Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James Page B

Cole.”
    Lilly gave a grudging nod, then spoke softly. “I can see publicity is effective. And Mrs. Price thrives on the attention. Your Miss Cole may not.” Lilly wove through the congestion and out into the warm, briny air of Thames Street. Her gray serge walking suit felt much too hot for the afternoon weather.
    Jack followed one step behind as she headed toward her carriage. “I also wondered if Fannie Cole would appear.”
    Lilly’s breath rushed out of her lungs. “Well, did she?”
    He shrugged his square, muscular shoulders encased in a navy jacket of the finest merino wool. “I thought Miss Cole might come out of curiosity. Unfortunately I didn’t see any cottagers here, unless she arrived incognito.”
    “I didn’t spot anyone I know, either.”
    “Then that leaves you, Lilly.”
    Taken aback, she coughed up a nervous laugh. “Do I look like a novelist to you?”
    He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes, much like a dressmaker gauging measurements. “Perhaps you do.”
    “Nonsense. I’m a would-be poet. Please excuse me. I must go.” Lilly headed down the sidewalk. She waited on the corner while her driver made his way down the congested street, weaving through a knot of carts and carriages.
    Jack must have lengthened his stride because he reached out and lightly touched the sleeve of her jacket. “Lilly, I was joking. I’m sorry I offended you.”
    She breathed with relief at his half contrite, half mischievous smile and didn’t brush off his hand. “That’s all right, Jack. I’m afraid I’m on edge lately. Do enjoy your afternoon.”
    With Jack’s help, she boarded her carriage and sunk into the plush cushion. Despite the shock of running into him, she felt glad she’d come to the book shop. Seeing the flamboyant and rather common Mrs. Elna Price reinforced her determination to remain out of sight. Never would Jack convince her to become a sideshow, a Lillian Russell of the literary world.
    As the carriage jolted forward, Lilly closed her eyes and let her worries temporarily diminish.

NINE
    H alf an hour later Jack found Lilly crossing the foyer on the way upstairs. He bowed and handed her Elna’s newest bestseller. “Here you go. I noticed you forgot to purchase a copy for Irene. It’s even autographed.”
    Lilly’s eyes widened, but she quickly recovered with a polite nod, her social mask securely in place. “Oh dear, I did forget. In my haste to get away from the crowd, I forgot all about Mrs. Price’s novel.” Then her taut shoulders relaxed. “Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Jack. I’m sure Irene will enjoy the book.”
    “No doubt.” If Irene didn’t care for Mrs. Price ’s story, Jack knew the servants would. “But won’t Irene be shocked you ventured down to Thames Street on your own and mingled among the townspeople?”
    Lilly blanched. “Yes, she might, though knowing my sister-in-law, I’m sure she ’ll be amazed I had the gumption to go by myself. She thinks I’m afraid of my own shadow—or at least, of Mama’s disapproval—which, of course I am, most of the time.” Her mouth curved in a wry smile.
    Others might consider Lilly timid, but Jack felt sure beneath her shy exterior lay a woman with a steel backbone. A lady strong enough to write a book her family and friends would disparage . . . Jack considered this a most interesting possibility.
    AVOIDING JACK WASN'T as easy as Lilly hoped. Even in a “cottage” with twenty-two spacious rooms, she seemed to bump into him every time she turned around, unless she hid in her bedroom. He began to shadow her, obviously hoping to change her mind about helping him locate his authoress. Lilly sighed. Annie brushed Lilly’s thick hair in preparation for the evening’s frivolity at the van Patten’s, then secured it with silver combs.
    This was one of the many social functions Mama insisted she attend. In the spring when Harlan had first introduced the family to the upper echelons of society—truly