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blindness,” Karen mumbled once the rapid beat of her heart stilled. “I’m no raving beauty.”
    Her hands, pressing against his back, could feel his corded muscles tense. It was wrong to mention his handicap. “I shouldn’t have said that,” she began haltingly, uncertain. Her teeth bit into her bottom lip as if she wanted to bite back the thoughtless words. “I have much to learn, Rand. I guess I’m afraid of making another stupid blunder.”
    “That was a compliment,” he said stiffly. “You spoke to me as you would any other companion. You didn’t attempt to rescue me or fall into the traps others do. People tend to think that because I’m blind I must also be mentally retarded. Nothing on God’s earth irritates me more. Treat me as you would any other man.”
    “Why are you so angry?” Karen asked, attempting to hide the hurt in her voice.
    Rand forcefully released his breath before a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I guess I do tend to stand on a soapbox every now and then. What I’m trying to say is that I don’t want to be treated like a blind man.”
    “That won’t be difficult for me. I have a hard time remembering. You move with confidence and show none of the outward signs. I thought the blind used white canes or Seeing Eye dogs.”
    “I have partial vision,” he explained, and his mouth returned to an inflexible line. “A bad case of the measles as a child ruined my vision, and it’s grown steadily worse over the years.”
    “Then you can see some things?” she questioned.
    “Very little. Soon it will be as you mentioned—the white cane or the dog.”
    With infinite tenderness, Karen’s hands cupped his jaw to bring his face downward so she could very gently kiss each closed eye.
    Rand groaned and pulled her tightly against him, his breathing ragged. “Oh, Karen,” he murmured, holding her fiercely.
    “Andromeda,” she corrected with a smile.
    They danced in each other’s arms until there was no more music. They spoke little, embraced by the marvel of the night, creating their own world on a starlit balcony.
    Rand was met outside the hall by a lanky, older man who stared curiously when he saw Karen was with Rand.
    “Carl.” Rand’s grip tightened around Karen’s waist. “I’d like you to meet the Lady Andromeda.”
    Without the slightest hesitation, the man grinned, showing crooked teeth but a ready, warm smile. “Pleased, I’m sure,” he greeted her formally.
    “I’m pleased, too, Carl. But to set the record straight, the name is Karen.”
    Carl grinned again and opened the back door of the car for them. “Where to?” he asked cheerfully as he started the engine.
    “Karen,” Rand whispered, “your address.”
    “Oh, of course.” She supplied the information and leaned against the back of the seat until Rand’s arm cupped her shoulder, drawing her close to his side. They rode in silence, bathed in a rare kind of contentment.
    Sooner than Karen wanted, Carl arrived at her apartment complex. Rand walked her to her door.
    Gently, her hand stroked his face. “Thank you for the lovely, enchanted evening, Perseus.”
    Rand’s kiss was tender and fierce all at the same time. Karen clung to him and moaned as the dizzy weakness spread through her limbs. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she closed her eyes, surrendering to the charge of emotion Rand wrought in her.
    Again, his mouth parted hers with a kiss as searing as it was devastating. “Goodbye, my lady,” he murmured, and pressed his lips against her fragrant hair.
    Karen opened the apartment door and floated inside, her heart singing a glorious melody.

Two
    Karen woke to the smell and sounds of perking coffee. Reluctantly, she rose, looping the tie of her velour bathrobe around her slender waist. Stifling a yawn, she sauntered from her bedroom; the aroma of the coffee guided her into the small kitchen. She took a mug from the cupboard and poured herself a cup, ignoring the fact that