A Knight in Central Park(86)

“Sometimes when I look at you unaware,” he continued, warming to the soothing gaze she focused on him, “a hot wave sweeps through me and sets my blood aflame.” He paused. “And in those moments, I...”

The women in the front row leaned forward against the stage to better hear him.

“I-I find myself wishing I could hold you in my arms forever.”

Alexandra smiled coyly.

“But then I remember you are promised to another. You know, from another world, so to speak, and...”

A smile curved her lips.

“I ache. I ache with an inner longing so intense that I think I might die if I can’t have you.” And it was the truth, he realized suddenly. He’d spent more than one night aching for her, wanting nothing more than to find her and bring her to his bed, never mind that there were kids coming out of the woodwork. How many times had he wished it was he she was washing when she took Rebecca to the lake for a bath, or that it was he she was comforting in the night when the wolves came too close? He missed having her to himself, and yet he also knew it was best. Because no matter how much he loved her, he couldn’t stay, because if he did, someday he would regret it. He might get used to cold baths and the lack of amenities, but sooner or later his thoughts would return to all that was left unresolved in his own world. And the love he felt for Alexandra would turn to resentment.

But he did love her, didn’t he?

The thought that he might, caused a jolt of alarm within. He’d never known what love might entail. But the realization that he might love her, felt different than anything he ever imagined. It felt okay, almost good. Maybe he did love her. Alexandra loved him. She had told him so. And even if she hadn’t, he had seen the way she looked at him when he was busy with the horses or with the kids. And he saw it now as she gazed candidly at him, regarding him with open fondness.

“Are you all right?” she asked.

He nodded.

It was true what they said about “it not being over until the fat lady sings“ because the fat lady stood up again and shouted, “For the love of God, tell her how you feel!”

The crowd clapped their approval and the woman smiled and then bowed before taking her seat again.

Joe did his best to pull himself together. “I confess my love to you now, this moment, my fair lady. And if loving you is a sin, than I am a sinner, for I cannot stop myself from loving you any more than I could stop my heart from beating. And even then...I would never stop loving you.”

All was still.

Alexandra released a faint soft sigh. “I, too, love thee,” she said, “and it is the truest, deepest, most sincere of loves that aids me in making the choice I must make. God, the All-Merciful, would never wish to come between a love such as ours. Thus, I am leaving the nunnery. He would want it so.”

Every man seemed to gasp while most women in attendance released a wistful sigh, making the hairs on the back of Joe’s neck stand on end, for he interpreted Alexandra’s words to mean that he should leave his other life behind and stay with her forever. And she knew better than anyone that he could not stay. Would not stay.

“My lady,” he said, drawing her close so that he could whisper in her ear, “that’s not how the tale ends.”

“Today it ends my way,” she whispered back. “Mayhap on the morrow it will end your way. Now kiss me, and quickly, before the crowd revolts.”

Joe stood, pulling her up with him. And before the audience could grumble further, he leaned low and covered her mouth with his, eagerly finishing the kiss they had begun in the hallway. For one moment, one tranquil moment, he forgot all else but the woman in his arms.

Moments passed before they parted. Joe took a bow as the crowd clapped their approval, cheering wildly for an encore.

Joe spotted Garrett immediately. He was with a young lady who wore a tightly fitted bodice with dipping waistline and fur trim on the sleeves of her dress. Instead of looking like a woman who had spent three weeks in a dungeon, she gave the impression of being nobility—in dress and in manner. She also looked nearly identical to Alexandra. Her eyes weren’t as bright, but her hair...her hair was definitely the same.

Something overcame Joe in that moment when he looked upon Alexandra’s sister, something good and decent, making him feel whole and satisfied. They had done it.

Together, they had crossed the untamed wilderness and rescued her sister, a damsel in distress. But then why, he wondered, was Garrett standing out in the open with her? And why did Alexandra’s sister look so furious?