Chapter 243

Lily slipped out of the guest bedchamber a few hours before dawn, after Charles ordered her to go to bed. She was happy to obey; she was dead on her feet by this point.

As she reached her room, she saw Davis leaving his. He froze when he saw her. Something flashed in his eyes that put her on her guard.

"Tom, a word, please."

She followed him into her room, heart pounding. Davis closed the door. Kat was still asleep in her crib.

Davis crossed his arms over his chest. "I know."

Lily had to fight to conceal her panic. "Know what?"

"You want me to say it?" His voice softened, but she remained mute. He sighed. "You are a woman." He kept his voice quiet, aware that his words would carry through the hall if he spoke much louder.

"I'm not?"

Davis jerked the cap off her head and pulled at her hair. She winced as the pins keeping the wig tight to her scalp pulled free. She felt naked and covered her head where her long blonde hair was tightly pinned down. Hugo had considered having her c