Chapter 244
Chapter 250
Madison
The meal that followed was a revelation. Course after course of exquisitely prepared dishes arrived at our table, each more delicious than the last.
“This is incredible,” I said between mouthfuls of a perfectly seared scallop.
“Better than the ones at The Savoy p>
“Different. But yes, maybe better p>
Alexander looked satisfied as if my enjoyment of the meal was a personal victory. He raised his glass. “To your first visit to London p>
I clinked my glass against his. “To unexpected tours and excellent guides p>
His eyes held mine over the rim of his glass. “The tour’s just beginning p>
After lunch, we continued our exploration with a visit to the Tower of London. The ancient fortress loomed over the Thames, its stone walls telling stories of power, imprisonment, and execution.
“This is where Anne Boleyn was beheaded,” Alexander said as we walked through the courtyard. “And where the princes disappeared p>
“The princes in the Tower,” I nodded. “I read about them in school p>
A Yeoman Warder in his distinctive uniform led our tour group, regaling us with tales of the Tower’s bloody history. I found myself unconsciously moving closer to Alexander as the stories grew more gruesome.
“Scared?” he teased, his arm slipping around my waist.
“Just cold,” I lied, though I made no move to create distance between us.
We viewed the Crown Jewels, their splendor almost unreal behind the thick glass. Diamonds the size of eggs glittered under carefully positioned lights.
“The Koh–i–Noor,” Alexander pointed to a massive diamond set in one of the crowns. “It’s said to bring misfortune to any man who wears it but a blessing to a woman p>
“Sounds like my kind of diamond,” I quipped.
His laugh was warm and genuine. “I’ll keep that in mind p>
After the Tower, Alexander surprised me with afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, the iconic department store known for its luxury goods and traditional English tea service.
We were seated in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, a space of elegant refinement with pale blue walls and crystal chandeliers. A three–tiered stand arrived at our table, laden with delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of pastries.
“This is what I imagined England would be like,” I said, spreading cream on a warm scone. “All fancy teacups
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and tiny sandwiches p>
“Is it living up to expectations p>
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“Exceeding them,” I admitted. “Though I’m not sure how I’m supposed to eat after that lunch p>
“You’ll manage,” he said confidently. “The scones are too good to resist p>
He was right, of course. Despite my protests, I managed to find room for several sandwiches, two scones, and a selection of pastries. Alexander seemed content to watch me enjoy the experience, occasionally stealing a bite from my plate.
“You’re staring,” I said, dabbing at my mouth with a napkin.
“Am I?” He didn’t look away.
“Do I have cream on my face or something p>
“No.” His voice was soft. “You’re just… you’re glowing today p>
The unexpected compliment caught me off guard. “It’s probably all the sugar,” I deflected.
Alexander smiled but didn’t press further. After tea, we made our way back to the car, where the driver awaited the next part of our itinerary.
“A boat?” I asked as we pulled up to a private dock on the Thames.
“Not just any boat,” Alexander replied, helping me out of the car. “A private cruise p>
The vessel waiting for us was a sleek, modern yacht with polished wood and gleaming chrome. A uniformed captain greeted us at the gangplank.
“Mr. Knight, Ms. Harper, welcome aboard the Silver Lady p>
The interior was luxurious, featuring comfortable seating and panoramic windows that offered unobstructed views of the river. A bottle of champagne waited on ice.
This is getting ridiculous,” I muttered as Alexander handed me a glass.
“ What’s ridiculous about seeing London from the best vantage point?” he asked innocently.
The yacht pulled away from the dock, and I moved to the railing to watch as London unfolded from a new perspective. Historic buildings stood alongside modern skyscrapers, creating a skyline that bridged centuries.
“The Tower Bridge is coming up,” Alexander said, joining me at the railing. “One of London’s most recognizable landmarks p>
The iconic bridge loomed ahead, its twin towers and blue suspension cables instantly familiar from countless photographs and films. As we passed beneath it, I tilted my head back to take in the full structure.
“It’s magnificent,” I breathed.
“Yes, it is,” Alexander agreed.
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The cruise continued along the Thames, passing the Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern, and the London Eye. Alexander pointed out landmarks and shared historical tidbits, his knowledge of the city impressive.
“How many times have you been to London?” I asked as we passed under another bridge.
“Too many to count,” he replied. “It’s one of my favorite cities p>
“I can see why.” I leaned against the railing, feeling the gentle sway of the boat beneath my feet. “It has a certain… energy p>
“That it does.” Alexander’s arm brushed against mine, a casual touch that sent a not–so–casual shiver down my spine. “Every time I come here, I discover something new p>
“Even with a tourist like me slowing you down p>
His smile was warm. “Especially with you p>
The cruise concluded as the sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the city. We disembarked at a different dock than where we started, the car mysteriously already waiting for us.
“How do you manage that?” I asked, nodding toward the Bentley.
“Magic,” Alexander replied with a wink.
Our next stop was Covent Garden, a vibrant area filled with shops, restaurants, and street performers. The central market building housed luxury boutiques alongside artisanal craft stalls, all beneath a stunning glass
roof.
“This was originally a fruit and vegetable market,” Alexander explained as we wandered through the space. Now it’s one of London’s premier shopping destinations p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.