“I’m good at it.”
“Yes, I know,” he said with a dry laugh. “But doesn’t it getterribly boring? I never thought you would still be working for your father all these years later. What happened to helping women open their own—”
“Stop,” she bit off, forgetting for a moment the power this man held over her. “We’re done here.” But for once Benjamin did as he was told and shut his mouth. “And I’ll speak to Lucien,” she continued, her voice as thin as a reed. “You’ll hear from him soon.”
Benjamin gave her a complacent nod and looked at his feet in an appropriate expression of shame, even if it wasn’t entirely felt. Either way, she should be pleased. As promised, Lucien would come away from their agreement in a better position than he started. And despite everything, she did believe Benjamin would use all his resources and connections to make the business a success. But most important, she could put an end to this courtship farce with him. Though it would be difficult, if not impossible, to sway the board without Lucien, Alex couldn’t go on like this. She would have to think of something else. But in the meantime, her life could go back to normal.
No more interminable evenings spent in theaters or ballrooms, gasping for breath in a too-tight gown, trying to convince everyone around her that someone actually wanted to be with her. She would confess nothing to Lucien and had no desire to play the villain. If he and Freddie still wanted to be together so badly, then let them. Alex would not stand in their way anymore. The Ericsons be damned. And then everyone would get what they wanted. It was a perfectly Shakespearian ending.
But as Alex walked away, regret began to slowly churn inside her until she forced it to stop. Until she felt nothing but the numbing embrace of apathy. Then she forced her lips into a smile and entered the room.
Twenty-Three
As soon as Lucien caught sight of Alex entering the room, he made his excuses to the gentleman who had been talking his ear off for the last fifteen minutes. About what, Lucien couldn’t even recall. His only thoughts had been for Alex. Namely, what he would say to her and, more important, what she would say in return.
He weaved through the crowd toward her, unable to stop a genuine smile from spreading across his face. But as Lucien grew closer, his step faltered. Alex looked pale and drawn, while she clenched and unclenched her hands with a kind of nervous tension Lucien had never seen from her before. Then she turned sharply to him. As their eyes met, Lucien knew. She was going to end this tonight. End it now.
He could feel the smile fall away from his lips and his steps begin to drag. But there was no avoiding this. Nothing he could do to change her mind.
Lucien shoved his hands in his pockets as he moved beside her. “Well, then. Have you something to say to me?”
She cleared her throat and stood a little straighter, as if her puffed-out chest was a kind of armor. “I believe our association has come to its natural end.”
He let out a dispirited laugh at the primness in her voice. Thiswoman who had fallen apart from his touch. “Oh, do you? Funny, I signed a contract that says otherwise.”
Alex’s eyes briefly fluttered closed. “I am voiding our contract.”
Lucien licked his lips. “On what grounds?” He forced his voice to remain steady. Controlled. “You know damn well I haven’t broken your morality clause.”
“I do.”
Her soft reply only angered him further. “Thenwhy?” he said through gritted teeth.
“Benjamin spoke to me just now. He is very keen for you to accept his offer. And I think you should take it,” she explained calmly, slowly. As if he were an unruly dog that needed to be brought to heel. “He’s a bit sore that you’ve been avoiding him, though, so it will be less than you originally discussed—” Lucien barked a laugh. “But,” she continued with a silencing look. “I will make up the difference.”
“Absolutely not,” Lucien scoffed. “Forget the money, I don’t want to partner with him on principle.”
“But—”
He turned his whole body toward her. “I told you I don’ttrusthim,” he hissed.
“You must,” she urged. “He will ruin your good name if you don’t. And I—I won’t be able to protect you.”
Lucien stared into her pleading eyes. “Is he threatening you?”
Alex glanced away. “It’s… complicated.” Then she shook her head. “I’m so sorry.”
“Whatever for?”
“I really did want to help you. But now all I’ve managed is to force you into a business relationship.”
He took her arm. “You haven’t forced me into anything.”
She let out a sigh. “Lucien, if you don’t partner with him, he will ruin your reputation.”
“Then let him. What do I care if—”
“And my sisters.” At his silence, she continued. “If it were just myself, then so be it. But Phoebe already has enough to deal with becoming a duchess and Freddie is one scandal short of being blackballed by society. I can’t… I can’tdothat to them. No matter what I may want.”
