convention herself in her day. No woman should have been involved in such business affairs, but my father valued her opinion and sought her advice frequently.”
“I always knew I liked her.” Lily smiled. “Did you know that her sister and my Auntie Iris were best friends when they were girls?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Neither did I until this afternoon. Evidently they lost touch over the years.” Lily lowered her voice. “And do you want to know something else?”
“What, love?” Daniel whispered.
“My father once courted your mother.”
Daniel smiled mockingly. “Really?”
“You knew that?”
“I did.”
“Just think, if they had married, neither one of us would exist,” Lily said.
“I’d rather not imagine a world without you in it.” Daniel squeezed Lily’s thigh under the table. “Do you want to know something?”
“What?”
Daniel lowered his voice until it was barely audible. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
Lily’s blood turned to molten nectar, and her heart pulsated wildly. Warmth crept up her breasts to her face.
“You look amazing in that dress, but I know you’ll look even more delicious out of it.”
Lily squirmed as moisture penetrated the thin fabric of her undergarments. “You must stop talking like that.”
“Why? No one’s paying attention to us.”
“Because, it makes me feel all…”
Daniel grinned. “That’s the idea.”
* * *
After dinner, Lily relaxed with the girls on the front terrace, enjoying coffee and dessert, while the men retired to the back terrace for cigars and port. The others pounced on Lily.
“How did you manage to get seated next to him?” Alexandra asked.
“I’m not exactly sure.” At least that was the truth.
“He seemed to enjoy your company,” Sophie ventured. “It looked like he was conversing mostly with you, from what I could see.”
“It was either that or try to talk to Lady Bourough, who is deaf as a stone, or Lord Madison, who can’t keep from drooling over his wife.”
“Who cares?” Alexandra said. “You got to sit with him. Is he agreeable?”
“He’s very nice. And charming, as one would expect given his reputation with the ladies.”
“Not to mention, devastatingly handsome,” Alexandra added.
“Yes, there is that,” Lily agreed. “Tell me, Ally, how did you get on with Polk at dinner?”
“He was agreeable, but I actually preferred Mr. Landon, who was on my other side. He’s a cousin of the duke.”
“Really?”
“Second cousin actually. His father and Her Grace are cousins. He owns several businesses here and in America. It sounds like he’s worth a fortune.”
“Ally, don’t go barreling after a heavy purse,” Sophie warned. “There are more important things.”
“We can’t sponge off of Aunt Flora and Uncle Crispin forever, Sophie,” Alexandra said. “And damn it, I don’t want to be poor.”
“No one does, dear,” Sophie said. “But there are more essential matters, like love. Do you really want to end up in a loveless marriage with a tyrant like Father?”
“Of course not, and if any of us are lucky enough to find a love match, I’ll be the first one to hoot and holler in glee. But in the meantime, I’m willing to settle for money, especially if he’s handsome, which Mr. Landon is.”
“Well, as long as you have standards,” Sophie said, her tone sardonic.
They conversed and laughed until a maid approached them. “My lady?” she said to Lily.
“Yes?”
“I was bid to bring you to the library.”
“Whatever for?”
“His Grace wants to see you.”
“Oh.” How would she explain this to the others? “He’s going to show me the estate’s art collection. I nearly forgot. Will you all excuse me?”
They all stared at her wide-eyed.
“Would any of you like to come? Laurel Ridge is supposed to have some of the finest art.”
Alexandra beamed. “No, no, dear. We’ll wait right here for you. Do tell us all about it when you’re done.”
“You will have a chaperone, won’t you, Lily?” Sophie said.
“I’m sure His Grace has it all arranged.” Lily stood. “Do enjoy your evening, then.”
Lily followed the maid back into the house and dismissed her. Walking quietly through the entrance hall, she paused to glance inside the enormous dining room where servants were cleaning up after dinner. She continued down the hallway, looking for the library, but stopped when she came to a looking glass hanging on the wall by a small table. She quickly assessed her appearance, biting her lips, pinching her cheeks, and tucking a few stray hairs behind her ears.
“Good evening, love.”
“Goodness,” she said, nearly jumping. “Do you just appear out of thin air?”
Daniel smiled. “Come with me.”
“Wait a moment,” she said. “Shouldn’t we have a chaperone?”
“Does anyone know you’re with me?”
“My sister and cousins.”
“Ah. And