Chapter 42
“Okay, now you have to forgive me. Got it?”
Still feeling it wasn’t quite enough, she quickly pressed another kiss to the corner of his lips with an audible peck
“Lilien!”
“Chris! I’m here, I’m coming!”
Cairn remained frozen in place, while Lilien—completely unbothered after stirring up his emotions—happily dashed off into the garden to rejoin her family. In public, she even called Christian by his childhood nickname.
Cairn, I’ve never thought of you as a man.
A memory long forgotten by Lilien—something she’d blurted out as a child—sat heavy in Cairn’s chest.
He took a long, steady breath, slipping a hand inside his jacket for a cigarette, only to realize he’d left them all in his study.
Leaning against the wall, Cairn quietly replayed Lilien’s interactions with both men just moments before, his eyes drifting shut.
He’d tried to keep her hidden, but ever since she’d come of age, it was as if she’d started attracting bothersome suitors like honey draws flies.
“Lord Headington, what’s your relationship with Lady de Bermore?”
It was the question he got from any man visiting from abroad or outlying regions—usually followed by the same men trying their luck with timid Lilien, seeing if there was room for a casual relationship, and testing his boundaries in subtle little games.
Frankly, he was sick of it.
Cairn didn’t want to stake everything on some uncertain gamble just to win Lilien’s heart. He’d thought it would be enough just to keep her by his side, even if there was no love between them.
At least, that’s what he’d told himself. But somewhere along the way, a crack had started to form—even if he hadn’t noticed it yet.
* * *
Lilien, now in the carriage, peeled off her gloves and pressed her bare hand to her forehead and temples, feeling a slight fever.
“Lili, are you okay?”
Christian watched her with concern.
“I’m fine.”
“Do you want to lean on me until we arrive?”
He offered his broad shoulder and chest, but Lilien shook her head in polite refusal.
“You’ve been to Sevres, haven’t you, Christian? What’s it like there?”
“It’s an isolated, peaceful place.”
Christian replied, putting on his glasses—which he’d left off for the party. His sharp gaze swept over Lilien, making her press her cool palm to her flushed cheek.
“Lili, I know why you’re thinking about Sevres. My father was at the forefront of railway investments, and I’ve already heard from my uncle about his involvement in related businesses.”
Christian already knew the de Bermore family was on the brink of financial ruin.
“So you knew, then.”
“The Count will try to hide it from you as long as possible, but to be frank, you’re not far from bankruptcy. If you ever find yourself with nowhere to go, don’t bother crossing the border to Sevres—just come live with me in Brsenyu instead.”
“My father would have a fit. He’d rather die than have his daughter leech off the Grenoirs.”
“…You really are a de Bermore, aren’t you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re just as stubborn.”
Christian pinched her nose between his fingers and wiggled it.
“Chris! I’m not a child anymore!”
“Alright, alright.”
He let go and turned to the window.
But as Lilien sat there fuming over his teasing, her expression slowly grew more somber. She felt like she was drying up inside.
“Brsenyu…”
She murmured the distant city’s name, sinking into deep thought.
Victor came to mind—a man who, despite his flaws, was probably her best option for a husband. Maybe even her last chance.
Especially since he had a refreshingly modern attitude about not wanting children, which was a relief, given the secret everyone in Baltan knew about Lilien.
Christian, staring out at the dark night, suddenly snapped his fingers as if remembering something.
“Oh, right—Lili, I picked up quite the juicy tidbit at the party, while you and that Regid—whatever his name is—were out.”
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