The Perfect Arrangement (The Not So Saintly Sisters #4) - Annabelle Anders Page 0,17

how well sprung the vehicle was, they managed to take an astonishingly fashionable meal as they drove along the highway.

Chapter 5

A Relaxing Stroll

The day passed uneventfully. With Becky present, Lillian and Christian couldn’t really discuss anything pertinent to their arrangement. Lillian had considered telling her maid the nature of the marriage but decided Becky would have found the information too juicy to keep to herself.

She wanted to keep the matter private and hoped he had done the same.

And so, while driving, after discussing the weather at great length, they’d mostly discussed her family. She’d told him about both of her sisters, and then about her brother, his new family, and also a little about Olivia.

He’d mentioned, almost in passing, that the notion of his sister having extended family was a reassuring one but closed up when she’d asked about his brothers.

By the time they stopped at the inn, he knew far more about her family and upbringing than she did about his.

They had not dined alone together either but were joined not only by Becky but by his man of business, Mr. Smyth. Conversation was pleasant and she realized that Christian was doing all that he could to ensure she didn’t feel threatened or uncomfortable.

Nonetheless, when the last of the dishes were removed by the unusually efficient staff, Lillian was surprised and pleased when he asked if she’d like to stroll outside for a while before retiring for the night.

“I’ll fetch your shawl.” Becky excused herself from the private dining room.

“And I believe that I will retire for the evening.” Mr. Smyth rose and bowed in her direction. “The sun will be rising all too soon.”

Left alone in her betrothed’s company for the first time since she’d accepted his proposal, Lillian exhaled, relieved to not have to worry about revealing anything she oughtn’t.

He too seemed to relax, having reclined back in his chair, his gaze, nonetheless, not leaving her face.

“I did not expect to enjoy myself today, and yet, I have found the drive so far to have been quite pleasant.”

“You did not expect to enjoy my company?” Lillian teased, feeling a little lightheaded from the wine she’d drunk and a little flirtatious from the company of the man seated across from her.

* * *

His eyes twinkled at her from behind his spectacles. Either that or the reflections from the candles were hitting his pupils just so.

“Honestly?” He leaned forward. “I had no idea what to expect.”

The door burst open and Becky entered with a shawl for Lillian and a shawl for herself. “Here you go, My Lady.” She was a little out of breath in her rush, Lillian suspected, to keep Lillian from being alone with Christian for more than a minute or two.

“It’s not necessary for you to join us,” Becky looked tired from the drive and likely would appreciate some time to herself.

“Oh, but—”

“Your mistress is quite safe,” Christian inserted, rising from his seat and moving around the table to assist Lillian out of her own chair.

A gentleman, indeed. Kind. Charming. Likes animals.

Spectacularly handsome.

Looking as though she’d like to protest, but unwilling to argue with an actual duke, Becky reluctantly took her leave, and Lillian slid her arm into the crook of Christian’s elbow, allowing him to lead her through the tap room and out into the night.

Just the two of them.

This was just a friendly walk, so why was her heart racing?

“I found this path shortly after we arrived.” He led her around the building, and as they turned the corner, a dirt trail came into sight. It was brightly illuminated by the moonlight and crossed a meadow of wildflowers.

A warm breeze caused her dress to flutter around her ankles and she reached up to push back a curl that had blown across her lips. “It’s beautiful.” And it was romantic.

Terribly romantic considering the bargain the two of them had struck.

“We have three more days of travel,” he matched his stride to hers as the two of them stepped onto the path. “And two evenings after tonight.”

“Yes.” Lillian smiled into the darkness, uncertain as to where he was going with his train of thought.

But his arm felt sturdy and warm beneath her hand. Without thinking about it, she leaned into his side.

“Would you mind…” He cleared his throat. “If I courted you? It’s just that I realize all of this has happened in a whirlwind, and after we are married, we won’t want to waste any time. But I want you to feel comfortable with me.