Page 74 of An Unlikely Debutante

‘Close your eyes.’

‘Promise you won’t let me fall.’

‘I promise.’

Lina closed her eyes and felt Alex’s arms around her. She squealed, but dutifully kept her eyes closed.

‘I want you to imagine something. Can you do that for me?’

Lina nodded.

‘Imagine we’ve just been for a stroll in the park, it’s a warm day and we’ve returned here for refreshments and to rest after the exertion in the sunshine.’

‘Where is here?’

‘Shush. Be patient and let me paint you the picture.’

Lina truly didn’t know where they were. Alex had kept her occupied in the carriage ride over here, telling her a little about the guests he knew would be attending the Wilcox ball, and when they briefly stepped out on to the smart street she hadn’t recognised it, although that didn’t mean much after just a few days in London.

‘We have the whole afternoon ahead of us, the whole evening, the whole night to enjoy nothing but one another.’

Lina’s eyes shot open as Alex bent towards her and kissed her on the tip of her nose.

‘What is it?’

‘Rooms I have just acquired,’ Alex said, as if that were enough of an explanation.

They were standing in a large, sun-filled room, replete with splendid furniture and even a grand piano at one end.

‘Follow me,’ Alex said, taking Lina by the hand and pulling her through the doors into the hallway. Excitedly he flung doors open, announcing the purpose of each room, only stopping when he reached the bedroom.

Lina stepped inside. It was beautiful. A large, four-poster bed filled the centre of the room, but there was plenty of space for two armchairs and an ornate dressing table. Two good-sized windows let the afternoon sun in, which gave the room a warm glow. The view was of the street and beyond that a small park where children were happily playing.

‘It’s lovely, Alex,’ Lina said sadly.

He cupped her chin, gently tilting her head so she had to look up into his eyes.

‘It’s for us. Just for us.’

‘I know.’

The purpose of the rooms was clear. It was somewhere they could be together, somewhere they could fulfil the roles of aristocrat and mistress without society minding. The idea Lina might live in Alex’s main residence as his mistress was preposterous—she had to be hidden away somewhere secret and private.

‘How long have you rented them for?’ she asked, her voice flat.

‘Six months initially, but there is the option to extend.’

Six months. She supposed it was as good a length of time as any.

‘You don’t like it?’ Alex said, watching her face carefully.

‘There is absolutely nothing wrong with the rooms, Alex,’ Lina said, unsure whether she felt more hurt or angry.

‘Just imagine us spending lazy Sunday mornings in bed here. It would be sublime.’

‘Have you used it before?’ Lina asked.

‘Used it before?’ He looked confused.