Page 32 of The Pleasure in Persuasion

He had no response to that. He knew the words were true. And whether his sister was thinking of him, or the man from Lily’s past, he couldn’t say—but then, it didn’t really matter, did it? The meaning was the same.

“I know how exhilarating a new infatuation can be,” Penelope said, “and I’m concerned you might find the temptation too great to deny.”

His brow knit. “I’m not some randy goat, Pen. Nor am I the amoral scoundrel you apparently think I am. I do not bed every willing woman who crosses my path, and I certainly don’t seduce virgins.”

“I know you don’t, but...” She trailed off, clearly flustered. “I’m sorry if it seemed like that’s what I was saying. I know you are a good person. Only...please promise me you will tread carefully?”

“I will.”

She held his gaze for a long moment and then nodded, as if satisfied with what she saw there. “Good. Now you may go and change. And you might consider taking a bath before you do.” Her nose wrinkled. “You’re rather odiferous.”

With a wry smile, Frederick left the drawing room to do just that, and while he made his way to his bedchamber, he thought of Lily and his sister’s warning.

He’d meant every word he’d said: he was no randy goat controlled by his urges, nor was he a heartless rogue out to slake his lust on any willing woman who crossed his path.

Still, there was no denying he wanted Lily Grayling, more than he’d ever wanted any woman before. And that was a troubling reality. Because even though he had no intention of hurting her—even though he would rather eat glass than hurt her—there was still that small chance that he might, just by being around her.

Penelope was right. Sometimes we hurt others without meaning to, and sometimes we hurt ourselves the most. He should keep his distance from Lily, not only for her welfare, but also for his own.

He should.

He just didn’t know if he could.

Chapter Ten

Lily stepped down from the carriage and onto the gravel outside Penelope’s stately Tudor home, her heart thudding with anticipation for the evening ahead.

She’d arranged for one of their neighbors, a kindly old widow named Mrs. Fairleigh, to watch over the inn tonight, and after she’d bathed, dressed her hair and donned her favorite green silk dress, she and Gran set off for Penelope’s house in the carriage she’d sent to collect them.

“It seems rather silly to use a carriage for so short a distance,” Gran said, as she stepped down from the vehicle with the help of a footman. “We could easily have walked here.”

Lily smiled at her, admiring how well she looked in her burgundy velvet dress with the silk floral shawl she’d draped around her shoulders.

“Penelope is so fond of you, Gran,” she said. “Let her spoil you tonight, hm?”

Looping arms, the pair headed for the front door, their steps crunching softly as Lily’s pulse kicked up, her belly fluttering. She was looking forward to the evening, but she was nervous, too, although she wasn’t sure why.

No, that wasn’t true. She knew precisely why.

It was because of Frederick.

She had seen plenty of him these last two days at the inn, but they’d exchanged few words, though not for lack of trying on her part. Frederick was never cold or unkind, but he was certainly keeping his distance from her, and she suspected Penelope was to blame for it.

At least, she hoped Penelope was to blame.

Her friend had made it clear she wanted Frederick to stay away from Lily, in some misguided attempt at saving her virtue or her heart or both, and it seemed that Frederick was trying to respect his sister’s wishes.

But no one had bothered to ask her what she wanted. And what she wanted was to spend time with Frederick, get to know him better, enjoy as much of his company as she could before he left.

And she wanted to kiss him again. She wanted several more kisses, real kisses, thorough kisses.

Kisses that might lead to nudity.

The wicked thought sent heat through her body, and that was the moment the front door swung open.

“Here you are at last!” Penelope said, plopping a fist on one hip. “I was beginning to believe you were waylaid by highwaymen, but then I remembered this is Little Bilberry and nothing interesting ever happens here.”

Lily laughed. “So sorry to have kept you waiting. I had no idea we were so late.”