Read Online Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble - Free Book Online

occasion, and his gaze was focused over Drew’s shoulder. He was watching Lily’s approach, and Drew narrowed his gaze at the man. The driver looked away, a flush staining his cheeks.
    Lily turned at the rattle of the engine. Her eyes widened when she saw him. He beckoned her, and she glanced toward the house, then approached him. Was that fear in her eyes?
    He opened the back door of the open-riding sedan. “Heading to town? I have an appointment at the tea shop in town, and you can come along.”
    Her hands behind her back, she edged away. “I don’t think Miss Belle would approve. She saw me speaking to you the other morning and questioned me.”
    His pulse kicked in his chest. “You said nothing, of course?”
    She shook her head. “But you know how I dislike falsehood, Andy.”
    “Drew.”
    “Mr. Hawkes.” She tipped up her chin.
    Her spunk was one of the many things he’d always loved about her. Gripping her arm, he guided her toward the door. “Belle is out with her aunt, as I’m sure you know well.”
    “Someone may still tell her.”
    As she stepped into the automobile, it was all he could do to resist leaning in closer to sniff the faint scent of honeysuckle. He sprang up beside her, and the springs in the cushion groaned as he settled beside her. “Are you off work today?”
    She shook her head. “Merely on an errand for Miss Belle. She wanted me to pick up some books for her.”
    The gas engine revved, and the automobile lurched forward. He plucked her hand from her lap. “Are you ever getting a day off?”
    She pulled her hand away and edged toward the other side of the seat. “I don’t know. Mrs. O’Reilly hasn’t brought it up. She might be waiting until Miss Belle makes up her mind on whether I’m to be her lady’s maid. Right now I’m doing a bit of everything.”
    The market wasn’t far, and there would be no time to tell her all that needed to be said. “Then you must. You can’t work every day.”
    She turned her head to look out at the passing scenery. “I’m grateful for the position. I can do nothing to jeopardize it.”
    With all his being, he wanted to tell her he’d take care of her. What did he have to offer though? The very danger he’d left to save her from. “You risk nothing by bringing up the terms of your employment.”
    “I’ll ask Mrs. O’Reilly about it.” She still wasn’t looking at him. Edwards and Church Booksellers was just ahead. “Come to tea with me. For half an hour.”
    She turned to look at him, her blue eyes darkening to indigo. “You left me and never came back. Why? Though I doubt I can believe any excuse you tell me.”
    He winced. “I never lied to you, Lily.”
    “Your love was a lie.”
    “It wasn’t!” He reached for her hand again and she flinched, so he clenched his hands together in his lap. “I have always loved you. I’ve never stopped.”
    Her lips parted in a faint gasp. Moisture made her eyes luminous. “You could not have loved me and put me through what you did. You’ve been gone for four years, Andy. Four years! Your professions of love are hollow. I could be in the grave like my mother, and you wouldn’t even have known.”
    “I would have known. Grace wrote me every month. I got her letter about your mother the day after you arrived.”
    Her eyes grew wider. “She’s known where you’ve been all this time? She’s never mentioned a word.”
    “She’s my cousin. I swore her to secrecy.”
    “But why?” The words were barely a whisper.
    Tell her . He gritted his teeth to keep back the truth. Truth, though admirable, could get her killed. “Men were after me. Men I feared might harm you.” As they harmed our fathers . It was as much as he could tell her.
    The automobile stopped, and she thrust open the door on her side. “So you left me alone where anyone might have attacked me? That makes no sense, Andy. None at all. In fact, I think you’re still lying to me.” Gathering her skirt in one hand, she