Liliah followed willingly. When they reached the spot that Rebecca deemed satisfactory, Rebecca released her hand and gave her an impatient gaze.
“Well, it truly wasn’t Meyer’s fault, so you mustn’t be cross with him,” Liliah explained.
“Very well, continue.”
“I learned the location of an exclusive gentleman’s club, snuck in, was mistaken for a courtesan—”
Rebecca’s gasp was loud enough to attract the curious and disapproving gazes of a few nearby people. Liliah gave a tight smile to her friend and waited till the unwanted attention faded.
“Pardon,” Rebecca whispered, her face a mask of shock. “Do continue.”
“Only if you promise to not make a spectacle of yourself,” Liliah scolded.
Rebecca nodded with emphasis.
“However, I must not have played the part well, for the manager, or some sort of gentleman involved with the club, began to question me. So I fled, but he followed me.” Liliah leaned forward, enjoying the retelling of the story.
“And? Did he catch you?” Rebecca asked, then glanced around to make sure their conversation was not overheard. Upon reassuring herself that it was indeed a private conversation, she met Liliah’s gaze with an expectant one.
“Yes.” Liliah widened her eyes, grinning wildly.
Rebecca gasped, covering her mouth with her white-gloved hand.
“I had snuck into a bedroom—”
“No!” Rebecca whispered a little too loudly, and Liliah gave her a disapproving arch of her eyebrow.
“Carry on.” Rebecca lowered her hand and waited with wide eyes.
“He questioned me, then kissed me—and Rebecca, it was utterly heavenly. I never expected it to feel like that, to make me feel—I don’t even know how to explain it. Surely you know, surely you’ve kissed—” Liliah’s words trailed off as she watched her friend’s gaze falter.
“Surely not,” Liliah almost scolded.
“We have, but it’s been . . . a length of time since we’ve had the opportunity,” Rebecca replied softly, her tone thick with disappointment.
“I’m sorry.” Liliah gently touched her friend’s shoulder.
Rebecca forced a brave smile, then asked, “So who was the man who stole your first kiss?”
Liliah grinned. “Luc, and I haven’t a clue as to the rest of his name. Which is why I wish to speak to Meyer. Surely he will be able to help me identify this mysterious man.”
Rebecca replied, “This party has become very exciting indeed! Let’s go seek him out. Surely neither his father nor yours would begrudge it!” She spoke dryly, her gaze already searching thebon tonfor her love.
“You always seem to find him before I can, so I’ll leave the searching to you,” Liliah teased.
“There, over by the faro room.” Rebecca nodded toward the other side of the ballroom and started in that direction. Liliah followed, skirting around the edge of the dance floor. As she nodded to several gentlemen, an odd prickling sensation trailed up her spine. Glancing to the left, then to the right, she couldn’t find a reason for the strange feeling. Hurrying her steps, she stayed close behind Rebecca as they approached the length of wall where Meyer conversed with several of his chums from his days at Eton.
Liliah curtseyed along with Rebecca as they stopped. Meyer halted his conversation and reached out, taking Liliah’s hand first, kissing it quickly. He turned then to Rebecca, and taking her hand with gentle care, he lingered in kissing her gloved fingers. Liliah glanced away at the intimacy in their secretive grin for one another.
Meyer’s friends made their introductions then excused themselves, leaving the three of them in relative seclusion. “To what do I owe the honor of two lovely ladies trekking across the ballroom to find me?”
Rebecca blushed prettily under Meyer’s intense gaze, and Liliah waited patiently for them to finish.
“It would seem you have information that our dear friend requires,” Rebecca replied after a moment, her gaze flickering from Liliah, then focusing back on Meyer.
“Oh?” Meyer arched a brow, turning to Liliah. “I pray it’s nothing to do with our previous conversation.”
Liliah grinned unrepentantly in response.
