“Good evening, Meyer.” She gave a friendly smile as her gaze flickered to the thwarted partner.
Meyer gave a crisp bow and nodded warmly. “Good evening to you.”
“Take a turn with me?” Liliah asked, offering a cheeky grin.
“Delighted to,” Meyer replied, offering his arm. Liliah saw Meyer dart a quick glance toward his father, Lord Greywick. No doubt being seen together would please both of their fathers.
As they gained some distance from Lord Greywick, Meyer started the conversation. “I know you well enough to anticipate that you have some specific topic of conversation on your mind. But I must first ask, how was your trip to the park? I trust you had little difficulty finding a suitable replacement for my company,” he said with a mischievous expression.
Liliah had quite forgotten about the park escapade. “Oh! You were quite clever indeed! I must admit my ineptitude to discover your intent, but I did suspect something, I just wasn’t certain what,” Liliah replied with a wide smile. “Clever man.”
Meyer chuckled. “I wish I had thought of it on my own, but I did have ample encouragement.”
Liliah’s face heated with a blush at the implication. Had Luc sought out Meyer simply to create a rendezvous? It was a delightful thought, and hinted at maybe some deeper attachment, but she pushed it aside lest she create the most dangerous creature—hope.
“It was a lovely afternoon,” Liliah replied calmly, even as her heart raced at the mere thought of Luc.
“I’ll bet.” Meyer chuckled. “So, what is it on your mind, minx?”
Liliah took a deep breath, fine-tuning the way she’d start the conversation, especially with potential eavesdroppers surrounding them. As she opened her mouth to speak, she met Luc’s searing blue gaze from a few paces away. She had not seen his approach. The air left her lungs and her body grew warm all over. A slow smile started in his gaze, then tipped up the edges of his full lips, illuminating his face in a seductive grin that made her belly flutter.
“Liliah?” Meyer’s voice broke through the spell, and before she could answer, Luc approached and bowed.
“Good evening, Meyer.” Even as he spoke to Meyer, his gaze never left Liliah, and she was quite content with it.
“Heightfield,” Meyer replied. “I’ll . . . leave you to it then.” Meyer released Liliah’s arm and gave a smart bow, a smirk on his lips as he walked away.
Liliah cast a teasing grin to her departing friend and turned back to Luc, feeling the power of his regard like a touch that awakened all the senses. “Good evening,” she said, rather unremarkably.
“It is now.”
Liliah couldn’t restrain her laughter. “I’m not sure whether to be insulted or flattered at such a comment,” she teased.
“Foul, why would you say such a thing?” Luc asked, offering his arm.
Liliah gladly took it, his warmth seeping deep into her bones at the touch, her body relaxing as if finally feeling safe.
She resisted the temptation to remember her prior resolution.
Surely a few stolen moments couldn’t hurt?
“I say it because I’m quite certain your imagination could have come up with a more clever answer. That phrase has been used many a time before.”
“That doesn’t malign its distinct honestly, however.”
“I must concede that fact.”
“Ah, humility and beauty,” Luc replied.
“Ah, flattery and a silver tongue,” Liliah said cheekily.
Lucas chuckled warmly. “And well you know it.” He regarded her tenderly and leaned down slightly. “Are you well?” he asked just above a whisper.
Not certain of their privacy, she simply nodded.
She met his gaze, and watched as several emotions flickered across his face: curiosity, regret, resolve. Before he could continue, Liliah interrupted. Knowing that if she didn’t do this now, she would likely never have the strength to do it at all. She had wanted to just forget for a few moments, yet it was too perfect an opportunity to let it go to waste. With a trembling heart, she forced a strength she didn’t feel.
“I think, under the circumstances . . .” She let the phrase linger, and she kept her gaze downward for the duration of her resolution. “That we should give our respective regards to one another. I do not expect anything more from you than what was previously discussed, and I do not wish you to be burdened by the expectation that I may.” Liliah took a slow breath, feeling the tension of Luc’s arm beneath her hand. “And, from the bottom of my heart”—she hazarded a glance up to him, allowing the shield she’d put around her heart to retreat as her attachment was surely recognizable in her gaze—“I thank you. Because no matter what, I’ll always keep a piece of you in my heart, Luc.” She whispered his name, ignoring the hundreds of people around them, wishing they were alone, hoping he understood.
