Lucas nodded. “Thank you.”
“In that, I do fear that you’ve given me far more than I’ve given you,” she added, then sat back in the carriage.
“I rather think the opposite, Liliah. Farewell.” He tapped on the carriage wall and it lurched forward, rolling down the street.
Lucas watched till it was out of sight, then returned to his residence, his body satisfied yet his mind utterly restless.
He had the strong suspicion that Lady Liliah was not going to be easy to forget.
And that scared him more than the devil.
Because in his experience, of the two evils, women were far more dangerous than hell itself.
Chapter Nineteen
Liliah leaned back against her carriage as she ignored the glare from her sister.
“I still don’t believe that you were lost.”
Liliah sighed. “You are free to believe whatever you wish.”
Samantha huffed, but didn’t reply. After Liliah had returned from Luc’s residence, she had made her way back to the modiste’s shop, only to run into her sister and Sarah. They, of course, had been concerned when she hadn’t returned, but she’d simply lied and said she’d been lost.
Samantha was already in a vexed mood because of her fitting, and she wasn’t inclined to believe, or forgive, Liliah’s tardiness.
Liliah attempted to take the attention off of herself. “What do you think I should wear to the rout tomorrow night?” Yet even as she tried for a lighthearted approach, her stomach clenched in dread. It would be the first ball where it would be announced and become common knowledge that she was betrothed to Meyer. At least now she had experienced the physical act of love, but the elation and excitement she’d experienced were fading. Rather she found herself unsettled and rather depressed.
It was like experiencing heaven, and then realizing it was only for a few moments and you had to live out the rest of your life without experiencing it again.
It had been magical, truly the stuff of fairy tales. Yet rather than feel satisfied with the experience, she feared it would only create a hunger she didn’t know how to fill.
Especially married to Meyer.
Her brilliant plans were coming to naught.
Samantha’s voice interrupted her musings. “You can’t exactly wear black, though it would be appropriate.”
Liliah cracked a smile and giggled. “I don’t see that going over well.”
“No, and I’m assuming since Father wished to speak with you, that he announced your betrothal in theTimes?”
“Yes.”
“Then more’s the pity you can’t wear black—you, Meyer, and Rebecca.”
“How true.” Liliah shifted to the side as the carriage hit a bump. “The Winharts’ ball will at least be diverting; they usually employ some sort of entertainment with the dancing. I shall focus on that.”
“A wise idea,” Samantha remarked.
As they approached home, Liliah was pleased to have an evening to herself without any plans. Heaven only knew she would have more than enough to deal with tomorrow—but for tonight, she simply wanted to remember.
As she alighted from the carriage, she quickly made haste to her room, dismissing Sarah from any assistance, and promptly lay on her bed. An amused smile teased her lips and she touched them delicately, wondering if they would ever recover from Luc’s sweet assault.
Rolling off the bed, she walked to the mirror and studied herself. Though it was almost imperceptible, she could see a difference—it was in her eyes. There was awareness, a knowledge that hid within their green depths that wasn’t there earlier.
She touched her face, then traced her lips. Closing her eyes, she gave herself over to the memories. Her heart pounded an excited rhythm as she remembered the feel of his skin on hers, the strong muscles of his back as he arched into her, the way he spoke her name . . . it was the highlight of her existence.
She was afraid it might also be her undoing.
