Page 39 of Sweet Siren
"Good idea," Killian said as he offered her his arm. "I've a need for part of that feastmyself."
Killian and Liv sat in the servants hall at their long oak table to eat. As they dined on cold chicken, bread and lettuces from the kitchen garden, they imparted the most recent news of the doctor, mother and child to the cook and the two kitchen maids. A footman wandered in to listen, then thebutler.
As each drifted away to their duties, Killian and she finished theirmeal.
Liv drained her tea cup. "Lily has asked me to remain for a week ortwo."
This put a grin on his face. "I hope youagreed."
"Do youmind?"
"Why in the world would I? Not an hour ago, we were friends. Your term." If she thought he'd hold her to that ridiculous stipulation that they remain client and consultant, he'd disabuse her of it. Maybe even kiss her to rid her of that idea. "You've helped my daughter give birth to the heir to the dukedom, my grandson, Ada's and Pierce's nephew. I'd say you are friend of the entire family. There are few walls betweenus."
She sat back in her chair and frowned. "Lily wants me to help her learn how to handleGarrett."
"There's no one better, I'dsay."
"She's concerned. Doesn't know what to do. How to hold him. Why hecries."
"I know she'd be grateful."I'd be delighted to have you hereindefinitely.
"There's a problem though. I have only my one valise. One gown. I need to go back to London and get a few clothes. I could catch the coach tomorrow and return the followingafternoon."
"Tell me what you need. I'll get it foryou."
"No, Killian. I cannot allow you to do that. It's notproper."
"You've been up all night and half the day. You're dead on your feet and want to travel to London by a coach constructed in the lastcentury."
"Oh, come now! Not thatbad."
"Almost!" He reached over and took her hand. "I won't let you go. Lily needs you. Garrett, too. How can you desert those who require yourpresence?"
She pressed her lipstogether.
"Stay and in the hours when you're not helping Lily, you'll be working withme."
"On the houses." She brightened, sitting taller at the suggestion. "Ofcourse."
"You'll tell me what you like.Need."
"What I don't like too. We can take a drive to Ashford or Tunbridge. There are homes there that should bebombed."
She chuckled. "But the interiors? Ah, those have treasures centuries old. Tapestries and portraitsand—"
"I'm an American, my dear." He'd almost called her his darling. She was, but he must wait to let her enjoy that. "I want what's new and exciting. I look forward notback."
She blinked at that and removed her hand from his. Whatever he'd said had soberedher.
Well, it was true. He looked to the future. Always. "The past is not a landscape I canchange."
That sobered her. “I agree onthat.”
He wanted to take her hand once more but did not dare use more than logic. "Say you will stay and let me get what youneed."
"Yes." She nodded and shook off whatever had obsessed her. "Perhaps if we sent one of the maids up to my house? I'd send a note for her to give my housekeeper with a list of items I'dlike."
"I'll speak with Julian and I'm sure he'll agree."I'll make my own list of gifts you'll have to fill yourstay.
