Page 7 of The Hidden Daughter (The Lost Daughters #7)

Amalie knew that for as long as she lived, she’d never forget the moment she first saw Oskar.

He was different to the other young men who worked at the hotel over the summer, although not in the way that some would have imagined.

He was always going to be different, she supposed, in the fact that he wasn’t one of them, but it wasn’t just that he came from a different, much wealthier world.

Oskar had a light burning inside of him, a warmth that felt as if it were pulling her towards him, and every time she glanced at him it was almost impossible to look away.

She’d heard the other maids talking about him when she’d arrived at the hotel, and her first glimpse had been when he’d been walking out of the kitchen, his apron thrown over his shoulder as he laughed and talked to the other young men finishing their shift.

Then, she’d pressed herself against the wall and watched him, hoping he wouldn’t notice her standing there.

He was handsome, yes, but he was also magnetic in a way she’d never noticed in a young man before.

But it seemed that tonight, she hadn’t got away with watching and not being seen.

Her two friends had disappeared to talk to a group of young men they’d been making eyes at, but Amalie had been content to stay leaning against the pergola, taking little sips of her drink and watching the party from afar.

Until she saw that the man she’d been admiring had noticed her and was suddenly heading her way, and she immediately wished she had the company of friends around her to make the encounter less awkward.

Part of her wanted to turn and flee, too nervous to speak to him, but the other part of her knew to keep her feet planted to the spot.

She’d been hoping to meet him for days, eager to find out if he was as charming as he was handsome, and it seemed her wish was about to come true, whether she was ready for it or not.

‘I don’t think we’ve met before,’ he said, his eyes burning brightly into hers as he held out a hand. ‘I’m Oskar.’

Amalie liked that he didn’t give his last name, and she wondered if that was because he expected her to know it already, or if it were a simpler reason, and he in fact didn’t care for her to know who he was. His easy, friendly demeanour made her think it was the latter.

‘Amalie,’ she said, placing her palm against his as butterflies danced in her stomach.

He held her hand just a little too long, squeezing it gently before letting go, but his eyes never left hers. ‘Are you having a good night? Anyone would think you’re hiding from the fun over here.’

She blushed and glanced away, not sure what to make of the attention. Why would he choose her to come and speak to, when there were so many other young women for him to talk to? Young women who would be more articulate and worldly than her; who were surely more beautiful and had more to offer.

‘I am,’ Amalie finally said. ‘I think it’s wonderful that we’re having a party for everyone to get to know one another, but I prefer watching from afar sometimes. It’s less intimidating than being in the middle of it all.’

He held out his arm, and Amalie hesitated, taken aback by the unexpected gesture.

‘I understand, but perhaps it’s not so scary if you’re with someone. Join me?’

She couldn’t. Amalie glanced at his arm then just as quickly shook her head. She opened her mouth to answer, but he just smiled, sparing her the embarrassment of turning him down.

‘I can see that I’ve been too forward,’ he said, his smile still warm and not appearing offended in the least. ‘Could I at least bring you a drink? Then I promise to leave you alone.’

Amalie grinned, catching her bottom lip beneath her teeth as she tried to stop it. He was certainly charming. ‘A drink would be lovely, thank you.’

She had no experience with men, and certainly none as handsome and confident as Oskar, but she could say yes to a drink. All she had to do was stand and wait, after all, and it would give her time to watch him.

‘I’ll be right back.’

Oskar disappeared with a wink, and she found herself standing there, her cheeks on fire from the attention, watching as he moved through the crowd. It was then that her friends reappeared, their cheeks as flushed as hers, but from dancing.

‘Was that who I think it was?’ Anna asked.

‘Oskar was talking to you?’ Nora gasped.

‘He, I…’ She cleared her throat, still lost for words. ‘He’s gone to get me a drink.’

They both gasped, forgetting all about the young men they’d been dancing with as they craned their necks looking for Oskar. It took all of Amalie’s restraint not to do the same, and she was thankful that they both fell silent when he did, finally, return.

‘Ladies,’ he said, glancing at her friends before passing her a glass of champagne.

‘Thank you,’ she whispered as their fingers brushed, as she looked up and found his eyes trained on hers.

‘You’re welcome,’ he said, leaning in a little closer before speaking again. ‘It was nice meeting you, Amalie.’

He turned, his eyes catching hers one last time, before he disappeared back into the crowd.

‘Amalie!’ Anna hissed.

She giggled and took a sip of her champagne as her friends peppered her with questions that they didn’t give her time to answer. The bubbles tickled her throat as she stared into the crowd. I’ll be braver if I meet him again. Next time, if he offers his arm, I’m going to say yes.

But not tonight. Tonight, she was going to enjoy her glass of bubbles and keep thinking what it had felt like as he brushed his skin against hers, even if it had just been his hand.

And she knew that no matter how tired she was, there was no chance she’d be able to go to sleep, and it had nothing to do with the champagne.