Alex spent the next two hours deftly trying to ignore Owen’s presence. What had her new friends been thinking, inviting him here? Cass might be his sister, but they all knew how Alex felt about him at the moment. They liked to be up to mischief, but she’d had no idea they would trick her this way. She needed to be alone. She considered the library but thought better of it. Despite being the lady of the house, Jane Upton would no doubt be perched on the sofa in there. Instead, Alex made her way outside onto the terrace and into the gardens. She hadn’t made it two steps down the garden path before the door opened behind her.
“Wait,” a man’s voice called.
For an excruciating moment, she thought it was Owen. But it wasn’t. She’d apparently made it clear that she wanted nothing more to do with him tonight, perhaps ever. No. The man holding open the door to follow her was Lord Berkeley. The viscount released the door and strolled toward her.
Alex stopped and smiled at him. “My lord?”
“I wanted to say … good-bye.” Lord Berkeley bowed to her. “I came to see my cousin who lives here in Bath and thought I’d stop by Upton’s party tonight as well.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“I’m glad, too. Glad for the opportunity to say good-bye to you. I’m leaving for my property in the North tonight.”
Alex tugged at the string to her reticule. “I do hope to see you again sometime soon.”
“I’m afraid not. I don’t plan to return to London for the better part of a year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She reached out and squeezed his hand. “Thank you so much, for everything, my lord.”
“I wish you well with your pursuit of Monroe. I only hope I’ve not done more harm than good there.”
Alex didn’t want to talk about Owen. “Thank you. I can only hope for you to find your true love someday.”
Lord Berkeley bowed at the waist. “It was my pleasure, Lady Alexandra. I, too, hope to find my true love one day. I’ve had the devil’s own luck so far.” He smiled at her. “I’ve decided to give up for the time being and retreat to my Scottish hunting lodge, where I won’t have to think about debutantes and dancing and being charming for a bit. I’m greatly looking forward to time away from London and all its social obligations.”
Alex laughed. “I don’t blame you.” At the moment, she, too, wanted to get away from London and all its social obligations. Hence, the trip to Bath. Society, it seemed, had followed her here. “But you’re always charming, my lord. I don’t doubt for a minute you’ll find someone quite special. It doesn’t matter where you may be residing.”
He grinned at her and bowed again. “Until we meet again.” He turned away to go back inside, but Alex stopped him.
Confound it. She couldn’t stop herself from asking. “Lord Berkeley?”
“Yes?”
“Did you know Owen would be in attendance here tonight?”
Lord Berkeley shook his head. “I didn’t. And something tells me the time for trying to make him jealous is over.”
She glanced away. “Long over.”
“For what it’s worth, he apologized for punching me.”
The hint of a smile touched her lips. “Did you accept his apology?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer again. “I’ll let you in on a secret: The man may be a bit of a hothead from time to time, but I think he’s a decent chap, deep down. And for what it’s worth, I think he truly loves you.”