Page 21 of Devil in Her Details

Lilly turned to spot her friends rising from a table near the window, Allie waving her over. She grinned, making her way over, setting the valise she’d brought beside the chair before hugging her friend. “My apologies for the change of plans.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Allie waved aside. “Come sit. I’ve already ordered tea for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Lilly,” Leo greeted with a smile, holding out a chair for her. “Always good to see you.”

Lilly settled into the seat. “You as well. Your face is most pleasant.” Especially given the last two men she’d dealt with. His was the face of a quintessential dashing gentleman. Handsome, good-humored, and unfailingly courteous. A sight for sore eyes.

“So,” Allie said, pouring tea and pushing the cup over to Lilly. “What prompted this change of plans?”

How should she phrase her predicament? “Let’s just say a pest is making a nest outside my shop.”

Leo arched a brow. “Does Brighton even have those?”

Oh, you have no idea, Leo. “Brighton seems to host quite the assortment of creatures.” They have a panther, too.

Allie’s brows drew together in concern. “This doesn’t sound good at all. Why don’t you return to London with us? I feel once we leave here, you’ll be all alone with no friends for support.”

Lilly shook her head. “For now, it’s best if I remain here.” With Calvington this determined, London was the last place she should wait him out. The city was too vast, its dangers too easily lost in the crowd. Brighton, by comparison, was practically a village. One that left little room for men like Calvington to lurk unnoticed.

And she had that man here.

The panther.

She took a sip of tea. “Have you been enjoying your clandestine visit?” Lilly asked her friends.

They both grinned, Allie flushing.

Ah, the newly wed.

“Have you even left your room at all?” Lilly asked, regarding her friends.

“Of course!” Allie exclaimed, then promptly lowered her gaze, pinkening even more. She cleared her throat and took a sip of tea. “We dine each evening in this spot.”

Lilly sent her friend a flat look before glancing around the public room. Except for a man reading a paper at the far end, they were the only patrons present. In all her travels, she’d never once come across an inn this empty. “Do you not think it’s awfully quiet?”

Leo nodded. “We’re the only guests lodging here at the moment.”

“Truly?” Lilly leaned back slightly, surveying the room again, finding nothing out of the ordinary. “How intriguing. Do you suppose something is wrong with the place?”

Allie shrugged. “Not that we’ve noticed. The food is excellent. And the quiet is rather refreshing for a change.”

“And the privacy,” Leo added, “has proven . . . convenient.”

Allie might has well have turned into a tomato at this point.

“Ah,” Lilly said with a grin. “Convenience. Of course. Well, this is not a convenient time. So please have mercy and mind your affection in front of the unattached friend.”

“Speaking of convenience,” Allie started, “your missive didn’t say, but I take it you’ve finished our commission?”

Lilly nodded. “Just for the final fitting, though I don’t suspect there should be any problems.”

Allie’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, I cannot wait.”

Lilly eyed her over the rim of her cup, any remaining tension draining from her body. “I don’t imagine you can.”

“I can,” Leo muttered, his tone holding a full note of fond exasperation.