Page 21 of A Gentleman's Kiss
Lillian fingered the dress where it lay. A smile crossed her lips as she imagined floating in the arms of Sir Trenton or Lord Wessex, the fabric swirling about her ankles.
A sharp knock at the door disturbed her thoughts, and as she turned to bid entry, the door opened a crack.
“Lillian?” Dominick’s voice came through the door.
“Dominick?” Lillian walked toward the door and opened it up. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to speak with you,” he said, his expression sober.
“All right, shall we go out to the gardens?”
“Perhaps a carriage ride?”
Lillian peeked out the window, the sun was shining, and there was still several hours until she would have to get ready. She was never one to nap during the day anyway. “I would love to.”
She followed Dominick down the hall, and hooked arms with him as they descended the stairs. She couldn’t help but notice how comfortable she was walking on his arm. It felt right. Like she belonged there, with him. She imagined that they descended the stairs as husband and wife. She found herself longing for that very thing. Which then brought on thoughts of Sir Trenton. She couldn’t recall feeling so warm on his arm.
But truly, she had not given him enough time to prove himself. When they’d taken a ride into the park together, she had felt that she and George had a deep connection. She’d wanted him to kiss her, and the first touch of his lips on hers had felt delightful, until that kiss changed.
Howbeit, she still did not get the sensations from thinking of George and moments past as she did with Dominick. Dominick had left an impression upon her brain, her body. George was simply and alluring rake. The difference was astounding, and as simple as night and day. The thought unnerved her. She’d been more than willing to put all of her eggs in one basket and wait for one to hatch. Now she found herself hoping that it was Lord Wessex’s egg that hatched first.
They climbed into the waiting carriage. He must have anticipated they would go on the ride together. Lillian wasn’t surprised, it did seem as though Dominick always got his way.
As they rode into the park, Dominick turned toward her and grasped her hands. His face was serious, as he gazed into her eyes. Lillian became concerned. He seemed genuinely distressed, and it was not something she’d seen him express before except when Tamara had somehow intervened on their time together…
“There is something I must talk to you about.”
Oh no! Her dreams were about to be dashed to the carriage floor. She could sense it. From there they would most likely bounce out of the carriage where they’d be trampled by horses.He is going to announce he is engaged to Tamara, I’m sure of it!
Lillian’s smile soured and her brows furrowed together.
Why am I so devastated?She bit her lip and willed her racing heart to slow its pace.She knew exactly why she was devastated about the notion of him marrying Tamara. While she’d sworn to keep her options open, she had already started to think of herself marrying to Dominick.
“Of course your coming out ball is tonight,” he started, and Lillian nodded, waiting for him to tell her the news. Why didn’t he get it over with already?
“There have been many articles in the paper regarding you and your cousins.” He stopped as if waiting for her to say something.
Lillian gaped at Dominick. So he was not engaged to Tamara then? Her stomach flipped with excitement and then plummeted with panic. A myriad of awful thoughts raced through her mind. Had the Ton found out about her past? Her earlier notions about him knowing and telling all the Ton had been false, but now for sure they knew, and would look down upon her. Were the papers accusing her of being a gold digging bride hunter? Did it say she couldn’t be trusted, that no man should dare dance with her at the ball? She attempted to swallow but her throat was so dry, she thought she might choke.
Dominick must have sensed her panic as his eyes flicked from hers and then back again, his expression softening.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Lillian. People in Society talk. Most of these old biddies, don’t have anything to do but talk and make up horrible rumors.”
Lillian’s stomach tied into knots, sweat formed tiny beads on her skin. What was he getting at? Why didn’t he just tell her what the gossips were flapping their jaws about?
“Do you understand what I am saying?”
“Are you afraid they will think we are engaged again?” Lillian asked, hoping, praying that were the case and not the worst of her past.
Dominick laughed. He laughed so hard his head tilted backward. The sound was the most glorious noise to Lillian. She only wished he was laughing about something else.
“My dearest, Lillian, I forget how innocent you are,” he said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
Lillian’s eyebrows narrowed and she pursed her lips at his comment. She wasn’t that innocent. She was suddenly surprised at how little he knew about her.
“Not so innocent, a group of old biddies might think I am engaged. You do recall how I had their tongues wagging at your aunt’s tea.”
Lillian pulled her hands from his and folded her arms across her chest. She tried desperately to ignore the screams in her mind that the gossips had caught wind of her follies, and that she would be ridiculed straight out of London, never to return.
