Page 57 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

“We should get some rest, though.” August motioned to an inn ahead, the sign swinging in the breeze that whipped along the road swinging precariously on a squeaking hinge. “This place looks to have beds.”

Lilly considered her stiff neck and sore rear from sitting so long on the unforgiving wooden seat. Then she considered poor Icarus. “We should search more. My sisters would never give up.”

“What do your sisters have to do with this?”

She exhaled. He had been entirely candid with her, so it felt like the right time to be candid with him. August would keep her secret just as she would keep his surely?

“My sisters and I are part of an investigative society.”

An eyebrow lifted. “An investigative society?”

“The Duchess’s Investigative Society to be precise.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“As well you should not have done,” she said firmly. “It was established by my aunt, the Duchess of Daventry, to aid women in need, most especially when they had problems that were ignored or trivialized. It has helped many women over the years, and my sisters have been instrumental in solving several mysteries.”

He eyed her for several moments. “And you partake in this?”

“Well, a little reluctantly but yes.” She lifted a shoulder. “I was worried about my sisters being put in a position of danger.”

August eyed her for several moments then chuckled. “I rather hope you never cease surprising me.”

A flutter in her chest reminded her of the promises he’d made—that things would never be the same, that he wouldn’t let her go. If he meant what he said, she could be surprising him for years to come.

“Lil, it’s getting late, and we still have at least half the town to search. We should rest.” He squeezed her hand as he drew the cart to a halt outside the tall inn.

Already, candles were lit in the windows, spilling golden light onto the dirt road. She smelled warm bread in the air and had to bite back a groan. The only time she’d been more tired and hungry was after the flood at the village. If this was God’s revenge for her wishing for something exciting to happen, she wasn’t impressed. She’d never been exhausted and hungry and frustrated when she imagined doing exciting things like chasing down thieves.

“But Icarus...”

“I know.” He released her hand, climbed down from the cart, and walked around the side to offer her a hand.

With a sigh, she took it. “You do not always have to be right, you know.”

“We’ll find him tomorrow, I promise you. But for now, we need rest and food.”

“I should see if I can send a letter too. I never managed to update Aunt Sarah as to where we were after the flood, and I wanted to request Papa send some aid to the village. Perhaps he can send some fresh food and blankets.”

“A fine idea. I should do the same with my estate manager, though I would perhaps not tell your father quite how close to the flood you were.”

“Well, Aunt Sarah will have ensured he has no idea quite how close to danger I have come.” She took his hand and climbed from the carriage.

“And quite who you are travelling with,” August added.

Even her unusual family would not be impressed to know she was accompanied by such a rake. Quite how she would introduce him to them, she did not know, but that was for her to worry about later. First, they needed to find Icarus. And then...

Well, she had not quite figured out what the next part was, and for now, she did not wish to. She simply wished to enjoy the excitement and daring of being August’s lover.

“I’ll check for rooms,” he said as he opened the door to the inn and ushered her through with a hand to her back. He glanced to the taproom to the right. “Sounds busy.”

Lilly thrust a thumb toward the dining room to the left where she could see inn guests enjoying leisurely meals whilst hunched over books or writing letters. “I’ll see if anyone has any paper to spare.”

August paused, his gaze skittering over her features.

“What is it? Do I have mud?”

He gave a low chuckle. “No. No.” He leaned in and glanced her over again. “I just cannot think of a good reason not to kiss you.”

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