom�"” �śHush now. That’s enough of the subject. Nothing makes me feel sicker than talking about my health. It’s a teeny fracture. It’s mending and in the meantime I’m going to be enjoying my days off my feet. I’m much more interested in discussing what’s been happening with you since you visited in the spring.” She shot a very brief glance Duke’s way, and I braced myself for what was coming. �śBeen busy lately, have you?” my mother asked shrewdly. �śI don’t believe I’ve ever met this young man.” �śNo, Mom. He’s a new friend.” I gave her a meaningful look and put special emphasis on the word �Śfriend.’ Up until now I’d only had to worry about Duke embarrassing me in front of my family. Now I suddenly found myself fearing it might go the other way around. Mom had Kelsey’s delicate looks and Lindsey’s blunt manner, which tended to make a startling combination at times. However, as the afternoon wore on I quickly found I needn’t have worried about how Duke and my family would get on. From the moment of our arrival, Duke put on his most suave manners so that the women in the house were quickly won over. Even Lindsey could find nothing critical to say about him during a brief moment when she and I stepped into the kitchen to ready some refreshments. �śYou’d better snap this one up, little sis,” she told me in that authoritative way she had. �śWhy? Do you think he’s going somewhere?” I asked. I busied myself dumping ice cubes out of a tray. This wasn’t the time or place to confide my problems with Duke to my sister even if I’d been inclined to. �śNot if you give him a reason to stay,” Lindsey said. �śI’m just warning you, you’re running out of time. You’ve got another year�"two years tops�"before your looks are going to start fading, and when they do you’ll wish you’d done your husband shopping early.” I laughed. �śThanks, but I’m not too worried about that. I think I have a few good years left in me.” Too bad my inner confidence didn’t match my outer display. Lindsey always knew had to put a damper on a pleasant afternoon. It was one of the reasons I didn’t visit more often. I always went home afterward and spent the next several weeks in front of the mirror searching for wrinkles and gray hair�"and wondering if I should take a crack at every man who passed by just so I wouldn’t wind up alone in my old age. Today, however, my sour mood didn’t last long. When the drinks and snacks we had prepared were ready, Duke suggested we all move outside for a sort of picnic under the shade trees. �śI’m not sure that’s a good idea with Mom’s ankle,” I tried to put in, but my protests were quickly overridden by both my mom and Duke. It seemed the two of them could be a formidable team when they combined their wills. I found myself wondering how that boded for the future. Then I quickly remembered that there was no future for me and Duke. Just as soon as we got back to the apartment there would be that awful confrontation looming ahead and then we would go our separate ways, never to meet again. In a few minutes we had moved our party outside, with Duke helping my mom make it outdoors on her crutches and settling her into a comfortable lawn chair. We were an odd-looking group, Duke with his injured shoulder and my mom with her broken ankle. I thought my mom seemed very much to be enjoying all the attention. Outside, we wiled away a couple of hours under the cool shade of the oaks. Eric played in the distance with the family’s two terriers, while the adults chatted. No one spoke of anything serious. The family never did. It was just an exchange of pleasantries about local events and the latest news from the city. I treaded carefully there and was grateful when Duke didn’t reveal any information about my fruitless job hunting. I also did my best to steer clear of hinted questions about my relationship with Duke, but it was clear assumptions were being made, even if only in the heads of my family. I couldn’t blame them. I had to admit to myself with Duke’s solicitous behavior and the way he kept hovering near my chair like a dog waiting for a treat we did seem like a couple. My family was fascinated by the story of our initial meeting, even if Duke told it in rather a vague way. I wondered if it was really because he recalled so little of it or if he was simply trying to protect more secrets. At least there I could be relatively certain of him. Whatever strange scheme he was working, surely nobody was crazy enough to jump out in front of a car on purpose. Remembering the immediate connection I had felt the first time I laid eyes on him, I wondered what might have been if I hadn’t made the painful discovery last night. Would we have lived happily ever after, or would I have eventually stumbled into some elaborate scam I never saw coming? I found myself daydreaming and was startled back to reality by my mother’s voice. �śSweetie, my ankle is starting to bother me. Could you step into the house and grab a bottle of aspirin?” my mom was asking Lindsey. �śI’ll get it,” I said, jumping up. �śYou stay here, Linds. I don’t mind.” I needed an excuse to get up and moving. This whole comfortable atmosphere�"sitting here gathered under the trees and chatting in the autumn breeze like a family�"was beginning to disturb me. It had been too long since I had felt this much closeness with my family, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. Especially when Duke’s easy conversation and warm personality seemed to be the force drawing us all closer together. Abandoning my seat and waving Duke back when he would have followed me, I slipped into the house alone. Searching the medicine cabinet and the top of the refrigerator, the usual places where my mother kept pills, I couldn’t come up with anything that might help a throbbing ankle. Where was my mom keeping the stuff? At last I gave up my search and decided just to take some aspirin from my own purse. While I was digging through the crowded bag, shoving aside car keys, billfold, and makeup kit in search of the pill bottle, I came upon Noble Hearts tucked away in the outer pocket of the bag. I took it everywhere these days. In fact, the last time I’d had a chance to sneak a peek inside the cover, I’d gotten all the way to the last chapter. The duke had been on the verge of confessing his secret to his lady. Now it was just sitting there, waiting to be revealed, and I hadn’t even the opportunity to skim through the final pages. The novel beckoned to me. It would only take a minute to find out the ending. But my mom was in pain and waiting for her pills. Hesitating, I snatched the book up for just a moment and cracked the cover. But it wasn’t the last chapter I peeked at. On the inside of the back flap there was a picture of the author, Virginia Lace. It was a small black and white picture and you couldn’t tell much about the woman it featured, except that she had short, dark hair and a plain face. My eyes flitted over the biography below. Virginia Lace had graduated from Wilshire College in nineteen seventy-eight and lived now with her cat and two dogs in the sleepy town of Bentford�" I broke off reading. Bentford? That was only a short drive from here! I reread the information to be sure there wasn’t a mistake. But no, even the state was the same. I asked myself if it could really be so simple. Could the answers to all my questions lie so easily within reach? Immediately I began building a wild scheme in my head. I could drive Duke there, introduce him to Ms. Lace, and�ŚAnd what? Ask Ms. Lace if she’d noticed any of the characters from her story turning up missing lately? I shook my head at my ridiculous idea. Duke didn’t need Ms. Lace to tell him who he really was or wasn’t. I didn’t need to be told. Duke knew the truth about his own identity, and all I had to do was work up the courage to confront him so I could discover the answers for myself. And yet the plan continued to hang there, tickling at the back of my mind as I dug the pills out of my purse and jogged outside with them. We didn’t stay long after that. My mother was tiring, even if she refused to admit it, and Lindsey was signaling us it was time to go. We helped my mom inside and planted her comfortably on the daybed again before saying our goodbyes. My sisters extracted a promise from me to visit again soon, and the invitation was extended to Duke as well. I privately suspected they had all enjoyed Duke’s company more than mine. �śWill Mom be all right?” I asked Lindsey as we walked to the door. I cast a glance back at my mother conversing with Kelsey in the other room. �śI almost feel like I should stay.” �śYou don’t need to do that,” Lindsey reassured. �śKelsey and Eric are spending the nights here until she gets back on her feet. And, of course, we’ll have big Eric in once he gets off work. He’s in and out of the house fixing this and that all the time anyway. It’s good having the family so close�"” She bit off the sentence, and I knew she was remembering that I wasn’t close and that until today no one had ever seemed to mind my absence. We made our hasty goodbyes on the front porch and then Duke and I were in the car again, making a second trip down the hazardous dirt lane. The afternoon was growing warm, and I rolled down a window despite the clouds of dust it allowed in. The air conditioner in the car didn’t seem to be working properly. Once we were off the country roads and onto a decent highway, I said, �śI still need to make one more stop. Actually, two, if it’s all right with you.” He shrugged. �śThis is your excursion. I’m just along to change the tires and to keep you company.” He actually was rather pleasant company, I reluctantly admitted to myself as we sped down the road. He had made what was usually an awkward visit with my family seem comfortable. He hadn’t divulged any secrets. Hadn’t asked hurtful questions or rubbed Lindsey’s temper the wrong way. In all, the trip could be considered a successful meet-the-family expedition. If only that was what it had really been. I thrust my frustrations aside. This wasn’t the time for regrets. *** Our first stop�"the Bentford post office�"proved to be a success. I left Duke in the car as I stepped inside, pretending I had something to mail. If he noticed I was going in empty handed, he kept that observation to himself. The postal clerk was more helpful than I had dared hope. In a small town like Bentford it seemed everybody knew the famous local author, and it was a postman’s job to be acquainted with everyone’s address. I hid the scrap of paper on which the clerk had scribbled Ms. Lace’s address inside my purse as I stepped back out of the office and climbed into the car. �śOnly one stop left,” I told Duke as I started the engine and backed out into the street. �śWe’re almost finished.” Although I had been speaking of my errands, my words hung in the air with an ominous note to them. Were we almost over? Was there any chance we could salvage our relationship after this or was I about to sound its final knell? It was no good pretending it didn’t matter to me. I was so accustomed to lying to myself that even I no longer believed my mental reassurances. It was as if Duke was somehow following my line of thought for he suddenly said, �śWould this be a good time for us to continue our conversation? I had intended to bide my time while you thought things over, but I confess my patience is straining its limits already.” �śWhat conversation did you have in mind?” I asked, stalling for time. Houses and trees passed by on either side in a blur as I navigated the unfamiliar streets of the small town. I found myself pressing harder on the gas pedal as if I might somehow reach our destination before we had time to delve any further into this discussion. �śYou know what I’m talking about,” he said, eyeing me reproachfully. �śWhy do you always pretend not to know what I mean when you know more of my thoughts than anybody?” �śDo I?” I asked noncommittally, scanning the street signs we passed. Where was Pine Street? �śYes, you know you do. You’re aware of my story from its beginning. It’s you and only you who know who I really am and where all this is going to end.” �śNo, I don’t know!” I snapped, surprising myself by finally allowing my frustration to boil over. �śI don’t know the ending yet, okay? I won’t know it until you stop confusing me with your riddles and say exactly what you mean.” �śYou want me to speak plainly?” he asked, his voice thick with anger. It was the first time I had ever heard him sound near to such an emotion. �śThen I will put it into words you cannot possibly fail to understand. I have dropped everything in my life�"all I once cared about�"and come rushing here to this time and place to meet you. I’ve given up my whole life to be with you. And now that I’ve forsaken so much and done all I know how to show you the kind of devotion I feel for you, I find I cannot be sure if you even want it. I know you don’t believe in me. That is the one point where you have never troubled yourself to disguise your feelings.” When he stopped speaking a heavy silence descended. Out of nowhere, the sign for Pine Street leapt up before us. I turned onto the tree-lined lane dotted with red brick houses. I nudged the car up into the drive of the first home on the left and then killed the engine. Together, we sat in awkward silence. At last I said quietly, �śYou’re wrong about me not believing in you. I did believe once for a very short while. But then I left my fantasy world and returned to reality. And when I looked at you in the light of the real world I saw that you were no longer a gallant hero leaping off the pages of a book but a calculating schemer, happy to slip into any sort of pretence to give stupid, unwary girls the illusion they’re looking for.” He seemed taken aback by my accusation. �śAnd what exactly is it that I’m supposed to be guilty of?” he finally asked in a stunned voice. �śWhat terrible scheme do you accuse me of plotting and lying to achieve?” It was a question that touched on my deeper frustrations because it was one I had been asking myself ever since my discussion with Carlita last night. �śI haven’t exactly figured that out yet,” I snapped. �śBut whatever you’re up to, it’s evil. I’m sure of that much. So you can go back to the city streets or to the pages of that stupid book or wherever it is that you came from.” And as simply as that, I did it. I cut him loose. I couldn’t look at him anymore. Leaping out of the car and slamming the door, I turned my back and jogged up the front walk. Ringing the doorbell on the front stoop, I could feel his eyes burning into me but I refused to look. Too impatient to wait, I rapped my knuckles against the fancy white door before me. A painted metal mailbox fastened to the side of the house had the name V. Lace etched across its face, so at least I didn’t have to worry I’d come to the wrong place. Behind me, I heard the car door opening and then slamming. I didn’t know if Duke was getting out right here to abandon me or if he was just coming up to join me on the stoop. Probably the first. And that would be fine with me, I told myself. I didn’t want or need his company. Then why did something deep inside me begin to ache when I didn’t hear his tread coming up behind me on the walk? So what? I had told him to go, hadn’t I? I bit my lip and banged harder on the front door. Just as I was beginning to think there was no one home, a blurred face appeared on the other side of the decorative glass in the upper half of the door. The handle turned, and slowly the door swung open. There, facing me, stood the woman who had started all of this. Virginia Lace. Chapter 20 I didn’t know what the author of Noble Hearts should have looked like. Maybe striking and seductive like one of her own heroines, or possibly�"after the odd things I had experienced reading that book�"mysterious and witch-like. Ms. Lace, as it turned out, was none of those things. She was a petite little woman who appeared to be near her early forties and wore her dark hair cut short in a cap of curls that looked more like a natural frizz than a professional perm. Her skin was pale in the way I had come to recognize as a mark of bookish people who spent all of their time indoors�"in this woman’s case, probably glued to her writing desk. She was dressed in faded slacks and a button down striped sweater with an old stain across the front. I immediately formed an impression of her as a woman too caught up in her craft to waste a spare moment worrying about what sort of impression she made on others. I realized I was staring a little rudely and had yet to give any explanation for why I was standing on this doorstep. �śHello,” I said. �śAre you Ms. Lace?” At least that was what I meant to say, but my throat had suddenly gone so dry I wasn’t sure how intelligibly the words had come out. Now that I was actually here meeting with this famous woman and preparing to discover the truth, I was so nervous the little speech I had been planning on the way over flew right out of my mind. Ms. Lace peered at me through thick-lensed glasses. �śI am Virginia Lace, yes.” There was the hint of a question in her words, and she was already casting a distracted glance back over her shoulder. I sensed I was keeping this busy woman away from some work that she could hardly tear herself from. �śYou don’t know me,” I said. �śBut I was wondering if I might have a word with you. I won’t take up much of your time. I know how busy you must be with your writing.” �śAre you that high school girl wanting to do an interview for her school paper?” She swept me up and down with a look that clearly said she was skeptical of the idea of my being high school aged. �śOr that crazy woman who wants to make my book into a play? Because I keep telling you you’ll have to take that up with my agent.” �śNo, no. I’m none of those things. My name is Megan Hurst. I’m from the city but I was just�Ś” Just what? Just passing by and thought I’d stop in and ask if any of your characters have been popping out of your novels lately? No matter how I put it, I was pretty sure the question would get the door slammed in my face. As it was, the woman was looking at me with an expression of forced patience, all the while inching a little further back as if preparing to shut the door at any moment. Suddenly I remembered the book in my purse and was struck by an inspiration. Reaching into the front pocket of my purse, I whipped Noble Hearts out and held it up. �śI’m a big fan of your work, and I was just wondering if I could ask you to sign a copy of one of your novels for me.” Virginia Lace looked at once relieved and flattered. �śWhy certainly.” She began feeling around in her pockets. �śJust let me find something to write with. A disgraceful writer I make, walking around without a pen on me.” �śIt’s all right. I’ve got one,” I assured her, digging clumsily through my purse. �śHere. Use mine.” As I offered my pen to the other woman, I was surprised to find my hand was trembling slightly. I wasn’t the only one to notice it. Virginia Lace looked at me oddly. �śYoung lady, are you feeling all right? I’m not that formidable, am I?” �śNo, not at all. It’s only that�Ś” There was such comforting concern in the author’s dark eyes I abruptly found my courage. �śIt’s only that I sort of lied. I didn’t really come here to have my book signed.” �śOh?” Ms. Lace looked at me suspiciously. I rushed into my explanation before I could lose my nerve. �śYou see, Ms. Lace, some pretty strange things have been happening to me lately�"ever since I read one of your books�"or started to read one, I should say. I’m still not finished with it yet. Anyway, I guess that’s what I really hoped to get a chance to talk with you about.” Virginia Lace’s response was not the one I would have expected. All traces of annoyance swiftly vanished from her face to be replaced by a new look�"one of keen interest. She didn’t respond right away but glanced behind me, as if expecting to see someone else approaching. I turned to see what she was looking for, but except for my car the driveway remained empty. Even Duke was nowhere in sight. �śDid you come alone?” Ms. Lace asked me. It seemed a strange question given the weird statement I had just made. �śUh, no. I had a friend with me but he’s, well, he’s gone now.” �śI see.” Ms. Lace’s gaze was unfathomable. I found myself deciding there was something unusual about the woman. Her knowing response was unnerving. Now Ms. Lace was saying quietly, �śI think you’d better come inside.” With no more invitation than that, she stepped back and held the door wide. I entered cautiously, surprised to find I was suddenly wishing for Duke’s reassuring presence. Something about this Lace woman creeped me out a little. I could almost imagine I was being invited into the den of some maniacal killer from a horror film. I comforted myself with the thought I was a decently sized girl and could surely overpower a tiny little lady like Ms. Lace if the author did indeed pull a butcher’s knife or a sharpened pair of sewing scissors on me. Despite the horrible visions in my head I looked around with interest as I moved through the entryway. The interior of the house was dark, filled with shadowy nooks lit only by low lamps, which fit in with my horror scenario. Ms. Lace was apparently not a fan of housekeeping, judging by the layers of clutter scattered over every available surface. The house didn’t seem dirty, just untidy. �śFollow me.” Ms. Lace gave me no more time to examine my surroundings. She led the way down a short redwood hallway and into a small study. There was a modest fireplace at one side of the room. It was cleanly swept and looked like the sort of fireplace nobody ever used, but kept solely for its cozy appearance. A writing desk holding a computer stood in one corner of the room near a window. I gave the mounds of paper piled atop the desk and spilling onto the floor a brief glance before my attention was stolen away by the room’s unusual choice of decorating. Ms. Lace’s tastes apparently ran to the medieval and the gaudy. Over the fireplace stood a pair of miniature knights in armor�"one at either end of the mantel. At the center of the mantel was an old-fashioned pendulum clock that looked like it had existed since the beginning of time. It didn’t work now, but sat gathering dust like some valued museum piece too precious to be thrown out. A closer examination revealed carved wooden dragons spiraling up either side of the timepiece. The walls of the room were covered by heavy velvet tapestries like something you’d expect to find in a fairytale castle. The floor was carpeted with thick, exotic looking rugs that clashed loudly with the room’s other furnishings. Looking around me, I had the sense I had just stepped into Virginia Lace’s private world. This was the place where the magic inside the author’s head sprang to life. Probably in this very room and at that very writing desk, the dashing duke of Noble Hearts had been born. I shivered. There was a bay window in the far wall, looking out over Ms. Lace’s neatly landscaped backyard and this at least granted me a sense of normalcy. A window of escape, should I choose to take it, out of Ms. Lace’s strange, ancient world and back into the cheery light of a twenty-first century afternoon. �śPlease, sit down,” Ms. Lace said, indicating an elaborately carved sofa along one wall. �śSofa” wasn’t really the right word for it. It was a Victorian style settee with thin cushions that provided little relief from the hard wooden frame. I could picture the Queen of England taking tea on such a couch. �śNow,” Ms. Lace said once we were seated, �ścan I offer you something to drink? Coffee? Soda?” �śNo, thank you,” I said quickly, feeling ridiculous for it but unable to quash a mental image of this strange little lady pouring rat poison from a jug into my cup of coffee. There followed an uncomfortable silence during which I couldn’t help but be aware of Ms. Lace leaning forward, studying me intently. I was just about to begin to launch into my weird tale when Ms. Lace spoke first. �śYou must tell me,” Virginia Lace said with an odd flicker in her deeply set eyes, �śwhich one was it for you?” I blinked. �śEr, which one?” �śYes. Which one of my heroes?” �śOh.” I suddenly realized what she meant. �śI’ve only read Noble Hearts so I’m sort of partial to the duke�"” �śThe duke?” Ms. Lace interrupted. There was an unnerving twinkle in her eye. �śI’m glad. I don’t know you, but somehow I sense that you are right for each other.” �śUm, thanks. I’m sure we would be�"if he were a real person.” That last part I added cautiously, watching the other woman’s face. �śIf?” Virginia Lace asked with apparent amusement. �śIs there any doubt of that? You at least must be a little persuaded, enough to have come here to find out the truth. They all come here eventually. I don’t mind, though. I rather like hearing their stories and finding out what my creations are like once love has brought them to life.” �śWait a minute, wait a minute.” I struggled to keep the conversation rational when inwardly my mind was reeling. Every time I thought I finally had a grip on reality, occurrences kept coming along to drive me into confusion again. �śAre you telling me what I think you are?” �śI don’t know. What do you think I’m telling you?” During the silent interval that followed I tried to get a grip on my thoughts. I’d had so many questions, but suddenly I realized they really all boiled down to one. Was he real? For the answer, I looked wide-eyed at Ms. Lace but the author merely raised her eyebrows significantly. �śI�Śdon’t understand,” I murmured. This woman talked as if it were a perfectly ordinary occurrence for a character to leap out from between the pages of her novels and start walking around, interacting with live people. �śThe important thing,” Ms. Lace was saying now, �śis that you keep this to yourself. I tell all of my couples that. As long as you behave naturally there’s no reason why you shouldn’t live a perfectly long and happy life together. But calling attention to the happening produces publicity, and then we all look crazy.” She patted my knee reassuringly. �śSo, you and your duke enjoy your lives, and we’ll keep this little secret between the three of us. All right?” I nodded, barely understanding what I was agreeing to. The room suddenly felt incredibly close and I was having trouble concentrating on the feel of the padded couch beneath me and the floorboards under my feet. I hoped that didn’t mean I was going to pass out. Desperate to find some piece of reality to cling to, I fastened my eyes on the bay window across the room. A pretty little row of peach trees grew outside beneath the golden rays of the sun. If I stared long enough at those trees rustling in the breeze surely everything else around me would remain stable and begin to make sense again. What about the tag from the antique store? Why would he have that in his clothing unless�Śunless�ŚAnd suddenly it all made sense. Carlita. My friend had never believed in Duke, had never trusted him. From the beginning it was she who had done everything in her power to persuade me he was a phony, even inventing that horrible forty-eight hour game to prove her point. And when that had failed, she had stooped to more drastic measures. It didn’t make me angry to think of it. I understood Carlita had thought she was acting for my own good as she went down to the hospital, acquired Duke’s clothes, and�"probably disappointed to find them genuinely ancient�"attached that antique store label to them. After that, it had been almost too easy for her to convince me I had let wishful thinking get the better of me. Doubtless, Carlita thought she was doing me a great favor. With a rush my mind came back to the present. �śI have to find him,” I said abruptly. �śI said horrible things.” You don’t believe, you don’t believe. His words came back to haunt me now, echoing over and over in my mind. And I’d told him to go back to the pages of his book�ŚWhat if he already had? �śMs. Lace, I have to go.” I leaped to my feet. �śI’m so sorry, but I can’t waste another second.” �śI understand,” Ms. Lace sympathized, rising with me. �śI don’t expect we’ll meet again, but I hope everything works out for the two of you.” I scarcely heard her. Outside, through the bay window, I caught a glimpse of a lone figure walking among peach trees in the backyard. Ms. Lace followed my gaze. �śIs that him?” �śYes,” I murmured, relief sweeping over me. �śYes, that’s him, still here.” �śMmm,” Ms. Lace said. �śI made him handsomer than I realized.” She shook herself and gave a little laugh. �śGo. I’m sure you two have lots of explaining to do and plenty of time for it. There’s a door letting onto the backyard here.” She indicated a narrow doorway at the end of the room. �śThank you.” A warm feeling enveloped me. As easily as this, all my questions were being swept away. Well, not quite all of my questions. I suddenly remembered to ask, �śCan you tell me what the initials D.C. mean? The ones engraved on his watch?” Ms. Lace smiled. �śDavenger Carlisle, or Duke of Carlisle, if you prefer. Either is apt.” Davenger. Yes, it suited him. I came out of my happy daze long enough to remember my manners. �śWould you like to meet him?” �śTempting,” Virginia Lace said. �śBut no. I always find such encounters with my characters a little awkward. I prefer to bring them to life and then set them on their way to follow their own paths. You understand.” �śOf course. I’ll be going then.” I started to move out of the room, feeling as if I were walking on air. Pausing, however, I retraced my steps just long enough to kneel and remove my copy of Noble Hearts from my purse. �śHere,” I said, setting the paperback on the arm of the settee. �śI’d like to leave this with you.” Virginia Lace looked surprised. �śI thought you hadn’t finished it yet. Don’t you want to find out how the tale ends?” I smiled. �śI’m pretty sure I know the ending.” Then I slipped from the room and out into the autumn sunshine. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dara England writes a broad range of historical, fantasy, paranormal, and chick-lit fiction. She is a graphic designer and the stay-at-home mom of two girls and a dog named Sampson. Learn more about Dara by visiting her website at www.daraenglandauthor.com. She welcomes reader questions and comments, and her email address can be found on her website. ALSO BY DARA ENGLAND Accomplished In Murder ~ Historical Mystery Accomplished in Detection ~ Historical Mystery ~ Coming Fall 2011 This Side of Dawn ~ Paranormal Romantic Suspense The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance ~ Historical Fantasy Romance Thieves’ Magic Series ~ Epic Fantasy ~ Coming Fall 2011 Visit www.daraenglandauthor.com for more info. Table of Contents Title page Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Table of Contents Title page Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 ABOUT THE AUTHOR