Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble

really should let go of that obsession with Ballard.”
    Drew clenched his jaw. “I’ll get him behind bars yet.”
    “And if he slips away again, you’ll just let her go a second time?”
    “It’s for the best.”
    For all his courageous words, Drew prayed he was strong enough to do the right thing.

    The kitchen was a scene of pandemonium when Lily stepped inside. She’d tried to find a cab, but all she’d seen had been full and she had to wait for a trolley back to the Butterfly Palace. She was quite late. Kitchen maids scurried to and fro with bags of flour and sugar. Several stood at the stove stirring pots of something that steamed out delicious smells. Several apple pies stood cooling on the large wooden table, and another woman carved the turkey.
    “Love, where have you been?” Emily tossed an apron at Lily. “Mrs. O’Reilly is on a rampage looking for you. The guests for the dinner party are arriving any minute, and the table still isn’t set.”
    “I’ll do that now.” Lily took off her hat, then tied on the apron.
    What would she do if she lost her job? She couldn’t go back to Larson with her tail tucked between her legs. She had to do better, focus on doing her best for this job. Being around Drew distracted her.
    Mrs. O’Reilly dusted the flour from her hands onto her already soiled apron. “Lily, there you are. You seem to be making a habit of tardiness.”
    Lily eyed the housekeeper, uncertain of the woman’s deceptively mild tone. “Yes, ma’am. Sorry I’m late. I’m about to set the table.”
    “We’ll talk later. There’s no time now.” Mrs. O’Reilly pointed to the kitchen door. “Go.”
    Lily went. The stack of china in her hands was heavy and cumbersome. Emily was in the large dining room smoothing the linen tablecloth on the massive table. Lily lowered her burden to the sideboard, then began to set the table.
    She turned to see Mr. Lambreth leaning on the doorjamb as he watched her. “You needed something, sir?”
    He shook his head, but his pale blue eyes looked her over. “I thought we might go for a walk after you get off work tonight.”
    She caught her breath. “I’m just the maid, Mr. Lambreth. I hardly think your father would approve.”
    “He’s not my father, and I really don’t care. Don’t you ever feel smothered by social expectations? I’ve been watching you, and I like you. You’ve got spirit.”
    When he took a step closer, Lily backed up. “I’d better get back to work.” His soft chuckle followed her into the hall. Could he seriously be attracted to her? He was very handsome, but if Miss Belle objected to her talking to Drew, she’d be doubly angry about Mr. Lambreth.
    As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, Mrs. O’Reilly pointed at her. “Miss Belle wants you in her bedroom. At once.”
    Lily gulped and ran for the back stairs. Her pulse was galloping when she stepped to her mistress’s door and turned the knob. “Miss Belle, you needed me?”
    Still in her corset and underthings, Belle was seated in front of the dressing table. The curling iron and pins were laid out on top also. Her pout clearly showed in the mirror. “I’ve told my uncle I’m taking you for my lady’s maid. You should have been here waiting on me! I’m going to be late, and it’s your fault.” She poked at her hair. “My hair is a mess. Do something with it.”
    “Yes, miss.” Lily grabbed the brush from the dressing table and began to smooth out Belle’s brown locks. The wind had caught and tangled it, so it took several minutes before it was ready to style. She gathered it into a loose chignon, then curled strands at the side of Belle’s face. “You look beautiful. You could model as a Gibson girl.”
    Belle sniffed and tipped her head. “It’s passable.” She swiveled on the seat, then stood. “Help me dress. The new bronze silk is in the closet.”
    “Of course.” Lily opened the wardrobe. She heard something thump in the closet and stepped