Page 5 of Is This Real or Just Pretend?

My goodness, the staff have outdone themselves this year,” Phoebe marveled as she took in the ballroom, which was covered in pink flowers, gauzy matching bunting, and glimmering tea lights.

“It looks like the den of some particularly louche fairy king,” Alex remarked.

Phoebe laughed. “It does, rather. Mother must be delighted.”

As if to punctuate the point, the sound of their mother’s laugh carried across the space and the sisters exchanged a knowing look. At least the guest of honor was enjoying herself.

“I’m going to take a turn,” Alex said. It was time to get back to work.

“Don’t forget to have a little fun,” Phoebe called to her retreating back. “It is a party, after all.”

She shrugged off the comment and began patrolling the perimeter of the dance floor, taking note of who was here—as well as who wasn’t.

Though officially this might be her mother’s birthday party, it was also a useful measure of Atkinson Enterprise’s influence and the most interesting part of the evening by far.

Alex had begun unofficially working for her father while still in the schoolroom after she had exceeded the limits of her governess’s admittedly limited knowledge.

Back then, Atkinson Enterprises was still known as Atkinson and Son, the accounting and investment firm her grandfather had started.

Alex loved spending long afternoons in her father’s office, looking over the books searching for errors or finding new ways to increase profit margins.

There it was calm and quiet. No constant distractions from her demanding sisters or interruptions from her well-meaning but overattentive mother.

Where she didn’t have to explain what she was thinking about ( Books, usually ) or why she was frowning ( Really?

She hadn’t noticed ). Where she could just…

be. But best of all was her father’s unmitigated joy whenever she presented him with one of her findings.

My brilliant girl.

Her father dutifully opened a savings account in her name and deposited a sum every time she made him money, but it was his approval that she valued the most. It wasn’t until she went to Oxford, first to Lady Margaret Hall and then to the more broadminded Somerville College, to study mathematics and economics, that Alex realized there was good money to be made in investing in new businesses in exchange for a share of any future profits.

She wrote up a proposal and presented it to her father the day after she graduated.

And the day after that, she began working at the newly christened Atkinson Enterprises.

Since then, she and her father had been partners of sorts.

Alex had her own office, met with employees, and looked over every single business proposal the company was considering investing in.

She also sought out potential businesses on her own.

And though she rarely met with clients herself, her father took her advice seriously.

Alex knew that, to much of society, she was nothing but an odd little spinster whose father had given her the job out of pity.

But they both knew the truth, and for a long while that was enough for Alex.

Until their trip to New York a few months before had made it very clear that Alex’s unmarried status was hindering her future at the very company she had helped build.

Now she was determined to do whatever was necessary to prove that she was perfectly capable of running the company to the board of Atkinson Enterprises.

Even something as ghastly as socializing .

Alex nodded at an older man with a ridiculously large mustache. He also happened to be the owner of one of England’s largest shipping companies. “Mr. DeWitt, lovely to see you here. Enjoy your evening.”

The man stared back at her in shock. “Oh, yes,” he said after a moment. “You as well, Miss Atkinson.”

And to think, she was supposed to be the odd one.

Alex continued on, noting the presence of three more titans of industry, a handful of influential MPs, a member of cabinet, a viscount, and even a minor German prince. England’s youngest duke was also in attendance, but it was only Will Margrave and he didn’t really count.

She found her parents happily enmeshed in their little circle of friends and leaned toward her father’s shoulder. “I spotted Lord Hughes and the home secretary, as well as Mr. DeWitt.”

“Excellent.” He took a sip of champagne. “This might be our best turnout yet.”

“I know what you two are whispering about,” her mother cut in. “I told you: no work tonight.”

Alex and her father exchanged sheepish looks. “Sorry, Mother.”

“Yes, my love.”

Her mother then placed a hand on Alex’s arm. “Do try to enjoy yourself, darling.”

“I am enjoying myself.”

Her mother narrowed her eyes. “With something besides plotting your next deal. I want to see you dance.”

Alex balked. “Absolutely not.” She hadn’t danced since Phoebe’s coming-out ball and still hadn’t recovered from the experience.

Before her mother could harangue her any further, she was saved by Lady Westmoor and her inability to follow any conversation she hadn’t started. “And what did your lovely girls get you for your birthday?”

“Now’s your chance,” her father whispered and Alex began to slowly back away.

“Alex found me the most beautiful vase. Oh! And dear Freddie!” Her mother laughed as she clasped her hands to her chest in delight. “She gave me a box of…”

Alex walked faster until she was out of earshot.

She didn’t need to hear about how charming and thoughtful Freddie’s little gift was.

Unfortunately, that put her right in the path of her sisters.

Their backs were to her and their heads bent together conspiratorially.

Alex couldn’t ignore the childhood instinct to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Phoebe gasped. “And you just bumped into each other on the street?”

“I had no idea who he was though until we returned home and Alex greeted him. Cheeky man.” Freddie let out a dreamy sigh. “It’s like something out of a novel.”

“But where on earth has he been all this time?”

“Paris.” The sisters turned to Alex at her abrupt answer. “He went to culinary school there,” she added.

Freddie narrowed her eyes. “How do you know that?”

“Because I take an interest in other people’s lives.”

Phoebe gave her a pleading look. “Alex…”

Since childhood she had played the part of peacemaker between her and Freddie with limited success.

“No, she’s right,” Freddie said. “I’m afraid I didn’t give much thought to Lucien after he left.

” Then she paused to make sure Alex was looking directly at her.

“Thankfully, we’ve both grown since then.

Considerably .” Without another word, she sauntered straight toward Lucien, who had just entered the ballroom.

As he caught sight of Freddie, Lucien broke into a dazzling smile and Alex felt a strange tug low in her belly. He was attractive, she could admit. And perhaps under different circumstances, Alex might even welcome a union between him and Freddie but there was too much at stake.

Alex crossed her arms. “Now she’s trying to irritate me. The Ericsons will be here any moment.”

Phoebe tilted her head. “You don’t think it’s possible she’s genuinely interested in him?”

“Who’s interested in who?” Will Margrave, more formally known as the Duke of Ellis and Phoebe’s newly minted fiancé, asked as he joined them.

“Freddie and that young man,” Phoebe replied as she gestured across the room. “You’ll never guess who that is.”

Will squinted in consideration. “I’ve no idea.

” Before he had unexpectedly inherited a dukedom, he was their neighbor, and Alex’s closest friend.

Last month she had even asked him to pretend to be her fiancé before it became very clear his heart belonged to Phoebe.

Alex was genuinely thrilled for them, but that still left her in need of a temporary faux beau to help silence her father’s nagging about improving her position with the board.

“It’s little Lucien Taylor ,” Phoebe said gleefully.

“Is it now?” Will squinted a little harder. “Not so little anymore, is he?”

“No, he’s just returned from Paris and Alex is convinced that Freddie is only paying him attention to annoy her,” Phoebe continued. “But I say she’s simply interested in renewing their acquaintance.”

“Nothing with her is ever that simple, Phoebe,” Alex replied. “That’s the trouble. And then I’m left to clean up whatever mess she’s caused.”

Will hummed, his gaze still on Lucien and Phoebe. “Ericson won’t like it, that’s for sure.”

Phoebe bit her lip in consideration. “You still think of her as our coddled younger sister,” she began gently. “But you underestimate her, Alex. She’s a grown woman now.”

Alex forced her shoulders to remain in place. “I know that. But she could try harder to act like one.”

As if to punctuate her point, Freddie let out a loud laugh that carried across the dance floor and caused several heads to turn.

Phoebe winced. “Perhaps,” she acknowledged. “I just don’t think your business concerns should dictate her personal happiness.”

Alex arched a brow. “The only one getting in the way of her own happiness is Freddie herself.”

As the orchestra struck up a waltz, Lucien extended a hand to Freddie, which she readily accepted. His broad shoulders flexed as he swept her into her arms. Every eye in the room seemed captivated by the handsome pair as they moved across the gleaming floor.

“Goodness,” Phoebe breathed. “I didn’t know he could dance like that.”

“Must have picked it up in France,” Will quipped and held out his hand. “Shall we join them, my dear?”

Just as Phoebe flashed him a treacly smile, Alex caught sight of the Ericsons entering the room. She let out a curse under her breath as Hank Jr.’s gaze immediately fixed on Freddie and he scowled.

“Excuse me,” she said. “It appears I already have a mess to clean up.”