Page 85 of An Unlikely Debutante

‘You wanted me, I wanted you. It was the only way it could have happened,’ Lina said quietly.

‘No, it wasn’t.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘At the Wilcox ball I realised something—something I’d felt for a long time, but I hadn’t been able to admit to myself.’

Lina felt a fizz of anticipation. She wasn’t entirely sure why Alex had sought her out, why he’d brought her to this remote corner of the fair and kissed her, but already her heart was soaring. She just hoped it wouldn’t crash back down and break with his next words.

‘I love you, Lina, and I can’t bear to spend one more day without you.’

‘You love me?’

‘I love you.’

She swayed slightly on her feet, unable to fully comprehend his words, and immediately Alex’s arms were around her waist, holding her up.

‘You love me?’

‘I love you,’ he repeated for a third time.

‘I love you, too, Alex.’

‘I know,’ he said with a mischievous grin.

‘So arrogant.’

He shrugged. ‘Can you bear to spend your life with such an arrogant man?’

‘You mean...?’

‘Marry me, Lina.’

‘Surely it wouldn’t work? We’re from different worlds.’

‘I don’t care.’

‘You’ll be shunned from society.’

‘I don’t care.’

‘No one will ever accept us.’

‘I don’t care. The people who matter will come around when they see how much we love each other. The rest can gossip and whisper about us for years to come. All I want is you. Will you marry me?’ he asked for a second time.

‘Yes.’

He kissed her then, and time slowed so she felt every caress, every nip, until he reluctantly pulled away.

‘On one condition,’ Lina said, barely able to conceal her smile.

‘What’s that?’

‘You let me ride your Arabian.’

‘You drive a hard bargain, Lady Whitemore.’