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believe. She couldn’t face Sarah when Bellezza might surface any moment.

13
    John
     
    Alexia rounded a corner into the parlor and halted.
    A familiar bear-of-a-man stood in possession of Sarah’s hand, speaking tenderly into her blushing ear. She’d seen him before, but she couldn’t recall where. His short black hair curled neatly, his face a rectangle with a Roman nose, a stylish beard, and a modest earring that glimmered over broad shoulders. He looked thirty, perhaps? And handsome. Rugged, but handsome.
    Alexia blinked. Could Sarah have so serious a suitor this soon after her husband’s death? They hadn’t even commenced the funeral!
    “Sarah?”
    She glanced at her niece, startled. “Oh, Lexy!” Her flush deepened as she pulled free, backing away from him a step. “May I introduce Mister John Radcliffe.”
    Alexia curtsied. He bowed.
    “So this is the infamous Alexia?” His voice boomed deeply—appropriately so for a creature of his magnitude, although he only glanced briefly her direction.
    “Beg your pardon?” she asked.
    “It would please you to know Sarah never stops raving about you.”
    “John!”
    His half grin was an open one. Alexia could see why Sarah was so taken with him. “Never?”
    He cleared his throat and bowed to Sarah. “I have to be on my way, but it is a pleasure, as always, to see you.” His dark gaze turned to meet Alexia’s. “And to meet you.” But it didn’t linger long. Instead he kissed the back of Sarah’s hand and exited the quiet room.
    “John?” Alexia questioned.
    Sarah shrugged. Alexia laughed, and Sarah broke. “All right, I fancy him.”
    Alexia giggled and tucked an arm through her aunt’s.
    “He is a doctor . . .” Sarah’s shoulders lifted. “But he gives far more service than he ever receives pay, and he does it for the love of humanity. He has money.”
    “He is unmarried?”
    “Thankfully so.” Her aunt’s smile widened.
    “Where ever did you meet him?”
    “He relocated to Liverpool last year and attended to Henry when he grew ill. As our new family physician, he stops to inquire on my health every so often.”
    “Only on your health?”
    Sarah turned to leave. “I expect we shall have more guests by this evening, Henry’s family. You may wish to keep your distance from them.”
    Alexia grinned and followed her aunt, shaking her head. Given the appropriate month of mourning, Sarah would have a new beau—perhaps even a husband for the New Year.
    Alexia realized why she knew John’s face that afternoon as she gazed out at the sea. Another dream . . .  
    ***
    The dead earl’s family arrived, so many of them and still there was space to spare. They were proud and condescending. Alexia stayed far away.
    The funeral finally commenced. They listened to a sermon by a hellfire-and-damnation preacher followed by the most ridiculous oratory of superfluous praise. The only part Alexia enjoyed in the least was the boys’ choir. When at last the three hours came to a close, they were prodded up the aisle under the full observance of attendees to gaze upon the withered creature and offer their final farewell. He repulsed Alexia—the embodiment of Sarah’s torture for five long years. She wondered how her aunt could feel anything but disdain, yet tears filled Sarah’s eyes.
    After the funeral dinner, they sat on the edge of a bed, Sarah and Alexia, shoes scattered across the floor, room an inordinate mess from their over-priced costumes.
    “How many people know the manner of his death?” Alexia questioned.
    “Mostly the help. They are forbidden to speak on the subject.”
    “Why?”
    Sarah shrugged. “Some stories are best left untold.”
    Alexia shuddered at the remembrance of her own strange tale—Bellezza’s haunting scream, the baron’s lifeless body, those irresistible eyes . . .
    “It must have been awful.” Her aunt’s words drew her out of the past. “Whatever happened to Baron Galedrew.”
    Alexia’s eyes snapped to her