Samantha hadn’t been overly enthusiastic at the prospect of leaving her future to a man she didn’t know, but she had said that she trusted Liliah’s judgment. It was enough for her to agree to write the letter, all the while remarking that Samantha could easily choose to return home if need be.
Liliah didn’t believe her sister to have that option, but she was trusting Lucas to help Samantha understand. Liliah had explained their father’s plans and betrayals to Samantha. Samantha had been affronted, hurt, and yet at the same time, much like Liliah, she had seen how they all made sense in light of his current behavior.
It was nearing one, and Liliah stood from her vanity, lifted her reticule, and tucked it under her arm. She walked to the door and turned, facing her room, her sanctuary. It hurt to think that she would never see it again, yet the pain was minimal compared to the joy of having Lucas. She had tucked several small keepsakes and trinkets into her reticule as well, her pieces of home to take with her on her next adventure in life. With a curt nod, she opened the door and strode down the hall toward Samantha’s room. This was the rather difficult aspect of their escape. While Liliah was certain she could easily acquire all the things she might need, she wasn’t as sure about Samantha. Therefore, they had the logistical problem of packing some necessities in a small carpetbag. Liliah had taken the bag and set it under a bush behind the servants’ entrance of the estate, and hopefully would be able to grab it if they were slightly early to the carriage and decided to walk to the carriage house, rather than wait. It wasn’t a foolproof plan, but it was the best she had. She was taking no risks. Should someone come upon them, she didn’t want to have to explain what she was doing.
As she knocked on Samantha’s door, she met her sister’s wide gaze. Both resolution and fear shone from within, but she was ready with her small reticule, also packed with small trinkets from her room, tucked under her arm.
Liliah grasped her hand and squeezed. “Ready?”
Samantha gave a weak smile. “As I’ll ever be.”
As they started down the hall, a footman intercepted them, bowing smartly. “My ladies, His Grace wishes to speak with you in his study.”
Liliah’s heart picked up speed like a hummingbird’s wings, but she nodded sedately and squeezed Samantha’s hand.
They took the stairs and walked to the often visited study of their father, the duke. Liliah stepped forward and curtseyed. “Your Grace?”
“At last.” He grumbled impatiently. He glanced up from behind his desk and the missive he was writing. “I’ve spoken to Greywick and it seems Meyer is ever anxious to make you his bride—why I cannot imagine. However, it follows that you will be married by special license tomorrow, as long as Greywick is able to secure the license today. I assume by your reticule that you are going out?” He studied them suspiciously.
Liliah nodded, thankful she had the only excuse he would likely accept. “Yes, I have the final fitting for my wedding dress, and if it is all as it should be, it will be delivered later today.”
“Very good.” He dismissed Liliah.
“And you.” He turned his steely gaze to Samantha. “You will meet Lord Mayson tonight. He’s coming over for supper and will make you an offer you shall accept.”
Liliah bit her tongue, tasting the salty flavor of blood, but she kept her face impassive even in her extreme anger. He was the man she had assumed! How dare her father take away the opportunity for Samantha to experience a season, to know the joy of an offer from a man she could come to love, or at least respect? Lord Mayson was simply an easy arrangement for her father to make with as little effort as possible. It was horrid in every way.
“Of course,” Samantha replied, curtseying deeply. Liliah could see the slight tremble in her movements, but didn’t think their father would notice.
“Very good, you’re dismissed.” The duke turned back to his work and ignored the daughters he resented.
Liliah and Samantha quit the room, then took the hall to the front entrance of the manor. Liliah prayed the carriage was late in arriving so they could grab the carpet bag, but it was a futile hope. As they took the stairs outside, the carriage rolled up and dashed their expectations. Liliah turned an inquiring eye to Samantha, but her sister gave a small shake of her head.
As they entered the carriage, Liliah held her breath as the carriage rolled forward down the drive, past the gate. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, still afraid to speak loudly.
Samantha wiped a tear from her face. “I had wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was some hope that he’d change his mind. It was a foolish thing to do, to hope. I remember meeting that man last year. It was just a quick introduction, I nearly forgot, but upon hearing his name again I remembered. I cannot marry him!”
Liliah reached out and grasped her sister’s hand. “It is never a foolish thing to hope. Ever. I’m just thankful that we are about our business today, rather than tomorrow,” Liliah remarked.
“Indeed,” Samantha replied.
Liliah was quickly lost in her own thoughts as they traveled through the London streets to the modiste’s shop. As they pulled up, Liliah wondered at the fact that her father hadn’t sent additional footmen to ensure their obedience.
She was thankful her father’s arrogant nature knew no bounds.
He didn’t expect them to have any will of their own, and in that, she knew that Samantha couldn’t return. She prayed that Luc had secured a safe place for his future sister-in-law.
As the carriage halted, Liliah alighted first, then waited for her sister. Her gaze darted up and down the street, but she wasn’t able to locate Lucas. With a shaky breath, she led Samantha to the modiste’s stop, the familiar bell tinkling as they walked in. Several ladies were milling about, and one gentleman—odd. Liliah studied him as he turned and offered a familiar grin. She reached for her sister’s hand. Lucas flickered his gaze toward the back, then disappeared around the dark corner of the back of the shop.
The clerk welcomed them. “Good afternoon, my lady, and my lady. Are you ready for your fitting?”
Liliah replied. “Almost, I wish to look about for a few minutes. I see you’ve some new material?” she lied, hoping it was true.
“Ah, yes! Of course! Simply let me know when you are ready,” the clerk replied kindly and took her leave to address another patron who had just walked into the store.
Liliah tugged on her sister’s hand and nodded toward the back where Lucas had disappeared. She kept her steps slow and measured, caressing bolts of cloth here and there, pausing to study one pattern or another to keep up the appearance of being interested, and as soon as she was close, she ducked around the corner with Samantha, where Lucas was waving toward a back exit. They escaped into a back alley filled with discarded material and trash, with one exit where a hired hack waited.
They quickly made their way to the hack and Lucas helped each of them into the carriage, then tapped the roof. In short order they were traveling down the streets of London as they passed from the shopping district into the residential community of Mayfair. Liliah sucked in a breath as they neared her home, only to turn left down a different street. She cut a glance to Lucas as she started to recognize her surroundings. “Brilliant,” she remarked.
