Liliah gave a slow nod of affirmation.
“Thankfully I still have time before my season.” Samantha gave her sister’s hand a slight squeeze, then released it so that she might pick up her tea.
“At least a year,” Liliah confirmed.
“There is much that can happen in a year,” Samantha murmured, then took a sip of tea.
“Truer words have never been spoken,” Liliah replied and took a sip of her tea as well.
Samantha’s gaze flickered to the letter. “Will you meet him?”
Liliah set her teacup in the saucer with a slight clank. “Yes. If for no other reason than to escape this house.”
Samantha gave a gentle chuckle. “You’ve always had a restless heart.”
“And you’ve always had a contented one.”
“True enough.”
Liliah finished her tea and passed the next hour in quiet company with her sister. As the afternoon waned, she excused herself to don a walking gown for her meeting with Meyer. After Sarah had assisted her with readying herself, Liliah bid her join her on the walk. It was a nuisance to have a chaperone, but on the occasions when she didn’t sneak from the manor, it was required in order to pass through the door.
As she took the stairs to the foyer, she wasn’t surprised to find her father by the door, waiting, his cold gaze studying her as if determining the risk in letting her leave the premises. A footman, one she didn’t recognize, stood beside him stiffly.
Irritation flared within her as she approached her father, yet she held her tongue in check. She didn’t want to jeopardize the opportunity to escape for a while.
“I see you’ve accepted the invitation.” Her father spoke in a clipped tone as he placed his hands behind his back.
“Indeed,” Liliah replied, watching him warily.
He took a step toward her. “You will be on your best behavior. Your reputation is currently questionable, based on the company you’ve been keeping.” He bit out the last words as he slowly circled her. “To accompany you, I’m sending along Fredrick. He’s to be of any . . . assistance.”
Liliah bit her tongue, using all her will to resist giving a scathing retort, and rather than reply and risk her control, she simply nodded.
“Very good.” He met her gaze, then strode away.
Liliah closed her eyes for a moment, collecting herself from the searing anger, then took a deep breath. “Come along, Sarah.” She turned to the footman. “And Fredrick.” She practically sneered. As if she believed he was simply a footman. She’d never seen him before, and she was quite certain she’d at least recognize all the hired footmen in her home.
As soon as she stepped from the manor, her heart started to calm. The sky was a pale blue with only a slight smattering of clouds, and for once it looked as if it might not rain. The air danced with a slight breeze, and Liliah relaxed into the embrace of the open space. A smile teased her lips as she made her way to the park. It wasn’t a far walk, and she could have easily readied a carriage, but she found she wanted—no, needed—the time to unwind. Plus, ladies were to walk at a sedate pace, so surely that would be the perfect excuse to take her sweet time in returning home.
She grinned at her devious thoughts. Yet they were tempered with the sound of the two sets of footsteps that lagged behind.
Freedom, but not solitude.
At least not today.
Chapter Twenty-four
Lucas tapped his knee impatiently as he watched from his carriage window. Truly it was a rare spectacular day, and as such he could have taken his curricle, yet he wished for privacy.
Craved it.
He studied the gentry as they strolled around the park. The sound of horses’ hooves pounding the earth drew his attention to Rotten Row, where two dandies tested their horseflesh. The park was teeming with activity, everyone set on enjoying the break in the weather.
Bloody rotten luck.
He wondered just how Meyer had invited Liliah to the park. All he knew was that she would arrive near the Serpentine by four. He lifted his gold pocket watch and noted that he was still early.
Thankfully, Meyer wasn’t planning to make good on his invitation, which left only one maid to evade to have Liliah to himself. Or so was the plan. Yet as he studied the path that wound toward the Serpentine from the roadway, he spotted Liliah, along with two chaperones.
