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Her mother barely paused. “We must hurry. It has been an age.”

Lily nodded, gathering up her skirts in one hand as she quickened her steps. As they neared the first floor, her nose gave a warning twitch. She pinched it between her fingers to fend off a sneeze, nearly tripping on the final stair. Mama’s arm shot out to steady her.

Achoo!

Mama ignored her, charging toward the drawing-room door and flinging it wide.

Achoo!

Lily sniffled once, then stepped into the sunlit room and gasped in surprise.

On every surface stood vases overflowing with lilies. They adorned the tables, the mantelpiece, even the broad windowsills—beautiful, fragrant lilies in every shade and variety. Lily had never seen so many flowers outside the Covent Garden market.

Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!

And there, across the room, stood Mr. Ridley, bathed in sunlight. His expression was relaxed, his skin returned to its usual golden hue. He looked ever so handsome, rejuvenated, almost boyish. Mr. Ridley must have finally taken proper rest.

Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!

Lily swiped her fingertips beneath her stinging eyes, blinking furiously even as her heart brimmed with feeling. Flowers! He had brought her flowers. Dozens—no, hundreds—of them.

Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!

“Oh, Lily! I forgot!” Mama’s voice rose in dismay, her hands fluttering like startled doves. “I completely forgot!”

Mr. Ridley had stepped forward, alarm tightening his brow. “Are you quite well, Miss Abbott?”

Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!

“She is not, Mr. Ridley,” Mama said, wringing her gloved hands. “I forgot that Lily suffers from a sensitivity to lilies. We must quit the room at once!”

“Of course,” he said promptly. “I shall take her for a drive in my carriage, as we discussed. I believe your maid is already waiting outside.”

Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!

Mama took a firm hold of Lily’s elbow, swiftly ushering her from the drawing room and along the corridor to the staircase. Down to the lower hall they went, where Lily inhaled deeply, her lungs at last spared the perfumed assault.

A handkerchief appeared before her face.

“I am so sorry,” Mama said, breathless with regret. “I quite forgot. The flowers will be gone when you return.”

Lily dabbed at her streaming eyes, then blew delicately into the handkerchief. There was no denying the inelegance of the moment, but even so, she could not suppress the radiant grin blooming across her face.

She had a suitor! And he had brought her flowers! So many, many, many flowers!

Everything will work out for the best!

Mr. Ridley appeared beside her. “My apologies, Miss Abbott. It was meant as a thoughtful gesture, but I fear it has gone rather awry.”

Lily shook her head and tilted her chin to smile up at the tall gentleman. “Not at all, Mr. Ridley. I would not have missed it for the world!”

He looked down at her in astonishment, the light catching in his brandy-colored eyes, illuminating the flecks of gold threaded through the warm amber depths. Shaking his head, he gave a low, bemused chuckle. “I do believe you are telling the truth.”

Lily wrinkled her brow in mock severity. “I always tell the truth, Mr. Ridley.” Then she winced. “Except when I exaggerated to the coroner, that is. But I felt it justified, as I knew your whereabouts.”

Mama groaned quietly from her other side, visibly restraining herself from scolding.

“Shall we?” Mr. Ridley offered his arm.