Daring the Duke (The Seven Curses of London Book 7) by Lana Williams

Author:Lana Williams [Williams, Lana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lana Williams
Published: 2018-06-11T18:00:00+00:00

~*~

Julia poured tea that afternoon, adding a splash of cream and a spoonful of sugar in Lillian’s cup.

“Perfect. Thank you,” Lillian said as she took the cup and settled into her chair, appreciating the moment. They’d decided to stay in rather than pay any calls, much to Lillian’s relief.

“How are things progressing with the duke?” Julia studied her for a long moment before pouring herself a cup of tea.

Caution seeped through Lillian as she took a sip, delaying an answer to first gather her thoughts. “Why do you ask?”

“Truly?” Julia raised a brow. “He appears at your side at every event we attend. He even found you when we were watching the balloon ascent. Surely my curiosity comes as no surprise.”

“I’m not trying to encourage anything to happen with Burbridge.” At least, not anymore. She liked to think any potential relationship would unfold naturally. However, she couldn’t help but feel what had happened to Helena still remained between them, and she didn’t know what to do about it. Her thoughts continually poked at the information she had, trying to reconcile it into an explanation that made sense. One that allowed her feelings for Elijah to grow without betraying her friend.

“Do you like him?” Julia asked.

Lillian hesitated. A positive response came to her lips, but guilt over Helena held it back.

“It’s a simple question that only requires a yes or no response,” Julia added.

“Yes?” At Julia’s frown, Lillian attempted to clarify without revealing too much. “Yes, of course I like him. He’s a kind person.”

“Kind?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. When I look at him, kind is not what I think.”

Heat flushed Lillian’s cheeks. “He’s handsome, for certain.”

“He has the most wonderful eyes.”

“He does, doesn’t he? With gold flecks that make one think of—” She caught herself before she expanded on the thought.

Julia’s knowing smile only made the heat in her cheeks warmer. “I thought so.”

“What?”

“You’re smitten.”

“That’s such an odd word.” Lillian set her tea on the table before she managed to spill it, not prepared to admit anything. “I’m not even certain what it means.”

“Only that he makes your heart go pitter patter.”

“Julia,” she began. “I don’t want you to read overmuch into our...association.”

“Perhaps relationship is the word for which you’re searching.”

Lillian shook her head. “I don’t think it can be called that.” Not when the reason it had started was that of revenge. Somehow that cast a different color over whatever it was between them.

“You know each other. That’s a relationship.”

“Yes, but I’m still not certain where our...association is going. Nor where it should go.”

“Should?” Julia chuckled. “My dear, there is no ‘should’ when it comes to these things.”

“How do you mean?”

“You act as if you have control. You don’t.”

Lillian was affronted at the thought. “I certainly do. I can decide—”

“Your feelings decide. Your attraction to each other decides. But your mind has little to do with it.” She reached over to pat Lillian’s arm. “Trust me. I speak from experience. Logic is not in play here.”

“I’m not certain that’s true.” Nor did she care for the idea that her feelings could simply carry her away.

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