“Perhaps tomorrow afternoon then?”
“You may come for tea.” That way she would have company to protect her from being alone with him.
“As you wish.”
With one more tender smile, Claybourne lifted her fingers to his lips for a farewell kiss, then bowed himself out, leaving Lily standing there dazed, her body still thrumming, her knees weak.
Sinking into a chair, she brought her fingers to her throbbing lips. She had wanted Claybourne’s enthralling embrace to go on and on. Yet the emotional aftershock was even more powerful than the physical. Not only could she finally envision what passion with a man could be like, for the first time she actually found herself craving it.
At the realization, Lily half laughed, half moaned, and lowered her forehead to her hands. She certainly wouldn’t tell Fleur and Chantel how his lordship’s kiss had affected her. They were likely to award him even more points for his prowess.
And while his easy success made her again question the wisdom of playing the game, she renewed her resolve to finish it. Her pupils needed Lord Claybourne’s help in attracting potential patrons to the soiree next Monday.
She would just have to be stronger, Lily decided, shaking her head at her own weakness. Already she was struggling against the urgent desire to throw herself into his arms and let him teach her the exquisite pleasures she was missing. But she was not about to let that irresistible man drive her to reckless behavior. He would not make her lose her head.
Even so, the sooner she convinced him she wasn’t the right bride for him, the sooner she could be free of his alluring temptation.
Chapter Seven
Today’s contretemps vividly reminded me why I never intend to marry.
– Lily to Fanny
Smiling, Lily watched as her three favorite pupils practiced the fine art of subtle flirtation with Fanny. Lily had come to know several of the boarders fairly well, and these three in particular-Ada Shaw, Peg Wallace, and Sally Nead-had applied themselves so diligently to their lessons that they deserved extra guidance.
Ada was an actress with a propensity for bawdiness, which Fanny was endeavoring to tone down. Peg, on the other hand, was a ballet dancer who was painfully shy and had to be coaxed into attempting even the mildest banter with a gentleman. And Sally, also an actress, was a delightful minx-a little plain in appearance but lively and clever enough to attract notice.
Sally, Fanny believed, stood the best chance of landing a wealthy patron at Monday’s soiree.
Lily ardently hoped they would all be able to improve their situations significantly. For their sakes, she wanted the upcoming evening to be a success. And knowing how hard their lives had been put her own troubles into prospective. Because of them, Lily reminded herself, she was willing to suffer the persistent Lord Claybourne and his unnerving courtship.
The small class broke up j
ust then, with Ada and Sally excitedly chattering as they rose to leave the drawing room.
Peg, however, tarried long enough to say shyly to Lily, “Thank you again for buying our gowns, Miss Loring. I’ve never owned anything so beautiful.”
Lily felt her heart swell at the girl’s simple gratitude. She herself had little interest in what she wore, but the blue lace confection that Fanny’s modiste had created for Peg emphasized her blond delicacy to perfection.
“You look lovely any time, Miss Wallace, but you are perfectly stunning in your new costume.”
Peg blushed at the compliment and curtsied before following the other pupils from the room.
Watching her go, Lily repressed a sigh. They addressed each other by their surnames so as to increase the girls’ self-esteem, an attribute that was sorely needed. Peg had been a lady’s maid before embarking on a dance career with the Royal Opera, and she found it difficult to break her old habits of subservience. And while her beauty truly was remarkable, a stylish gown would go a long way toward presenting the image of an alluring Cyprian.
Lily had spent her own funds outfitting all of the twenty-two students in the academy with proper evening gowns. And Fanny’s modiste was working unflaggingly to have their costumes ready by Monday. Since the girls had attended a final fitting this morning, however, it had decreased their much-needed practice time on social conversation. Hence, the special private sessions with Fanny and Lily.
As if reading Lily’s thoughts, Fanny shook her head as soon as they were alone. “I’m certain Sally will be ready by Monday, but I wouldn’t vouch for any of the others.”
“I know,” Lily agreed. “But they are oceans beyond where they were a few short weeks ago.”
“True. You have done a remarkable job, Lily.”
“Much of the credit goes to you, and Tess as well. And Basil has been a tremendous factor in improving their diction.”
Fanny instantly grimaced at the mention of Basil Eddowes. “I suppose so, but he has contributed to our cause with extremely poor grace.”
Lily couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s complaint. “You only think so because you two are always at loggerheads.”