He lay still a moment while her words were slowly absorbed. His fingers trailed over her face, then under her chin so that he could lift her face to his. His eyes were so dark, and this time the caution in them made her smile. “All along? From the beginning?”

“You were dressed like a soldier, an officer, and the room was filled with beautiful women, dashing men, just like a dream. But I kept seeing you.” She wasn’t ashamed of it, nor did she regret not telling him before. They had needed the years between. “There were flowers. The room smelled like springtime. And there were those dazzling lights from the chandeliers. Silver platters, wine in crystal, violins. You had a sword at your side. I wanted so badly for you to ask me to dance. For you to notice me.”

“I noticed you,” he murmured, and pressed a kiss to her brow.

“You did scowl at me once, now that you mention it.” She smiled and shifted so that she ranged just above him. “And you waltzed with that lovely blond woman with the English complexion. I’ve hated her ever since.”

He grinned and traced Eve’s smile with his fingertip. How incredible it was to be relaxed, to be alone, to be only a man. “I don’t even remember who she was.”

“I do. It was—”

“But I remember that you wore a red dress with the back draped low and your arms bare. You wore a bracelet here.” He brought her wrist to his lips. “A thick gold band with a smattering of rubies. All I could think was that one of your lovers had given it to you.”

“My father,” she murmured, stunned to learn he had noticed, had felt something. “In gratitude and relief when I graduated. You do remember.” Her breath came out on a laugh as she tossed her hair back. “You did notice.”

He no longer felt the weight, the twist of guilt or the denial. There was only pleasure, with himself, with her. “And from the moment I did, you’ve never been out of my mind.”

She hoped it was true. Reckless, she didn’t care if it wasn’t. “You never asked me to dance.”

“No.” He twined a lock of her hair around his finger. “I’d already decided that if I touched you it might be the end of my sanity. I saw you leave the ballroom with Bennett.”

“Were you jealous?” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth to try to suppress the smile.

“Jealousy is a very low and common emotion.” He slipped a hand down to the curve of her hip. “I was eaten with it.”

Her laughter was rich and full. “Oh, Alex, I’m so glad. There was never any need, but I’m so glad.”