Page 80 of An Unlikely Debutante

Chapter Twenty-Four

Alex looked at the door for what seemed like the fiftieth time. Lina had been gone far too long. Something untoward must have happened. Despite his initial flash of worry, deep down Alex knew Lina couldn’t be in too much trouble; they were in a house full of people and she was perfectly capable of looking after herself. If any gentleman a little the worse for drink cornered her in a secluded spot, he knew it would be the gentleman who came out of the encounter with a sore groin and a bloody nose. Nevertheless, when another five minutes passed without Lina reappearing, he made his excuses to the group of old friends he’d been talking to and stepped into the hallway.

There were fewer people out here compared to the ballroom and the air felt cooler and fresher. Still, he had to weave through the groups to make any progress and before he’d taken more than ten steps he saw a flash of emerald green descending the stairs towards him. Lina’s face was flushed as she rushed towards him, her steps measured but hurried, and as she gripped hold of his arm he sensed something had just gone monumentally wrong.

‘What’s happened?’ he asked.

‘Can we leave?’

‘Of course.’

There would be time to question Lina later, but right now he could see the urgency written all over her face. For whatever reason, they had to leave the Wilcox ball now.

They nearly made it to the door before Alex felt a sharp tug on his arm. Quickly he spun, anticipating danger, but instead came face to face with Victoria.

‘We will have to talk some other time, Victoria,’ Alex said, conscious of how Lina stiffened beside him as she spotted the other woman.

‘You’re leaving with her?’ The question was spat rather than said, her words dripping with disapproval and disdain.

‘Let’s go,’ Lina said quietly. ‘I don’t want to embarrass you.’

Even though their entire exchange had been conducted in low voices, already people were beginning to stare and a space was clearing around the three of them.

‘What’s happened?’ Alex asked, realising Victoria must be the reason Lina had looked so flustered as she met him in the hallway and requested to leave.

‘You can’t bring someone like her to a society ball, Alex,’ Victoria said, shaking her head as if he were a foolish child.

‘Miss Lock is a friend of the family. She is being sponsored by both Georgina and myself.’ Alex tried to keep the emotion from his voice whilst he figured out what was going on here. The black looks passing between the two women hinted at some harsh words being exchanged before Alex had arrived on the scene, but he couldn’t imagine what.

‘I should have guessed your sister was in on this,’ Victoria said. ‘Although I did think she had more morals.’

‘What have morals got to do with anything?’

‘You don’t bring your mistress to a ball with respectable people. Especially one as crude and uncultured as her.’

Alex glanced at Lina, expecting to see some sort of reaction on her face, either hurt or anger, but she remained quite majestically neutral, merely raising an eyebrow as Victoria jabbed a finger in her direction.

‘Please do not speak about Miss Lock in that manner,’ Alex said calmly, despite the explosion of anger he could feel building inside him. Struggling to keep himself under control, he turned again, meaning to make a hasty exit with Lina on his arm before Victoria could cause any more of a scene.

‘You used to be better than this, Alex,’ Victoria called. ‘You used to socialise only with a certain standard of people.’

Unable to stop himself, Alex spun around and took two steps back towards Victoria.

‘Lina is ten times the woman you’ll ever be,’ he said, loud enough for the assembled crowd to hear. ‘She’s considerate and intelligent and fun to be around, and what’s more she’s loyal and honest.’

He saw Victoria recoil as if she’d been slapped, saw the tears blossom in her eyes before spilling over on to her cheeks. Anyone else he might feel sorry for, but the remorse for his words just wasn’t there. She’d injured Lina, embarrassed her in front of all these people. He couldn’t bring himself to regret defending the beautiful woman on his arm.

‘Come, my dear,’ Winchester said softly, stepping forward and putting an arm around his wife’s shoulders. ‘Let’s get you home.’ He flashed a puzzled look at Alex, one infused with a silent apology, and forcibly escorted Victoria through the front door.

‘We should leave, too,’ Alex said, aware of all the guests trying to pretend they weren’t listening intently to every word.

‘I’m sorry,’ Lina said quietly.

‘What for?’ As far as he could tell, Lina had been blameless in this situation.

‘You’ve lost your wager.’

‘Nothing could be further from my mind.’