Page 8 of Is This Real or Just Pretend?

S he was late.

Lucien shoved his hands in his trouser pockets and began to pace. He had been lurking in the back of the summer house for more than fifteen minutes now. Well past the time Freddie had whispered in his ear just before she slipped away.

A creeping sensation ran through him. Perhaps he had misunderstood her.

Or perhaps his fevered imagination had invented the entire scene.

After all, the evening thus far had been the stuff of countless boyhood fantasies: attending one of the Atkinsons’ parties, dancing with Freddie, and holding her full attention.

But even his most vivid fantasy was nothing but a pale imitation of the real thing.

She had looked absolutely breathtaking in a lush, pink gown that brought out the natural blush in her cheeks.

And while Lucien had certainly enjoyed waltzing with her, it went beyond the physical.

Freddie was witty and charming and just so very lively .

He gave his arm a hard, desperate pinch and let out a yelp.

Definitely awake, then.

Besides, he would never have imagined the glowers Alex had not so subtly been casting at them from across the room.

If Freddie noticed, she said nothing. She simply laughed louder and smiled wider.

So much so that, if Lucien was being very honest with himself, there were moments when it almost felt like she wore a mask.

That the entire scene was part of a performance.

One that had been tailored for someone other than Lucien…

No.

He shook his head and forced the thought from his mind. He had wanted this woman for half his life, if not longer. He would not ruin this evening with useless nitpicking. At least, not prematurely, anyway.

But as the minutes dragged on, only two possible options remained: Either Freddie was late, or she had changed her mind.

Just as Lucien’s spirits began to sink dangerously close to the floor, the door of the summer house creaked open.

It might as well have been a trumpet blast from the angel Gabriel himself, for the rush of joy that swept through him.

There. All that worrying was for naught.

And yet, his neck still prickled with a strange sense of awareness. Something about this wasn’t right.

Lucien cleared his throat as a dark figure came into view. “I’m back here.”

A few floor lanterns provided some light, but he couldn’t see her face.

Freddie made no response as she slowly moved farther into the room, gliding nimbly around the furniture.

Dozens of potted plants and exotic shrubs filled the space, lending it something of a fantastical quality.

One could almost imagine they were in a villa on the Riviera, not landlocked in the English countryside.

It was also warm in here. And seemed to grow even warmer as she approached with the steady, regal bearing of a queen.

Lucien tugged on his collar and forced his nerves to settle as much as he could manage.

You’re a grown man now. And she wants you . So take what is yours.

Just as Lucien set his shoulders back and stood a little straighter, Freddie stepped into a shard of moonlight. But instead of the impish smile he was expecting, her face looked drawn. And serious.

Much too serious.

Lucien reared back in confusion.

“I can see you are disappointed,” she began in a clipped voice laced with disapproval. “But hear me out first.”

It was Alex. What the hell was she doing here?

“Where… where is Freddie?” He hated how desperate he sounded. How weak. Like the pitiful boy he had once been.

“Freddie isn’t coming,” she said. That usual maddening disinterest in her voice only made him sound hysterical by comparison.

“But she—”

Alex stepped closer. “I know what she told you, but I’m afraid that isn’t possible,” she said with cool formality, as if they were discussing a missed appointment rather than a clandestine meeting.

From a distance it was easier to mistake her for her sister, but now there was no confusing the two of them.

Whereas Freddie’s gown had made her stand out, Alex had taken the opposite approach and was swathed in a shade of green so dark she practically blended in with the shrubbery.

Still, he couldn’t help skimming over her figure.

She was taller and less shapely than Freddie, but the gown still accentuated her full bust and narrow waist, while the color provided a pleasing contrast to her porcelain skin.

As she stared directly at him, her large brown eyes looked nearly black.

Lucien’s gaze traveled over her face, far longer than it ever had before, ever dared , and he suddenly blinked in astonishment.

Good Lord, Alexandra Atkinson was attractive .

It was Freddie who was always hailed as beautiful and vivacious, whereas words like spinster , ice queen , and, occasionally, termagant were applied to her sister.

But if he had passed Alex on the street, he certainly would have turned his head.

Maybe even touched the brim of his hat if he was feeling particularly bold.

Her beauty was quieter. More mysterious. And Lucien liked it very much. He felt the unmistakable twinge of lust deep in his belly.

The realization was as horrifying as it was confounding.

She raised a haughty eyebrow at his silence. “Well? Aren’t you going to say anything?”

Lucien gave himself a shake. He had been standing there this entire time just staring at her like a dolt.

“Of course I am,” he blustered, which didn’t do much to help.

Then he straightened his lapels in a bid to gather his scattered thoughts.

Freddie. Right. “Why isn’t it possible for her to see me? ”

“Because she is attached to another man.”

Lucien let out a snort. “Didn’t seem that way to me.”

Alex narrowed her eyes. And damn it all if he didn’t like that too. “Nevertheless, the connection remains. His name is Hank Ericson Jr. and he is the son and heir of a multimillion-dollar American manufacturing magnate. We are also hoping to take the family on as clients.”

“Ah, I see. And you don’t want me interfering in any potential business opportunities.”

“I think ‘interfering’ may be too strong a word,” Alex replied with a shrewd look. “But Freddie is feeling a little nervous about her future, and she is easily distracted at the moment.”

Lucien leaned forward, determined not to be cowed by this woman. “Then perhaps she shouldn’t be marrying someone who makes her nervous.”

Alex smiled at that, but it only reminded Lucien of a shark. Something cold and sinister. And ready to strike. “Forgive me, but you have been gone a long time and know nothing about the situation or my sister,” she said. “I want what is best for her, and you are simply a novelty.”

He took a step forward. “I am her friend .”

“And yet we both recall how that turned out for you,” she murmured.

The searing flush of embarrassment engulfed Lucien’s body. Damn her for remembering that night. And damn her for bringing it up now. He had only been a boy, then—a miserable, heartbroken one at that.

Alex let out a sigh and for a brief moment a flash of weariness cross her face. “I’m only trying to protect you, Lucien. She will hurt you again.”

“I don’t need your protection. In case you haven’t noticed,” he said darkly, “I’m not that boy anymore.”

Then he stepped closer in an attempt to emphasize his height. But rather than move back, Alex simply lifted her chin and held his gaze. Of course this woman wouldn’t be easily intimidated. She probably made grown men cry for fun. Now why did that make him want to smile?

“I noticed,” she said quietly, her dark eyes shining in the moonlight.

Somehow they had moved even closer together, though Lucien couldn’t recall taking any more steps. He couldn’t smell any perfume on her either. Only the faint scent of ink and paper. If he leaned forward just a little more, their chests would touch. The thought sent an unexpected thrill through him.

“Have you?” he said roughly.

She still held his gaze, those dark doe eyes boring into his own while the moment stretched between them, as thick and slow as golden syrup.

But rather than answer, Alex inhaled and took a step back. And then another. Until she was firmly out of reach and the invisible tether between them was unceremoniously snipped. Lucien blinked. It felt like he had just woken from a dream—and a damned strange one at that.

Then she clasped her hands tightly in front of her and cleared her throat. It called to mind a schoolteacher about to issue a particularly boring lecture.

“In any case,” she began, “I’ve come to make you a proposition of sorts. In exchange for keeping away from Freddie.”

He let out a surprised laugh. “And why on earth would I agree to such a thing?”

“Because you’re a businessman.”

“I was a businessman,” he corrected her.

She let out a huff. “Pity doesn’t suit you, Lucien. Your supper club was an excellent idea and was wildly successful—for a time, at least. Now you’ve had a setback and need to start again. And I can help.”

He raised an eyebrow, reluctantly intrigued. “How?”

“As I’m sure you’re aware, we run an investment firm,” she drawled. “I specialize in identifying business ideas that have the potential for great success. I will introduce you to my contacts in London and help you secure investors.”

“I’m sorry, but investors for what?”

“To reopen your supper club, of course,” she said. “In London.”

Lucien immediately shook his head. “No. I don’t do that anymore.”

She tilted her head, perplexed. “Then what are you planning to do?”

“Quite literally, anything else? The supper club was a massive failure. I have no wish to repeat the experience.”

But Alex only waved a hand, unconcerned. “So you clashed with your business partner and parted ways. It’s hardly unheard of, especially for your first try. I wouldn’t call that a massive failure.”

Lucien rubbed the back of his neck. “It involved a tad more than that, I’m afraid.”

Just a little embezzlement, intimidation, and threats of bodily harm.

Not that he wanted to explain any of it, least of all to her.

Alex stared at him expectantly, but Lucien looked past her toward the main house. The ballroom glowed in the near distance like a beacon in the dark. So much had felt within his reach only a few months ago. What would he give to feel that way again? Or to finally have it for himself?

He glanced back and found Alex still watching him intently. Or like a panther stalking its prey.

“Do you really think it could work?” he asked, despising the note of hope in his voice. “In London, I mean.”

“I think it would take the city by storm.” She said it with such certainty, such conviction, that he was sorely tempted to believe her. “And with enough capital, it could be even bigger than before.”

God, she was serious about this.

“All in exchange for simply staying away from Freddie?”

He hated himself a bit for even considering this, but he could always agree to it for now and then pursue Freddie in earnest later—especially if he did become a success.

Then he would actually have something to offer her.

More than his measly little heart, anyway.

Lucien couldn’t deny his growing excitement at the thought.

Alex hesitated. “Well, no. There’s something else I need from you. To help convince Hank Jr. that you aren’t really a threat.”

She looked rather nervous all of a sudden and Lucien found himself intrigued. What could possibly make this woman nervous? “All right. What is it?”

She closed her eyes. “You’ll need to court me. Publicly.” Lucien could only stare at her in shock until she was finally forced to look at him. “Well?”

“You can’t be serious,” he blurted out, regretting the words as soon as he spoke. For Alex was always serious.

As expected, she looked incredulous. “Am I ever not?”

“Yes. I mean, no. Sorry. It’s only—” Lucien paused and put his hands on his hips. “You want me to court you?”

“This was a terrible idea,” she muttered and raised her hands. “Forget it. Forget everything.”

But as she turned to leave, his arm shot out to grasp her elbow before he had time to think. “Wait.”

She glanced back and stared at the spot where he touched her. She must have felt it too, then. That strange frisson of awareness. Something dancing on the edge of heat. Their eyes met and that nervousness flashed across her face once again. Just for a moment.

“It… it would only be for show,” she murmured.

It took a moment for his muddled mind to understand what she was referring to.

The courtship. She wanted him to pretend to court her. But why?

She gently tugged on her arm once, twice, before he remembered to let go. Then she looked away and began to absently rub the spot where he had touched her.

“Father thinks it would help our clients and the board have confidence in me. In my leadership,” she continued, as if she had heard the question.

“If you have a man at your side,” he added.

Alex nodded. The faintest blush stained her pale cheek.

His heart clenched at this rare display of vulnerability from her. “That’s absurd.”

She turned back to him then, her expression as impenetrable as steel once again. “That’s business.”

As Lucien tilted his head in consideration, Alex shifted on her feet.

His lips curved in a slow smile. She was clearly uncomfortable not being entirely in control of the situation, which meant Alexandra Atkinson might have a heart after all.

And if that were the case, he just might be able to do this. Hell, he might even enjoy it.

“Tell me the terms again.”