Page 48 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
For me, right now, Ezra Alansia was little more than a tool to help me achieve my goal of survival. Realistically, everyone around me that I’d created a relationship with could fit into the same box as he did.
Even Vivi.
It didn’t mean I didn’t care for them. I did. Greatly so, in the case of the ladies I’d bonded with since Lady Georgina’s tea party.
But caring for someone didn’t mean I wasn’t using them.
I was using them to survive. Ihadto use them to survive.
Ezra was not an exception to that rule.
I shrugged a shoulder. “I can’t be sure of that, of course. Perhaps we will fall madly in love over the next six months or perhaps we’ll be glad to see the back of one another at the end of it. However, I believe that every relationship serves a purpose, no matter how genuine or fake one is. There’s no reason that one between us cannot do the same.”
“You’re quite correct. I must admit that I—”
The doors to the sitting room burst open, and Caldwell appeared between them. He was wide-eyed in a way I’d never seen before, and I froze. He radiated a panic that almost vibrated off him, fizzing through the air like an electric current that prickled at my skin.
“Pardon me for interrupting. Lady Alicia, the marquess would like to speak with you immediately,” he said, keeping his voice steady.
I picked up my teacup. Would he somehow know how my heart was thumping in my chest? “Caldwell, I am otherwise engaged. Please tell Father I will be with him when I’m done with Lord Ezra.”
“He insisted you go to his office now, my lady.” Caldwell bowed his head. “I’m afraid I’ve been instructed to accompany you until you see him.”
“Then at least allow me to see my guest out.” I stood up with a sigh. “I’m terribly sorry, Lord Ezra. It appears there’s a pressing issue I must attend to.”
Ezra stood up without batting an eyelid and followed me out. When we reached the front door, Caldwell opened it, and Ezra took my hand.
“My lady, it was an honour to steal your time this afternoon.” He swept his lips across my knuckles, then pulled me in close, peering down at me with a smirk on his face. “Rest assured, I will go home and discuss what we just spoke about with my father immediately.”
Thank God I blushed, because I wasn’t sure how else to respond to such a bold declaration.
Was that him accepting my proposal of a contract engagement?
Damn it, Caldwell! I just needed five more minutes to seal the deal!
“We mustn’t keep your father waiting, Lady Alicia,” Caldwell said, ushering me away from the door.
I offered Ezra a half-hearted wave as I was swept away by Caldwell. Bella quickly hurried after me after giving Annie strict instructions to ensure Ezra made it to his carriage, and that’s when it hit.
Like a tsunami.
There were few things that would make my father summon me to his office so urgently. Not when I was meeting with an acceptable suitor.
Something was not going the way I wanted it to.
And I feared I knew exactly what this thing was.
I was not going to like what he had to say to me, that much was for sure.
“Lady Alicia for you, my lord.” Caldwell opened the door to my father’s office without knocking. “May we fetch you some tea?”
Father tugged his glasses away from his face and waved his hand, dismissing both Caldwell and Bella. “Sit down, Alicia.”
“What’s the emergency, Father? You know I had a meeting with Lord Ezra just now, and—”
He held up both his hands. “A moment, please.”
I clamped my mouth shut, resting my hands in my lap.
