“I’m afraid I need to return to the office,” she said.
“Now?” Aunt Winifred frowned in disapproval. “You don’t mean to say you have more work to do at this time of day?”
Given that it couldn’t be later than half past three in the afternoon, Alex failed to grasp her point.
“That is exactly what I mean.” Alex then turned away as her aunt’s frown deepened and addressed Lucien. “You are still coming to the LaSalles’ on Thursday?” The question came out far brusquer than was polite, but Lucien simply nodded.
“I will be at Park House at seven thirty.”
“Good. I think it will be a productive evening.”
Now Aunt Winifred was staring as if she had two heads, which Alex did her best to ignore.
“I look forward to it,” Lucien replied.
Alex had the distinct sense he was fighting back a smile, though she failed to understand the source of his amusement. “Would you like a ride?” She gestured up ahead to their waiting carriage.
“No, thank you. I’d prefer to walk so I can get my bearings a little more.”
“A fine idea.”
Lucien then bid good-bye to Aunt Winifred and tipped his hat to Alex before striding off in the opposite direction. It wasn’t until her aunt cleared her throat that Alex realized she had been staring at his back.
Once they were safely ensconced in the carriage, Aunt Winifred gave her a sympathetic look.
“I think we should spend some time reviewing the particulars of courtship etiquette, my dear,” she said gently.
“Why? Mr. Taylor behaved like a perfect gentleman.”
Aunt Winifred rolled her eyes. “Not him.You.”
“Oh.” Alex slumped in her seat. “Was I being rude?”
It was an accusation her sisters made sometimes, usually when Alex was simply being honest about their terrible behavior. But if that was the case here, she would feel bad.
“Well, not exactly.” Her aunt hesitated. “But you could take a greater interest in him. Gentlemenlikewhen you ask them questions, you know. So they can talk about their accomplishments. But you seemed distracted.”
Alex lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Was it seeing that Mrs. Henderson?”
Though she longed to deny it, Alex nodded reluctantly. “I wasn’t prepared.”
When she looked up again, her aunt was giving her a fond smile. “Yes, well, do keep in mind that might happen quite a bit now that you are moving in society more.” Alex failed to suppress her shudder.
Much to her mother’s dismay, after Alex had finished at Oxford she refused to have a season in favor of working at her father’s firm right away. Thus, she rarely mixed with members of the ton apart from events hosted by her parents—andtheywere snubbed by the most exclusive circles on account of her father being born to a mere gentleman and not another aristocrat.
“But you shouldn’t let it bother you quite so much,” her aunt continued. “Don’t give them your attention. There is power in preparation.”
Alex let out a sigh. “What should I do instead?”
Her aunt looked thoughtful. “Whenever I encounter someone I don’t particularly like, I ask after them first. Then once they’ve finished, I say I need to go speak with someone else who is usually across the room.” She flashed a sly smile. “I find it easier to end the conversation if I start it. Then I walk away and move on with my evening.”
“Really? That works?”
Her aunt shrugged. “Well enough. And it gets easier with practice. But you also have me. Perhaps we should make up a signal and I will come rescue you.”
Alex perked up at the idea. “What kind of signal?”
