Free Scarlet Kisses by Tish Westwood Page B

come from America with big money from her father’s perfume business. The ton had welcomed them, but still treated them like lower class behind their backs. It was why Lilly’s parents were strict with her. She always had to look perfect, was never allowed to have a hair out of place, never allowed to slouch, always had to hold her pinky out when drinking her tea. She had to act the perfect English miss. Only Alyssum knew how much she hated it.
    “ I’m glad you’re here,” Lilly gushed before grabbing Alyssum’s hands and pulling her up off the settee. She led her out the room, down the hall and through the glass doors. They stepped out onto the terrace but Lilly didn’t stop there. She took them down the stairs, around a hedge before coming to a stop with a happy sigh.
    “Are you well?” Alyssum asked with an amused smile as they stood in the quiet garden.
    “I’m well, just suffocating under the watchful eye of Rickton.” Lilly shuddered.
    Alyssum smiled, knowing the familiar name of Lilly’s chaperon. Old and strict, she was like a hawk watching its prey, and her prey was every man that approached Lilly.
    With a loud sigh, Lilly dropped down onto the grass and sprawled out.
    “Your parents would kill you if they saw what you were doing to that gown,” Alyssum said.
    Lilly laughed then sat. She patted the grass beside her and Alyssum sat beside her.
    “I need a favor.” Alyssum turned her head and looked at Lilly.
    “Anything.” Lilly nodded, her brown eyes staring at Alyssum with love and loyalty.
    “I have a feeling Harry may ask you a few questions about me and Lady Brook’s masquerade.”
    “But you weren’t there. I looked for you.”
    “I was there,” Alyssum admitted with a meek expression.
    Lilly frowned.
    “I was wearing a scarlet gown.”
    Lilly’s eyes slowly widened. “You?” she breathed.
    “Me.” Alyssum nodded.
    Lilly squealed and shuffled closer. “You have to tell me everything,” she demanded with eager eyes. “Where did you get that gown? Why? How?”
    Alyssum laughed at her excitement. “I bought it. Violet helped me. It was Jaz’s idea.”
    Lilly shook her head. “Trusting that little demon.”
    Alyssum gasped and nudged Lilly’s shoulder at Jaz’s defense.
    “Alyssum, why?” Lilly asked seriously.
    “I wanted to have fun.”
    Lilly remained quiet then nodded. “I can understand that. Did you have fun?” Lilly laughed as Alyssum blushed. “My, my, what have you been up to, Alyssum?”
    “I’ll tell you everything if you promise me something.”
    “Done.” Lilly gave a curt nod.
    “If Harry asks you anything about me and the masquerade tell him we spoke for a moment before I left with a headache.”
    “Okay.”
    “And I was wearing a blue gown.”
    “Too easy. Now give me the gossip.” She leaned in.
    Alyssum took a deep breath then announced, “I kissed Robert.”
    “Pardon?”
    “Robert, Viscount Lambert.”
    “Holy hell,” Lilly breathed with widening eyes.
    “Lilly!” Alyssum scolded her.
    “You kissed Viscount Lambert?”
    “Yes.”
    “How was it?” Lilly whispered.
    Alyssum’s blush burned brighter.
    “I see.” Lilly nodded with a smile. “And what does he think of all this?”
    “He doesn’t know.”
    “Pardon?”
    “He doesn’t know who I am. We were wearing masks.”
    “Then how do you know it was he?”
    “He took his off.”
    “He didn’t want to know who you were?”
    “Ah, yes, but…I stopped him.”
    “How did you stop him?” Lilly asked curiously.
    “I kneed him.”
    “Kneed him? Where?”
    Alyssum cleared her throat then looked down to Lilly’s lap.
    Lilly looked down, then up and back down. With a gasp and wide eyes, she laughed. “You kicked his bollocks?”
    “Lilly!” she covered her friend’s mouth with her hand.
    Lilly brushed her hand away with a laugh. “He doesn’t know he kissed you?”
    “No, and I want it to stay that way.”
    “Your secret is safe with me.”
    “I