Free Sweet Enemy by Heather Snow Page A

through her.
     
    Liliana could manage only a nod.
     
    Stratford flashed her a devilish smile and departed to join a gathering group of gentlemen.
     
    Feeling eyes upon her, Liliana shifted, smoothing herskirts and tucking one foot behind the other. Her fists balled in her lap. She hated being under scrutiny.
     
    She clenched her teeth. She also hated being delayed. She
should
be searching for her father’s letters this very moment.
     
    Liliana watched Stratford from beneath her lids. She’d done her best to put him off, but instead it was as if he’d dug in his heels.
     
    Her stomach fluttered as she released a shaky breath. She raised two fingers to her temple. Never could she remember feeling such confusion, such a jumble of nerves and unknowns circling her brain, causing a nauseous churning in her middle.
     
    She’d thought for sure that she’d been caught when he asked the reason for her absence this morning. Liliana wrinkled her nose. Insulting him probably hadn’t been the appropriate reaction to his charges, but it was the only thing she could think of to distract him from his interrogation. And now she still didn’t know whether he suspected her or whether he was just—
     
    “Your ribbons, miss.”
     
    Liliana turned her head in surprise toward the maid who’d appeared on her right. The girl stood looking at Liliana expectantly, brandishing a silver tray. Three lavender ribbons lay pooled on the shiny surface.
     
    “
My
ribbons?” Liliana asked.
     
    “Yes, well, I know they’re not the same color as your dress, but we didn’t have any ribbons that shade of blue.” The maid sniffed, then gave a little shrug. “His lordship picked these out for you special. Said they reminded him of your eyes.” The maid pushed the tray toward Liliana, who picked up the ribbons, still unsure what she was to do with them. But the girl flounced off before Liliana could question her further.
     
    “Stratford is certainly taking this chivalry business a bit far,” came the pinched voice of the young lady sitting to Liliana’s left. Liliana glanced over at the prettyblonde, attired in a pale pink gown. She held three ribbons of a similar shade between her fingers.
     
    What did she mean, this chivalry business? Not having attended the morning activities or nuncheon, Liliana felt at a distinct disadvantage.
     
    “Yes,” answered a brunette dressed in yellow, holding three yellow ribbons. “Choosing the least acceptable woman here is too much.”
     
    A sinking feeling overcame Liliana as her eyes traveled down the row. There were twelve women, including herself, each holding three ribbons. The other eleven were staring right back at her, some curiously, some disdainfully, and a couple downright angrily.
     
    She turned her gaze back to the field. Bright red and blue and green pennants flapped in the wind, surrounding a field that was absurdly marked with streamers. A multicolored tent was staked beneath a large oak. Stratford and the other gentlemen had disappeared into it, presumably to ready themselves for the games.
     
    Liliana looked behind her. Amongst the gathering crowd, several young ladies—Penelope included—stood near, ready to watch the sport. Yet they had no ribbons. An elderly matron not so discreetly pointed toward Liliana while others openly stared, appraising her before whispering behind their fans or open hands.
     
    The clues clicked into place.
     
    Drat Stratford! He’d made her the center of attention, choosing her to champion in some ridiculous farce of a tournament. And for what reason? To keep his eye on her or…
     
    A strange melting sensation drizzled down Liliana’s middle.
     
    Could he actually
be
interested in her? An improbable likelihood, but—
     
    Several trumpets blared, signaling the start of the event. Liliana turned in her seat, her back straightening, trying to ignore the stares of the crowd. Drat, drat, drat Stratford!
     
    As if curses called him to her, he