Page 23 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
She was more confused than ever, and she had more questions than she knew what to do with. They crowded her throat and went to war with her useless tongue.
“I...I cannot,” she started.I cannot speak with a stranger. I cannot make sense of what you’re telling me.I cannot understand what you want with me.
What came out finally was a sputtered, “I-I cannot talk.”
Oh sweet heavens, she truly did sound like a simpleton. Heat surged into her cheeks and she glanced around somewhat wildly.
“I know,” he said
She blinked. He knew?
Heknew.
“You cannot speak here.” He glanced around as well. “It was wrong of me to ask you to. We can meet again. You choose the time and the place. Somewhere you feel safe. Anywhere.” His voice lowered to a rumble that made her belly flutter as he reiterated, “I will meet you anywhere at any time.”
“I...” Her heart was already beating too quickly, but then he smiled and the dratted thing made a serious attempt to escape her ribcage altogether.
“Say yes,” he urged. “Say you’ll meet me again.”
Her lips parted. She ought to say no. She really ought to. But all at once she remembered how she’d felt the last time she’d run from him. Once the relief passed she’d been rather...crestfallen.
Her one chance at a romantic encounter, and she’d fled like a ninny. Well, maybe not romantic. She had no idea what he wanted with her. But it had still been her one and only chance at an adventurous encounter. Something mysterious and different and...exciting.
And she’d run before she could see it through.
Determination filled her, along with fear. She didn’t want to do that again.
This time fear would not win.
She straightened slightly, her shoulders going back and her chin coming up. Her tongue was still too thick and her mind too scattered.
What was it Miss Farthington had said to do?
Imagine what Elsbeth would say. What would she do?
She wet her lips and let her gaze fix on that lock of hair of his, the only imperfection in his otherwise intimidatingly charming persona.
She imagined Elsbeth meeting Demetrius for the first time. She’d been scared too. But she’d still managed to make a plan. Somewhere you feel safe, he’d said.
Somewhere they could speak without endangering her reputation.
A party.
“The masquerade,” she said. And a gleam of triumph slid through her because…it had come out audible. And with confidence.
Not unlike Elsbeth, really.
The thought had a smile curving her lips as she brought her gaze back to meet his. “Meet me at the masquerade tonight.”
7
Luke was stunned.
For the first time in his life, Luke was speechless.
That smile. It ought to be illegal. And her voice, when it wasn’t a whisper, it was...
It was beautiful and melodious and...
