‘Miss Belle has just risen and thought you might like to join her for a late breakfast. Your aunt had me make pancakes and bacon since it was your birthday weekend, and they’re downstairs waiting for you.’
‘You’re so kind, that’s exactly what I feel like for breakfast,’ Alexandra replied. ‘Tell her I’ll be down as soon as I’m dressed.’
‘Oh, and there’s a letter waiting for you, hand-delivered by a young man this morning. While you were sleeping, would you believe?’
Alexandra froze. ‘A young man?’ She tried to keep her voice steady. ‘And you’re certain it’s for me?’
‘Oh, yes, a very handsome young man, and it’s most definitely for you. He was sliding it under the door when I was on my way in, so he gave it to me instead and told me to make sure you got it just as soon as you were up for the day.’
Alexandra almost choked when she tried to swallow. She was trying to keep her composure, but it was impossible. She checked her buttons were all done up on her nightgown and ran down the hall, not bothering to change, taking the stairs two at a time and not caring that she sounded as loud as an elephant. It had to be from Bernard, it just had to be! But why would he be leaving a letter for her? What could he possibly have to tell her?
She looked on the hallstand but didn’t see anything, so ran into the kitchen. Why hadn’t she asked the housekeeper where it was! But as she rounded the corner, she saw Belle sitting at the table, an amused smile on her lips and her eyebrows arched high.
‘Looking for this?’ Belle waved a cream envelope in the air.
‘No games, Belle. Please give it to me,’ Alexandra begged.
‘Why don’t I read it out loud for you?’
‘Belle!’ Alexandra fumed, marching over to her, her heart thumping. She thought she was going to faint from the excitement. ‘Please, I have to see what’s inside. Give it to me.’
‘Fine,’ Belle huffed, holding it out. ‘But I expect you to tell me what it says. I heard it’s from a young gentleman. Are you keeping someone secret from me?’
Alexandra had forgotten her hunger, even as she stood beside Belle, who was licking syrup from her fingertips and sipping tea. All she could think about was the letter.
Her hands were shaking as she tore open the seal, eyes darting to read the words.
Dear A,
I know it’s not fashionable to appear too eager, but I thought about you all night. Can I see you again? And don’t forget that I want to hear you play that violin of yours! I’m sure you’ve been far too modest about your musical talents. I’ll call on you at six. Perhaps we could have dinner, just the two of us?
B.
Alexandra closed her eyes and held the letter to her heart.He thought about me. He wants to see me again. She tried not to giggle when she reread the part about being too eager.
‘Alex! Who is it from?’
She kept her eyes shut. ‘It’s from Bernard.’
‘Bernard?’ Belle squealed. ‘Gorgeous musician Bernard?’
‘He wants to call on me tonight,’ she whispered, holding out the letter for Belle, her voice trembling too much to read it out to her. ‘He wants to take me for dinner.’
‘To dinner?’ Belle’s eyes widened, and she snatched the letter, her lips moving silently as she read the words. ‘Oh, please let me dress you! This is so exciting!’
‘Do you think your mother and father will let me go unchaperoned?’ She’d never asked if she was allowed to date, but surely now that she was eighteen she’d be permitted to go to dinner with a young man?
Belle waved her free hand in the air as if she wasn’t to worry about it. ‘He’s a friend of Will’s, and they’ll be impressed that he’s a member of the orchestra. I’ll make certain they say yes, even if I have to beg them myself.’
Alexandra stared at her cousin, her eyes as wide as saucers. ‘He wants to see me again. Bernard actually wants to see me again!’
‘Why do you seem so surprised? Have you looked in a mirror lately, Alex? You’re absolutely beautiful. Any man would fall in love with you, and you just so happen to be fabulous company.’
‘Truly?’ She had no idea Belle saw her that way; she’d always felt so plain beside her fashionable, confident cousin.
‘Have something to eat,’ Belle said, nudging the plate towards her. ‘Lucy made these pancakes especially for you, and she’ll be devastated if you don’t have some.’
Alexandra sat and took a bite, barely listening to Belle as she ran through what sounded like a hundred different options for what she should wear to see Bernard again. But as soon as she was finished she made an excuse and raced upstairs, still clutching the letter as she went to her violin case and placed it on the bed, sitting down beside it.
