RELUCTANT WIFE 9

Alexis rushed to her, barking out orders for his secretary to get a doctor. Lifting Carrie easily, he carried her to his couch, and laid her softly against the pale cream leather of the settee. He studied her complexion, at the same time noticing just how frail she was. Gently he began brushing her hair back from her hot cheeks. He shook his head, scowling at his own thoughts.

Quickly he found a cloth and a bowl of water. If nothing else he could keep her cool. As carefully as he could he wiped her face, her neck.

Carrie felt the blessed coolness on her forehead. It pressed gently down her neck into the hollow of her throat, then back once more to her face.

‘Carrie. Can you hear me, Carrie?’

Weak blue eyes opened to see Alexis wetting the cloth once again.

‘How do you feel?’

Their eyes met. Carrie had been expecting to see triumph in his gaze, not this soul-searching concern.

She swallowed uneasily, unable to cope with the look of compassion in his eyes. It was much easier when he was