Free A Scarlet Bride by Sylvia McDaniel Page A

be welcome in people's homes?"
    "If my niece is not welcome, then I'm not welcome."
    "Uncle Sydney, thank you for being supportive of me. I don't know what I'd do without you and Aunt Clara."
    "We love you. You know I'm getting old and you've got to take care of my Clara when I'm gone."
    "Don't say that. You'll be around for years to come."
    "I hope so."
    Alexandra stepped out of his arms. "What am I to do?"
    "That's for you to decide, no one else." He gave her a quick squeeze. "I've got to go now, but I wanted to cheer you up." "Thank you, Uncle Sydney." She watched as he stepped through the door."Whatever decision you make, your aunt and I will support you."
    ***
    As the sun slipped below the horizon, Alexandra sat and peered out the window, her knees tucked beneath her skirt. She had yet to venture from her room, her humiliation leading her to remain hidden, licking her wounds in private. Trying to figure out why she had been such a trusting little fool again.
    Sooner or later she had to decide what she was going to do. Right now, her thoughts were centered on how she had let herself be lulled into such a titillating scene. The man had touched her and seemed to cast a spell, holding her hostage. Yet she had been an eager prisoner. She had enjoyed every moment up until the doors were cast open and her bodice had been torn.
    That moment would cause nightmares for years to come.
    A knock broke the stillness of the evening.
    "Go away. I don't want to see anyone," Alexandra replied, fearing her father had returned.
    Aunt Clara poked her head through the door."I brought you a cup of hot tea, dear. The world always looks brighter after some of my special blend."
    Alexandra couldn't help but chuckle. Aunt Clara's special blend had a tendency to leave one feeling rather relaxed. Maybe the company and the refreshment would be nice after all.
    She watched as Aunt Clara set the tray down and poured the tea into two small cups.
    "One lump or two, dear?" she asked.
    "I've already had two lumps, Aunt Clara. Why not one more?"
    Aunt Clara added the sugar to the brew, stirred the tea, and handed it to her niece. "There's nothing so pleasant as having a nice cup of English Rose tea to soothe one's troubles. Now, if we only had some of those nice little cucumber sandwiches, we'd be all set."
    "Where are the sandwiches?" Alexandra asked, knowing her aunt would have thought of them well in advance.
    "It's Sunday evening. Cook is off. And, well, we both know how the sandwiches I prepare would have turned out. We're lucky I know how to make tea."
    Alexandra smiled, feeling better already. Somehow her aunt always cheered her. "Thank you for the tea, Aunt Clara."
    "You are quite welcome, dear. Besides, it gave me an excuse to talk to you about your little problem."
    An uncomfortable silence filled the bright pink room.
    Finally, unable to contain herself any longer, Alexandra replied, "There is no problem. I will weather this social storm, just as I weathered the divorce."
    "Oh, I remember how well you endured that one. You jumped on the next ship bound for England and hibernated there, shut away from the world. Is that how you plan on handling this crisis also?"
    "No. I must stay here and somehow survive this, though I've yet to figure out how." Alexandra ducked her head, feelings of shame flooding her. "Unless, of course, you want me to leave."
    "Don't be ridiculous. You're my niece." Aunt Clara sipped her tea. "Your father told me Connor asked for your hand in marriage."
    Alexandra scowled. "The man is a scoundrel of the worst sort."
    "Then why were you kissing him, my dear?"
    Rising to her feet, Alexandra crossed the room. "It's hard to explain. It was really quite innocent, though I know it doesn't appear that way."
    "I'm sure it was. Even though your dress was torn."
    Alexandra stared at her hands. "We became entangled. Somehow his lapel pin must have gotten snagged in the lace of my dress."
    "I'm sure you have an innocent explanation of how