“Lydia, love. Quickly, up.”
“What?” Her eyes were glazed as she didn’t seem able to focus.
He reached for the door handle just as the driver arrived. “Just give us a moment, John. Miss Sanford is feeling a bit lightheaded.”
“Yes, Mr. Rose.”
“You may return to your seat. We will be out in a minute.”
That was definitely a snort he heard coming from John. Hopefully Lydia hadn’t heard it. He glanced over at her, and she appeared confused. He quickly tied her stays as best he could, spun her around on the seat and fastened the back of her gown.
“There, sweeting. You look somewhat presentable.”
She reached up to her head. “My hair? Is it a mess?”
He tucked the loosened curls behind her ears and attempted to pat down the rest of it, to at least make it look a little bit better. “It’s fine. Come, let’s go.”
He exited the carriage and turned to take her hand. “How is your headache?”
“Gone, I think.”
They made their way up the steps and the front door immediately opened. Hopefully Lord Sterling would not be about to see his daughter arrive home in her disheveled state.
The butler bowed. “Good evening, Miss Sanford, Mr. Rose.”
Lydia turned to him, still appearing a bit dazed. “Would you care for a drink, Mr. Rose?”
Wanting her to retire to her bedchamber before anyone could take a good look at her, he declined. “I will see you tomorrow for the musicale?”
“No need. The Ambassador mentioned this evening that he would not be attending the musicale tomorrow, but he would be here Thursday to escort me to the theater.”
Remembering that dreaded theater outing, he scowled. “And I will be there as well.”
“Inconspicuous, I hope,” she said.
“You will never know I’m there.”
They had stepped inside to get out of the evening air, but thankfully her father had not made an appearance, and the well-trained butler had disappeared.
“You best retire before anyone sees you.”
Her eyes grew wide and she patted her hair again. “Do I look that bad?”
“You look beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, and had to force himself to stop.
“Will you work at your club tomorrow since there’s no reason to attend the musicale?”
“Yes. Driscoll could always use a break.”
Lydia gave a curt nod. “Excellent. What time will you pick me up?”
Dante groaned. Another night fighting with himself to keep his hands off Miss Sanford’s delectable body. “I don’t suppose you will accept a night off to do things that young ladies do when they have a night off?”
She grinned and shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not. And you know your brother could use the help with the books.”
That, unfortunately was true since the investigation was taking longer than he’d anticipated. “Very well. I will arrive around eight tomorrow evening.”
Lydia and Dante hustled from the carriage to the back door of the Rose Room. It amused her how familiar the club was beginning to feel to her. They immediately went their separate ways. Dante to the gaming floor and Lydia to the staff dining room.