Page 11

Chapter Eleven

L ily couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed a lunch more than this one.

Mr. Thornton was everything she could have asked for in a man.

Their conversation had continued into more mundane matters, as he asked her questions about where she had been educated and what she did with her time before he told her about his sisters, one who was excelling in school, the other who was near to finishing her apprenticeship to become a teacher.

His pride was evident, and she now understood why he worked so hard and was so dedicated to his job and passion.

Her enjoyment wasn’t just because of what they talked about, however.

It was how he didn’t just hear her words but listened to them. It was how he held her gaze, his attention not caught by anyone else in the pub. It was how his foot brushed against hers beneath the table, and while he didn’t move it away, he also didn’t press it too forcefully against hers.

The time flew by until he looked up at a wall-mounted regulator clock and shot to his feet.

“I’m late. So late.”

He reached into his pocket and threw down some coins, though Lily also stood, protesting.

“I can look after my own.”

He paused, his eyes catching hers, a frown crossing his face for the first time since they had entered the central area of the pub.

“I can handle it. It’s a bowl of soup.”

“Of course,” she said, immediately filled with regret. She had not meant to question his ability to pay; she just hadn’t wanted him to think she expected it. “I apologize, I never meant to insinuate?—”

“It’s fine,” he said, cutting her off. “Now, where can I walk you? I will be returning to the mill.”

“I have a driver down the road,” she said, biting her lip. “I told him that I was meeting my friend for lunch.”

“You are full of surprises, you devious little thing,” he teased, coaxing a smile out of her again, even as she worried that the mention of a driver would remind him of the difference in their stations.

“Yes, well…” She shrugged. “I needed to speak to Mr. Pritchard, and neither of my parents would ever have allowed it.”

“Are you usually so rebellious?”

“Never, actually.” She shook her head. “But I am also no longer a young girl, which should afford me more freedom.”

“I cannot imagine having my every movement under scrutiny,” he said, seeming surprised by himself.

“It does become rather trying, although that is all I know,” she said. “Emmaline is provided much more freedom, which is rather enlightening.”

“I can imagine,” he said as he walked her to the door, holding it open for her, both of them blinking at the sunlight that greeted them. “I completely forgot to speak to you about something else.”

“Yes?”

She looked up at him, her heart beating rapidly as she realized she hoped he would request to call upon her, which was ludicrous. He would never be interested in a woman like her, nor would he likely follow the same protocols for calling upon a woman.

“There is something suspicious going on here,” he said, oblivious to the spirals her mind was going around upon. “If we work together to exchange information and investigate, we might find some answers.”

“I agree,” she breathed as she came back to the moment. He considered that her involvement might be important and was crediting her abilities.

No one else had ever placed such importance on her contributions to anything before. Even her father was only allowing her to help with the club for his greater purpose.

“We need to come to the offices when they are empty,” he said. “The team usually goes to The King’s Head for a meal and a drink after practices. I can try to slip up to the club’s offices if I can find a way to unlock them.”

“My father would have a key,” Lily said, her features set in determination. “If I can find it, I could meet you there one evening.”

“Are you sure you could get away? And that you could stay safe?” he asked, and it thrilled her a bit that he would be so considerate of her well-being.

“Not to worry. I can make it work,” she said, tapping a finger against her chin. “My parents have a function on Thursday evening that I am not expected to attend. I could sneak out and make my way here.”

“Alone?”

“I will find someone to accompany me,” she said, though she could only promise to try. Trust was a rare commodity—perhaps only Emmaline had earned it — but leaning on her too heavily might have drawn unwanted attention. More than anything, she longed to help him.

“Very well,” he said. “Thursday night it is. I will watch for you, and we will go up together. In the meantime, if you need anything, you can find me here or send a note to my residence.”

He gave her the address, and she nodded, looking forward to this Thursday more than any other.

Colin was rushing through his drills.

He was muttering to himself on focusing when he ran right into Tommy.

“What was that for?” Tommy asked, pushing himself up onto his elbow. For once, the field was dry, as they hadn’t had rain for the past couple of days, although that did not mean perfect field conditions.

“Sorry, Tommy,” Colin said, reaching down to help his friend to his feet. “My mind was wandering.”

“To a beautiful woman who could destroy everything you love?” Tommy asked, raising a brow. Colin tried to frown but then couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Where do you get all of your information? I swear you gossip more than ladies at tea after church on Sunday.”

“I don’t gossip,” Tommy protested. “People like to talk to me. I can’t help it. I have one of those faces.”

Colin rolled his eyes as they jogged down the field, passing a ball between them. It was almost second nature, as they had been doing this since childhood, racing down the middle of the street.

“So, what did you hear, then?”

“That you were having a most cozy luncheon with Miss Evans in The King’s Head the other day – when you were supposed to be working in her father’s mill!”

“Milton,” Colin muttered as he picked up the ball, and they walked off the field to change. “It’s a long story.”

“I’m all ears,” Tommy said.

“That should be your name,” Colin mumbled, causing Tommy to laugh.

He didn’t share anything as they changed, but when they began the short walk to the pub, he filled Tommy in on what he had discovered and what he and Lily were proposing to do.

“So, you are working together to determine who is out to get the team – if there is any truth to that?”

“Yes.”

“You do realize that her father could be behind it.”

“That would make no sense whatsoever,” Colin said, shaking his head. “The money disappearing belongs to him, and he would have nothing to gain from his mill being vandalized. I would put my money on one of the rival mill owners or one of the other clubs.”

“That would be very underhanded.”

“I’ve heard of worse.”

“What will you do if you’re caught in the club offices?

” Tommy asked as they pushed through the maroon door, which the pub had painted to symbolize its standing with the club.

The hour had grown late enough that the ornate lanterns flanking the entrance were lit to cast a golden glow at dusk, the murmur of voices and the scent of roasted meats and ale spilling out into the cool night air, welcoming them inside.

They had taken their time to walk here and were greeted by a hearty cheer when they entered the pub. Their teammates were already grouped around a long table, ales in hand.

“Took you long enough, ladies!” Mickey called out, but Colin was happiest seeing Joey sitting in their midst. A pair of wooden crutches sat beside him, but at least he was well enough to be out and about, even if he wasn’t on his feet just yet.

Drink and conversation flowed, but as much as Colin enjoyed himself, he couldn’t keep from looking at the clock.

He had a date to make.

And it was one that he couldn’t afford to miss.

Thankfully, no one noticed Colin was still nursing his first ale despite having been at the tavern for about an hour. Milton likely suspected but hadn’t commented. Colin hadn’t been able to keep his eyes away from the door the entire time.

Which, apparently, he was not doing a great job of hiding.

“Are you waiting for someone?” Rhys asked, eyeing him curiously.

“Not in particular.” Colin shrugged, telling himself to do a better job remaining nonchalant.

He should have made a different plan with Lily.

What was she supposed to do, walk in the front doors and have the entire team aware that the daughter of their major sponsor was among them, or, even worse, prowling around the club’s offices with Colin?

He should have told her to come in the back door and to give him a signal when she had arrived.

Foolish. He had been so excited about the plan that he hadn’t considered the particulars.

He should call this off.

Wait for her outside and tell her this was not a good idea.

He should?—

The door opened, and in she walked.

Only, he didn’t think anyone else would realize it was her.

He wouldn't have known it if he hadn’t been watching for her.

Gone was her usual attire, which told everyone she was the daughter of a viscount.

Instead, she wore a plain, grey wool dress devoid of embellishments. The gown’s high neckline and long sleeves hid the creamy white skin he knew was hiding underneath. Her usual fine gloves were replaced with coarse wool ones, while a simple shawl concealed her figure and added to her modesty.

If he hadn’t known better, he would have guessed her to be a woman on her way home from work in the mill or a nearby factory. Even her beautiful face was covered with a heavy bonnet pulled low, her long auburn curls tucked into a plain, unfashionable, tightly pulled-back knot behind her head.

She stepped into the pub without much notice, anyone who saw her not giving her a second glance as she walked over to sit at the bar and order a drink.

Colin tried to converse with the other club members and drink his ale while keeping a close eye on Lily to ensure no one bothered her.

He gave her time to finish her drink while he did the same, then made his excuse of going to the bar for another.

“Another ale,” he said to Milton, sliding his glass over the counter as he took the barstool next to Lily, not looking at her.

“You look lovely tonight,” he murmured low enough that no one else could hear as he settled in, bringing the glass to his lips once he received it back.

“Thank you so much,” she said pertly, a smile dancing on her lips.

“Where did you find those clothes?”

“They are my maid’s,” she explained. “I told her a friend needed to borrow them for the night. She was most confused and intrigued, but she agreed.”

“If nothing else, they make me very curious about everything you have hiding underneath.”

He snuck a quick look at her then, noting her eyes widen and her cheeks flush before she returned her gaze to in front of her.

“Do you have the key?” he asked, taking pity on her and changing the subject.

“I do.”

“That a girl. Why don’t you leave first? Go back to the corridor that you previously used to head upstairs. If anyone asks, you are looking for the ladies’ room. I will come a few minutes later to avoid any notice, and we can begin our search.”

“Very well,” she said. “Try not to be too long. I don’t have as much time as I’d like. I’m not entirely sure when my parents will be home tonight. It depends on my mother’s mood, which is as reliable as the British summer — promising sunshine but delivering rain.”

“Understood,” he said, hating how much he enjoyed this woman and how interested he was in the next words that were about to come out of her mouth.

He was going to have to be careful, or he would be the one to find himself in more trouble than it was worth.