Page 13 of My Dark Duke

"Thank you, Your Grace," she said, bestowing him with one last glance. "And thank you for saving me this evening, truly I am grateful."

"I do not want your gratitude," Sebastian shrugged, "I want you under my protection. My offer is there, Miss Smith, all you have to do is accept it."

She inclined her head to let him know she had heard him, but she said no more. Instead, she took Higgins' proffered hand and allowed him to help her from the carriage.

The door shut behind her and Sebastian was once more alone. The evening had offered him more questions than answers about Miss Smith, but it had also gifted him some pleasurable memories. Sadly, they would be the only company in his bed that night.

CHAPTER FIVE

LILLIAN COULD NOTdeny how tempted she was by Thorncastle’s offer - and not only for the safety that his protection might afford her.

Her whole body hummed and thrummed with desire, as she climbed the steps to the boarding house, and there was a strange ache between her legs. Though she did not fully understand it, she knew it was an ache only Thorncastle might soothe.

She was discombobulated. Not only from the attack, during which she had been certain she would suffer an egregious assault on her person, but from Thorncastle’s kiss.

Lillian had always considered herself an innocent, so the strength of desire she had felt when the duke had pulled her into his arms had shocked her.

She had not resisted his advances, in fact, she had welcomed them eagerly. She had pushed her breasts against his chest, begging for his touch. All sense of reason had left her, as her body had been consumed by fire and longing. She had felt wanton - and, worse, she had enjoyed it.

Lillian tried to compose herself, as she rapped upon the door to the boarding house. It would not do for Mrs Harrod to notice there was something amiss, for she would spend the evening scolding Lillian for not taking the duke up on his offer of employment.

After a few moments, the stout woman answered Lillian’s knock, but from the dark look on her face, Lillian could tell she was already angered.

Had she seen her clambering from the duke’s carriage? Mrs Harrod was fond of peering out her window and spying upon her neighbours and the boarders. There was every likelihood she had spotted Lillian exiting a strange vehicle.

“I need a word with you,” Mrs Harrod said, confirming Lillian’s fears, as she gestured for her to follow her to the parlour room.

“Is there something the matter, Mrs Harrod?” Lillian questioned, as she followed her down the hallway.

“Aye, there is,” the Scotswoman confirmed, as she wrenched open the door and ushered Lillian inside.

“I run a house forChristianladies, Miss Smith,” Mrs Harrod hissed, once they were alone in the cosy parlour. “I cannot have rough gentlemen knocking upon my door, in search of you.”

Lillian paused before she replied, glad that Mrs Harrod was not annoyed about the duke, but confused as to what exactly she was speaking.

“I don’t understand?” Lillian replied, furrowing her brow. “Two gentlemen called forme? I am not acquainted with anyone in London, let alone any strange men.”

Mrs Harrod harrumphed unhappily, as though she was unwilling to believe her.

“They were looking for a red-haired young lady with green eyes,” she groused, her eyes narrowing. “Andyouare my only boarder who matches that description. I know whatthosetypes of gentlemen are like and, I must say, I’m most disappointed to learn you are mixing with them.”

Mrs Harrod continued on, lecturing her about lost morals and the dangers London posed to a young lady, but Lillian was not listening. Her heart had stopped, as she realised that somehow Lord Bailey had found her.

The Bible, she thought, as panic began to grow in her chest. Her name had been writ across the first page, in big bold strokes. It was possible that the footpad had sold her things on to a fence, who had been warned to keep an ear out for any news on her. Had the two gentlemen knocked on the door of every boarding house on Gracechurch Street, or just Mrs Harrod’s? How much did they know of her whereabouts?

While Mrs Harrod droned on and on, Lillian’s mind was whirring as she tried to plan her escape.

Were the two thugs watching the house at this very moment? She would have to leave London, perhaps for Bristol or Liverpool, if funds allowed. If she was to leave, she would have to escape when darkness fell, lest she be sighted again.

The thought of stealing out into the dark danger of London at night, filled Lillian with dread. She was not a city cat, able to navigate nighttime paths, but a country mouse, who would walk herself into more danger.

Despair threatened to overwhelm Lillian, and though she fought against it, hot tears pricked at her eyes.

“Oh,” Mrs Harrod paused, her voice suddenly filled with concern. “Oh, don’t cry, my dear. I was only trying to scare you into being more careful. I know you’re a good girl, but you’re too pretty to be working with sailors, just like the duke said. Those types of men get ideas into their heads and then they act upon them; I beg you to reconsider His Grace’s offer. You’d be far safer working as a housekeeper for a duke, than mixing with salty tars down on the docks.”

Despite her fears, Lillian could not help but give a watery smile at Mrs Harrod’s words. The poor woman was all mixed up; if she was concerned about Lillian’s virtue, it was the duke she should be wary of.

“Think on it, dear,” Mrs Harrod finished, awkwardly patting Lillian’s arm. “I should hate to see a good girl ruined; you’ll find protection with Thorncastle. Perhaps you might even meet a nice groomsman or footman, and start a family of your own.”

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