“Did you enjoy the party last eve?” Liliah asked.
Lucas nodded. “I had quite a brilliant dance partner.”
“Truly? I did as well,” she teased. “My toes were stepped on only once or twice, quite the improvement.”
“Foul,” he responded, earning a saucy grin. “I did nothing of the sort. I’m quite capable on the dance floor, even if I say so myself.”
“Who’s to say I was referring to my dances with you?” Liliah asked tauntingly.
“And here I fell for the trap.” Lucas chuckled. “I see my folly.”
Liliah grinned at him, her eyes sparkling with intelligence and mischief. “I would never abuse your dancing to your face, sir. Merely behind your back.”
Lucas gave a low chuckle. He played at offence. “Ah, so that is how the game is played. I understood you to have a more frank character than this.”
“I jest,” Liliah replied with a soft laugh. “Honesty is something I prize, so how could I neglect to use it myself? It would be hypocrisy of the worst sort. No, I’m much too honest and forthright for any sort of deception—in conversation,” she added belatedly.
Lucas shook his head, immediately reminded of her grand deception that had led to their acquaintance.
Who would have imagined?
Either the Fates were cruel or brilliant. He wasn’t quite certain which.
“So what brings you out and about today?” Liliah asked as they took the path that circled the Serpentine. She nodded gently to a passing person, someone Lucas faintly recognized, then dismissed.
“I’m simply taking the air. And what of you? What brings you out of doors?” Lucas flickered his gaze behind them, arching a brow.
“I was to meet a friend, but I don’t think he was able to make the arrangement,” Liliah answered neatly, her eyes sparkling with understanding. “However, in retrospect, I should have expected as much, since he was less than forthright in his correspondence.”
“I’m more than happy to take your friend’s place and enjoy your lovely company.”
“How fortuitous,” Liliah replied.
They walked on in silence for a few moments, and Lucas took the opportunity to ponder several plans for extricating Liliah from her chaperones.
Yet with each plan he devised, he couldn’t help but reflect on the resulting punishment that Liliah could face at the end of their folly. In short, he decided he had no other option but to enjoy her chaperoned company and find another way to steal private moments at a different time. His body agonized at the delay in gratification, yet he could see no other option.
Not without resulting in punishment or pain for the lady in question.
And damn it all, that was enough to alter his plans.
He tried not to consider what that could mean, so he pushed the dark thought into the back of his mind and instead focused on the beauty on his arm.
“Will you attend the Morrison ball tomorrow night?” he asked.
Liliah colored softly, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue that was reminiscent of when she’d gazed at him after their entanglement. His body hardened at the thought, his blood pumping with a persuasive demand for an immediate repeat performance. He sucked in a fortifying breath as he waited for her answer.
“Indeed I am planning to attend. Will you be there as well?” she asked.
“And miss an opportunity to step on your toes? I think not,” he teased.
“Ha! Then I shall look forward to seeing you then. And will your friend attend as well? Viscount Kilpatrick?”
“If I can talk him into it.”
“I doubt it is so very difficult. He seems to enjoy society.”
Lucas gave a scoffing laugh. “In part,” he answered cryptically.
