Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1) - Helen Hardt Page 0,65
went to Lily. “Here,” he said, tearing open a small packet. “Put this on your tongue. It will ease your headache.”
“My head doesn’t ache.”
“Call it a preemptive strike then. Stick out your tongue.”
She obeyed, and he poured the powder on it.
“It’s bitter!”
“Yes, I know.” He held the water to her mouth. “Drink.”
She gulped down a few swallows.
“Now, do you want to tell me why you were drinking wine this afternoon?”
“Not really.”
“Indulge me anyway.”
Lily hiccoughed again. “I’m not feeling very well, Daniel.”
“Do you need a basin?”
Another hiccough. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Now, why were you drinking?”
“Oh, that. Rose, Ally, Sophie, and I were celebrating our betrothal. They’re all terribly envious of me you know. Perhaps you should marry one of them.”
“I don’t want to marry one of them. I want to marry you.”
“Oh. I think I’ll take that basin now.”
He brought it to her.
“Oh, never mind,” she said. “It passed.”
“Keep the basin here just in case.” He went to answer a knock on the door, took a glass of brownish red liquid from Putney, and delivered it to Lily. “Drink this, and I’ll get a cold compress for your head.”
Lily shook her head at the thick liquid. “I’m not putting that in my mouth.”
“Yes, you are, young lady. Come on, drink.”
She took a quick sip. “Oh, it’s disgusting!”
“Yes, I know, but it works. Come on, all of it.”
Lily held her nose and swallowed the thick liquid until the glass was empty. “If I wasn’t going to be sick before, I will be now.”
“You’ll be fine. In fact, within an hour you’ll feel much better. The basin is here if you need it.”
Another knock on the door delivered Brandy.
“Here’s your puppy, Lily,” Daniel said, placing Brandy in her arms.
“You adorable creature. I missed you.” She yawned. “I’m sleepy, Daniel.”
“Lie back now. Get some rest.”
“What about Brandy?” she asked drowsily, snuggling into Daniel’s pillow.
“Putney will take her to the kennels. They’ll care for her until tomorrow.”
“All right then.” She closed her eyes.
Daniel pressed a damp cloth to her forehead.
“That feels nice,” she murmured. “Come lie with me, Daniel.”
“No, love, not while you’re foxed.”
She opened her eyes abruptly. “I am not foxed!”
He laughed softly. “Of course not. Now go to sleep, I’ll wake you in a bit.”
“I need to dress for the ball.”
“I’ll wake you in time. Close your eyes. I’ll stay and watch over you.”
“You’re so sweet.” She reached for him. “Hold me. I want to feel your arms around me.” She closed her eyes.
What could it hurt? He lay down beside her and gathered her in his arms.
“That’s nice,” she murmured and then began to snore softly.
Daniel kissed her chastely on the forehead, smiling because she wanted him. Perhaps she did care for him.
In vino veritas, he thought. In wine, there’s truth.
CHAPTER 13
Lily awoke, naked, in Daniel’s bed. He held her gently, making love to her, softly crooning her name. “Lily, Lily, Lily.” She sighed, enjoying the feel of his hands on her skin. “Lily, Lily…”
Something cool and crisp fell from her eyes when she opened them to see Daniel sitting next to her, shaking her arm gently.
“Lily, Lily.”
She was still fully clothed, lying on his bed. The lovemaking had been a dream… What had fallen from her eyes appeared to be thin slices of…cucumber?
“Daniel?”
“I’m here. How are you feeling?”
“Why was there cucumber on my face?”
“It’s an old trick of my mother’s. When her eyes are tired and puffy, she swears by slices of cucumber, so I had the kitchen send some up.”
“Ugh. What is that awful taste in my mouth?”
“Just an after effect of your…indulgence.”
“It’s probably from that horrible glop you forced down my throat. What was in that stuff anyway?”
He chuckled. “You don’t want to know. Does your head hurt?”
Lily shook her head. “I must look dreadful, though.”
“You’ll always be beautiful to me, love. Your face looks good, actually. I’ll have to tell my mother that her old wives’ tale has merit. But your hair needs a little work, and you need a bath and tooth brushing.”
Lily twisted her face into a grimace. “You’ve seen me at my worst. Do you still want to marry me?”
“I’m sorry to tell you but, yes, I do.”
“Good God.” She stood, a little lightheaded, but remarkably sturdy on her feet.
“Lily, if you don’t feel you can attend the ball tonight, we can announce our betrothal on the morrow.”
“No, I feel…better. Surprising, but true. Perhaps Putney should market that concoction of his.”