Lilly Blossoms (Lessons in Submission Book 3) by Maggie Ryan Read Free Book Online

herself by unwrapping one of the peppermints Jimmy had slipped into her bag. The moment the scent of the candy wafted from its wrapper, she thought of the last time she'd smelled it. It had been when she'd buried her face against a man's neck. He'd smelled of peppermint and… well, of man. Shaking her head as if to clear it of the memory, she popped the sweet into her mouth. Satisfied with a week that had gone well, she took a book from her stack. There was still enough light to see and she opened the cover and was soon lost in the story. Only when she realized she had her nose practically buried against the page did she sit back. When she yawned, she realized how very tired she was. Setting the book aside, she smiled. It wasn't like she didn't know how the book ended; she'd read it at least a dozen times before. She opened the door to let the cat out and then closed it, pushing the only chair in front of it before she slid beneath her quilt and settled her head on her pillow. With the last of the fading light, she looked at her arm. The salve might have burned a bit in the beginning but it had worked very well. The scratch had mostly disappeared and no longer stung.
    Thinking of the salve had her thinking of Lord Carrington. Perhaps instead of running away today, she should have been courageous enough to step forward and thank him for the medicine. She just couldn't chance it when Rachel and her papa were there as well. She'd just die if she discovered he hadn't kept his word and told them of the naughty voyeur up in the tree. As she had for the past week, she fell asleep remembering the scene and replaying every moment of her encounter with Lord Carrington.
    * * *
    A few miles away, Phillip and his companions had just finished their own supper. The amount they consumed would have kept Lilly in groceries for over a week. They had feasted on roasted duck in a rich orange sauce, fluffy rice and asparagus. Phillip had grinned when Rachel displayed her dislike of the green spears. All it had taken was a stern look and a whispered warning from her papa to have her placing a bite into her mouth. Phillip had to wonder if the promise of dessert upon finishing the vegetable had been the truly deciding factor, though he couldn't totally discount the possibility that his friend might indeed have removed his little girl from the table, only returning once he was assured that she would eat every single spear while sitting on a far less comfy bottom.
    "You're actually accepting a ride?" Douglas teased, once they'd finished their meal and he'd dabbed at a smear of chocolate left on the corner of Rachel's mouth.
    "Just consider me your chaperone," he'd said, loving both Rachel's giggle and Douglas's scowl. His presence hadn't kept Rachel off her papa's lap or the two from sharing more than a few kisses. When they reluctantly parted as the carriage pulled up in front of the school, Phillip chuckled. "It's not like the two of you won't see each other in just a few hours."
    "Hours that will feel like days," Douglas groaned. He had climbed from the carriage and led his love up the steps. Eleanor met them at the door and, after ensuring that Rachel's nanny had her in hand, she followed Douglas back to the carriage.
    "Hello, Lord Carrington," she said once he'd stepped out to greet her.
    Phillip bent to kiss her cheek. "Good evening, Eleanor."
    "Shall we set you a place at dinner tomorrow? I know that Kathryn is anxious to visit with you again."
    "I'm afraid she will be disappointed," Douglas said before Phillip could answer. "It seems as though Carrington isn't interested."
    "Ah, well, be that as it may, I'd still enjoy your company," Eleanor said.
    "Even if I have to say that I don't feel any connection with any of your pupils? I admit they are all quite lovely, but…"
    "But none have caused your heart to threaten to stop beating?" Eleanor asked softly, her head tilted to one side. Again, he wasn't given time to answer. "Ah, but perhaps there