The man put a hand on her shoulder, laughing with her.
Before Alistair knew what he was doing, he strode up to them with the liquid grace of a panther and stopped beside them. Neither one had noticed him as they laughed on. He cleared his throat. “I’m not intruding, am I?”
“Alistair!” Sophia jumped and then smiled at him. “No, of course not. This is Judge Albert Ackerman. Albert, this is a friend of mine, Alistair MacCraig.”
“How do you do?” The blond man stretched out his hand to shake Alistair’s.
“Your Honor.” Alistair shook it briefly and discouraging further intimacy, turned to Sophia, grabbing her hand and informing her in an icy voice, “I have ordered that our drinks and cigars be brought to our private garden.”
“Oh.” She looked surprised. “I—”
“Good night, Your Honor.” Alistai
