Alex nearly smiled. So Charlotte was thinking of adultery when she talked of a ton marriage! Perhaps her father had a wandering eye.

“I think that fidelity between a man and woman is the only basis for marriage,” he said firmly. He took her hand and started a slow seductive massage of her palm. “I would never betray you with anyone.” He pulled her palm against his lips. “As a matter of fact, I don’t think I would have energy left for anyone else.” Alex leaned closer, his breath warm on her cheek.

Charlotte pulled back again. “You told me that you were looking for a nursemaid,” she said weakly. Why did all her reasons seem so nonsensical now? She felt like an idiot.

Alex simply pulled her against his body, a strong hand pushing up her chin. “Do you think I want to do this with a nursemaid?”

His voice was oddly hoarse, Charlotte thought. She gulped and shook her head like a mesmerized rabbit.

“Or this?” He bent his head and brushed his lips across hers. His lips caressed hers, slowly, enticingly, asking for something…. Charlotte began to tremble.

“Was there anything else you wanted to say, Charlotte?” Alex asked, a little unsteadily. “Because I don’t mean to silence you.”

His breath is sweet, Charlotte thought. “Are you sure you don’t remember meeting me before?” she gasped, before the last rational thought fled from her mind.

Alex withdrew slightly and looked down at her. “Sweetheart, I didn’t ever meet you.” His mouth swooped down on hers again. “How could I forget this loveable forehead? Or your eyebrows?” He punctuated each phrase with a kiss. “Or”—his voice was deepening into velvet—”your eyelashes? They lie so inky-black against your cheek. Or your stubborn little nose?”

Desperately, Charlotte pulled back. “Are you absolutely sure?”

Alex finally realized that the question was truly important to her. His eyes searched hers. “I am quite certain,” he confirmed. “I could never have forgotten you. As soon as I saw you at the ball, I knew—” He broke off.

But Charlotte guessed. He knew he wanted her. He just didn’t remember that he’d already had her. A single tear trailed down her cheek.

Alex brushed it away tenderly. “Does it matter, Charlotte? Really? Isn’t the first time we met just part and parcel of the myth of falling in love at first sight? Why not pretend that you never met me before the ball, and to hell with the past?”

Oh, God, Charlotte thought despairingly. Another tear followed the first.