Page 29 of An Unlikely Debutante

‘You’re ready. You can dance. You can converse about the weather and other mundane subjects. You know how to address people correctly. What could go wrong?’

‘Do I have to converse about mundane subjects?’

He could just imagine her regaling the ladies and gentlemen of the gentry with tales of gypsy life. Although it was tempting to allow her that freedom of speech, he knew it would not help him win his wager.

‘Most certainly. That is the only way to blend in with the other debutantes.’

‘What if someone asks who I am?’

Alex had considered this question time and time again. Keeping Lina’s true identity a secret was vital to his final aim—passing her off as the perfect debutante. No discerning gentleman would ask her to dance if he knew of her background. Equally, he didn’t want to lie outright about her origins.

‘We shall say you are a family friend and that Georgina and I are sponsoring your first Season.’

Lina nodded, satisfied.

‘Lina, dear, we need to decide on your dress,’ Georgina gushed. ‘I will meet you in your bedroom in just a moment. I need a to have a quick word with my brother first.’

Perhaps not the most subtle way to get rid of Lina, but she didn’t seem to mind.

‘Careful, Alex,’ Georgina said once she was sure they were alone.

‘Careful?’

‘Lina is a pretty girl.’

‘She is.’

‘And she’s easy to spend time with.’

‘Mostly.’

Georgina sighed. ‘I am delighted you have started to take an interest in the fairer sex again, Alex, but couldn’t you choose someone more appropriate to become closer to?’

‘I do love you, Georgina,’ Alex said with a grin. ‘Nothing is going on with Lina.’

‘But you want it to.’

Alex shrugged. He wasn’t above lying to his sister, but she must have seen the spark between them as they danced. He didn’t think denial was his best policy.

‘As a man, I am subject to certain desires. I respond if I hold an attractive woman close. That doesn’t mean I would ever act on those desires.’

‘I wouldn’t want to see her get hurt.’

‘I am well aware we are from different stations, different worlds even.’

Georgina laughed. ‘Could you imagine the scandal if you decided to marry a gypsy girl?’

Alex stiffened as he realised he and Georgina were talking of completely different things. She was talking of marriage, a lifetime with one woman. All he was contemplating was a few enjoyable months with Lina as his mistress.

‘You married a man considered beneath you.’

‘I was young and in love. Anyway, Richard and I were only a few rungs apart on the social ladder.’

‘I like Lina and I will admit on one or two occasions I have found myself attracted to her, but I also respect her.’ Alex realised it was the truth, but a small part of him wondered if that was enough to temper the desire he felt building whenever her hand brushed against his or their bodies swayed together. Alongside that desire was a budding friendship. Not in a long time had he felt able to talk and laugh with anyone like he did Lina. She was witty and sharp, but had a kindness about her that you didn’t encounter much amongst the people of the ton.

‘I’m glad to hear it. I wouldn’t want her to get her heart broken. I think she rather likes you, too.’

‘What is there not to like?’

Georgina raised her eyebrows but didn’t answer, instead she swooped out of the room.

Alex sank on to the piano stool and ran his fingers across the keys, picking out a few notes. He could play the piano proficiently, but he was no master of music like his sister. Too long spent on horseback rather than practising his scales meant he would never be able to play a piece by heart as Georgina just had.

Closing his eyes, he pictured Lina in his arms as they waltzed around the room. It felt right to hold her body so close to his, to feel her fingers gripping his shoulder. Georgina was right, probably nothing good could come out of a liaison with Lina, but it didn’t mean his imagination wasn’t already building the fantasy in his mind.