Page 55 of An Unlikely Debutante

Chapter Eighteen

Lina felt her whole body melting. It was incredible what sensations one solitary little finger could elicit and secretly she wished for more. Alex was seated next to her in the carriage, declining the spacious seat opposite her and deciding instead for the proximity that allowed him to touch her surreptitiously.

She felt his finger trail to the base of her neck before circling its way up again, eliciting an involuntary shudder of pleasure as he reached the point where her neck met her skull.

‘Just think how good my lips would feel,’ Alex murmured.

‘You’re relentless,’ Lina managed to whisper, trying to stop her head falling back involuntarily, inviting his lips in.

‘I always get what I want.’

‘Always? That’s not healthy.’

‘Well, maybe not always,’ Alex conceded. ‘But this time I have very good motivation.’

Second by second Lina felt her resolve crumbling. Fixing her eyes on the moving scenery outside the carriage window, she tried to focus on the rolling hills, but within a minute her mind was back to the subject of Alex and his completely indecent proposal.

‘You will behave during this trip?’ Lina asked.

‘Shouldn’t I be asking you that?’

‘I’m not the one trying to seduce you.’

‘If only,’ Alex whispered, his breath hot on her neck.

Lina felt the heat rising in her body and quickly she darted across the carriage and settled herself in the middle of the seat opposite. To remain so close to Alex would be admitting defeat. She still didn’t want to be his mistress, still didn’t want to ruin herself, but every time he was close to her reason seemed to fly out of the window and she struggled not to lean in and kiss him.

‘Alex, I’m being serious. You won’t disgrace me whilst we are away?’

The levity departed from his face and suddenly Alex was completely serious. ‘Do you have to ask?’

Slowly Lina shook her head. That was what made this so painful: she knew he would never force anything between them. The kiss they had shared had been completely mutual. She’d wanted it as much as him. Ever since, he’d pursued her, tempted her, taunted her, waiting patiently until she could endure it no longer and gave in.

Until recently she’d prided herself on her strength of resolve, with her family often labelling her stubborn. That was all that was getting her through the torture of being so close to Alex, knowing he wanted her, but not being able to act on the fire she felt every time he looked at her with desire in his eyes.

‘Tell me about the races,’ Lina said, wanting desperately to distract Alex from his primary mission of seducing her.

Sitting back on his seat, a small smile on his lips and a glazed look in his eye, Alex took his time before speaking.

‘Newmarket is arguably the finest racecourse in the country and the race days are huge social events. The horses and jockeys are eager to perform and all the hard work of the past year comes to fruition.’

‘You watch your own horses race?’ Lina asked.

‘There will be seven races throughout the day. I have horses in two of the races. The rest of the time it is about assessing the competition, scouting for any horses I may wish to purchase, deciding which of my horses will enter which of the races going forward.’

She loved the enthusiasm in his voice and fire in his eyes as he talked about his horses. It was easy to admire a man who was so driven, so passionate about something.

‘And there are spectators there, people who don’t own racehorses?’

‘Indeed. It’s a lucrative business. Newmarket has a good reputation, so there will be plenty of ladies and gentlemen in attendance, socialising and enjoying the horses. And of course many people go to bet on the outcomes of the races.’

They lapsed into silence for a while, Lina looking out the window and enjoying the scenery, and Alex no doubt planning how to seduce her best at the races.

* * *

Nearly an hour later the carriage slowed as they approached the entrance to the racecourse. In front of them was a line of coaches, curricles and carriages either parked or stopped for a few moments to let the passengers out. Streams of people were heading towards the racecourse, both the women and the men dressed in their finest clothes, as if this was an occasion to impress. Lina smoothed down her cream dress, the one Alex had purchased her a few weeks ago, and adjusted the bonnet that was perched on her head. It was the first time she’d worn such a contraption and it felt strange and uncomfortable pinned to her hair, but Alex assured her she looked the part of a young debutante and that it was good practice for the challenges yet to come.

‘Alex!’ a voice called as their carriage drew to a stop directly outside the entrance. Lina saw Georgina hurry across to them, her husband strolling along behind, offering a few words of greeting to the people he passed.