Page 72 of An Unlikely Debutante

Chapter Twenty-Two

With a theatrical sigh, Lina flopped on to a bench and tugged at the ties of her bonnet. She was just about to lift it from her head to allow some much-needed air to circulate when Georgina gave her a sharp nudge in the ribs. Reluctantly Lina let her hands fall back to her sides, her bonnet still firmly in place covering her hair.

It was hot—far too hot to be wearing as many layers as Lina was dressed in and the cotton chemise and petticoats seemed to be sticking to her body every time she moved. She longed for her loose, cool skirt and blouse, which in the summer months she often wore with nothing else underneath. The people of London were sticklers for being appropriately dressed—that was, if you believed everything Georgina had to say—and everyone was strolling around Hyde Park with far too many layers to be comfortable.

‘We’ve got half an hour before your dress fitting,’ Georgina said, fanning herself delicately with a lace handheld fan. ‘Would you like to walk further or shall we sit here in the shade for a while?’

‘As much as I’m enjoying this heat, I worry for my complexion in the sun,’ Lina said, grinning at Georgina’s expression.

For the last four days, all the time they’d been in London, Georgina had been suggesting various methods to brighten Lina’s skin. Lina had endured hearing about the benefits of milk baths, the juice of lemons, a strange-smelling face cream and only being allowed out of the house with a bonnet and a parasol. She’d gone along with all of it, knowing that years of spending her days outside enjoying the feeling of the sun’s rays on her skin were not going to be reversed in a few short weeks. In addition, after Georgina had run halfway down the street after her and Alex when they’d left for a walk one day, Alex had told her he rather liked the freckles that were dotted over her nose and that he thought her skin was the colour of honey. She’d blushed when he’d leaned in and added, ‘Good enough to eat,’ in a low whisper.

‘How are you feeling about the Wilcox ball?’ Georgina asked as they sat side by side, watching the children play with their nursemaid in the distance.

‘A little nervous.’

In truth, she was petrified. Not of the ball—how bad could one evening be? No, Lina was petrified of the day after, the moment when she would have to bid farewell to Alex for ever. Although she had tried to prepare herself for the inevitable separation, she still knew her heart would break. If she wasn’t careful, she might fling herself at his feet and beg him to keep her as his mistress even just for a few weeks, in spite of what she had insisted.

‘I think you’ll do very well. You’ve worked so hard these last few weeks, you will fit in with all the other debutantes perfectly.’

Lina nodded absently. She could dance and converse and curtsy in all the right places. Her voice might not be as cultured as the other young women, her knowledge of the opera or Mozart’s piano concertos not so in depth, but she wasn’t expected to do more than make small talk and dance a few dances in order for Alex to win his wager. The only difficulty would be if anyone enquired as to her background, her family and their home. Alex didn’t think it would be a problem; the fact she was being sponsored by both himself and Georgina made up for her lack of pedigree.

‘I will miss you,’ Georgina said quietly, taking Lina’s hand and squeezing it. ‘We’ve had such fun this past month.’

‘I’ll miss you, too.’ It was the truth. Georgina was kind and good fun to be with, just like her brother. ‘Although I’m not sure I’ll miss all of this.’ Lina gestured to the outfit she was wearing and the parasol that laid by her side.

‘Nonsense. You’ll be wearing a bonnet whilst you tell fortunes at the next country fair.’ They both smiled, then sat in silence for a few minutes, before Georgina said softly, ‘Are you worried about leaving?’

‘I’m worried about going home. I’m not sure how I’ll fit in any more. These last few weeks I’ve seen so much, learnt so much, it’ll be difficult to go back to my old life.’

It was the truth, but more than that, Lina didn’t know how she would be able to live without seeing Alex every single day.

‘You’ll be glad to see your family, though?’ Georgina asked. ‘Your brother and your cousin?’

Unexpected tears filled Lina’s eyes. It was nearly six weeks since she’d last seen Raul and Sabina, and right now she could do with a strong hug from her brother and a long talk with her sensible and loving cousin.

‘I can’t wait to see them.’

Lina caught sight of Pentworthy strolling towards them, deep in conversation with a smartly dressed young man. It was wonderful to watch Georgina’s face light up as she spotted her husband and Lina wondered if she would ever get to experience that same happiness and contentment.

‘Miss Lock, may I introduce Mr Braithwaite,’ Pentworthy said as they approached the bench. Lina rose and dipped her head, smiling at the earnest young man in front of her. ‘Mr Braithwaite runs a large textile company up north. We were introduced by a mutual friend when Mr Braithwaite arrived in London.’

‘Miss Lock and I were just on our way to the dressmaker’s,’ Georgina said, placing her hand in the crook of her husband’s arm. ‘Perhaps you gentlemen have time to escort us?’

‘It would be my pleasure,’ Mr Braithwaite said, offering Lina his arm. His voice was low and rich, thick with a northern accent Lina recognised from time spent in Derbyshire a few years ago.

They walked, Lina ensuring her parasol was held high over her head to stop the sun from falling on her cheeks. As they made their way through Hyde Park, they talked about London life, about her stay with the Whitemore family, of the opera Mr Braithwaite had been to see the night before and a dozen other insignificant topics. The earnest young man was a perfectly good companion, perfectly nice, but Lina found herself wishing it were someone else leading her through the leafy park. Someone strong and tall, confident and easy in himself. Someone who would be conversing normally one second and leaning down to whisper something wicked in her ear the next second.

‘What do you think, Miss Lock?’ Mr Braithwaite asked.

Lina felt her eyes widen as she desperately tried to recall what they had been talking about before she’d slipped off into her daydream. They’d spoke a little of how fashions seemed to change so quickly in London, especially compared to the country, but she rather thought Mr Braithwaite might have moved on whilst her mind was elsewhere.

‘I completely agree, Mr Braithwaite,’ Lina said, trying to sound confident even though she had no idea what she was agreeing to.

Mr Braithwaite beamed and at the same moment a familiar figure came strolling down the path towards them. Before Lina could ascertain what statement she’d just agreed with so exuberantly, Alex was in front of them. Even in public, he stood just a little too close for propriety.

‘May I introduce Lord Whitemore, the Marquess of Essex.’ Lina paused, turning to Alex and finding herself stumbling over her words as she caught the flash of primal desire in his eyes. ‘And this is Mr Braithwaite.’

The two men shook hands, talking easily as they found out common acquaintances and experiences. All the while, Lina felt the heat rising in her body. It was a warm day, but even the heat from the sun couldn’t explain the burning sensation deep inside her. This was getting worse. A few weeks ago it had been just a slight tingle, a throb of anticipation every time Alex drew near. Now it was impossible to ignore the sizzle of desire and the need to be close to him. After any spell of time apart Lina felt almost bereaved and their reconciliation was verging on painful as she had to hold herself back from launching herself into his arms.