Alex began to suspect it was dear Thomas’s willingness to bebullied by Mildred that had been his greatest attraction. She almost felt sorry for him.
“Is that delightful Mr. Taylor here this evening?” Mildred asked while craning her neck. “I have not seen him.”
“No,” Alex said. “He is not.”
When it was clear she would not say anything more on the matter, Mildred pouted. “I am sorry to hear that. But chin up. There is still a little time left for you to find a husband.”
Alex did not reply to this remark and instead turned to Mr. Henderson, who looked absolutely mortified by his wife’s rude behavior. A pity he didn’t attempt to do anything about it.
“Come by our offices next week, if you wish. I am there every workday.”
The man broke into an eager smile that changed his demeanor entirely. “Thank you. I will.”
“Lovely to see you again, Alexandra!” Mildred trilled as she all but dragged him away.
Alex rolled her eyes in good-bye.
I am there every workday.
It was the truth, yet for some reason the thought caused a sinking feeling in her chest.
Before Alex could ruminate on it any further, Phoebe hurried over in a cloud of gold chiffon. Mother really had outdone herself for Phoebe’s ballgown. Even Alex could tell that it was beyond exquisite. “Did you hear the news? Freddie is engaged! Hank Jr. proposed last night with the largest diamond I haveeverseen.”
Alex blinked. Whatever relief she might have once felt at the news barely registered now. “Oh. That’s good,” she managed.
“I know I wasn’t very keen on their relationship before,” Phoebe began, “but she did seem happy when she was showing me the ring. Imagine, we could all be married within a year,” she said with a grin and then looked around. “Where is Lucien?”
“He isn’t coming.” And even though Alex made sure to sound controlled, some of the sorrow must have slipped in, for Phoebe immediately turned to her with concern.
“What’s happened?”
Everything.
Alex cleared her throat. “I ended things,” she said with a decided nod that must have looked as ridiculous as it felt.
“When?”
“Three days ago.”
Phoebe shook her head in disbelief. “But…why?”
“I don’t want to get into it now,” Alex insisted. “This is your party and you should be celebrated accordingly. And please don’t say anything to Will. No one else knows yet. I told Mother and Father that Lucien was ill and couldn’t come tonight.”
Though that excuse wouldn’t work forever. Her father was already growing suspicious but had been too distracted with ball preparations to press her further. But after tonight, that would no longer be a distraction.
Phoebe put a hand on her shoulder. “Alex, I’m very sorry.”
Her throat tightened at the sympathy in her sister’s voice and Alex was sorely tempted to tell her the truth.
It wasn’t real anyway.
But she couldn’t manage the words. “It’s for the best,” she croaked instead.
Phoebe turned away as Will called to her from the dance floor. The orchestra had just struck up a waltz. “Oh, I wish I could stay with you, but—”
“Don’t worry about me,” Alex said with a wave. “Go enjoy yourself. I’ll be fine.”
And she would be. For Alex was always fine. But fine wasn’t the same ashappy. She understood that now. All too well.
