Chapter 86
To say Eisen’s embroidery was a mess would be an understatement. You couldn’t even tell the front from the back, threads stuck out everywhere, and it was anyone’s guess what the design was supposed to be.
“It’s, um, certainly… unique.”
“How so? Be specific—what’s so unique about it?”
“Well, uh… Symbolist art is all the rage these days, and I can really see your individuality and, uh, discerning taste coming through…”
Lilien struggled to find the right words, but Eisen just burst out laughing.
“Lilien, I know my embroidery is awful.”
So cute, although Eisen said it in such a small voice, Lilien’s sharp ears still caught it, and her cheeks immediately flushed bright red.
“Actually, Eisen… mine were all made by Matilda.”
Lilien confessed, guilty for not having made her own. Eisen just laughed even harder, as if she’d heard the best joke in ages.
“Oh, so that’s why girls are lining up to buy your handkerchiefs—just because they think they’re handmade by Lady-to-be Headington! Isn’t that practically fraud?”
“Uh… should I go tell everyone now that I didn’t actually make them?”
“No, no, I’m kidding!”
Eisen said with an open smile. A bit relieved, Lilien rummaged through her bag and pulled out a single handkerchief.
“This one’s really mine.”
The little pink heart embroidered on it was clumsy, but at least you could recognize what it was supposed to be—a step up from Eisen’s.
“How cute! That’s a lovely handkerchief.”
Eisen said, giving Lilien that ‘so cute’ look again.
“Eisen’s, uh, really… creative too.”
Lilien said, unable to bring herself to outright lie. Eisen simply nodded graciously and, looking a little warm, began to fan herself.
“Eisen, you’ve got ink on your hand.”
Lilien noticed, and gently wiped Eisen’s hand with her handkerchief.
“Thank you.”
Eisen said, finishing up by wiping away the rest of the ink herself.
“But now your precious handkerchief’s all dirty. What will you do?”
It was such a shoddy handkerchief that Lilien had never intended to bring it to the charity bazaar anyway. Now that it had served a purpose, she didn’t mind letting it go.
“It’s a… a gift.”
Eisen received it like it was a priceless treasure and thanked her with a little bow.
“Oh, by the way, Lilien—would it be all right if I called you ‘Lili’? All the people who are close to you do, and I can’t help but feel a bit jealous of that cute nickname.”
* * *
When word spread that Lord Headington had arrived, the women at the garden’s entrance flocked to catch a glimpse. Cairn, perfectly happy to be the center of attention, stepped out of his carriage and positioned himself right in front of the most visible statue, waiting for Lilien.
He glanced at his pocket watch. She should be coming out any minute now, but instead, only people he didn’t care about kept passing by. Lilien, who usually made her escape as soon as possible at these sorts of events, was nowhere to be seen even as the crowd in the garden started thinning out.
Then, from far away, he heard Lilien’s clear laughter. Instantly, Cairn turned his head. There she was, walking slowly toward him, arm in arm with Eisen, a blue sachet dangling from her wrist—probably a bazaar purchase.
“Lily.”
Only then did Lilien’s eyes widen. She murmured something to Eisen, slipped her arm free, and rushed over to Cairn—who watched, half-terrified she might trip, until she was close enough for him to pull her into his arms.
“There are a lot of people watching…”
“That’s the point.”
Cairn buried his face in her neck and breathed her in deeply.
“I think everyone’s seen enough now, so… can you let go?”
Lilien squirmed, wriggling out of his grasp.
“The handkerchiefs?”
“All sold out!”
“Nicely done. You didn’t hurt your hands making them, did you?”
Lilien, glancing around at all the curious eyes, leaned up on tiptoe and whispered in his ear.
“Actually, Matilda made them all for me again this time.”
“That’s fine, too.”
Cairn replied, genuinely. But maybe it sounded like a joke, because Lilien giggled.
“You didn’t get too hot or tired, did you?”
“Nope, it was fun. Today, Eisen kept me company instead of you.”
Hearing the new nickname, Cairn’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.
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