Page 72 of Bloody Business

“A word of advice.Your uncle has died.It triggered a clause in his will.There's a contract out for you now.”

“I expected as much.”

Anji hesitated, nodded to herself, and left.

Back inside, Lily looked thoughtfully at her trunk.“Tashi, be a dear and make sure that there's no magic that shouldn't be on this?Better safe than sorry.I would hate to bring anything naughty in the house.”

He smiled slightly.“Already done.”

“Thank you so much.”She knelt down and gently breathed on the lock.It obligingly popped open, revealing her things.

She had slowly collected it and arranged for storage at her dress makers, months ago.She'd always known she would have to leave quickly.“Everything looks in order.Not that I expected anything different, but one never knows.”It was mostly clothes and toiletries, with a few sketchbooks in the bottom.“Care to search it?”

He laughed.“No, I don't.Put the lady's trunk in her room,” he told his servants.

“Now that that's settled, why don't we discuss arrangements for the wedding?In the interest of speed, I would prefer a small ceremony, but I don't see why the celebratory meal can't be luxurious.”

“Agreed!We have to have priorities, after all,” she said, amused.“When will you tell your parents?”

“Later today.They will appreciate some warning.It's very sudden, after all.”

Lily raised a brow at his understatement.

“What about you?Is there anyone you need to inform?”Tashi asked.

“I suppose I should send a formal announcement to Hegah breaking our engagement and announcing the wedding,” she said thoughtfully.“He might be a thug, but he was always decent to me.”

“Was he?”

“Surprisingly, yes.I think if I had to go through with it, he probably would have let me be the pampered little wife.As long as I was suitably adoring and didn't try to interfere with his business.”She made a face.

“You don't care for that idea?”Tashi asked.

“I've had quite enough pretending, thank you.”She appraised him.“Do you want me there when you tell your parents?I doubt they'll be pleased.”

“They definitely won't, but it's best if I tell them alone.They'll feel free to air their grievances that way.It will get it out of the way.”

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