Page 20 of Wild Lily
When the lights came up, with the rest of their party, the two of them rose and conversed, mingled and laughed.
Remy rubbed his hands together. “Shall we adjourn to a café for refreshments?”
Lily was first to respond. “Forgive me, I’ve enjoyed this tremendously, but I fear I must return home. It’s been a very long day. Excuse me, please. But, Papa, if you wish to continue the evening, do.”
Hanniford made his own excuses and Mrs. Roland in turn. They would leave.
The party reclaimed their coats and made their way down the massive staircase, into the rotunda and on to the portiere where the private coaches lined up.
Julian was careful, bidding all good evening with polite enthusiasm. And he stood beside Remy, watching the Hanniford carriage depart.
“Care to join me for a bit of fun?” Remy asked, an arched brow indicating his interest in quite another topic.
“Thanks, no.” He inclined his head toward his own conveyance far down the line. “I’ll join the family for home.”
“I need a drink. Conversation, too. Don’t you?”
Julian recognized the light in his eye. Only a few women did that to Remy. “The comely widow interests you?”
“She does. I wish she didn’t.”
“I understand.” He clapped a hand on Remy’s broad shoulder. “Go home. Think better of it in the morning.”
“One would hope so.”
“Au revoir. Tomorrow then?”
Julian left him to climb into his coach and sink against the squabs. His mother chatted on about Carbury, all his marvelous assets, financial included. Thank God Elanna seemed immune. She sat back into the shadows and nodded at their mother’s words of praise. At length, without response from Elanna, their mother grew silent. Only the rhythmic clopping of the horses’ hooves on the cobbles pervaded the night air—and Julian was free to mull his dilemma.
Lily had warned him away from.Good of her. Wise, too.
He’d not mix business with pleasure. Never had. Wouldn’t start now.
Devil of it was that he wanted her more than before. He ached with it. Swearing silently, he paused, struck with the clarity of his problem. And hers.
She enjoyed him, but she didn’t want his attentions.
That was precisely how he himself wished to relate to women. Enjoy them. Admire them. Seduce them.
But not this one. Never delectable Lily Hanniford.
His conclusion was a dreadful one. He must not ever see her again. Let alone spend an entire evening watching her every breath. And getting lost in her blue, blue eyes.
