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hopeless, mad . . . indeed, the most awful notion that had ever entered into her head. Still, she couldn’t quite stop her wretched mind from wondering what it might be like to be held by those strong arms of his. She let out a sigh of undeniable frustration before closing her cabin door and slipping back into bed.
    “I abhor him, I despise him, I . . .” she whispered to herself before drifting off to sleep, yet the very last image to drift through her treacherous mind before sleep claimed her, was that of a dark-haired rogue with a cheeky smile.

 
    C HAPTER F OUR
     
    T he following morning, Alexandra was surprised to find both Ryan and Michael waiting for her on the quay. They did not look well though. “I thought you two would still be asleep,” she said with a smirk.
    “And we probably would be if it hadn’t been for those god-awful seagulls squawking so loudly—I almost felt compelled to shoot one of them,” Ryan grumbled.
    “I couldn’t agree more,” Michael moaned, pressing his hand against his forehead in an attempt to ward off an apparent headache. “The world would be well served indeed if those evil birds would become extinct. I should be more than happy to assist.”
    Alexandra hid a grin. Although they only had themselves to blame, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. It was going to be a very long day indeed for Ryan and Michael. “We need horses. You can wait here while I make some inquiries at the tavern over there.” She nodded toward a rundown building on the other side of the road. A crooked sign above the door claimed it to be L E V IEUX D OUELLE .
    It was late morning, so the place was mostly empty, except for a handful of customers still lingering over a late breakfast. Alexandra paused in the doorway and pushed back her hood. She then pulled down her scarf. She’d decided that her feminine wiles might serve her better in this instance than the disguise she wore for Michael’s benefit alone.
    Looking around the murky place, she quickly spotted a man who fit the bill of innkeeper—an older, portly fellow with a grizzly beard and rolled-up shirt sleeves who was drying off some freshly washed glasses with a dish towel.
    Alexandra straightened her back and strode toward him. “ Excusez moi, monsieur ,” she said in flawless French—the result of a very determined tutor.
    The man glanced up at her, one eyebrow slightly rising as he took in her overall appearance. He paused at his task, and then set the glass he’d been holding down on the bar counter. He said nothing, though the corners of his mouth began to twist themselves into a mocking smile.
    Alexandra chose to ignore it. “I was hoping you might be able to help me.”
    “Oui?”
    “My companions and I are in need of transportation. Do you have three horses available for purchase?”
    “As it happens, I do have a few horses in my stables. But they are champions and will not come cheap.” The man leaned toward her until she could smell the wine on his breath. “How well are you prepared to pay for them?” His eyes wandered over her, then came to rest upon her chest. There was no misinterpreting his meaning.
    Alexandra flinched in spite of herself, a faint taste of bile rising in her throat. “I’m terribly sorry,” she told him between gritted teeth. “I believe I may have come to the wrong place.” She wasn’t looking for trouble, and the mere act of allowing this awful man to look at her was making her feel sullied enough to want to poke his eyes out. She turned to leave, only to find herself face to face with a skinnier man who, if his eyes were to be believed, was having the exact same notion as the innkeeper. Alexandra pasted a haughty expression onto her face. “May I help you with something?” she asked as she placed both hands on her hips and gave him a look of disgust.
    Perhaps not the correct thing to say, she realized a moment too late when the skinny man’s face broke into a rather disturbing