Page 31 of A Gentleman's Kiss
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Lillian woke the next morning after crying herself to sleep. She rolled onto her side and stared at the wall. The ache in her chest for Dominick had not subsided, if anything she throbbed more. She didn’t believe that he would have done this to her. From all she’d learned about him, she couldn’t see him as a rogue, unless he’d completely deceived her from the very beginning. But if that were the case, why would he go through the motions of writing the beautiful play only to take her virtue? Dominick did say he loved all things American… Could he be so obsessed he bedded her for that reason alone?
Shaking her head, she threw back the covers. Either he was a complete rogue capable of the most abominable atrocities or she’d been duped by Aunt Georgiana. She was more inclined to believe the latter.
Suddenly Lillian knew what she must do. The best way to settle this was to speak with Dominick, and pray he told her the truth and she didn’t fall into another trap.
But no, there wouldn’t be a trap. Her aunt must have tricked her. Lord knew the woman was jealous. She must have devised her elaborate scheme and lies to throw Lillian off course, to make her despise Dominick. Lillian refused to believe what Aunt Georgiana said. Her claim of an engagement between Tamara and Dominick was just another ruse to push her away from the man she loved. Dominick wouldn’t do this to her. He was the one person she’d trusted completely since she arrived in London. He’d written a beautiful play for her. He told her he loved her, shared her inner most secrets. They’d made love… It had been so magical…
She stood up, rinsed her face in the water basin and sat at her dressing table to straighten herself out.
Satisfied her eyes weren’t too puffy from balling all night, Lillian called in a made from the hallway for assistance with dressing in her riding habit and boots. She took the back stairs of the house, and snuck down to the stables. A groomsman seeing her coming did her bidding of saddling a horse quickly. She rode out of Whitmore House gate, on her way to Regent Street, where she was sure to be pointed in the direction of Cambridge Estate, since she did not remember exactly where it was. She’d had eyes only for Dominick in the carriage the day before.
The ride did her good, the fresh air cleansing her spirit a bit. The closer she got the more she disbelieved any of the awful things her aunt had said.
Easily directed to Dominick’s house, by a couple of milk maids pushing a wagon full of jugs, she eased her nerves by breathing deeply. Her stomach felt like a million butterflies were fluttering within her, each not sure which direction to take.
A stable hand met her, and took her horse. Hesitating for only a moment, she tapped on the door, praying Dominick was there, and the Duke and Duchess were not. She knew it was beyond indecent to call on him without a chaperone and even more so without an invitation or warning of her arrival.
A staunch old man answered the door, giving her a look that said he wished he’d never laid eyes on her. For a moment she feared her would take her for a servant and direct her to inquire at the back door.
“May I help you?”
“I wish to speak with Lord Wessex, please,” Lillian said in her most cordial tone. She kept her back straight and chin lifted as if she belonged there.
The butler opened the door a little further and motioned for her to come in. He left her there standing in the foyer.
The house was silent, and every fiber in her being told her to run. She was losing her nerve. Just as she was about to leave the butler returned.
“His lordship is not within.”
Tears began to gather behind Lillian’s eyes. Why wasn’t he there? She knew he couldn’t read her mind, but she needed to see him, speak with him so desperately.
Was it possible he’d instructed his butler to turn her away? Maybe what her aunt said was true after all.
“May I leave a note?” Lillian hoped her desperation didn’t spill through her voice.
Was he rolling his eyes? Or was it a figment of her imagination? The man went to a small table by the front door and pulled out a slip of paper and ink for her to write on. She did so quickly, and hoped Dominick would soon return.
Lillian didn’t know how much longer she could wait before speaking to him. Her whole world was crashing down on her, her aunt being the one to smash it.
