Sweet Enemy by Heather Snow Page B

at a point behind Liliana and Penelope both. “Several are quite old,” she remarked, “and there is at least one or two who I am certain are not even persuaded toward…” She blinked, catching herself before saying something Liliana was sure would have been quite interesting.
     
    Aunt Eliza clapped her hands sharply and crossed toward the bed, looking down on Liliana. “Never mind that, as it appears
you
have already caught Stratford’s attention, my dear—and he, the best catch here!” Aunt’s pinched face broke into a rare smile of approval.
     
    Liliana returned the smile weakly.
     
    “I see you are still flushed,” Aunt Eliza observed. Her expression softened as she reached out a hand to touchLiliana’s face. She motioned for the family’s longtime servant, Mrs. Means, to enter the room.
     
    Liliana relaxed and blew out a wan breath. Perhaps she could play on Aunt Eliza’s sympathy and buy herself more time. “I’m afraid I’m not up to going out this afternoon,” Liliana said. She touched her own hand to her forehead. “I’m still not quite well.”
     
    Aunt Eliza snapped her fingers. Mrs. Means scurried over and handed Aunt a silver cup. “Pish. This is a campaign, my dear, and our adversaries will not rest on their laurels. You haven’t the time to be unwell.” Aunt swirled the cup, agitating a sluggish brown liquid. A foul smell wafted and Liliana’s nose twitched. “Mrs. Means has prepared a tonic that will have you feeling up to snuff in no time.”
     
    Liliana shook her head, turning away from the offensive offering. Even she, with all of her experience with healing herbs and tinctures, was unable to discern what made up that sludge. She slid off of the bed to escape Aunt Eliza’s ministrations but didn’t make it far.
     
    Aunt grasped Liliana’s shoulder, pressing her down onto the embroidered stool of the vanity. “We shall have to place you in Stratford’s path at every opportunity,” she said as she plopped the tonic in front of Liliana, the silver cup clicking against the wood.
     
    Liliana’s stomach clenched. That was the
worst
thing they could do. She opened her mouth to protest. “I—”
     
    “First, we must ensure Stratford stays entirely focused on you.” Aunt Eliza took in Liliana’s appearance as if evaluating which slice of beef to serve Prinny himself. She snapped her fingers again, and Mrs. Means stepped behind Liliana, vigorously taking a brush to her hair. “We shall turn you out beautifully. Penelope?”
     
    “Yes, Mama?”
     
    “Fetch the light blue striped muslin,” Aunt said, “and the sapphires, I should think. Oh, and the matching parasol and gloves. We shall be out of doors this afternoon.”
     
    Liliana could hear Penelope rummaging through the armoire. “Surely tomorrow will be soon enough for me to join the group,” she argued, swiping at the brush. She’d worry about how to get out of tomorrow’s activity tomorrow.
     
    “Stratford inquired about you
today
,” Aunt Eliza said, her lips firming. “That means you are on his mind, but you won’t be for long if we don’t get you down there. By tomorrow, this afternoon even, another could have taken your place. Particularly Emily Morton,” Aunt Eliza murmured thoughtfully, tapping a finger to her lip. “Yes, she is quite persistent and rather lovely.”
     
    Liliana caught Penelope trying to contain a sympathetic smile and failing miserably.
     
    Mrs. Means swept Liliana’s curls into an artful coiffure, efficiently pinning it into place.
     
    Liliana tried one last tack. “I’m sure you make too much of Stratford’s interest, Aunt. I’d wager he was only showing a host’s concern over the welfare of an ill guest.”
     
    “Young ladies don’t wager,” Aunt scolded automatically, then flashed a triumphant smile. “Yet you would lose. The Northumb girl did not show this morning, either, and I heard nothing of Stratford asking after her.” Aunt Eliza reached out and