And if there was one man that personified carnal pleasure, it was he.
Chapter Eighteen
Lucas took his own carriage to his residence. He had considered a more neutral location, yet he resisted the idea. His servants were trained and trustworthy, silent as the grave. It was best to meet her at his London residence, where he could control the situation. As he stepped from his carriage, he took the steps to the door two at a time. The door opened immediately, as his butler was vigilant, and he gave but a curt nod before traveling down the hall and making his way to the back entrance of the house. Sure enough, the black carriage he’d hired turned the corner and started toward the assigned drop-off.
Lucas studied the carriage, both relieved and slightly surprised that Lady Liliah had followed through. Even for her brave words, he suspected she was slightly reluctant, as she should be! Yet he was sufficiently a rogue to hope she made good on all her talk.
His body agreed, enthusiastically.
As he took the last few steps to the carriage, he wondered at the wisdom of such a tryst. Liliah was no merry widow, nor was she a fortune hunter. She fit into none of the categories he’d assigned women to, which was both refreshing and confusing. In fact, his life had become exponentially more confusing since they’d met.
But after today’s encounter, there would be no more interactions.
At least that was the plan.
He opened the carriage door and held out his hand for Lady Liliah. Her white-gloved hand grasped his firmly as she stepped down from the carriage. He noted a slight tremble in her touch, and a twinge of tenderness hit him, yet he pushed the offensive emotion away.
“Welcome,” Lucas murmured as she glanced up at him, her blue eyes full of expectation and a hint of fear.
“Thank you.” She demurred, yet it wasn’t coy, rather it hinted at a shyness ignited by a passion that had been smoldering for days.
With a gentle tug, he led her toward the back door of his residence. The sound of the hack leaving punctuated their footsteps.
Lucas opened the heavy wooden door for Liliah, and waited a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting of the servants’ entrance. He made a mental note to see to its improvement later. Yet his attention was arrested by Liliah. The scent of rosewater perfumed the air around them, and he wordlessly led her to the back stairs. “I hope you don’t mind the more private route,” he remarked delicately.
“I’d much prefer it,” Liliah replied, offering a brave smile.
Lucas grinned. “I can only assume you’re familiar with your servants’ entrance as well . . .”
Liliah laughed softly. “You would assume correctly, my lord.”
Lucas paused at the top of the stairs, waiting till she glanced at him. Lifting a finger, he pressed it against her lips, watching as her expression grew curious. “From this moment on, I’m only Luc.”
Liliah nodded slowly, her soft lips rubbing against his sensitive finger. As he slowly withdrew his hand, she murmured, “Then you must address me as Liliah, no ‘lady’ before it.”
Lucas nodded once, then grasped her hand, leading her from the servants’ staircase into the main hall of the second floor. Their footsteps were soundless as they walked on the rich carpet. He glanced at Liliah, watching her study her surroundings. “Does it meet with your approval?” he asked with a slight edge to his tone. Was she finding his situation lacking? After all, she was the daughter of a duke.
“Offended easily?” She turned the remark back to him. “I find it surprising that you’d think any part of your person lacking.” Her tone held a teasing lilt.
“I do not. But I, however, cannot account for other people’s taste.”
“La, but you are a wicked one, are you not?” Liliah narrowed her gaze, her lips bending into a grin.
“I’d rather thought you’d be aware of that side of my nature—I’d rather think it was painfully apparent, given our current situation.” Lucas watched as the blood flooded to her face at his brazen implication.
Dear Lord. If she blushed so powerfully with insinuation, heaven help them once the door was closed.
Lucas glanced down the vacant hall once more, then opened the door to his private chambers. He had debated mightily about where to bed Liliah, and while his private chambers wasn’t the most prudent of choices, he found it was exactly where he pictured her when he imagined the event.
The room was dominated by his mahogany bed with red velvet curtains at each corner. A fire burned warm in the hearth, and the scent of sandalwood and cedar permeated the air, relaxing the tautness of his nerves, erasing the last of his hesitation.
As he turned to Liliah, her gaze scanned her surroundings, taking the details into account.
“Is it as you expected?” Lucas asked, curious.
“Oddly, yes. It suits you.” She turned to face him as she pulled her lower lip between her teeth.
“Nervous?” Lucas asked, releasing her hand and starting to slowly circle her.
