Page 38 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
Hey—I wasn’t lying. I was just… you know. Omitting a few things.
Lady Georgina sighed. “Well, that’s more polite than he’s ever been to me. I suppose as far as things go, he’s not the worst option in the world, and being your sister wouldn’t be too bad, either.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“You’re garnering quite the attention tonight, aren’t you? First Lord Leon, then my brother, and both me and Lady Sasha had to fend off a couple of gentlemen asking after you when you went outside. Not to mention I could swear the Grand Duke was looking at you after he entered!”
My cheeks flushed. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out in society, so people are just interested after my accident. I’m sure everyone is aware that my father is quietly putting out feelers about a match for me, even if he isn’t in a rush to secure one just yet.”
“No doubt.” She looped her arm through mine and pointed across the ballroom. “Do you see that man over there? Next to Count Varshil’s son?”
“Isn’t that Lady Sasha’s brother?”
“Yes. He’s the one man you cannot entice with your looks tonight, Lady Alicia.”
Oh.
I peered at her, noting the blush that was spreading across her face. “Why don’t you go and speak to him if you like him so much?”
“Oh, I—I can’t.” Her fingers twitched against my arm. “I’m much too shy.”
“Does Lady Sasha know?”
“No! I don’t know how to tell her.”
“Tell me what?” Lady Sasha’s head appeared between ours like she was a meerkat.
“That you have a crush on her brother, Lady Georgina?” Vivi appeared at my side with Lady Blair.
“We all know,” the latter added.
Hee hee.
Lady Georgina gasped, jerking away from us. “How—how do you—”
“You’re not very discreet about it,” Lady Sasha said, tapping her fan against her lips. “Shall I put you out of your misery and go and suggest he ask you to dance?”
“You ca—can’t!”
“Excellent idea,” I chimed in. “As his sister, you can remind him this is a perfect place to make connections with eligible young ladies, and Lady Georgina is perhaps the most eligible of us all.”
Vivi nodded. “We have such limited time as noblewomen to make a love match that we must grab it wholeheartedly, Georgina!”
“With panache,” Lady Blair added. “Use me, if you must. Lord Varshil is quite handsome and talented with the sword. If I must wear this ridiculous dress and dance, I’d rather dance with a handsome man who can swing a blade correctly.”
My sentiments exactly.
Although I was beginning to see the charm in a pretty ballgown.
I’d been a very big princess fan when I was a child in my past life.
Now I could sort of act like one.
“Although,” Lady Blair said, peering over at the elevated area where the Imperial Royals were sitting. “I do like a bad boy.”
“I hope you’re not looking at the Crown Prince when you say that.” Vivi giggled. “Gosh, isn’t it strange when you look at them? The Grand Duke barely looks like a part of the family at all.”
“There you are.” My father’s voice interrupted me right as I was about to look over there. “Where have you been, Alicia? You must greet His Majesty.”
