Page 38 of Rogue Lyon

Meredith knew her friend had heard. “Paris. France.”

“Mrs. Dove-Lyon will never give permission.”

“That is why I won’t tell her. I’ll say I’m going to visit my mother for a few days.”

“Miss Jones.” Nancy blew out a breath. “You are playing with fire.”

“No, I am not. It will all be aboveboard.”

“Mr. Jules Habsburg aboveboard? That’ll be the day the Thames turns to gold.”

“He’s really not as bad as you portray him.”

Nancy shrugged. “I just know that all men want one thing, and handsome ones get it easier than most.”

“And what is that? The one thing.” She gripped her umbrella handle.

“To get between your legs, Miss Jones. That’s what they want.” She sighed exaggeratedly. “A roll in the hay, fun in the sack, a grind, a hump, a little bit of rogering, screwing, and rutting—”

“Nancy!” Meredith looked left and right. The corridor was thankfully empty. “You can’t say such things.” Her cheeks were hot just listening to them.

“I can if it warns you of the potential pitfalls that lie ahead, my friend.”

“I’m warned.” Meredith held up her palms. “He’s bad news and not to be trusted.” She paused. “But I do want to learn more about the great masterpieces, and Paris is full of them. So I will go if I possibly can.”

“Then so be it.” Nancy shrugged. “And let’s just hope your willpower is strong enough to keep your hymen intact, because with his dark eyes and smooth talk, a nun would be in dire straits.”

And with that, Nancy turned and let herself into her bedchamber.

Meredith stared at a knot in the wood of her door. How was it possible to feel both excited and full of trepidation all at once? The feeling wasn’t unpleasant; it was as though the dawn of something new were bringing light and hope into her world.

And the instigator of that dawn.

Jules Habsburg.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon accepted Meredith’s story about a trip to Wales and so Meredith found herself in a carriage, dressed in a new burgundy gown complete with matching shawl, heading to Dover.

There, a small vessel would take Meredith on her first overseas trip, before another private carriage would complete the onward journey. In total, it would take three days with overnight stops at small inns on the side of the road. Jules promised they would have separate bedchambers on the journey.

“This is exhilarating!” Meredith gripped the rail of the boat and nodded at the towering, white cliffs of Dover shrinking by the second. “And the sails, they are so full. This will take no time at all.”

Jules chuckled at her side. “We have been fortunate. The weather has been kind to us.”

“I am excited to get there.” She smiled at him and watched the way the wind swept his hair back from his brow. “To see the art you have told me about.”

“You will love it, I am sure. The Louvre, which used to be the Musée Napoleon, is still wonderful to visit despite the return of many pieces of art to other establishments following the Battle of Waterloo.”

“That is what I am excited for.”

“And the French are exceptional at making cheese. We will sample them all until you have a favorite.” He smiled and pushed his hair back as the wind flicked it forward. “And cream-filled waffles. They will be your new delight, I am sure.”

Her mouth watered. “I can’t wait.”

“It won’t be long.” He stood close, closer than was strictly necessary or proper, and they stared at the frothy, white waves below. “Only a few days until we are able to sample all the delights France has to offer.”

What would her father say if he could see her now? Traveling the world to continue learning as he’d always insisted upon. She hoped he’d be proud. She hoped he wouldn’t judge her for having feelings for a man who wasn’t the marrying kind.

Paris was chaotic and charming. The women wore fashionable feathered hats, lace, and velvet, and the sound of transportation bells rang up and down the streets.