“The question?” Lucas asked, holding his ground.
“How did a slip of a girl, innocent to boot, single-handedly ended your dry streak? Because it isn’t as if women haven’t tried before . . . yet they all failed where she . . . succeeded.” He arched a brow and walked past Lucas to the door.
Lucas watched his retreat, his words hanging heavy in the air.
“Remember what I said, Lucas. Lie, but don’t expect anyone to believe it but you.”
As he closed the door, Lucas wondered if perhaps he was doing just that—lying to himself.
Because he wanted her, when he shouldn’t.
He said yes, when he normally would have said no.
And bloody hell, if he wasn’t absolutely determined to make good on his word.
Perhaps more than once.
Chapter Fifteen
Liliah glared at her door.
Her father’s words had been bitter, cold, and unfeeling. How was it possible to have children and act so hateful toward them? She simply couldn’t fathom it. Yet, she would never know firsthand.
Not if her father got his way.
If she married Meyer, she’d never know the joy of having a child, never experience the love one has for a daughter or a son.
It wasn’t as if she wanted a child now, but . . . it seemed extra cruel to take away her choice to have one in the future.
Hot tears stung her cheeks as she considered her father’s scolding. He had waited till they were secure in the carriage before he had spoken with dark, low tones.
Wicked.
Rebellious.
Shameful.
Harlot.
All the words flooded back, yet she imagined herself like the ducks swimming in the Serpentine during the rain—all the water rolling down their backs and dripping back into the pond. She imagined her father’s words having the same effect.
Yet, try as she might, there was still a slight sting.
How she hated him.
She heard a slight knock on the door, far too timid to be a maid or one of the guards her father had posted outside her room.
Damn the man.
It could only be one person.
“Samantha?” Liliah called out. “Come in.”
The door slowly cracked open, and her sister entered, casting a wary glance behind her as she shut the door.
“Guards, Lil? Whatever did you do this time?” Samantha asked softly, without accusation.
Liliah sighed, scooting over on her bed to make room for her sister, younger by two years. “It’s a long story.”
