Liliah demurred. “Thank you, but I have another errand to attend to while my sister is fitted.”
Samantha glanced at her sister, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly to convey her displeasure at being left alone.
“Sarah will stay with you,” Liliah added, trying to make it seem as if she was being helpful to her sister, being sensitive to her dislike of being alone—rather than the truth.
“Of course, Lady Liliah.” The clerk nodded sagely, then turned to lead Samantha toward the back.
“Sarah, I have several errands. Please see that Samantha is properly attended to in my absence?” Liliah asked, widening her eyes as if communicating unspoken meaning.
Sarah studied her mistress, then gave a slow nod of understanding. Sarah had been long familiar with Liliah’s antics, even if she didn’t always agree with them.
“Very well.” Liliah nodded, exhaling a tense breath. Samantha gave one long look behind her as she followed the clerk, then disappeared behind the velvet curtain that separated the main shop from the fitting area.
Sarah followed, and soon Liliah was standing alone.
The prospect was thrilling, yet she found herself slightly reluctant to exit the shop. Instinctively, she knew that when she returned, she would be different.
It was a deliberate and very large step in her life, yet as she pondered Luc, she found she had more anticipation than trepidation.
Especially after the conversation this afternoon with her father.
The bell rang once more as she exited the shop. Glancing up and down the street, she searched for Lucas, wondering just how he planned to find her. Inwardly she chided herself for not giving him more information, yet she suspected he’d find a way to seek her out. After debating for a few moments, she took a left and started down the cobbled street away from the more popular shops. When Luc found her, she didn’t wish to have witnesses. She wanted to be ruined in body, not necessarily in reputation.
And she was quite certain there had to be a difference.
She glanced at the carriages rolling by, her attention drifting from the road to the shopkeepers lining the street, and her body started to relax.
“Having second thoughts?”
Liliah startled, then turned to smile at Luc as he gently touched her elbow.
“Not yet. Maybe if you’d waited a few more minutes. . .”
“Ah, then I’m just in time.” His clear blue eyes danced with a mischievous delight as his gaze lowered, studying her shamelessly.
Liliah’s body grew feverish with his study, and she grappled for something to say. “I must say, I had wondered how you’d locate me.”
“You’re difficult to miss,” Luc replied. “And if I’m not mistaken, our stolen minutes are numbered, are they not?”
Liliah swallowed. “They are.”
“Then let’s not waste them.” Luc arched a dark brow and glanced behind them. “I hired a hack, which I felt was in your best interest, since my carriage is quite recognizable. I’ll meet you at my residence . . . the driver knows where to go.” He nodded meaningfully, then paused, his expression guarded as he continued. “And should you change your mind, the driver will heed your request.” As he finished speaking, he waved a hack over toward them. Liliah was thinking of a witty reply when the carriage stopped, and Luc opened the door for her, offering his hand.
“I’m not so frail of heart, my lord,” Liliah replied as she took his outstretched hand and stepped into the carriage.
“Perhaps,” was all he said, then closed the door and tapped the side. The carriage lurched forward and Liliah leaned back, closing her eyes.
For a moment she thought of perhaps changing her mind, even after she spoke her brave words.
Yet the indecision was fleeting, and soon was replaced with tenacious resolve. If she were to learn about the act of love, then there was no other man she wanted to experience it with than Lucas Mayfield, Earl of Heightfield.
He was indeed a rake.
But he was an honest one.
And she held no delusions that he’d form some sort of attachment to her—which had to be for the best, did it not? She wasn’t expecting love—and he wasn’t offering it.
What she did expect was pleasure.
