Meyer agreed quickly and excused himself from the conversation rapidly.
“You’re quite welcome.” Lucas smirked as Meyer fell into step beside him. Meyer shot him a curious glance that shifted slightly into chagrin. “It would appear you are acquainted with Lord Lisness.”
“Barely, which is more than is necessary to develop an opinion,” Lucas replied honestly. “Now then, I’ve an inquiry.”
“After the information you’ve disclosed this eve, I find myself quite in your debt. How may I assist?” Meyer inquired with a sincere gaze.
“Lady Rebecca seemed to be of the mind that if you were to attempt corresponding with Lady Liliah, it would be a permissible avenue of contact,” Lucas explained neatly, making sure to drop Lady Rebecca’s name, hoping to smooth over the slightly scandalous edge to his request.
Meyer’s brow pinched. “It is indeed likely.”
“Brilliant.” Lucas nodded. “Would you mind requesting she take a stroll in Hyde Park, around four tomorrow?”
Meyer studied Lucas. “Why?” he asked suspiciously.
“Because if I were to come and call upon her, her father would not only disapprove, but the tyrant would likely blame Liliah, creating worse problems,” Lucas articulated, frustrated that he should have to spell out his thoughts so plainly. Damn, it was difficult to persuade people to go along with a plan. It was so much easier to work with Heathcliff, or even Ramsey—at least they were usually of the same mind in situations.
He tamped back his impatient nature and waited for Meyer.
“And your intentions?” Meyer asked quietly, glancing about to make sure their conversation was private.
“Are private, and none of your concern. But I assure you, the same way I assured your lady friend, I have no desire to bring about harm to the lady in question or her reputation.”
Meyer twisted his lips as if considering Lucas’s words, weighing them. “I hesitate, I must admit. This goes against my moral obligations.”
Lucas swallowed his frustration. He wanted to hang both Meyer and his bloody moral obligations, but it wouldn’t help his case, so he held his peace. “But?” he encouraged, waiting.
“But I see Liliah’s delight when she is with you, so for her sake, I’ll do it,” he answered.
Lucas nodded, then held out his hand to Meyer. After a firm shake, he grinned. “Thank you.”
Meyer acknowledged his words with a curt nod, and with a slight bow, took his leave.
Lucas strode away in search of Heathcliff. Since Liliah was no longer in attendance, he had no reason to tolerate the rest of the ton’s company. Furthermore, he found last night’s lack of sleep was catching up with him. Tomorrow promised to be a delightful day.
Four in the afternoon couldn’t come quickly enough.
Chapter Twenty-three
Liliah pulled her knees to her chest as she sat on her bed. She should be angry, she should be utterly distraught after the conversation with her father last night—yet she found she was none of those things.
Perhaps it was that she was simply too numb to care any longer. Or, maybe, she was finally realizing that her father’s words only held weight if she let them.
And she was determined to not let them sink into her heart.
Become truth.
Become anything other than hot, hate-filled air.
She determined that the pity she felt was not for herself, but for her father.
It was all the same words as before.
And while they were significantly more accurate—after all, she was quite thoroughly ruined—the words were simply that: words.
Her father had blustered, threatened to forbid her friendship with Lady Rebecca Grace, and even to hold her prisoner in her own home—yet she found it didn’t concern her as much.
Worse came to worst, she would marry Meyer, and then divorce quietly.
