Samantha arched a light brow, taking a spot beside Liliah and facing her fully. “I do believe we have the time to spare.” A small smile tipped her lips.
Where Liliah had lighter features, Samantha was her opposite: dark hazel eyes were framed by long dark lashes the same tint as her hair, the color of richly brewed tea and just as comforting.
“You are certainly aware of my current predicament with Meyer.” Liliah flopped back in an utterly unladylike manner onto her bed, staring at the ceiling of her room.
“Indeed,” Samantha replied timidly, following her sister’s example and reclining in a much more ladylike fashion.
Liliah turned to meet her sister’s questioning gaze. “I didn’t meet his expectations last night, and he is quite put out.”
Samantha nodded. “Put out might be an understatement. He’s never posted guards outside your door, Liliah.” Samantha’s gaze was wary.
“True, it is quite irritating.” With a huff, Liliah blew away a strand of stray hair from her lips.
“I find it quite alarming. What exactly happened?”
Liliah studied her sister, wondering just how much to tell her. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her; it was that she wished to protect her.
If their father cornered her sister, she would feel the need to protect Liliah’s secrets, even to her own detriment. Frowning, Liliah chose to keep the story rather generic.
“I didn’t dance the final waltz with Meyer, and the duke is quite angry that he must wait till tomorrow’s rout at the Brighamns to finalize the details he wished to already have accomplished.” Liliah turned her gaze upward to the ceiling so that Samantha wouldn’t suspect that her story wasn’t complete.
“I see,” Samantha replied simply.
Liliah’s tense body relaxed as she realized her sister wasn’t going to question her further. Yet she mourned the ability to divulge all her secrets! To explain the delight and powerful experience that it was to waltz with Luc! To explain the way her heart pounded fiercely, and how her body heated with a touch—it was incredible.
Yet, she dare not speak a word of it.
At least not yet.
“Then I’m assuming you’re not going to accompany me to Bond Street to shop today,” Samantha replied with a disappointed tone.
Liliah closed her eyes in remorse. She had forgotten she’d made plans with her sister.
“Perhaps we can ask?” Liliah said with a hopeful tone for her sister’s benefit, almost certain their father would refuse such a request.
“No. Let’s not risk his ire further. I do not need another bonnet, or another dress for my come-out next season.”
At the mention of Samantha’s first season, Liliah turned to her sister to study her. She would be one of the Incomparables of the season for sure. With her beautiful features and large dowry, it would be a season to remember. Yet a cold chill shivered down her back.
What if their father had already made plans for Samantha’s match, just as he’d made plans for hers?
What if Samantha’s season was nothing but a sham?
And who would be the object of their father’s schemes? It was troubling.
“Why are you frowning so?” Samantha inquired, rising up on her elbow to regard her sister.
“It is of no consequence. Tell me, what did you do yesterday?”
Samantha’s expression brightened. “Lil, I indulged in the most fascinating book! It was a detailed description of India!” Samantha continued to give the details of her reading, and Liliah considered her sister’s immense joy in study.
Truly, it was a shame she wasn’t able to attend Eton and further her studies. If there was a book to be had, her sister would devour it. It was a joy for their governess to tutor Samantha, while it had been a trial for the governess to tutor Liliah. But that was the case for most things.
Samantha didn’t rebel.
Samantha listened.
Samantha was the perfect daughter.
