‘You are beautiful and talented,’ he said. ‘Even if you’re not chosen this time, the orchestra opening up to women changes everything.’
She studied herself, looked at her skin, at the way she held herself. Alexandra stood a little straighter and squared her shoulders, tilting her chin upwards slightly as she tried to appear more confident.
‘If this is the life you see for yourself, this is your chance,’ he whispered. ‘Imagine us, both in the orchestra, living our dream, together. Just the two of us.’
Alexandra found herself nodding, seeing the life that he was describing. How she’d ever met a man like Bernard, she would never know.
‘I love you,’ she said, the words falling from her mouth as she lifted her gaze to look instead at Bernard in the mirror.
He slowly turned her around in his arms, his hands sliding down her body and settling on her waist now.
‘I love you too,’ he said.
Alexandra stood on tiptoe and kissed him, smiling against his mouth as they both started to laugh. She’d thought those words a hundred times, but never been brave enough to say them, until now.
‘I need to go,’ she groaned, kissing him one more time.
‘Then go,’ he replied. ‘But be ready tonight. We’re going to eat dinner here and then go through some music, and I’ll speak to your tutor today, let him know the good news.’
Alexandra collected her things and dashed down the stairs, hoping it wouldn’t take her too long to get back home. She was supposed to be having lunch with Belle, and her cousin was already annoyed by how much time Alexandra was spending with Bernard.
I’m going to audition for the orchestra. She chewed on her bottom lip to stop herself grinning, knowing how ridiculous she must look hurrying down the street with such a big smile on her face.
When she’d first arrived in London, she’d thought it was the end of the world. But now, as much as part of her still yearned to return to Greece, she was starting to realise that she at least had one thing to thank her father for. Because if she’d never been sent to London, she’d never have met Bernard, and he was easily the most incredible thing that had ever happened to her.
* * *
‘Don’t even think you can sneak down the hall without being noticed.’
Alexandra cringed and walked back a few steps. Belle was sitting in the front room, her arms folded across her chest. She wasn’t used to seeing her cousin angry.
‘I’m sorry I’m so late. Just let me put my things away and we can go for lunch.’
Belle’s eyebrows lifted. ‘Late? Are we going to pretend that you came home at all last night?’
Alexandra knew her cheeks had turned a deep red, but she wasn’t going to lie to Belle.
‘Did your mother notice?’ she asked.
Belle sighed and came towards her. ‘If she noticed, you’d know about it.’
‘So we’re still having lunch?’
‘We’re still having lunch,’ Belle replied. ‘But now I expect you to come shopping with me after, as punishment for standing me up.’
Alexandra grinned. ‘I’ll do anything, just please don’t tell anyone I wasn’t here last night.’
They walked up the stairs in unison. Alexandra stifled a yawn, wishing she was heading up to her room to catch up on some sleep instead of going straight out.
‘Who would have thought you’d be the one having a torrid love affair out of the two of us,’ Belle said with a loud sigh. ‘I would have bet my allowance on me being the naughty one.’
Alexandra rolled her eyes and turned to her cousin when they reached the top. ‘It’s not a torrid affair, Belle. He’s kind and sweet and so knowledgeable about music—’
‘You’re in love with him, aren’t you? You’re actually in love with him!’
She wished Belle would keep her voice down, and she also hated the fact that her cheeks had turned beetroot red again.
‘Maybe I am,’ Alexandra finally said, clearing her throat.I love you too. She remembered the words he’d repeated to her, the way it had made her feel when he’d looked at her afterwards.
