Best Lesbian Romance 2014 Read Free

be among them.
    The entrance hall of the Fitzpatrick mansion was larger than the entire apartment Annie shared with her aunt, uncle and five young cousins. A wide sweep of stairs led to the upper floor. She hesitated briefly. The young lady of the household might be up there, taking refuge in her room, but then Annie shook her head. No. She had a better idea of where to find Miss Elizabeth Fitzpatrick.
    The double doorway at the rear of the hall stood open, giving access to the garden. The cool night air was a welcome change from the heavy, too sweet atmosphere inside. Lanterns had been set around the terrace. Their flames flickered in the gentle breeze blowing in from the sea. Beyond the stone balustrade, moonlight bleached the garden in harsh blue-white light and soft black shadows. Still farther away, the distant lights of the city reflected in the black waters of the bay.
    Annie was not the only one on the terrace. A few others haddrifted out to enjoy the night air. They stood talking quietly in pairs and trios. Red lights flickered like fireflies as people drew on their cigarettes. A sudden burst of laughter, quickly hushed, caught Annie’s attention. She looked over, but her quarry was not there—nor had Annie expected it. She knew where to look.
    Stairs at either end of the terrace led down to the garden. The sound of Annie’s footsteps changed from the sharp click of stone to the crunch of loose gravel. As she walked down the path, the sounds of the party faded and gave way to the song of crickets and the whisper of wind through the bushes. At first no more than a faint undercurrent, but growing louder, was the boom of the sea washing against the bottom of the cliffs. Annie took a deep breath, expelling the last of the smoke and alcohol fumes from her lungs.
    At the end of the lawn the path passed between a pair of topiary bushes in the shape of peacocks before rounding a now-silent fountain. Beyond lay the less formal area of the garden, degenerating into an overgrown rockery. The path no longer ran straight. After another minute, it ended at a promontory where an old, round wooden summerhouse overlooked the ocean. The building appeared deserted in the brilliant moonlight, but Annie had little doubt of who would be there.
    She stopped in the doorway, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness inside. Sitting to one side was the heir to the Fitzpatrick shipping fortune. A stray beam of moonlight glinted off the shimmering silver evening dress clinging to her slender form.
    â€œYour father sent me to find you, Miss Elizabeth.”
    â€œWell, please don’t tell him you found me, and please don’t call me Elizabeth.”
    The rich, warm voice made Annie’s insides melt. Before trusting herself to reply, she took a second to ensure she had fullcontrol of her lungs. “Lizzie.” The name felt more stilted on her lips than it used to.
    â€œAnnie.”
    Even without seeing her face, by the lilt in Lizzie’s tone, Annie knew she was smiling. Just the memory of that smile was enough to make Annie’s pulse leap and her knees weaken. She leaned against the door frame for support.
    â€œCan you do me a favor? Go back to the party and get me a glass of bubbly.” Lizzie paused, reflectively. “Actually, make that two, and see if you can snag a bottle as well.”
    â€œSupposing I meet with your father, what will I say?”
    â€œWhat exactly did Daddy ask you to do?”
    Annie searched her memory. “To tell you to get your sweet butt into the party.”
    â€œConsider me told.” Lizzie laughed. “If you see him, you don’t have to lie. You can say you couldn’t find me in the house. Which is true. And you can say you’re going to try find me in the garden. You don’t need to add that since you know where I am, your chances of finding me are extremely good.”
    Annie shook her head, in amusement rather than denial. If truth be told, she