Page 69 of How to Wed a Courtesan

‘You gave me quite a start,’ she said. ‘Forgive me, love. I didn’t hear you come in.’ Her face softened at once. ‘You were gone for quite a while. I hope that implies it went well? Or at least as well as it could, I suppose.’

Lottie nodded. ‘Yes, thank you, Sarah.’

‘The servants are able to return to their usual duties tomorrow?’ she asked hesitantly.

Lottie had given them all the day off again today, knowing she wouldn’t want anyone hovering about. Aside from Sarah, who had declined to leave—as she did on all the days off Lottie tried to offer her.

‘Yes, thank you,’ Lottie said.

‘Lady Alice sent you a message.’ Sarah approached the fireplace and slid a heavy card onto the table.

Lottie regarded the envelope with her name written on it in neat, careful script. She hoped it wasn’t an invitation to a soiree or a ball. The last thing she wanted was to attend a social event.

‘Her maid said she’s in quite a state and wants to see you as soon as you’re free.’ Sarah indicated the message.

Lottie lifted the envelope and opened it to read the contents within, which reiterated what Sarah had relayed. ‘I’ll see her tomorrow, whenever she is free to come.’

Sarah remained stubbornly where she stood. ‘How did Lord Westix do with seeing the cottage?’

An image flashed in Lottie’s mind of him holding his face in his hand as he wept for their lost Lily.

‘Appropriately,’ Lottie said softly.

‘I knew he would.’ Sarah nodded with a sad smile. ‘He’s a good man, your Lord Westix.’

Lottie turned back to the fire and let her gaze become lost in the flickering orange and red flames. ‘He is.’ She mustered a weak smile. ‘You did well on the statue. Thank you.’

‘It was the least I could do for you, lovey.’ Sarah approached where Lottie still stood by the fire. ‘Has something else happened?’

Lottie swallowed. ‘I told him I loved him.’

Sarah remained silent.

‘I know you’re smiling.’ Lottie turned to regard her maid and discovered the woman was indeed grinning like a fool.

Sarah propped a hand on her hip. ‘Is it really so bad that he knows, love?’

Lottie returned her gaze to the flames once more. ‘Only time will tell, but I am almost certain it is.’

Chapter Twenty-One

Red roses, this time. As deep a red as could be found. A dozen of them. Or maybe three dozen?

No, that was too much.

Evander didn’t want to be ridiculous.

His nerves jangled like church bells in his ears. Two years he had been waiting for this moment. Everything had to be perfect.

He scarcely heard anything Miss Flemming said, aside from her wish to bid him good luck.

The pace of the carriage seemed to be a slow crawl all the way to Bloomsbury. His leg bounced with the force of his anxious energy, as though somehow that might hasten them to Lottie’s townhouse.

Doubt crossed his mind like a shadow, but he cast it in the light of assurance. Yes, Lottie did love him.

Evander removed himself from the carriage and Lottie’s butler settled him in the drawing room.

Though he’d been in her home countless times before, it all felt different on this particular visit. The path to the drawing room seemed longer, his steps over the carpet running along the polished wood floors louder.