Lovely Lillian (Sisters Before Misters Book 1)

by S Cinders

  “Oh, face it, little brother,” Ryan smiled as Ian scowled at him. His perfect complexion brought into a dismal pout. “There are winners and losers in this world.”

  “And tell me, Mr. Stanford, would you be one of the winners?”

  Perhaps it was the uneven grass of Lady Well’s front lawn. Or the fact that Ryan had not slept well the night before. He had tossed and turned much of the evening reliving his meeting of the sisters in the park.

  Perhaps it was the unexpected sound of Lillian’s voice when he was speaking so informally with his brothers. He hadn’t expected to run into her. He had given up hope of her attending the brunch when she wasn’t there at the start.

  At the first sound of her voice, he knew who it was, of course, he did.

  He had to see her. Whipping around, Ryan searched for her face. Was she angry with him? Was she enjoying herself?

  He needed to see her eyes so that he could tell what she was feeling.

  What was wrong with his damn boots? They were in the way!

  And then all of the sudden the ground was jumping up at him, and he reached to catch himself.

  He heard her call his name and masculine laughter—stupid brothers.

  Lillian dropped beside him her small hands right above his large frame. It would be very improper to touch him, but she was terribly concerned about him. After all, it was her fault that he fell. She was the reason that he was startled in the first place.

  “Mr. Stanford,” She began, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I am so awfully sorry. I misspoke and then you fell, and I couldn’t reach you in time. I feel so badly about everything, and well I really do not know what else to say.”

  Ryan could see that his brothers were doing a mighty fine job blocking onlookers from seeing too much. He decided then and there to forgive their trespasses.

  He leaned forward so that she was a hair’s breadth away. He smiled that slow, wicked smile that caused Lilly’s bones to melt and her mind to shut down.

  “Lilly,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Mr. Stanford,” she replied breathlessly.

  “My name is Ryan,” he said slowly.

  Lilly knew that a young woman of quality did not call a man by his first name, not unless it was her brother or her intended. “It isn’t proper, Mr. Stanford.”

  “What about when you are mine, Lilly?” Ryan asked his lips so close to her cheek but not quite touching.

  “I do not understand your meaning,” Lilly was not one of those ladies that had many beaus. She didn’t play games nor did she flaunt assets she didn’t have.

  Ryan looked at her in confusion, “Lilly, I want you for my wife. Surely, after all of these weeks, you know that.”

  Lilly’s cheeks pinked, “Mr. Stanford, maybe in America the ladies understand your courting techniques. But in London, we do it the old-fashioned way.”

  Feeling braver than she ever had before in her life Lilly grabbed Ryan’s face and planted a big wet kiss on his mouth. It was fast and quick but most of all it was glorious.

  She was up and out of there in seconds. Racing away before Ryan could get himself together and go after her.

  “Did you see that?” Ian was nudging Jacob.

  “Bloody hell,” Ryan got to his feet.

  “Yeah,” Jacob laughed, “I saw it.”

  “He was right all along, the Blighter!” Ian groused. “How did he know?”

  “What the actual hell just happened?” Ryan shook his head.

  Jacob—still grinning— put his arm around Ryan, “Let’s get you home, Ry. You have grass stains and a cock stand. It’s not a good look for brunch.”

  “And she bloody well can’t dance!” Ian was still carrying on.

  “SHUT-UP IAN!” the brother’s called out as they left Lady Wells rather lovely brunch.

  Lillian watched the Stanford brothers go from the awning on the south lawn.

  Juliana who had also witnessed the groundbreaking kiss couldn’t wait to find out what had brought about this significant change in character in her younger sister.

  “You like him!” Jules danced around. “I knew it!”

  Lilly was still blushing. She could not believe what had possessed her to press her lips to his. It had been transcendent. Nothing in her life had ever been as incredible as that moment in time.

  She could not believe that she had taken such a chance. And to do so in company, that was beyond anything Jules could describe.

  “Who are you? And what have you done with my sister? Remember all those things you said to me about chasing the Duke? And now you are, well, you know what you are about I suppose.”

  It wouldn’t do for Jules to even repeat that Lilly had kissed Ryan even though she wanted to just for shock value.

  Lillian wanted to talk about it as well. There was a secret part of her that was thrilled she had been so brave. Lilly didn’t know what it was about the American that stirred her to new heights, but she liked who she was when she was with him.

  And he liked her.

  Ryan wanted her. He wanted to marry her. All those heated looks and wicked smiled were because he saw something more. He saw her when no one saw her.

  “Yes, Jules—I like him.”

  CHAPTER 13

  A tall, curvaceous young woman with chocolate brown hair and twinkling eyes approached the Moberly sisters.

  “It would appear that you are having entirely too much fun,” Lady Samantha Shore flicked her fan closed as she noted Lillian’s flushed cheeks and Juliana’s bright gaze.

  “Samantha!” Juliana extended a hand in greeting, “You look lovely in that teal dress, I am completely envious of the color. Mother won’t let us choose anything that is remotely fashionable.”

  Lillian extended her hand as well, “It is so wonderful to see your Sam! Did you enjoy your stay in the country?”

  Samantha was of a similar age to the girls and had been visiting her brother, Viscount Shore, and his wife, Hazel. They usually resided in the capital but had retired to the country to redecorate the family seat.

  Samantha sparkled, “I loved every moment of it! Hazel is hilarious. I could not have asked for a better sister. She drives Benjamin to distraction and mother doesn’t like her at all, but she doesn't do anything about it because Benjamin is so head over heels in love with her. I tell you, I spend the majority of the time in stitches. I would have returned, but my mother started matchmaking.”

  Juliana’s eyes widened, “In the country? To whom—don’t tell me you have a wealthy middle-aged squire mildewing away out there.”

  Samantha wrinkled her nose, “Oh no, my dear friends, this is so much worse.”

  Lillian raised a brow, “Goodness, how much worse could it possibly be?”

  Samantha swallowed, “A younger man. A much younger man.”

  Juliana and Lillian sucked in a horrified breath.

  “But there is one thing that I cannot forgive,” Samantha whispered.

  Lilly leaned forward, “What is it?”

  Samantha shook her head, her chocolate curls bouncing, “It’s so terribly mortifying when he stands next to me. He’s short and skinny!”

  “That is dreadful,” Juliana breathed, “Whatever could she have been thinking?”

  Samantha gave a ladylike shrug, “I haven’t the slightest notion, for I am almost twice his size. Benjamin was mortified when he realized what mother was up to and Hazel snorted into her soup.”

  Lilly giggled, but quickly turned it into a cough, knowing now wasn’t the time.

  “I know that Benjamin had a firm talk with mother and the carriage was being packed the next morning. I am happy to see you both today. I missed you at the Bluebell’s meeting this week.”

  Lillian looked askance, “We have taken a small break from the Bluebells.”

  Samantha looked alarmed, “Is there a problem? Please do not tell me there is an issue with our dear Bluebells!”

  Juliana rushed to comfort her, “No, dearest, not
hing of the kind. The Bluebells are a sisterhood that we treasure. But some of the ladies are wrapped up in marriage and babies. We just don’t feel that we are in that stage of life.”

  Samantha nodded, “I do understand what you mean, I felt a little out of place without the two of you there.”

  Lillian rushed to say, “We will be back, we promise. We are just working on something at present.”

  Samantha bit her lip, “I see.” But clearly, she did not understand anything except that she was being excluded from something.

  Juliana looked at her sister pleadingly.

  Lillian nodded.

  Juliana grasped Samantha's hand, “We are on a secret mission for the war office.”

  Samantha gasped right as Lillian shushed them, “The Countess that we wanted to speak with is heading this way. We will talk more on this later. Samantha, honestly, it was the best tea I have ever had.”

  Lilly giggled in a carefree school girl way before turning to the approaching older woman.

  “Countess,” Lilly’s curtsey was perfection, “How are you enjoying your stay in London?”

  “It is beautiful in a wet, damp, way—no?”

  The Countess moved with a cloud of perfumes around her. Her gown was the height of French fashion, dripping with Brussels lace even before noon. She was also showing a tremendous amount of décolletage for the time of day. However, she didn’t seem at all bothered by it.

  Samantha had a rather fantastic décolletage herself, even if it was adequately covered. “I am not certain if I would describe something lovely as wet or damp, Countess.”

  Lillian and Juliana exchanged glances; it would appear they had taken on a lioness as a partner in their spying ring.

  The Countess smiled, it was cold and calculating, “Well, my darling girl, there is a great difference between you and I, isn’t there?”

  Samantha stood at her full height, “Thankfully, yes.”

  The Countess inclined her head towards the girls, and gave a mocking smile, “Well, it’s always nice to have something to reach for—yes?”

  She floated away. Her cloying scent still lingered in the air.

  “I loathe her!” Samantha spat.

  “My, my, my,” Lilly glanced at Juliana, “I cannot like the woman myself.”

  “Nor I!” Juliana exclaimed. Turning to Samantha, she pulled the two girls in tight, “We have much to discuss. Samantha, can you come today for tea?”

  Samantha nodded, “Certainly.”

  “We shall reconvene at that point. Things are starting to get interesting!” Jules looked thrilled, “And interesting is right where we want to be.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Ryan saw Lillian the moment he entered the Duke of Carthage’s grand ballroom, and while he wanted to go straight to her, he was caught being introduced to the Duke and his family.

  His son, the Earl of Saxton, and his wife were in residence for the ball and had brought all of the children with their nanny to visit their grandfather.

  As soon as Ryan could politely slip away, he went in search of Lillian. Much to his dismay, she had vanished. Juliana was dancing in the arms of a man that Ryan did not know. Lady Genevieve was speaking with Lillian’s mother.

  Ryan picked up his pace. He checked the area where the wallflowers usually lingered. He went over to the card room and the refreshment tables.

  Surely, she wouldn’t have gone into the gardens?

  His next thought was that perhaps Lillian needed a moment of solace, so he checked the Library. Again, it was empty, and Ryan could not find Lillian.

  He was becoming more than a little alarmed.

  The Duke of Carthage’s townhome was one of the oldest and grandest townhomes in Mayfair.

  It would not be beyond comprehension that some rogue could have made off with her, but Ryan wasn't certain if he should raise the alarm. He looked to find Phillip, the Marquess of Moberly, her elder brother.

  The last thing he wanted to do was damage her reputation, but damn it, time was of the essence, and he needed to move quickly.

  “Lord Moberly, if I might have a word!”

  Phillip looked up from his hand to see a younger man quite intent on speaking with him. “Mr. Stanford, do you wish to play?”

  Phillip had never been one to stand on ceremony, and besides, Ryan’s brother was a Duke after all.

  The younger gentleman looked confused for a moment.

  Phillip had been playing with his very best friend, Baron Mangrove, or more intimately known as Elias. They were also playing with the Earl of Saxton, but they called him Christian.

  “I don’t think he wants to play, Randall,” Christian said with a slight smile. “Do you need a private audience with Randall?”

  It was awfully kind of the Earl to offer this to Ryan, seeing as how the three of them collectively made up a Marquess, an Earl, and a Baron.

  Mr. Stanford gulped.

  Phillip frowned, “Whatever this man has to say to me, he can say in front of my closest friends.”

  “I cannot find Lillian,” Ryan blurted out.

  Elias grinned.

  Saxton had the wherewithal to try and cover his smile with a cough.

  Phillip scowled, “My sister is missing?”

  “I am not certain. I don’t wish to cause a large commotion. That is why I came to you. But I saw her when I came in, and now I cannot find her, and I am concerned.” Ryan’s eyes were pleading.

  “We must look for her at once. But I will hear more about this interest in my sister!” Phillip demanded.

  “I would do anything to protect Lillian,” Ryan said before turning to go and search again.

  Phillip turned to Elias and Christian, who were equally dumbfounded.

  Christian shrugged a shoulder as if to say; she’s your sister.

  They began searching in earnest. Enlisting Maddie, Christian’s wife, and Eden, Phillip’s wife to help in the search. But it was to no avail. Soon the news could not be kept a secret any longer.

  Lillian had vanished at the ball. Juliana’s cries were heart wrenching. She couldn’t say where her sister had gone or with whom she had seen her last. The Dowager Marchioness collapsed, and the ball ended before one in the morning.

  Brave men went out and searched through the night for any clue of a noblewoman taken by force. But there was nothing, not one single lead to go on.

  And so, it was with a heavy heart that Phillip Randall had to tell his mother that he wasn’t sure if his little sister would ever be seen again.

  ***

  The Duke flew into the stables, “Ryan! What are you doing?”

  Ryan didn’t even slow his pace for a moment, “I’m going after her.”

  “They have hundreds of men searching, Ry!” The Duke tried reasoning with him, “What makes you think you will know where she is? Ryan, the criminal mind works in ways that we will never understand.”

  “I won’t sit by while she is in harm's way!”

  Ryan shoved past his brother to grab a few more items. “Besides, there was a time that you would do the same thing. This place is changing you, Ollie.”

  Oliver was stunned. Had he changed that much? It was true that being a Peer took a great deal of responsibility, but that his own twin felt him different?

  “You are different as well,” Oliver said.

  Ryan gave a mirthless laugh, “I am a fool in love, who may have lost the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

  “You love her?” Oliver could not believe it.

  Ryan smiled for real this time, “Wish me luck, Ollie.”

  “Of course, do you want me to come?” Oliver offered.

  Ryan laughed, knowing that Oliver hated horses. “Yes, please do.”

  “You are an ass.” Oliver hugged his brother tightly, “Godspeed then, and bring her home.”

  Ryan nodded before mounting Earl, who having a rather lofty name, was sleek and fast and rode out into the night.

  “Luck to you, my brother,”
Oliver whispered as his twin rode out of sight.

  CHAPTER 15

  When Lilly awoke with a splitting headache and bound on the floor of a rapidly moving carriage, her first thought was that the Comte was most definitely an oily character of the worst order.