Small groups of people were deep in discussion, some more animated than others, while various gadgets and mock-ups were displayed throughout the space.
There were a few other women in attendance, including Mr. LaSalle’s wife, Marguerite.
She immediately spotted them and approached. “I was hoping you would come this evening, Alexandra. And you brought friends!”
Alex then submitted to Marguerite’s cheek kisses, which she only allowed because the woman was terribly French and she didn’t like to make a scene. “Yes. This is my father, Mr. Atkinson, and Mr. Lucien Taylor. He’s just returned from Paris.”
Marguerite looked delighted and after greeting her father, began speaking to Lucien in French, most of which was spoken so rapidly, Alex could barely keep up. But Lucien smiled and responded in kind. Alex had never heard him speak French before, and though she was hardly an expert, to her ears he sounded fluent. It was rather attractive.
“I’ll go speak to LaSalle,” her father murmured by her ear. “You talk Lucien up.”
Alex shot him a bewildered look. “But what am I to do?”
Her father arched a brow. “Stay here and bewooed.” Then he strode across the room, letting out a booming “LaSalle!” as he went.
Alex huffed and returned her attention to Marguerite and Lucien, who were now chattering on like a couple of old friends. Marguerite let out a laugh and threw back her head of dark blonde hair. She was considered very fashionable, but Alex had never paid much attention to her clothing, as Marguerite LaSalle was quite brilliant. Much more so than her celebrated husband, in Alex’s opinion. She also harbored a suspicion that Marguerite wrote most of her husband’s papers—or at least heavily edited them.
But tonight Alex couldn’t ignore her hostess’s dazzling cornflower blue gown, nor the way it set off her sapphire eyes—eyes which lingered rather long on Lucien.
Though she would never admit it to her mother, once again Alex was relieved that she hadn’t worn the brown thing, otherwise she would have faded into the wallpaper. Now at least she stood a chance of competing with the furniture.
Marguerite managed to tear her gaze away from Lucien long enough to address Alex. “I’m so glad you brought yourfriend,” she said, putting a peculiar emphasis on the word.
“Yes,” Alex replied. “We have been spending a good deal of time together since his return.”
Marguerite raised a knowing eyebrow and looked between them. “Have you? Well, that is wonderful to hear,” she said with a genuine smile before turning back to Lucien. “I’ve long wondered what man would be smart enough to pursue our Alexandra.”
Alex’s cheeks heated, though perhaps she should not be so surprised at Marguerite’s bold comment.
But Lucien appeared nonplussed and merely smiled. “I can only hope I’m smart enough to keep her.”
Marguerite grinned. “Oh, Idolike him,” she murmured to Alex and patted her arm before moving on to make the rounds.
I can only hope I’m smart enough to keep her.
It was just a line, but a dashed good one.
Alex cleared her throat. Her cheeks must be crimson by now. “The entire room will know before the evening is over.”
And soon the rest of London.
“It’s that easy?”
She glanced up at Lucien. He was scanning the room so she let her gaze wander over his profile. “You saw Mrs. LaSalle’s reaction.”
Lucien turned to her. “She seemed happy for you.”
“And also surprised,” Alex added. “No doubt Mildred Henderson thought the very same. ‘Alexandra Atkinson has finally found a man willing to put up with her,’” she said, imitating the voice of a nosy matron. “It will be the story of the season.”
But Lucien only stared at her for a moment, his expression grave. “Is that how you see yourself?”
Her jaw tightened at the softness that had crept into his voice. The last thing she wanted was his pity. She turned away before his eyes could turn limpid. “Come,” she said briskly. “Let’s look at the displays.”
“As you wish.”
Fifteen
As Alex led him across the room, Lucien noticed their progress being tracked by a number of eyes. Perhaps she hadn’t been indulging in a bit of self-pity after all if simply escorting her to an event garnered this much attention.
