“Yes,” she whispered, not moving back as she normally would. “I had to be strong once, so I still am.”
“When?” As they spoke, it felt as if she had an invisible cord attached to him and was pulling it closer.
She didn’t answer, and he didn’t push her, because his lips were soon pressed to hers.
CHAPTER 6
His lips felt soft pressed to hers, and so warm. Liquid heat slid through her, filling all the cold spaces inside. It made Tilly want to grab the lapels of his jacket and press him to her so she could feel all of him.
“Tilly,” he breathed against her lips and then kissed her again.
Her hands did go to his lapels then, and she held him closer. Every thought in that moment but one fled:I need him. And it was that which had her wrenching free. Then she ran.
“Tilly, wait!”
She didn’t, instead running back to The Iris Club down the dark passage. Back to safety. Back to sanity, where she would give herself a stern talking to.
“Damnit!”
She looked back to see him clutch his shoulder, clearly having walked into something. In his other hand, he held her lamp. It gave her the chance she needed. Fleeing, she reached the entrance to The Iris Club and stepped through, shutting the door quickly behind her.
Pressing her back to it, she waited for the thud of a fist,but it never came. Closing her eyes, Tilly pressed a palm to her chest as if she could stop the rapid rasps of her breath.
“Dear lord, what just happened?”
It was just the shock of what they’d discovered. Yes, that was why they’d kissed. Why she’d forever have the memory of his mouth on hers and the way her knees had felt weak. She’d wanted to stay there in his arms for the foreseeable future.
“Tilly, you are a fool,” she told herself.
She pushed off the door, secured it and the bookshelf as best she could. She would come back down with a lamp and replace the books later. She was unsure who to tell and what to do about what they’d discovered.
There was definitely something sinister down there, and Tilly felt that evil was at work and likely had been for some time. But right now she had to push that aside and do what needed to be done. This club was her responsibility, and she would ensure it was a success, even if she had the urge to go home to her bedroom, lock the door, and never leave again.
The fingers she pressed to her lips trembled. “Collect yourself, Tilly.”
She inhaled through her nose, then exhaled loudly. It was just a kiss. There was no need to make too much of it, and no one saw or would ever know what happened between her and Lord Talbot.
But he knows.
The first time she saw him again would be hell, but Tilly was strong. She’d get through it, as there was no other option when the man with whom she’d been indiscreet was her best friend’s brother.
Tilly left the room and made her way back up the stairs. Loud, raucous laughter greeted her as she reached one of the larger parlors. Stepping inside, she found it full of women. This sight settled her.
“Oh, Tilly.” Violet hurried to her side.
Lord Talbot’s sister, Tilly reminded herself once more. She prayed her friend never heard about what had just happened.
“We are playing charades, of all things, and it’s fabulous fun.”
“I can see that. Has the tea arrived?” She never hid anything from Violet, and yet she couldn’t tell her what she’d just done with her brother. It would change everything between them.
“Crabbett Close resident to your left,” Violet whispered.
“How do Thursdays suit you, Miss Wilson? I’ve found a nice little parlor for our knitting club, and of course we’ll bring food with us, so you’ve no need to supply any,” Mrs. Greedy said, moving to stand before Violet and Tilly. She still wore layers of scarves, but the one around her head had been lowered to her neck. She no longer resembled an ancient Egyptian mummy.
“Excellent,” Tilly said.
“I’d like to post a notice somewhere. Are you thinking to have a board for such things?”
