You have other choices, Lily," he muttered, "besides grubbing in the dirt for a living." Lily stepped back, knowing she would drown in sensation if she didn't get some perspective on things. She was entirely innocent when it came to the things men and women did together, but she sensed that Caleb was hinting at something scandalous. "Is this an indecent proposal?" she countered. He smiled down at her. "I guess that's a matter of opinion," he answered. "I'd like you to be my mistress. You could have a fine house-" Lily trembled with the effort to keep from flinging herself at Caleb Halliday in a hissing, spitting rage. Her words were evenly modulated and breathed, rather than spoken. "How dare you presume to suggest such a thing?" The handsome face hardened. "I didn't 'presume' the way you reacted to that kiss," he replied. Lily's cheeks flared with hurtful color. Just because she was alone in the world, forced to earn her living putting up with brazen flirtations and crude suggestions from soldiers and traveling peddlers, Caleb thought she was a strumpet. She wanted to sob at the injury, but she spoke calmly. "I think we'd better be getting back to town," she said. Not only had Caleb insulted her, but the sky was darkening and there were angry clouds gathering on the horizon. Caleb
( Linda Lael Miller )
[ Lily and the Major ]
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