Page 40 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“Dameer!” Amelia crooned. “You look lovely.”

Caroline stifled a snort of laughter.

They piled into the carriage, which took them the short distance to Willow House. As they approached the stunning manor, Kalila saw streams of people milling about the entrance.

“I thought we were expected at half past seven,” Caroline said.

Amelia pressed her nose against the window. “I thought the guest list was supposed to be small!”

Kalila turned to Dameer. “I thought this was a spur-of-the-moment event.”

“I am going to kill myself,” was all Dameer said as the carriage pulled up in front of Willow House. It was teeming with people, enough to make Kalila want to stay where she was.

“Let’s go!” Amelia sang, hopping out and practically running into the crowd.

Kalila stepped out after her, wondering how soon she could find a quiet spot. She was something of a wallflower at big events, which was nothing to be ashamed of. She was simply not the type to—to—

Well, to be asked to dance.

After what seemed like an age, they finally entered Willow House. Kalila spotted her aunt’s henna-red hair and made a beeline to greet her. She was surrounded by admirers with her husband standing guard at her side. As Kalila approached, she heard a familiar laugh through the crush.

“Habibti Kalila!” Aunt Dalia sang, ignoring her audience and gathering Kalila into a hug. It took Kalila a moment to respond, because that laugh—

“Aunt Dalia,” Dameer said, choking on his words, “I didn’t expect—”

Kalila peered over her aunt’s shoulder. She must have been mistaken.

“I’ve no idea how it got this big,” Dalia said. “I only planned this yesterday. Really!”

“You’ve been talking about it for weeks,” her husband reminded her.

“But I only sat down to plan it yesterday,” Dalia insisted. “Really—”

There was that laugh again. Kalila’s eyes darted around the entryway. She had to be mistaken. She couldn’t be that unlucky.

“Is that—” Caroline’s voice came from behind her in a hushed, urgent whisper. “Is that Mr. Booth?”

Kalila whirled around, her gaze landing on the man in question. It was hard to miss him, given the way his sandy hair all but glowed in the light.

Given the way his smile made Kalila feel like she’d downed one too many glasses of champagne, even though she’d only just arrived.

Apparently, she truly was unlucky.

*

She was here.

This was Rafiq’s previous engagement. No matter how hard she tried to hide, she always seemed to accidentally find her way to him.

He couldn’t believe his luck.

Kalila was speaking to her cousin—the real Dameer Rafiq—with what appeared to be a serious air until Dameer’s head snapped up in surprise. It was in that moment that Oliver resolved to ensure that their cover was not blown. Not if he had anything to do with it. He would not let this evening end in ruin for Kalila.

Not when it could end in much, much better ways.

Dameer melted into the crowd, and Oliver pretended not to notice as Kalila approached him. Brave girl, he thought, to march right up to him instead of choosing to hide.

With her standing before him, Oliver was able to take in the full glory of her appearance. She was dressed in navy-blue silk with pearls that matched the ones in her dark brown curls. The cut of her dress gave him a glimpse of her shoulders, dotted with asymmetrical beauty marks.