“Why did you no’ go back to them then?”
Lily wrapped her now cool fingers around the cup of coffee to warm them. “My mother was a commoner. She had no connections to the upper class, and yet my father fell head over heels for her. My grandfather wasn’t pleased at all. He wanted his children to marry in the upper class, but especially his heir. My parents snuck off and married, much to the dismay and anger of my grandfather. It wasn’t until my eldest sister was born three years later that my grandfather would even speak to my parents.”
“All because your father chose your mother?”
Lily nodded and scrunched up her face. “Sad, isn’t it? My parents told all five of their children that it didn’t matter who we fell in love with, be it prince or pauper, if we loved them, then they would be welcomed into the family.”
“Then what went wrong with your lover?”
“Dennis won my parents and brother over initially. He could be very pleasant when he wanted. One weekend my father and brother went hunting and invited Dennis. When they returned, my father was agitated. He told me I was still young and that I shouldn’t be ready to settle down so soon.”
A frown furrowed Rhys’s brow. “No explanation?”
“None. My sisters never liked Dennis. They were always rude to him, and yet he was so congenial. But they saw the evil inside him that I never did. Until it was too late. After the harsh words to my family when I left, I was too proud to go back to them then. I only wish I had.”
Rhys’s aqua ringed dark blue eyes held a hint of anger when he said, “The bastard will get his day.”
“Yes. He will.”
Rhys tossed his napkin on the table. “What do you want to do today?”
Lily glanced at the clock and cringed. “I was supposed to be at work fifteen minutes ago.”
“Everyone knew Denae brought you to Edinburgh. Your job isna in jeopardy.”
“Are you sure?” she asked as she rose and searched for her clutch that had her mobile phone in it. “Perhaps I should call.”
“Denae already has. They left a few hours ago.”
Lily slowly straightened from picking up her clutch. “Oh.” Was Rhys taking her back? She prayed for it even as she hoped that he had another engagement. Being so close to him was a harsh reminder of what she had to do.
“I’m to drive you back to Dreagan.”
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “You don’t mind?”
“Only if you do.”
Lily lowered her gaze to his chest, visible in the gaping robe. She frowned when she saw the dragon move again. That couldn’t be right. Tattoos didn’t move.
“Lily?”
She jerked her gaze to him. “Yes, that’s fine. When did you want to leave?”
“We doona have to. Would you like to remain another night?”
More than anything. It was on the tip of her tongue to say yes. Then she thought of Dennis’s phone call the night before and his threat to Kyle if she didn’t get him the information. “They might excuse me today, but I doubt I’d have a job tomorrow if I didn’t come in.”
“As you wish.”
With their conversation now strained, Lily stared at her plate. A magical night was now spoiled by Dennis. Could her hate grow any more? Apparently it could.
Lily rose and nervously looked around. “I guess I better get ready.”
She walked to the bedroom with a heavy heart. Without even trying Dennis had shattered her dream, destroyed the one day that would get her through the rest of her life. Loathing grew and spread through her. She could feel it seeping into every nook and crevice of her mind, smothering anything good. But she didn’t care. In order to kill Dennis, she was going to have to be methodical, meticulous. And cold.
Lily removed her robe and put on another new set of bra and panties, a pretty nude lace confection. She decided on a pair of jeans and a blue and white striped nautical long-sleeved fitted shirt and a navy sateen jacket with gold accents. A pair of black boots with four-inch heels completed the outfit.
She looked at herself in the mirror and ran her fingers through her still damp hair. The clothes were her armor, a reminder that she made her own decisions and chose what was best for her. Every time she dressed now she would be severing another tie to her past. And it felt wonderful.
Lily walked out of the bedroom and found Rhys still sitting at the table. His smile of appreciation set butterflies off in her stomach.
“I feel like I should take you sailing.”
She laughed and glanced down at herself. “So that’s what I inspire, huh?”