Liliane sighed and returned her empty tea cup to sit with the rest of the service on the tray. That was divine, and the innkeeper’s wife was a godsend. She had fussed over Liliane, exclaiming at her beautiful hair and insisting that she have the best room in the house. Then the good lady had wasted no time in sending up a tray laden with a tea service and the most delicate airy little cakes she’d ever tasted. And bucket loads of hot water. She wouldn’t admit it to Sin, but her body ached from the day spent on horseback. Not bothering to smother the indelicate groan that escaped her lips, Liliane gingerly arose from her chair and peeled the layers of clothing away. At least the riding habit was a simple design: the skirt and jacket had a single line of buttons down the front, allowing her to dress and undress by herself. Once she had removed her blouse and unlaced the short stays that laced below her breasts she gently lifted the fob chain from about her neck and laid it on the table.
