Season For Surrender (A Danby Family Novella Book 2) by Julie Johnstone Read Free Book Online Page A

she
certainly didn’t want to embarrass him by appearing in an old gown. “I suppose
one dress won’t change our bargain.”
    “Wonderful.” He released her hand and
slipped his arm around her waist. With a squeeze he said, “You won’t regret
this.”
    She followed him down the hall silently.
Already, she was lamenting her capitulation. His hand remained on her waist and
the confusing thing was she rather liked it there.

 
     

    Nick held the door of the theatre open
for Lillian. Uncertainty bombarded him. What had possessed him to offer to take
Lillian to purchase a new dress? He glanced at her. Her hips swayed
suggestively as she walked ahead of him down the thirty odd steps and onto the
sidewalk. His groin tightened watching her. It was rather ironic that he’d not
desired a woman in ages, and when his lust did finally reawaken it was for a
woman wary to be touched. That was problematic enough, but compounding his
unease was the idea that he wanted his future wife so much he was willing to
take her dress shopping.
    He’d meant what he said about marriage.
After what he’d done to Amelia, he didn’t deserve to fall in love. He jerked a
hand through his hair. This was preposterous. He didn’t love Lillian. He didn’t
know her. This was lust―pure and simple.
    At the sight of a filthy beggar man and
a child striding up to Lillian, Nick shoved the troubling thoughts aside and
strode down the steps. By the time he reached the street, Lillian was kneeling
down to pick up the dirty child. What the devil? No telling what sort of
sickness those two vagabonds carried. “Lillian,” he called sharply as he rushed
across the space to her side.
    She swung around to face him, the
dirt-smeared child resting on her hip. “Yes?”
    “Set the child down.”
    She frowned. “Don’t be silly. This
little girl was just telling me about her papa and how he’s looking for work.”
    Nick’s chest tightened at her utter lack
of snobbery and the protective way she held the little girl. Lillian was a
special woman. Damnation. He was a fool. He wasn’t taking Lillian dress
shopping because he desired her. Well, he did want her, but that wasn’t what
had provoked him to open his mouth and offer this little trip. He genuinely
liked her. That was worse than wanting to bed her.
    Earlier when he’d heard her admit the
childhood dreams of the things she’d longed for on her wedding day he’d ached
for her and the life she’d led. A yearning to make her dreams come true had
taken hold of him. Lillian laughed at something the child said. The silver bell
sound made Nick smile. How long had it been since he’d smiled and felt this
light inside? This woman did strange things to him.
    He pulled out some coins and held them
toward the man. “To help you get by.”
    The man shook his head and Lillian gave
Nick a peculiar look. Was she shocked he’d offered to help? Did she think so
little of him? He hoped not. Wait, no. He wasn’t supposed to care what Lillian
thought of him. She set the child to the ground and stood. “Mr. Lister is going
to work for me at the theatre cleaning up after the shows.”
    “Oh, I see.” Pride swelled inside of
Nick, which perplexed him. He had no right nor did he want to feel that way
about Lillian, yet he did. The thing to do was keep his guard up around her and
not try and seduce her as he’d previously considered. He took a step away.
“I’ll just wait in the carriage while you conduct your business.”
    Lillian gave him another odd look then
nodded. “I should only be a moment.”
    True to her word, Lillian climbed into
the carriage not more than a few minutes after he did. As she settled in, Nick
couldn’t help but stare at her. Though he’d told himself he wouldn’t draw her
into conversation he found he wanted to. And why not? He had to make sure his future
wife made wise choices, didn’t he? Even if it was just a marriage of
convenience ensuring Lillian didn’t endanger herself by