Sweet Enemy (7 page)

“Too late for what?” Liliana demanded, her chest tight.

“Mother is on her way up to our room right now to fetch you.”

“Fetch me?”

“Yes. Now that Mother knows Stratford is interested in you, she won’t let you alone for a moment,” Penelope said. “And if you’re not in your bed, sick,
like I told her you were
, there will be a lot of explaining to do.”

“What?” Liliana asked, confused. She jerked to a stop, her grip on Penelope’s hand pulling Pen up short as well. “What are you talking about?”

“Stratford,” Penelope snapped, as if it were Liliana’s fault she didn’t understand. “He came up to Mother and me after the morning festivities. He asked about you. He seemed particularly concerned with your
whereabouts
.”

Thank goodness. He hadn’t told after all. Liliana smiled and released a breath before the real worry grabbed her. “Why would he do that?” She grimaced, berating herself. She’d been a fool last night, too careless, too loose with her tongue.
In more ways than one.

“I don’t know.” Penelope tilted her head, her heart-shaped face etched with concern. “Do you think he’s onto you?”

Probably.
“No,” Liliana assured her. “Of course not. I’ve given him no reason to look twice at me.”

Penelope stared hard for a moment, and Liliana did her best not to squirm. She never could get one past Pen. “Well, whatever the reason, Mother’s convinced Stratford is smitten with you,” Penelope tossed over her shoulder as she resumed their pace.

“That’s absurd,” Liliana exclaimed as they exited the
stairs and made their way to their door. Despite her words, something that could only be described as excitement ran through her, pooling in unfamiliar places that left her feeling unsettled and…unsatisfied. She frowned.

“Nevertheless,” Penelope said as she bustled Liliana inside the still empty room, “she’s determined to take advantage.” She finally let loose of Liliana’s hand and skirted around behind her. “I warned you that by not telling Mother your true reasons for accepting this invitation, you were giving her tacit approval to matchmake,” Penelope scolded, quickly unbuttoning the back of Liliana’s dress. “I told you that you didn’t comprehend what you were letting yourself in for.”

Liliana stepped out of the garment, which Penelope snatched up and draped over a cream armchair.

“You know I couldn’t tell her the truth,” Liliana defended, the familiar anger simmering through her. Aunt would prefer to pretend that her brother and his unorthodox wife never existed. Aunt had always considered it an embarrassment that Liliana’s mother had flouted convention and practiced as a healer…and that her father had allowed it. Maybe that’s why the woman had always tried so hard to change her, to erase her parents’ influence—causing Liliana, in turn, to fight harder still to carry on their work, to not let her parents’ memories die.

Her fingers fumbled as she undid her garters and rolled her stockings off. “Besides, Aunt never would have agreed to fund this trip if she didn’t think I was serious about finally finding a husband.” She reached for the thin nightgown Penelope held and yanked it over her head. “I didn’t think she’d aim so high. I’m virtually on the shelf, for goodness’ sake. I’d rather hoped she would focus her efforts on snagging Stratford for you.”
And ignore me.

Penelope huffed. “Oh, wonderful. Throw me to the wolves.”

“You know that’s not what I meant,” Liliana replied as she climbed into bed, settling herself under the covers.

Penelope waved a hand. “Of course. Poor Mother…when she learns that I’ve set my cap for a mere baron, she’ll likely have an apoplexy. With all of these hasty preparations, I don’t think I’ve had the chance to tell you, but I met Michael in the park the afternoon before last and he—”

The doorknob turned sharply, and Pen’s mouth snapped shut. She dropped into a chair just as Aunt Eliza pushed into the room.

“Good afternoon, Mother,” Penelope chirped, a little too enthusiastically.

“Good afternoon, Aunt,” Liliana parroted, quite feebly.

“It is precisely that…
afternoon
.” Aunt Eliza’s green gaze pinned Liliana. “An entire morning wasted. Gentlemen have been arriving in a steady stream whilst you lie about and let the other girls have the advantage. Of course”—her voice dropped in tone and volume—“so far I have been less than impressed with the quality of prospects. Only a handful of titles amongst them, and very little in the way of fortune.” She
tsk
ed, staring thoughtfully at a point behind Liliana and Penelope both. “Several are quite old,” she remarked, “and there is at least one or two who I am certain are not even persuaded toward…” She blinked, catching herself before saying something Liliana was sure would have been quite interesting.

Aunt Eliza clapped her hands sharply and crossed toward the bed, looking down on Liliana. “Never mind that, as it appears
you
have already caught Stratford’s attention, my dear—and he, the best catch here!” Aunt’s pinched face broke into a rare smile of approval.

Liliana returned the smile weakly.

“I see you are still flushed,” Aunt Eliza observed. Her expression softened as she reached out a hand to touch
Liliana’s face. She motioned for the family’s longtime servant, Mrs. Means, to enter the room.

Liliana relaxed and blew out a wan breath. Perhaps she could play on Aunt Eliza’s sympathy and buy herself more time. “I’m afraid I’m not up to going out this afternoon,” Liliana said. She touched her own hand to her forehead. “I’m still not quite well.”

Aunt Eliza snapped her fingers. Mrs. Means scurried over and handed Aunt a silver cup. “Pish. This is a campaign, my dear, and our adversaries will not rest on their laurels. You haven’t the time to be unwell.” Aunt swirled the cup, agitating a sluggish brown liquid. A foul smell wafted and Liliana’s nose twitched. “Mrs. Means has prepared a tonic that will have you feeling up to snuff in no time.”

Liliana shook her head, turning away from the offensive offering. Even she, with all of her experience with healing herbs and tinctures, was unable to discern what made up that sludge. She slid off of the bed to escape Aunt Eliza’s ministrations but didn’t make it far.

Aunt grasped Liliana’s shoulder, pressing her down onto the embroidered stool of the vanity. “We shall have to place you in Stratford’s path at every opportunity,” she said as she plopped the tonic in front of Liliana, the silver cup clicking against the wood.

Liliana’s stomach clenched. That was the
worst
thing they could do. She opened her mouth to protest. “I—”

“First, we must ensure Stratford stays entirely focused on you.” Aunt Eliza took in Liliana’s appearance as if evaluating which slice of beef to serve Prinny himself. She snapped her fingers again, and Mrs. Means stepped behind Liliana, vigorously taking a brush to her hair. “We shall turn you out beautifully. Penelope?”

“Yes, Mama?”

“Fetch the light blue striped muslin,” Aunt said, “and the sapphires, I should think. Oh, and the matching parasol and gloves. We shall be out of doors this afternoon.”

Liliana could hear Penelope rummaging through the armoire. “Surely tomorrow will be soon enough for me to join the group,” she argued, swiping at the brush. She’d worry about how to get out of tomorrow’s activity tomorrow.

“Stratford inquired about you
today
,” Aunt Eliza said, her lips firming. “That means you are on his mind, but you won’t be for long if we don’t get you down there. By tomorrow, this afternoon even, another could have taken your place. Particularly Emily Morton,” Aunt Eliza murmured thoughtfully, tapping a finger to her lip. “Yes, she is quite persistent and rather lovely.”

Liliana caught Penelope trying to contain a sympathetic smile and failing miserably.

Mrs. Means swept Liliana’s curls into an artful coiffure, efficiently pinning it into place.

Liliana tried one last tack. “I’m sure you make too much of Stratford’s interest, Aunt. I’d wager he was only showing a host’s concern over the welfare of an ill guest.”

“Young ladies don’t wager,” Aunt scolded automatically, then flashed a triumphant smile. “Yet you would lose. The Northumb girl did not show this morning, either, and I heard nothing of Stratford asking after her.” Aunt Eliza reached out and pinched Liliana’s cheeks. “I don’t know how you did it, but you’ve definitely caught his interest, gel,” she said slyly.

Liliana’s fake illness quickly became real. This was not going at all how she’d planned.

In short time, she was stuffed into the full-skirted round dress. Aunt Eliza slapped a blue parasol into Liliana’s hands as she was pushed toward the door. She could see no way out.

Fine.
She’d give in—for now. She needed to determine exactly why Stratford was suddenly interested in her. And when Aunt Eliza wasn’t watching, she’d do everything she could to ensure she
lost
the earl’s attentions.

Only then could she resume her search.

*    *    *

Aunt Eliza hurried Liliana and Penelope down wide stone stairs and through a small courtyard surrounded by a living wall of hawthorn. A break in the tiny lacework flowers opened to an expanse of parkland just east of the house, where the tinkle of laughter and glassware rang on the air.

As they breached the hedgerow, Aunt slowed their pace to a leisurely stroll. Liliana scanned the assembly. It seemed the entire household had turned out for the al fresco event, along with several new faces. Everyone smiled easily into the pleasant sunshine. Round tables covered with flowing linens and fresh flowers were scattered beneath a grove of trees.

Chaises had been brought out as well, and several matrons had taken their spots in the shade, but the majority of guests milled around an open field to Liliana’s right. Ladies in their lavender and pink and pale yellow dresses stood out on the green lawn like so many Easter eggs collected in a giant’s basket. They gathered in small groups, twirling their matching lacy parasols, gossiping. They flirted coyly with passing gentlemen while angling for position to watch what appeared to be a sporting exhibition.

Liliana’s steps faltered, overwhelmed as she was by the conviction that she didn’t belong in this world. She’d never wanted to be part of these impractical pursuits, this superficial society that Aunt Eliza forever pushed upon her. Her father had understood that, had encouraged her to follow where her mind would lead. Whereas Aunt Eliza had always maintained that Liliana would outgrow her silly love of medicinal science and settle into a life more appropriate for a young lady. A fierce ache pierced her for all that she’d lost.

“Come along,” Aunt said, reaching back to capture Liliana’s elbow. “We’re just in time.” Aunt wove them through the crowd with the expertise of one long accustomed to navigating a crush. When they emerged from
the pastel swarm, Liliana caught her first glimpse of Stratford since his shocking “lesson” in propriety.

Discomfiting ripples of heat flowed from her middle straight through to the tips of her fingers and toes. Odd, but it was as if she could feel him against her even now. She hadn’t been surprised by the curiosity that had gripped her when she’d given in to his kisses—after all, she was nothing if not inquisitive. Any good scientist worth her sodium chloride was.

But what still heightened her every nerve until she thought she’d go mad with wanting? What elemental force made her physically desire a man whom she not only did not know but could never trust?

Chemistry. That’s what they called it, but chemistry unlike any
she’d
ever studied. As blood rushed to her cheeks, she drew a calming breath, trying to force the infernal blush to subside. Stratford didn’t deserve the satisfaction of knowing he unnerved her.

He stood with several gentlemen, conversing casually, a half smile playing about his lips. Like a handful of other men, Stratford wore no coat and was instead dressed to compete in sport. He’d donned tawny breeches and a plain cotton shirt that opened at the throat to reveal the strong column of his neck. Liliana swallowed in time with him, her eyes fixed upon the bob of his Adam’s apple.

She flushed, feeling foolish.
Ninny
. One couldn’t expect men to battle one another frilled up in cravats, now, could one?

The bright of day did little to diminish Stratford’s darkly sensuous appeal. Why should
he
, of all men, draw her so? Whatever the reason, she couldn’t deny that Stratford affected her as no other had. Although she longed to scorn him after last night’s humiliation, a part of her yearned to explore this appalling attraction, and that was as impossible as it was shameful.

Aunt Eliza stopped as she, Liliana and Penelope neared the marked field—directly in Stratford’s line of sight. Very craftily done, indeed. Aunt was rewarded
when Stratford pulled away from his companions and started toward them.

Liliana tamped down her anxiety. He hadn’t informed Aunt Eliza that he’d caught Liliana out of her room last night, but would he now? Was he only waiting to dress her down in public to complete her lesson? Her gaze latched onto his face, searching for any indication of his thoughts, but his chiseled features revealed nothing.