“I won’t tell anyone, but if something happens, I’ll be held to blame.”
She squeezed the young woman’s arm. “No, you won’t. No one will think you knew anything at all about my plans, and I’m certainly not going to betray you. We’ve become friends of a sort, you and I.” Still, Miriam appeared troubled and guilty, in need of more reassurance. “Besides, I’ve been seeing him for two years with no one the wiser. I’ve gotten quite skilled at doing what I ought not without getting caught. It’s simply that tonight’s venture is a bit more complicated.” She looked back toward the mirror. “We won’t do anything to get discovered.” Then she caught Miriam’s gaze in the mirror. “You can’t tell me that you’ve never snuck out.”
The girl’s face blotched to such an extent her freckles were nearly obliterated. “There was a fella once, at my previous post. A couple of times I stepped out with him. It was exciting, but excitement doesn’t put food in your belly. So I stopped seeing him.”
“Do you still think about him and wonder what if?”
Miriam shook her head. Lavinia couldn’t imagine not thinking about Finn and wondering, what if he were a lord? Or, what if she wasn’t an earl’s daughter?
Silly things to wonder about. She spun around. “Time to be off.”
Miriam snatched up Lavinia’s pelisse, this particular garment of emerald green made more for cover than warmth, and settled it over her shoulders. Tugging on her gloves, Lavinia stood to the side as her maid walked to the door, opened it, and glanced out into the hallway. Lavinia’s nerves were strung so tightly she feared they’d snap as she waited. Then the girl gave a quick nod, and Lavinia followed her from the room and toward the servants’ stairs, not realizing until she reached them that she’d held her breath the entire way. She was surprised her father didn’t hear the pounding of her heart and come in search of her.
Down the stairs they went and through a labyrinth of corridors, Miriam cautioning her to stop whenever she heard something portentous. Then they were finally at the servants’ door. Miriam opened it quickly and ushered her out.
“I’ll make certain it’s unlocked later,” she whispered.
Lavinia nodded, spun around, and nearly ruined the entire evening by screaming her head off when a form stepped out of the shadows. She pressed a hand to her chest, her heart hammering against her splayed fingers with such force they fairly vibrated. “Oh, Finn. You gave me such a fright. I thought you were going to wait in the mews.”
He flashed a grin—she did so love his grins—and, without a word, simply took her hand securely in his, and she couldn’t help but believe it was exactly where it belonged. Then they were dashing down the side path where deliveries were made without disturbing the tranquility of the gardens. Finally, they reached the mews, only to discover it empty.
“Where’s your wagon?” she asked.
“You deserve better than that rickety old thing tonight.” He led her through the alley, into the street. And there, waiting, was a hansom.
The driver opened the door. Finn assisted her as she clambered in and quickly joined her. The vehicle rocked as the driver climbed onto his seat and then they were off. She couldn’t help but laugh as the joy spiraled through her. “We did it!”
Finn took her hand, making her wish she hadn’t worn gloves, but one didn’t go about bare-handed in public. He squeezed her fingers. “I never doubted.”
She couldn’t help but believe he was referring to something grander than this outing, that he was talking about never doubting them, as a couple, as a whole. She was suddenly as frightened as she was exhilarated because anything more between them was forbidden, no matter how much it might be desired. “Tell me about your sister,” she said to calm her heart, to put them back on safer ground.
“Her name’s Gillie.”
“The one who cares so much about pronunciation. I remember you mentioning her long ago. Is she married?”
“She has no interest in that sort of thing. Her tavern keeps her busy. You’ll see.” Bringing her hand up to his lips, he pressed a kiss against her knuckles, and the warmth from his mouth seeped through the kidskin into her very being. “I’m glad you’re coming with me.”
She smiled with joy and pleasure, always happiest when she was in his company. “I am, too.”
She liked how cozy it was in the hansom, how it was almost as though they’d retreated from the world, as though beyond them nothing existed. An odd thought occurred to her: how lovely it would be if they could live here—only the two of them—within the confines of the cab. But, of course, they couldn’t. They both had responsibilities and duties, families who would miss them. But she didn’t want to think about any of that now, especially when she glanced past Finn and saw they were in a part of London with which she was no longer familiar. It seemed darker, more ominous.
“Where is your sister’s tavern?”
“Whitechapel.”
“That’s not one of the finer parts of London.”
“No.” Releasing her hand, he slid his arm around her shoulders and drew her in more snugly against his side. “I’ll keep you safe.”
“I know you will. I trust you, Finn. I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone.”
Tucking the fingers of his free hand beneath her chin, he tilted her head up slightly and lowered his mouth to hers, so sweetly, so gently. She wouldn’t mind if they did nothing more than travel around London all night doing this. She loved the way his tongue wandered through her mouth, stroking her tongue, exploring the corners, claiming what had remained untouched until him. She couldn’t imagine Thornley kissed like this. It was far too improper, untamed, undignified, really. So very intimate, a partial joining, a coming together that spoke of ownership and familiarity. It was impossible to consider doing this with anyone else—ofwantingto do it with anyone else.
The carriage began to slow, and he drew back. “Tonight you won’t be an earl’s daughter. We want to take no chances that someone might recognize your name. You’re just Vivi.” He grinned tenderly. “My Vivi.”
She couldn’t stop herself from smiling in return or feeling as though tonight was special. So many girls she knew dreamed of becoming a princess, while she longed for nothing more than to be the cinder girl. “If anyone asks what I do, I shall say I’m the scullery maid.”
“Do you even know what a scullery maid does?”
