“You’ve already been too kind. I couldn’t possibly take your clothes.”
“Oh, I’m not offering youmyclothes.” The maid flashed a nervous smile. “I keep a basket of clothes visitors have left behind. You can have your pick if you’d like.”
Julia glanced down at her dirty breeches, stiff with dried mud. “Thank you…”
“Lily,” the maid supplied. “Like the flower.”
“Nice to meet you, Lily. I’m…” She hesitated.
“Eloping,” Lily said with a mischievous smile, “and so not about to give me your true name.”
“Julia.” She was finished being anyone else but herself. “I’m Julia, and thatismy real name.”
“Well.” Lily held out her hand. “Come on then, Julia. I’ll take you upstairs.”
Julia followed Lily to the kitchen, then up a winding back stair. They entered a kind of storage room with sheets and blankets and other odds and ends.
“Here’s where I sleep.” Lily gestured toward a small cot in the corner. She removed the top of the basket and then flopped down on her cot. “Now, I’ll just sit for a spell while you have a look.”
Julia fumbled through the mismatched pieces. She pulled out a shift from the bunch and held it up against her body.
“That will do,” Lily said. “If you let me cut an inch or so off the bottom.”
“I wouldn’t want to put you through any trouble.”
“No trouble at all.” Lily removed her sewing basket from beneath the bed. “Toss it here, and I’ll fix it while you keep searching. I think there’s a bedgown somewhere in there.”
Julia handed Lily the shift, and Lily set to work.
“What do you think of this?” Julia asked, pulling out a red flannel nightshirt.
“Your man’s arm wouldn’t fit into that.”
“Not for him…for me. I’m the only one with…” Julia cleared her throat. “Clothing troubles.”
Lily smirked. “Good thing he just happened to be carrying livery, then, no?”
“Well”—Julia sent her a sideways glance—“Imayhave borrowed the livery in order to pose as his footman.”
“You clever thing!” Lily giggled. “Can’t say I blame you, either. Quite lovely, he is. I wouldn’t mind a man as finely made.”
“Handsome, yes.” Julia rolled her eyes. “And he knows, too.”
“Well, he’s yours now.” Lily sighed. “What I wouldn’t give to haveanyonelook at me the way he looks at you.”
Julia scrunched up the dress she was holding. “Howexactlywould you describe his look?”
“Oh.” Lily pulled her thread through the shift. “Only like you were the most amazing thing he’s ever beheld. And maybe”—she glanced up—“like he’s counting the minutes until you’re alone again.” She lost her smile. “Though, I’ll offer a friendly warning—you two best not get up to anything while you’re here. I’ve seen Mr. Todd cast people out into the night for less.”
“Well…” Julia raised her brows. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. We’re both exhausted.”
Lily turned the shift over to the other side. “How’d you two meet…if you don’t mind my asking?”
“He…he’s a friend of my sister’s husband.”
“But didn’t you tell Mr. Todd your family disapproves?”
“They do.” That part at least had been true. “I should have said hewasa friend of my sister’s husband before he…”
