“Would it be so terrible if you fell in love with him?”

“Yes,” Lily replied emphatically. She never wanted to feel the misery and pain that came with loving someone. Never wanted to be enslaved by her love for a man. For too many years she had witnessed her mother’s anguish. Her mother had loved her father at the beginning of their marriage, and look where that had lead.

Lily shook her head firmly. Her greatest regret was that she couldn’t save her mother from such misery. But she could save herself. All she had to do was to keep her emotional defenses strong.

Admittedly, she had come to respect Heath a good deal in the short time she had known him. And she was supremely grateful to him for aiding her friends even when she’d been so reluctant to accept his help. But she would not let respect and gratitude affect her heart.

Indeed, an affair with Heath needn’t be anything more than the pursuit of physical pleasure. She could satisfy her burning curiosity about passion. Furthermore, making love to Heath would hopefully put an end to the frustrated cravings that had plagued her so relentlessly of late. It might also serve to keep him from seeking comfort in the arms of another woman.

Most importantly, if she offered to become his paramour, he might give up the notion of matrimony for good. At least if she took so drastic a step, Heath would see how adamantly determined she was to refuse his marriage proposal, even if he did win their game and the right to publicly court her.

The thought was interrupted when Tess spoke. “Sometimes it is wiser to follow your heart, not your head, Lily.”

“Not in this instance.”

“Well, then…if you want Claybourne for your lover, I think you should act now. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that life is too short, and you are foolish to sit passively on the sidelines while it passes you by.”

Again Lily nodded, in full agreement with her friend. It was time to take her fate into her own hands. She had been fighting her desire for days now, and she wanted to end it.

Despite her decision, however, she lacked the experience to set an affair with Heath in motion. Lily’s mouth curved as she laughed inwardly at herself.

“The thing is, Tess…I wouldn’t know how to begin. I cannot ask Fanny for advice, for she will only tell me that I should wed Lord Claybourne. I don’t even know how I can manage to be alone with him.”

“That shouldn’t present a problem,” Tess replied. “You may use my rooms at the Darnley Hotel. It is very quiet and discreet, and you can wear a veil and pretend to be a widow.”

Tess stayed at the Darnley whenever she had to remain in London overnight, Lily knew.

“So the next question is when,” Tess added thoughtfully.

Lily pursed her lips, realizing that time was running out. Their game would be over in three more days, but she didn’t want to wait until then. Yet how would she contrive an opportunity to see Heath if he was set on avoiding her? He was certain to be at Marcus’s London home Monday evening for the dinner in honor of the bridal couple, however…

“I expect he will attend Marcus’s dinner. You are coming, aren’t you, Tess?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t miss it.”

“I plan to remain there afterward and spend the night,” Lily added, “so my sisters and I will have some time together before Roslyn marries.”

“Then it must be before Monday. Perhaps tonight.”

The thought that she might be with Heath tonight sent a shocking little thrill through Lily. “But how do I persuade him to meet me at the hotel?”

“We will think of something,” Tess said confidently. “And of course you will have to take precautions against pregnancy. There are methods… One of your friends here should be able to advise you.”

Lily’s brow furrowed. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, although now that she did, Peg seemed the logical choice to counsel her about such intimate details. Even so…“How do you know about such things, Tess?”

Faint color warmed her cheeks at the question. “I have had this same discussion with Fanny, in the event I decided to take a lover myself.”

Lily’s eyes widened a little. It seemed surprising that Tess would have considered something so scandalous since she was the epitome of a genteel lady. Yet her next words were even more startling:

“If Claybourne is concerned about dishonoring you, Lily, you may have to be prepared to seduce him.”

After a surprised moment, Lily gave a soft laugh-not so much at the idea of seducing Heath, but that Tess had been the one to suggest it.

It was a relief, however, to have her decision made. She would become Heath’s lover, even if she was required to act as his seducer.

She wondered how he would respond when she was the pursuer for a change.

Amusement curled the corners of Lily’s mouth. It was difficult to think of herself as a brazen femme fatale and Heath her victim. Even so, the endeavor should prove vastly interesting.

Chapter Fourteen

Seducing him was more difficult than I expected. Lord Claybourne can be a very stubborn man.

– Lily to Tess Blanchard

Lily’s stomach felt highly unsettled as she waited in her borrowed rooms at the Darnley Hotel for Heath to appear. She’d written to him directly after luncheon, asking him to meet her here at ten o’clock tonight, yet she wasn’t certain he would come.

She was seated facing the door, at a small table near the hearth, although she hadn’t touched a bite of the sumptuous supper the hotel staff had served a short while ago. She was too aware of the curtained bed at one side of the chamber to have much appetite.

When a quiet knock sounded at the door, Lily gave a start, but she wet her dry lips and bid entrance. Her heart began thudding in recognition even before Heath stepped into the room and slowly shut the door behind him.

He looked supremely handsome dressed in formal evening finery, Lily saw, taking in his burgundy coat, silver embroidered waistcoat, and gray satin knee breeches. His gaze swept over her own attire-a modest, high-necked gown of sapphire silk. She had kept on her veil to maintain anonymity before the servants, and that was what Heath studied the longest before finally speaking.

“What do you mean by asking me here, angel?”

Removing her veil, Lily summoned a welcoming smile. “I wanted to thank you properly for your generosity. You refused Fleur’s invitation to dinner last night.”

“I had a previous engagement last night.”

“Oh?” she asked casually. “You were not simply avoiding me?”

His gaze remained enigmatic. “No. I attended a musicale hosted by Lady Beldon-Marcus’s aunt.”

The disclosure raised Lily’s curiosity more than it should. “I suppose Lady Eleanor was there as well?”

“Of course. Lady Beldon is not only Eleanor’s aunt but chaperone also. Nell lives with her.”

“And tonight? Did you have a prior engagement this evening?”

Heath’s gaze narrowed. “I was at my club. What does it matter to you, sweeting?”

“I was simply curious,” Lily prevaricated.

“What of you? I trust you mean to explain what you are doing alone in a hotel, unchaperoned by a maid. Do your friends even know you are here?”

Lily shook her head briefly. “No, I made no mention of it. I allowed Fleur to think I would be staying at Marcus’s house tonight, helping Roslyn with her wedding plans-which is certainly not the case.” Her smile turned impish. “Roslyn doesn’t want my help, I suspect because she is afraid I will try to talk her out of marrying her beloved duke. Won’t you join me?” Lily added, gesturing toward the empty chair at the table.

Although Heath’s penetrating regard never faltered, at least he moved a few steps closer. “I am not

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