“It wasn’t such a long time, little more than a week. And yet you seemed to accomplish quite a bit.” He bumped her shoulder gently, earning him a giggle. “You uncovered an embezzlement scheme, caught two would-be murderers, were poisoned twice, and still had time to do an experiment.”
Saffron’s eyes lingered on his smile. Alexander looked handsome as ever, fully recovered and back in his smart black dinner jacket, his hair smooth and eyes shining in the light from the windows. They had spent quite a lot of time together the past week, between completing Alexander’s research and following through on the obligations they had to the police department. It was bittersweet, coming to know him better only to say goodbye.
“I do feel rather accomplished,” she replied. “You’ve done mostly the same, except you only had to take wretched xolotl once.”
“Once was more than enough. I expect if you ever had it again, it would barely affect you,” Alexander said, then turned to her and added seriously, “Don’t let’s go testing that, please.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said primly. “I needn’t try something three times.”
They stood with their arms on the cool stone rail, listening to the steady buzz of conversation and the tinkling of glasses behind them.
“Are you excited to be moving forward with your own study?” Alexander asked, slanting her a grin.
“Absolutely!” Saffron let out a laugh. “I hope Berking somehow finds out that it was approved anyway.” Alexander smirked, and she put a hand on his arm. “You’ll have to be especially careful with my samples, you know.”
“Why, because they’re almost all poisonous?”
“No, because if you damage them, I’ll be furious.”
Alexander shook his head with a chuckle. “Come, Everleigh, let’s take a turn in the garden, and you can show me how to collect a proper sample.”
She glanced around to ensure no one would catch them sneaking off, then allowed herself a delighted smile. They walked to the end of the balcony and descended the stone steps to the garden.
Away from the chatter of the party, there was only the faint swishing of her dress, the crunch of the gravel path beneath their feet. The hedges were dark and winding, the sounds of the party and the chill breeze diminished by their density. It was reminiscent of Dr. Berking’s garden, yet not at all the same. Nevertheless, Saffron’s heart was beating fast.
“Miss Everleigh,” Alexander said with a smirk in his voice, “what do you think of this specimen?” He gestured to a rose bush, evident even in the dark.
She gave him a look and bent over it slightly. “Why, Mr. Ashton, that would be a rose bush. Surely we’re not here to steal roses. I’m not dressed to crawl around in the dirt again.” She turned to make a face at him and found him very near her. Her heart leapt hopefully.
“No,” he murmured, “that’s not why we’re here.”
For a moment they looked into each other’s eyes, then Alexander closed his and kissed her.
Her pulse danced where Alexander’s hand cupped her jaw, lifting her face to his. They met with sweetness and the beginnings of heat. Alexander pulled away long before Saffron was satisfied.
“We should go back,” came his quiet voice, a little rough.
Saffron, hands on his chest, didn’t move. With a small smile of her own, she whispered, “Without the stolen roses?”
* * *
The watery light of early morning filtered through the high, glass-paned ceiling, catching the mites of dust and swirls of steam in the large open space of the train station. The expedition team was due to leave in an hour to make their way to the coast and the steamer waiting to take them to Brazil. Saffron and Alexander had agreed to meet early, to avoid the critical eyes of the crew.
Saffron couldn’t think of anything to say apart from reminding Alexander to be careful, and she had already said it twice. Anything else and she might ruin their goodbye with tears.
“Well,” he said at long last, “I suppose I’m off.”
Saffron took his hand in hers and squeezed it. “I’ll be looking out for updates. Beyond just the official ones through the university, I mean.”
With a tilted smile, he nodded. “Don’t expect them too often. Post is uncertain at best, you know. But rest assured, if I come across any Rosa amazonica, I’ll be sure to let you know right away.”
Heart swelling, Saffron stood on tiptoes to bring her lips to his.