Page 88 of Devil in Her Details

“I can’t complain. If not for escaping my stepmother’s schemes,” Calliope said. “I’d never had met my husband. What about your family?”

“Oh, yes, my brother helped me set up my little shop here. We were raised by our grandmother, but it’s just us two now.”

“Yet you are here in Bridgton alone, correct?”

Lilly nodded. For how long, she didn’t even want to think about. Brighton had crawled into a small part of her heart. Not enough to stay, though. But enough to make her not wish to leave. She didn’t have a frame of reference for this tug and pull in opposing directions.

“Dagger made a remark about you leaving the ton.”

Calliope shook her head. “I was never part of the ton. I never even debuted.”

Ah, so that’s why Lilly didn’t recognize her. Sure, there were many families, and it was impossible to know everyone, but Lilly had always prided herself at least on knowing who was the who of the who. “I’m not sure if I should say I’m sorry or congratulate you.”

Calliope chuckled. “I have a candle shop in the Lanes. Not as fashionable as North Street, but it is my pride. Violet has a flower shop. You should come visit us when you have time.”

Lilly returned her grin. Two more female shop owners! She sighed and swept the back room, where her beloved tailoring frames were kept, with a quick glance. “Unfortunately, I will be closing mine.”

Calliope’s brows furrowed. “Why? Because of the scoundrel troubling you?”

“Well, yes, but also, I can work from home. I’m not settling in Brighton permanently, you see. I will return home soon if all goes well.”

“Is that so?” Calliope murmured, her frown deepening. “Does Dagger know?”

Lilly nodded, her heart pinching at the question. “Of course.”

“Well, that is unfortunate. I’d hoped you could be another sister in our sisterhood.”

Lilly’s eyes flew wide. S-sister?

“Oh! No!” Calliope exclaimed upon seeing her shock. “I didn’t mean like sister, sister, I simply meant a friend. A sister friend sisterhood.” The woman’s shoulders drooped. “Just forget I said anything. And don’t tell Dagger. He’ll just get angry, thinking we’re trying to scare you home sooner.”

Lilly blinked, then burst out laughing, agreeing with the woman on the last part. She could just imagine the big panther’s scowl. “No need to fret! I understand.” But Lord, did her heart not still almost somersault from her breast! “I just didn’t expect that word.” Blazes, she couldn’t even form that word on her lips.

Calliope arched a wry brow. “No chance of that, heh?”

Lilly blushed. Fiercely.

Was everyone in Brighton this brand of blunt?

She reevaluated her assessment of Calliope as a rabbit, for this creature had a wicked tongue! How did she even begin to answer such a question? The answer was no. A firm, resounding no. Too many things were happening at once to even consider the prospect. So why couldn’t she form the word? In fact, it felt wrong to say it out loud. Betrayal kind of wrong. Not just a betrayal of Dagger, but also of herself. Fortunately, she was saved from answering. Unfortunately, the save itself was rather unfortunate.

Saint gave a vicious curse, his face a mask of dark thunder. “Not good.”

Lilly was instantly alert. “What?”

“Five black carriages rolling down the street,” Saint spat.

She gasped, her gaze darting past them to the scene unfolding outside. Her heart sank to her toes. Calvington? Had he sent more men after his first plan failed? Her first instinct was to find Dagger. He was her protector, and she had grown increasingly reliant on his presence. From the start, the man had been a pillar standing between her and the coxcomb who had followed her from London. She didn’t want to face anything without him.

Saint crossed the room in three long strides, making his way to the back of the shop. “We need to leave. Now.”

Lilly didn’t tarry, not with the memory of the last fight still fresh in her mind. She snatched up her valise and rushed over to Saint with Calliope.

“What about your brothers?” Lilly asked Saint.

He didn’t look at her, turning the key nestled in the lock and wrenching the door open. “We’ll circle back to them.”

Lilly didn’t like this, but she wasn’t about to argue with the man. If those carriages weren’t the marquess’s doing, that would be good. If it was . . . Had that been his plan all along? Given the article being released soon, he might have gathered half the ton to bear witness to her supposed scandal here in Brighton.