"I find Aspen so gauche. It's all celebrity and new money, don't you think so Kenneth?" The blonde's voice prattled beside him as he focused on Sara and her companion. The scar on his wrist itched uncontrollably and the blade's whisper was intolerably loud.
"Kenneth?" He turned back to his companion with a well practised smile. "I find Aspen has its charms." He conceded in his smooth manner. "though Kloisters does have the edge." He reached forward and pulled a glass of chilled kristal from a nearby server. Taking a sip, he eyed the pair on the other side of the room with interest. The stranger had her back to him yet he could tell that the figure on her was stunning. There was also the blade to consider, especially as it was currently singing like a canary. He would give Sara a few moments with the stranger and then he would introduce himself. He ran his eyes over the room and located Nottingham, warning him with a single look to be aware.
"If you will excuse me Anna." He stopped the girl's flow of inane conversation and headed across the room, feeling the itch on his wrist intensify. Who was that woman? The blade whispered like an excited child and pigued his interest. As he drew level with the orchestra, he saw the woman slump to the ground in a waterfall of red silk as the blade sang loudly within his bones. As the crowd rushed forward, he saw Sara lean over her, concern etched into every line of her features. He moved closer, the crowd moving apart as he approached. The woman was now visible to him, exquisite features matched to a fine figure and something tugged at him, something like concern. Confused by the rare emotion he drew nearer as she moaned and opened her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" The voice was silky smooth as the man beside her swam into view. Irons she thought as her eyes ran up his well dressed form to his distinctive features beneath his almost white hair. She knew his face well, she had seen it in glossy photos, grainy surveillance footage and from the pages of newspapers and none of them had given her the almost physical shock that she was experiencing now. I know him The unbidden thought thrummed through her, lightning fast and overpowering as the strange buzzing once again flooded her mind. Slumping back against the floor, she saw him approach through a haze.
"Let me." The crowd parted as he walked through and knelt by her side. "Ian." He spoke over his shoulder to the silent bodyguard at his side. "Prepare the study."
"I think we should call for a doctor." Sara's aggravated comment cut through the fog that surrounded her and she found her voice.
"No.. I'll be fine." He had knelt down and was looking at her, curiousity in his glacial eyes. "I'm sorry for causing you so much bother."
"No trouble at all." His voice washed over her as his arms slid around her body, helping her from the rich carpet. As he helped her past the staring guests, she became aware of Sara at her other side. The NYPD detective was radiating disapproval as Irons helped her from the room.
"I still think she should go to a doctor."
"Noted Sara, but perhaps a sit down in a quieter room would suffice." He steered her through a door and down a panelled passageway before entering a small room with several comfortable chairs dotted around it. Moving to the nearest seat, he lowered her gently into it and turned back to face Nottingham.
"Some brandy please Ian and Sara..." He turned his head to the woman at his side. "There's a blanket in that chest there." Alexa saw the woman's face twist in confused disapproval before she moved to do as she was bid. "Is that comfortable?" He turned back to face her and she was shocked to see concern within his face. From all she had read, Irons was charming yet cold. Concern was not an emotion associated with him.
"Yes thank you." Irons was close enough that she could smell his cologne, the scent of him flooded her nostrils. The buzzing in her head increased and she shut her eyes, trying to escape the tormenting whisper.
