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Chapter 5
ALEX REALIZED that she would be going to this party of Mrs. Woods even if Trey
had to bind and gag her to get her there. Now that the word was out about their engagement
he insisted they acted accordingly, despite most of the town knowing about their visit to
Beau Manning's room.
Since their charming ride into town and back three days ago Alex had not said one word
to him, but that didn't faze Trey or Aunt Rose, who talked about the party constantly.
Alex ducked into a small alcove so she could tug at the corset she wore. This new one fit
better than Trey's mothers had, but it still was extremely uncomfortable. Trey had followed
through on his threat. She hated the torture devise, but she had to wear it or be trapped in
her room all day long. If it were up to her she'd burn the horrible thing.
Although Trey remained quiet about the party overall, he made the final decisions on her
clothes and smiled and nodded at his aunt when she spoke about the party during the meals.
Seamstresses had traveled out to the plantation several times that week to fit Alex for
dresses. Dresses she would have to wear her new corset with if she wanted to fit in them.
As much as Alex hated it, she knew she had to wear it if she wanted her dresses to drape
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right.
She took a deep breath before realizing her mistake. It would be easy to bruise a rib if
she wasn't careful. After a few shallow breaths she felt the pain subside. How was she
going to do this? She didn't have a clue about the etiquette of the 1880's. She paused for
just a moment before walking into the sitting room.
She noted several of the servants in the room also. "Miss Rose? Can I talk to you?"
"Of course, my dear."
"Outside?"
Rose nodded before following her.
Alex bit her bottom lip as they walked through the small garden behind the house. She
touched Rose's arm as she spoke, "Perhaps it would be better if I didn't go to this party."
Rose's cane thumped against the gravel walk. "Nonsense."
"Miss Rose, you really don't want me there. I'll just embarrass everyone."
Rose stopped walking. "Then you are an actress like my nephew accused."
Alex made an un-ladylike sound as she turned toward her. "If I were an actress, I
wouldn't worry about embarrassing your family."
She could feel the heat of Rose's stare, making her want to explain. "My father was a
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scientist." Like father, like daughter. "We never went to big social functions, he was always
too busy with his experiments."
Rose made an unladylike sound of her own. "You'll do fine."
Alex rubbed her forehead. "Are you always this stubborn?"
Rose paused, studying Alex. "No one has ever dared to talk to me like that."
Alex placed her hand on her collarbone. She really stepped into it this time. Then she
heard the oddest thing, Rose's laugh. She just stared at Trey's aunt.
Rose leaned heavily against her cane. "I'll teach you everything you'll need to know. I
can't have my nephew's fiancé unprepared can I?"
Alex rolled her eyes. What had she gotten into now?
"We'll start tonight. I know Fluerette will help."
ONCE ALEX heard the house grow silent, she snuck out of her room and met
Fluerette and Rose in the kitchen. All three crept to the ballroom. They worked together for
the next four evenings. Several things began to happen during this time. Alex learned about
the rich southern culture, something she never paid attention to before, and Fluerette and
Rose found a friend.
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Rose watched Alexandra with admiration. She felt drawn to her. This young woman had
a way about her. Alexandra treated everyone equally. A breath of fresh air to Rose. Her
decision to befriend this young woman was proven right night after night.
THEY WERE working on dance lessons on the fifth night, when Trey heard Alex's
rich bubbly laughter float up the stairs. Curiosity dragged him out of bed. What made her
laugh like that? Why couldn't he make her laugh like that? Trey opened his bedroom door.
His hand tightly gripped the door handle while he listened. What could she be doing at this
hour?
Quietly, he descended the stairs. Tilting his head, he strained to hear her location. He
shook his head in disbelief. She was in the ballroom.
"One-two-three, and one-two-three," Rose said, her cane thumping out a rhythm on
the oak floor. "Come on, Alexandra, you're missing a beat."
Alex collapsed into the floor, her dress billowing up around her. "I'll never get this
right."
"Yes, you will," Rose said. "You have a sharp wit and mind."
Alex smiled at her. "You got all that from dancing lessons?"
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Rose thumped her cane. "You have picked this up quickly, and have done little damage
to Fluerette's feet."
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