An Unlikely Debutante by Laura Martin

Author:Laura Martin [Martin, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Alex prowled around his study, picking up various pieces of paper that needed his attention, but unable to focus on anything. Lina still hadn’t returned. It had only been thirty minutes since he had got back to the house, but he’d hoped he would find Stormborn back in the stables and Lina rubbing him down. Neither horse nor woman were anywhere to be seen.

Flopping down into his chair, he wondered if she had left for good. He wouldn’t put it past her; he’d seen the hurt and anger in her eyes as he’d suggested she become his mistress. Never had he expected such a violent reaction.

Alex understood her reluctance. She’d told him how her father had been used and then discarded by a wealthy, titled woman looking for some amusement. Lina was concerned that would happen to her. All he needed to do was be clearer in his offer, show her how they could enjoy each other’s company for the next few weeks and then both continue with their lives enriched and emotionally unscathed by the experience. If they both went in with their eyes open, knowing this affair would have an end date, it wouldn’t hurt either of them.

A small voice in the back of his mind scoffed at him. Already he was panicking that he might not ever see Lina again, that he’d driven her away with his proposition. The idea he could give her up after they’d become even closer was difficult to accept, but of course he would have to. No matter how much he liked Lina, how much more he liked himself when Lina was around, the only way they could realistically be together was if she became his mistress. He might dream of a future where Lina stayed on at Whitemore House for ever, where they were bound together by law, but that couldn’t be anything more than a dream.

Running a hand through his hair, Alex wondered if he was being selfish. He knew there were different standards for men and women. A titled, unmarried gentleman was almost expected to have a mistress or lover, whereas for an unmarried woman to be entangled with a man there were often consequences. But they would be careful. No one from Lina’s normal life would ever know anything had happened between them.

The thundering of hooves approaching the house made Alex smile in relief. He had not lost her yet. She must have returned for a reason and he was fairly certain that reason was the mutual attraction they shared.

‘Alex!’ Lina shouted, her voice panicky and breathless. ‘Alex!’

A surge of concern powered his stride and he was out through the front door within a few seconds.

‘There’s been a carriage accident, on the road from Pottersdown. I think it’s your aunt, she’s hurt quite badly and trapped. You have to come now.’

The initial relief he had felt at seeing Lina safe and unharmed was replaced by worry. Aunt Lucy was a wonderful if slightly eccentric woman, who Alex would hate to see hurt.

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