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Della stared at Lily from across the hall. Her stomach churned slightly, as if a thousand tiny butterflies were fluttering about all at once.
"What?" Lily finally asked. She was almost certain that Ray had given her no fresh bruises during his beating last night. His punches had all landed on her body, not her face.
"I know it's been two days," Della said, "but I still can't believe that Mr. Saunders made you his secretary."
"I can hardly believe it myself." Lily looked around her desk. "You haven't seen my nail file, have you? I'm not used to sitting at a desk and seem to keep misplacing things."
Della shook her head and bit her bottom lip.
"Is there something more on your mind?" Lily asked.
Della shook her head quickly and went back to work. A short while later, Lily caught her staring at her again.
Lily put down her pencil, exasperated. "Would you please tell me what it is that's bothering you? Do I have something on my face? Has my hair come undone? What is it that's causing you to stare at me as though I were a mermaid come right out of the ocean?"
"I'm sorry," Della said, letting out a breath. "I've been debating with myself as to whether I should tell you."
The hairs on the back of Lily's neck suddenly stood on end. "Is something wrong?" she asked, already knowing there was.
Della pressed her lips together and slowly stood. Lily did the same. They walked toward each other and stopped when they were a foot apart. Della looked around to make sure they were alone. Not many people came back by the offices unless there was a meeting scheduled, but Della was taking extra caution to make sure she was not overheard.
She leaned in toward Lily and said, "I heard a new rumor."
Lily's shoulders instantly relaxed. "Oh, is that all?" She turned to go back to her desk. "Why didn't you just say so? There's always a rumor or two circulating about this place. You know that as well as I."
"Yes," Della said, "but this rumor's about you."
Lily's heart skipped a beat. "Me?" she said, automatically thinking of Bridget.
Thankfully, Lily had only run into Bridget once since their fight, but she had shot daggers at Lily with her eyes on that one occasion, and Lily had not forgotten the look.
"What is the rumor?" she asked.
Della frowned. Lily knew she was just trying to be a good friend and didn't want to hurt her, but she needed to know.
"Tell me," she said.
Della drew in a breath and moved to the edge of Lily's desk. They were standing huddled together.
"People are saying that you and Mr. Saunders are having an affair."
Lily's brow tightened. She looked at Charles Saunders' door.
"That's ridiculous. The man is twice my age. I think of him as a father."
Della groaned. "Edward Saunders, you dolt." She shook her head and Lily realized she really was a dolt.
"Oh."
Della set her hands on her hips. "Oh?" she said a little too loudly. "Oh? Is that all you can say?"
"Well, what would you have me say?"
"How about that it isn't it true?"
"It isn't," Lily quickly replied.
Della was eyeing her suspiciously now. "You must be careful, Lily. You're a married woman. Unless you're planning on leaving Ray..." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Are you planning on leaving Ray?"
Lily shook her head. "No, and don't ever utter those words again."
"Why not?" Della asked. "You'd be far better off with someone like Mr. Saunders than Ray."
"Edward and I are not having an affair. There is nothing between us except that of a boss and employee." She could tell that Della wasn't convinced. "It's Bridget who started it, isn't it?"
Della shrugged. "Probably. But I'm not sure the fault lies entirely with her in this case."
"Do you mean to imply that this is somehow my fault?"
"Perhaps not yours, but Mr. Saunders'. Edward's." Lily bit her bottom lip. "You have to admit it looks rather odd. You get into a fight and rather than being fired, you become his secretary."
Lily had nothing to say that might help her case, so she remained silent while she thought. "I'll speak to Edward at once about this. He'll fix it."
"How?"
Lily shrugged. "I have no idea, but I'm sure that he will."
She left Della and stepped over to Edward's door, knocking lightly on it. Della had resumed her place at her desk and was watching her.
"Come in," Edward called.
She entered and closed the door behind her. He smiled and rose from his seat. "What can I do for you?" he asked, coming around his desk to greet her.
Lily opened her mouth to tell him of the rumor but shut it just as quickly. He'd been oddly protective of her lately—accompanying her on her lunch, inquiring as to her health on an almost hourly basis, even walking her home after work, though she wouldn't let him walk her the whole way in case Ray might see—learning what Bridget had done would very likely bring out this new streak in him. It might make things worse.
"I just wondered how you were feeling today?" she said.
"Wonderful, thank you. I think my illness has officially passed."
"That's good news, indeed."
She hesitated then turned to go.
"Lily, wait a moment please." He offered her a seat, which she took, only to rise again when she realized he intended to remain standing. "My father asked me about something just this morning."
He licked his lips. The pink of his tongue, wet and glistening, stirred something deep inside her. Something she had not felt in years, if ever.
"Apparently, there is a rumor circulating about us."
"I know," she said quickly, cutting him off. "I've only just learned of it myself."
He nodded. "I'm not surprised. Della has her ear finely tuned to the place. "I'm only surprised she said nothing to me about it."
Lily waited to see what he might say next. She couldn't imagine where his mind was headed.
He said, "I think Bridget a likely suspect in the rumor's origin, though I have no way to prove it."
"Don't fire her," Lily said, cutting him off. "It will only substantiate the rumors, not deflect them."
He smiled at her, and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. "I have no intention of firing Bridget."
She sighed with relief. Edward's hand reached out and took hers. She hiccupped nervously then giggled even more nervously.
Edward drew in a deep breath. She watched the rise and fall of his chest, imagining the ripple of each muscle beneath his shirt and coat. Her hand reached out tentatively and touched him, then pulled quickly back again.
"Lily," he whispered, so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. "I told my father there was nothing between us, but we both know that isn't true."
Her heart was sprinting now. She couldn't catch her breath.
Edward continued. "I know that it's wrong, but I can't help how I feel about you."
She looked away from him, barely holding the breath in her chest as she inhaled. "I... I... there's nothing I can do."
"You can leave him. Dear God, I know it's a sin for me to say, but you deserve better. You deserve me."
Without thinking about it, her hand instinctively closed around his. She drew off his warmth as if it were food.
"I can't," she said.
"Have you no feelings for me beyond the standard relationship a secretary has with her boss?"
"I won't dishonor you by lying again. I do care for you."
He inhaled sharply at her words. "Then leave him."
"He'll never grant me a divorce."
"I don't care."
Her body was burning. Her heart and lungs and brain were all on fire. What Edward was saying was scandalous. It could ruin his business if anyone knew. Rumors were one thing, but once substantiated, they became something else entirely.
"I want you, Lily. I need you. I don't care whether it's right or wrong, I only know that I can't live without you."
His words were a jumbled blur in her head. She could hardly think straight with him so close.
"I can't," she said again.
"Why not? Surely God will understand, considering what that man has done to you."
She shook her head.
"Do you love him still?" Edward asked. "Despite it all?"
She felt his hand tremble.
"I loathe him."
"Then why do you stay?"
He tilted her head back, forcing her eyes to meet his. Her throat was tight. Her words, when they finally came, were choked with emotion. "He... threatened... my family."
She could not believe she had said it out loud. He was the first person she'd told.
Edward's grip on her tightened. He wasn't hurting her; it was like he was holding onto her for fear she might float away. His face had turned to stone. Now that she'd confessed the real reason she continued to stay with Ray, the rest of it poured out of her.
"I tried to leave. Once, I was gone for nearly a week, but he convinced me he'd changed, and I went back like a fool. The last time I tried to go..." She sobbed loudly, unable to stop herself even if Della heard her through the door. "The last time I didn't even make it out the door. He said he'd kill my mother. My sister, too."
Edward wiped her tears gently away with the soft pad of his thumb. She leaned her head into his hand and absorbed the caress like a kiss.
"I'll kill him," Edward said.
Lily's eyes widened. She shook her head. "Don't say such things."
Edward hardened his eyes. "Fine, I won't kill him. I'll destroy him instead. I'll have him thrown in jail without a prayer of release."
The thought both enthralled and terrified Lily. What if Edward tried and failed? Ray would kill her, her family, and probably Edward as well.
"No," she said firmly.
"Lily, let me help you. I can help you. I won't let him touch you or anyone else."
"No," she said again. "If you truly love me, then you'll do as I ask. Respect my wishes. Do nothing."
He only stared blankly back at her. She turned and fled the room before God could strike them both dead.
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