“Where exactly is it that you want me to take you? As if I’ve nothing better to do with my life.”
She didn’t believe him. Molly decided that from now on she was going to ignore that side of him. Ignore him, when he was like that.
“Where were you heading when you got lost?” Becca asked Molly.
“The bookstore.”
“Then that is where we shall go. Liam, you like it there too, so it will not be a bother for any of us.”
“I am sure,” he said, giving Becca what looked like a warning glance.
“Better take his arm,” Becca said, practically shoving Molly.
She winced as she collided with him, Liam catching her.
“See how shaken she is,” Becca said.
Molly glared at Becca. She winced, knowing now that she’d pushed things too far. Molly needed to have a talk with Becca, the sooner the better, about coming on so strong. Not that Molly had any practical experience with men, but she heard matchmaking made them skittish. Besides, she was beginning to feel better about this whole scheme. Like she could do it on her own without Becca’s help.
He turned back to her. “Are you all right?” he said. “You keep flinching.”
She hadn’t realized. “I do have a few bruises from last night.”
“I’ll keep an eye on Hilton.” He smiled then. “I better keep an eye on you.”
What a perfect smile. His eyes seemed even bluer now. If only she could get him alone for a few minutes, to better judge his reactions to her.
He offered his arm and Molly tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, hyper-aware of the way her heart raced.
Accustomed to walking with his sister, Liam adjusted his stride easily to match hers. Molly wanted to make conversation. After all, how was he to decide he wanted to marry her, if she couldn’t talk to him?
“Do you often slip out of home unnoticed?” he asked, saving her the stress of having to speak first.
“Not usually, just this past week.” She glanced up at him from around the rim of her bonnet. “How did you know, anyway?”
“You’re not wearing any gloves again.”
“Not very good of me, is it?” Molly arched her neck further back to see him better.
“Yes, heaven forbid you should have a broken nail.”
“Oh, yes, I can see it now, forced to leave society, just for showing my horrid nails in public.”
“And what a lost that would be. Society’s, that is, not yours.”
Not her loss, but theirs. Molly smiled, feeling warm all over.
“Really, not safe for you to wander about though.”
“Yes, I understand. Do you know Mr. Hilton very well?”
“Better than I’d like to.”
“Becca said his father knows your father.” She cringed. “I mean your stepfather.”
“I figured you meant that, and yes, he does. They all do of course. They are cut of the same cloth after all.”
Molly chewed her lip and wondered what else she should say. “I am sorry about your thumb.”
“My…” He smiled. She loved it when he smiled. “Yes, well, I think you scared it more than it scared you.”
It took her a moment, then she smiled back.
“I’m afraid my lodgings are not especially suited to guests. They are meant for function only.”
“Of course. That’s fine.” Really, it was. “It was the most… interesting experience I’ve ever had.” To be completely honest, the most interesting experience she’d ever had in her life had been when he’d lifted her into his arms, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.
Mmm… She wanted to feel that way again.
His eyes lit up in the most fascinating way and his smile widened to something that looked very natural. She imagined this was the way he was when he was alone with Becca.
“Better than the waltz?” he asked.
Oh, much better. “I would not call that interesting. Except for when you hit Hilton. Although, I missed the one that gave him a bloody nose. We could no longer see you by that point.”
“I understand why my sister gets along with you so well. I’m afraid I’ve spoiled Becca by teaching her the enjoyment of a good left hook.” His eyes lit up again.
“Does that mean I am not polite society anymore?”
He bent to be closer to her. “You would not be walking with me if you were.”
Darcy Branwyn 
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