Page 38 of Inconvenient Honor
The diaphanous scarf she had stuffed into her reticule covered her hair and face sufficiently. Adjusting her walk to that of an old woman helped also.
The servant at the door, very tall, very dark, and unsmiling had gestured her to a seat in the outer hall. He wore English-style clothing. The white of his shirt contrasted with his dark skin. He took her card and returned moments later with pursed lips and a disapproving frown to escort her to a man whose frown looked even less approving.
“So little one,” Sahin Pasha said, “You have come on an errand even more foolish than your last.”
“No one saw me come here.”
“Your Marquess of Glenaire implies he sees all.”
Lily smiled at that. “He likes to believe that. His minions shouldpay closer attention. I slipped away from them easily. No one saw me.”
“We shall hope that is true,” Sahin said. “What then brings you to take this risk?”
Lily looked around. Two men stood by the door. One was the man from the entrance.
“You may speak freely, little one. One man,” he gestured to a fierce little man to the left, “neither speaks nor hears. He merely guards. The other,” he shrugged, “is a eunuch. Protector of women, you understand?” He indicated her escort.
Lily understood. Her reputation could be protected, at least in Ottoman terms.
So proper. How will he react to what I have to say? She dug deep for courage. Sahin Pasha’s words at the Pembrook ball came back to her—I am in your debt, I fear. If you ever have need of my help, you know you can come to me.
Lily managed to speak by breathing deeply. “You will recall that you are in my debt, favored uncle. I need to collect.”
She had his attention. The old man nodded and waited for her to go on.
“My father has been delayed,” she said.
“We know this, little one.”
Just say it, Lily!
“What is it I can do for you?” Sahin persisted.
“I need employment,” she responded.
He didn’t try to hide his astonishment.
“It is not customary for young women to seek employment even in this barbaric country.”
“I need to leave London, favored uncle,” she said. “Soon.”
“Is it the Russian again?”
“Only in part.” Lily took a long shuddering breath, the kind that shook her whole body. She glanced back at the man who can’t hear and the man who—If his job is to protect women, what will he think of one who has allowed herself to get with child?
She slid back to face Sahin.
“Remember your debt, favored uncle, when I tell you this,” she said. Sahin made a gesture with his hand as if to brush it aside.
“I am with child,” she said, softly but distinctly.
Sahin sat back, grim faced. “This is a terrible thing, little one. Especially since your father is not here to protect your honor.”
Lily struggled to swallow her fear, to control her expression.
“Who is this dog who did this to you?” Sahin demanded.
Heavens! What would he do? A knife in the ribs?
