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you, Mrs. Thurston."
    Alexandra smiled, waving back as she watched the two of them take off over the fields, racing back to their home.
    Aunt Clara turned her horse toward home, a knowing smile on her lips. "So what do you think of my neighbor, Alexandra? He seems to have taken an interest in you."
    Alexandra pulled her horse in fine with her aunt's as they began a gentle trot toward home. "I think he's an egotistical man who could charm a snake from its charmer."
    Aunt Clara's laughter filled the air. "You're absolutely right, my dear. He definitely has a way with the ladies. A fault that has gotten him into trouble a time or two."
    "What kind of trouble?'' Alexandra asked, her curiosity fully aroused. Why did the words trouble, women, and Connor just seem to go together? She could just imagine the man's exploits.
    "Let's just say that when he was younger he did a very foolish thing and he's paid for it dearly. Some people hold the past against him, forgetting all the good things he's done since."
    "Excuse me, Aunt Clara, but the man hardly appears to be a saint. What kind of good things could he have done?"
    "He took over the raising of that young girl. His mother died birthing Suzanne, then his father passed away eight years later. He's raised her by himself, as well as run River Bend."
    For a moment, Alexandra was surprised. He didn't seem the kind of man to have the patience necessary to raise a child. "Is that all that makes you consider him to be a good man? What was the trouble you mentioned?"
    Aunt Clara gave her a stern look. "Several years ago, when we had that bad hurricane, he was out helping his neighbors even before his own plantation was repaired. As for all of the scandal in his life, you should ask him, dear. I'm not going to spread malicious gossip, especially when it's several years old."
    Alexandra couldn't help but feel disappointed. Of all times for Aunt Clara to suddenly feel the need to be discreet. So Connor had something in his past he'd rather forget about. Something that made society look down upon him. It was the first thing she'd found they had in common. She couldn't help but wonder what he'd done.
    The man looked at her as if he'd like to get her alone and remove her clothing piece by piece. And when he was finished ... Lord, she'd never thought of a man in such a way. Though Connor Manning had certainly gained her attention, he would never touch her heart.
    ***
    Saturday morning dawned bright and clear, though Alexandra had prayed for rain all night. But the sky was a brilliant blue that somehow reminded her of Connor's eyes. The last few days she had thought about their conversations, replaying them over and over in her mind. Originally, she'd had no intention of going on this picnic. But a small part of her was thrilled about the prospect of being with people again. And though she would never admit it to anyone else, an even larger part was anxious to see Connor, to spar with him.
    Twisting her hair, she placed the ivory comb in her locks, finishing the last touches of her toilet. For a woman who had sworn to stay away from men, she felt a surprising measure of excitement. The years of Gordon's betrayal had dimmed the memories of a young woman experiencing her first courting. No matter what the age, Alexandra had to admit there was something alluring about the attention of a man.
    But she would not succumb to his sweet illusions and empty promises. She'd already played that game once and lost. No, there would be no second time at love, no second chance for a man to control her every decision, her very life.
    At the sound of a buggy pulling up outside, she hurried to the window. Below, two chestnut ponies pulled a visdvis carriage, an overlarge buggy loaded with three other couples.
    She couldn't help but feel excited.
    After today he might never want to escort her again. She didn't have to enjoy herself or like the gardens one bit. But the opportunity to needle Mr. Manning was enticing.
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