Page 3 of Wild Lily
“Kind! Who. Was. He?”
“A gentleman of our acquaintance.”
“One ofmyacquaintance?”
Lily shifted from one foot to the other. “Yes.”
Hanniford cursed mightily. “His name?”
Lily hated to admit it. “I will not tell you.”
“If you fail to reveal his identity, I guarantee you it will go worse for him.”
She would not have Pinkie pay prices for his kindness to her. He wanted to marry her, she was certain of it. And perhaps he’d agreed to escort her and Marianne to theguinguetteto compel her to become his bride, but she wouldn’t do it. “If you ask about, if you discover who he is, if you hurt him, Papa, I shall leave for America the first chance I get.”
He blinked. “You threaten me?”
She did not flinch. “No, sir. I would not be so unkind.”
“I could lock you in your room and throw away the key.”
“You could.” But won’t. “How then to get a groom?”
“Dear heaven. How can this get worse?” He peered up at the ceiling.
Marianne stepped toward his desk. “Uncle Killian, please. We had a wonderful time. The music was gay and charming. The dancers were—“
“Naked?” He glared at her.
Marianne pulled back. “Partially.”
He ran a hand over his mouth. “You try me, both of you. Did you dance with your escort?”
Lily shook her head. “No, sir.”
“Drink?”
“Oh, yes,” Lily said, recalling the wine with a bitter bite, “but it was terriblevin rouge.”
He snorted. Then he turned to Marianne. “Did you sing?”
Marianne nodded. “Only with the patrons.”
“That’s some reprieve, I suppose. Why wouldn’t you give them your best soprano, Marianne?”
Her emerald eyes sparkled, even as she lifted a shoulder in sheepish delight. “I didn’t know the French lyrics.”
“And your gentleman saw you both safely home?”
“He did.” Lily was happy to tell him that. “In his carriage. We stayed only for a few songs.”
“And do you think that brevity lessens the damage you have done to your reputation?”
Lily had no response for that. “Could I hope a man would value a woman with a bit of courage?”
“Or foolhardiness.”
There was that. “I agreed to sail to Europe with you for your benefit more than mine.”
