Wild Lily (Those Notorious Americans Book 1)(39)

She raised her face and her lips parted. He’d dare to say she was awed.

He’d awe her more if he could. “To know that you want me, too, was more than gratifying. It was exciting. I won’t tell anyone. We’ll return to the party and all day tomorrow, this will be our secret. Eh? What do you say?”

“You’d do that?”

“I tell you there’s no benefit in me telling anyone.” When I want you for myself.

She tried to laugh. “You’re not such a roué after all if you don’t want the world to know you ruined me.”

He sucked in air. “Well, first of all, I’m shocked I’m put at the level of a roué. My life has not been unblemished but still, my pastimes go more to cards than ruining American ladies who’ve done nothing more than kiss me.”

“I did more than that. I climbed into your lap and—and—”

Thrilled me. “Met me kiss for kiss.”

“Oh, don’t.”

He wrapped her closer, his arms tight about her. “Don’t worry, darling. We’re fine. You are. And no one will know. Not tonight or ever after. And that means that tomorrow night, we can ride again.” He pulled away, gazing down at her as if he were merely a long-lost friend. “You want to ride again properly tomorrow night, don’t you?”

She straightened up, nodding and smiling. “Oh, you know how to talk me around, don’t you?”

“I do hope so.” Might you agree with me on all matters?

She tipped her head. “Listen. The rain has stopped.”

“See that? The world is right again. You and I will run back to Carbury’s. No one will be the wiser.”





“I’ll take your riding clothes to warm in the sun, Miss Hanniford.” Her maid was a prune-faced English woman whom her father had hired four weeks ago. She had an eagle eye and the disposition of a fox. Lily didn’t trust her entirely, but hoped to earn her loyalty. The woman flung Lily’s damp garments over her arm. Her brown eyes held no expression, but the way she peered at Lily told her she wanted an explanation. For any confidence, the maid would have to wait a few weeks.

“Thank you, Nora.” Lily rose from her dressing table, every hair in place, ready to face those in the breakfast room. Even Julian. Especially Julian.

“And I’ll clean your boots, too, shall I?”

“Please do,” she said with nonchalance.

The woman knit her bushy brows. “Will you be needing them this afternoon?”

In too good a mood to be cowed, Lily grinned at her. “I doubt that, Nora. Do dry them out well, will you?”

“Yes, miss.” She ambled toward the door and when she opened it, there stood Marianne.

Lily waved her in. “Good morning.”

Marianne noted the items in Nora’s arms and waited until the servant closed the bedroom door. “Is there something wrong with your riding clothes?”

Preserve me from coincidences that give me away. “No.”

Marianne wrinkled her nose. “Wet wool smells.”

“Hmm. Yes. Perhaps it does.” She stood and straightened the belt at her waist.

“You’re being glib.” Marianne put her hands on her hips.

“Am I? I don’t know why.”

“I wish I did.”

No, you don’t. “Let’s have breakfast, shall we?”

“Where were you last night?”

“Here.” Tossing and turning, reliving kisses. “Sleeping.”

“You were not.” Marianne shook her head at her. “I was here. I know.”

Lily huffed. “Caught. Wonderful. Very well, I went out. Riding. And I had a marvelous time, too.”

“With whom?”

Lily pursed her lips. “No one.”

Her cousin hooted.

Lily felt her cheeks flame. She’d have to get better at subterfuge. Certainly to get out tonight, she’d need to. “You mustn’t let on. It was innocent fun.”

“And you got caught in the rain.”

“Yes. Yes, I did. I was cold. I was freezing. And the whole incident was glorious. So do not yell at me.”

Marianne’s face glowed in delight. “Why would I do that?”

Lily was flummoxed. It was her turn to put her hands on her hips and stare at her cousin. “Aren’t chaperones supposed to be dastardly?”

“And spoil your fun? I suppose. But if you like him—”

“I do.”

“I thought you didn’t. Not at first.”

Lily lifted her shoulders. “I was more afraid of—I don’t know—marriage, marrying the wrong man, being courted for Papa’s money.”

“And now you’ve given in?”

“No. I see other possibilities.” She walked to the window and looked out over the garden toward the stable block. In the brilliant sunlight, all she envisioned was immaculate dark masculine creature who’d held her in his arms and kissed her as if she were precious. “I like him for himself. We get on together. It was his idea to take me riding last night. And I loved the freedom of it.”

“As long as he’s a gentleman about it, I suppose, no harm can come of it.”

“None did.”