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was small and light, fitting perfectly against his large frame.
    Sophie, of course, had wailed the entire time. Thank the Lord he’d been able to get his sister to fetch some more eggs. Her sobs were driving himcrazy, but more importantly, he wanted to be alone with the maid when she woke up.
    Alex kneeled on the floor beside her. “Come on, my sweet,” he coaxed, gently pressing his lips against her temple. “It’s time to open your eyes. I’m dying to see what color they are.”
    Emma moaned again as she felt a large hand gently stroke her cheek. The throbbing pain in her head began to subside, and she sighed with relief. Her eyelids slowly fluttered open, and she was momentarily blinded by the bright sunlight that streamed through the carriage windows.
    â€œAaaah,” she groaned, squeezing her eyes shut.
    â€œDoes the light bother you?” Alex was on his feet instantly, pulling the drapes over the windows. He returned immediately to her side.
    Emma let out a long breath and opened her eyes ever so slightly. Then she opened them even wider. A man was peering intently at her, his tanned face a scant few inches from her own. A thick lock of midnight black hair fell rakishly over his forehead. Emma longed to reach up and see if it felt as soft as it looked. Then he touched her cheek again. “You gave us quite a scare, you know. You’ve been unconscious for nearly ten minutes.”
    Emma stared at him blankly, unable to put together a proper sentence. It was that man, she thought; he was far too handsome and far too close.
    â€œCan you speak, love?”
    Emma’s mouth fell open. “Green” was the only word that emerged.
    Just my luck, Alex thought. The most beautiful kitchen maid in all of London lands in my carriage, and she’s completely crazy. His eyes narrowed as he looked at her even more intently and asked, “What did you say?”
    â€œYour eyes are green.” Her voice came out strangled.
    â€œYes, I know. They’ve been that way for decades, actually. Since I was born, I imagine.”
    Emma squeezed her eyes shut. Good Lord, had she actually just told him that his eyes were green? What an unbelievably stupid thing to say. Of course he would know what color his eyes were. Ladies probably fell all over themselves to compliment his beautiful, captivating green eyes. It was just that he was so close, staring at her so intently, and his gaze was positively mesmerizing. Emma decided she’d blame her momentary idiocy on her pounding headache.
    Alex chuckled. “Well, I suppose we should be grateful that your accident has not left you color blind. Now, do you think you can tell me your name?”
    â€œEmm—um—” Emma coughed, covering up her stammer. “Meg. My name is Meg.”
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you, Meg. My name is Alexander Ridgely, but you may just call me Alex. Or, if you like, you could call me Ashbourne, as many of my friends do.”
    â€œWhy?” The question tumbled out before Emma caught herself. Kitchen maids weren’t supposed to ask questions.
    â€œIt’s my title, actually. I’m the Duke of Ashbourne.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œYou’ve an interesting accent, Meg. Do you come from the Colonies by chance?”
    Emma grimaced. There was little she hated more than to hear the English refer to her country as the “Colonies.”
    â€œI come from the United States of America,” she said pertly, forgetting her disguise yet again.
    â€œWe’ve been independent for several decades now and should not be referred to as your colonies.”
    â€œI stand corrected. You are absolutely right, my dear, and I must say that I’m glad to see you have gotten some of your spirit back.”
    â€œI’m sorry, your grace,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have spoken out like that to you.”
    â€œNow, Meg, don’t give me that demure act. I can