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Caroline knocked on Lily's door. She had slept late this morning, not wanting to climb out of bed for any reason other than to see Edward's face.
Her sleep had been poor and troubled. Every creak of the floorboards, every call of a bird, every whine that seemed to come from the very walls themselves, made her jump. She thought that every noise she heard was Ray coming to get her.
Ray was probably far gone from Blisspeak by now, she told herself. But in the middle of the night, with the darkness set in around her, she found that impossible to believe.
She opened the door, and Caroline told her that Edward was downstairs.
"Also, Gilbert's taken Robert to the sheriff's station to go over a few things, but he wishes to speak with you later."
Lily nodded, happy to talk to Robert. He was a kind man and an excellent lawyer and had taken the time to come out here.
"And our cook kept some breakfast warm for you if you decide you're hungry." Caroline paused and looked at her friend with arched eyebrows. "Even if you're not hungry, you should eat. Remember, you are not just eating for yourself anymore."
Lily blushed but took her friend's point. "I'll have whatever the cook's saved for me after Edward has left."
Caroline nodded and left Lily to get dressed, which she did quickly.
She greeted Edward with a smile and a kiss, pressing her hand to the small of his back. Someone cleared their throat behind them and Lily quickly let go. She spun around to find Charles Saunders standing there, his cheeks red. He cast his eyes to the floor.
"Forgive me," Mr. Saunders said. "Edward insisted I come."
She looked at Edward, who took her hand and pulled her gently forward until she was immediately before his father.
"My father has something he wishes to say to you," Edward told her.
She looked at Mr. Saunders, perplexed as to what Edward's reason for wanting him here could be. For his part, Mr. Saunders looked remarkably uncomfortable.
"Well," he said, clearing his throat again and tugging at his collar as if it were too tight. "I, uh, that is to say..." Finally, he expelled a gust of air and shrugged. "I apologize."
Lily looked blankly back at him. "Apologize?"
"For my treatment of you when last we spoke at the factory. I offered you money to stay away for a fortnight, and that was quite wrong of me. I should never have done anything so offensive. I hope that you will forgive me and immediately resume your post as Edward's secretary."
Lily looked at Edward, who was smiling at her. "You've put your father up to this," she accused him.
He shrugged. "My father is a grown man and knows when he's made a mistake. I urge you to accept his apology. I'm lost at work without you."
Lily grinned. She was quite certain Edward wanted her at work so that they could sneak kisses between meal breaks and eye each other from across the room. She was not at all certain those were valid reasons for returning to a job where she might be ridiculed by her coworkers.
"I don't know..." she replied, biting her lip.
Edward slipped his hand to her lower back and pressed it against her. His thumb moved softly up and down, caressing her, digging into her. She bit her lip harder.
"Please say yes," Edward said, looking hard into her eyes.
His father said, "I'm not just here because Edward's made me come. I've always thought you a valuable worker and an even more valuable secretary to my son. I made a mistake, and I don't think either of you should suffer for it."
Lily drew in a breath.
"All right. I'll come back."
Edward's hand spread out across her back now. He rubbed it up and down her spine, making her entire body tingle. She was glad no one was standing behind them to see.
"Excellent," Mr. Saunders said. "I'll make sure and pay you for the time you've been gone."
"That's not at all necessary," Lily told him, though truthfully, she'd depleted all her funds and hadn't the slightest idea how she would get by.
"Nonsense," Edward said, so close to her she felt his breath on her ear. "You deserve every penny of that money. Besides, when you're married to me, you'll have all the money you could want, so you might as well start getting used to it."
Lily blinked. She hadn't considered that. When she was Mrs. Edward Saunders, she'd be just as rich as he was. It would be quite a change for her.
She took hold of his hand and squeezed. "When shall I start?"
"Now's as good a time as any," he said, returning his hand to her back and pressing the pads of his fingers into the muscle just above her hips.
From behind them, Caroline said, "First, breakfast." Edward's hand dropped away from her, and they both looked embarrassed. "Remember, you must eat, Lily." She looked at her meaningfully and Lily took the hint.
"Don't worry," Edward assured her. "I'll make sure she's stuffed to the gills at lunch each day."
Caroline nodded, told Edward and Mr. Saunders she would see them in an hour, and followed Caroline dutifully into the dining room.
* * *
