Lily drew in a sharp gasp as she turned to see the concerned eyes of the countess before her. She looked up in disbelief.
The woman reached out, laying a hand on her arm, and smiled. "Tell me, my dear angel of mercy. Where shall I start?"
One angel becomes three…
Lily smiled with gratefulness as she watched. Darby went for the doctor and returned with him as they used the coach for the children, first, then the ladies to be seen. He sent Jacob home on his horse to bring back more groomsmen and the other coach and a light carriage, to deliver the ladies who were unable to walk to their homes. Meanwhile, he accompanied Lily as she decided who needed to be seen next.
She watched as her mother-in-law took the pitcher of water to each group of ladies, bringing out the dipper for them to drink from and speaking softly to them. Lily had not seen that kind of mercy on the countess' face since she'd arrived in England. It was amazing.
Darby took Lily by the waist and set her down outside the carriage, when, at last, the patients were beginning to thin out.
"What now, sweetheart? I see that you're watching Rebekah and little Finnian."
Lily met his gentle eyes and quietly told him the story of Rebekah's dream—to have her mother and Finn live with her. She didn't leave out the part about her wish for Finn to go to school or about the toy train that she'd bought at the Mercantile. When she finished, Darby was frowning down into her face.
"I know, sir, it seems a lot to ask, but…" Her voice became dry and trailed off as, without a word, Darby rose to his feet. She watched him as he strode toward her maid, who was not far away.
"Charlie?" she called out after him, her voice uncertain. She could see him as he approached Rebekah, but she was unable to hear what he said. A moment later, he left them.
Rebekah watched him go with trepidation.
"Oh, God. What did he say to her?" Lily whispered to herself, wishing she'd remained silent.
A moment later, however, he returned to Rebekah. Lily looked away.
A child's shriek of joy caused her to look back at Darby. He had thrown his head back in laughter, and little Finnian had wrapped himself around Darby's waist, holding on tight. When he glanced back toward where Lily sat, there was a twinkle in his eyes.
She watched in disbelief, as Rebekah's normally uncertain face gleamed with joy. She was nodding and following instructions.
Darby returned to Lily, grinning.
"Lord Darby, did you just do what I think you did?" Lily was laughing now.
He sat down next to her. "I had to discuss it with my mother first. It is her house, after all. She said we can lodge them in the cottage out by the edge of the gardens. And Finnian can go to school. Jacob will see to bringing their belongings over, this afternoon. I gave Rebekah the next three days off to get everyone settled."
"Oh, Charlie!" Lily threw her arms around him. "Have you any idea just how much I love you?"
It was late in the afternoon, when they delivered a patient little Annie to her home. Lily felt a tug at her hand and looked down to see a look of apprehension on the child's face.
She leaned down. "Annie? What is it?"
Annie bit her lip. "Miss angel, I don't know…" When she looked up again, her smile was gone. "She might not be so happy I can't work no more."
Lily looked up at Darby, on the other side.
"Annie," he said softly. "What do you mean?"
"Mr. Fenwirth sends money home 'cause I work. Since the mill is burnt, what can I do now? She…" she pointed toward the little house and whispered "…may not want me now."
Lily exchanged an alarmed glance with her husband. Darby leaned down to speak to the little girl, but at the same time, the door opened. The sounds of crying babies immediately met her ears. The woman at the door was not smiling as she looked down at the child leaning against Lily, who knelt down by her to put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"What you doin' home at this hour?" The woman's voice was curt.
"It burnt, ma'am. The mill burnt."
The woman stared, stone-faced, at Lily and Darby. "Who are you?"
Lily started to speak, but Darby held up a hand. "Your daughter is right, ma'am. The textile mill burned to the ground, a few hours ago. We brought Annie home because she was injured."
"She ain't my daughter." The woman's eyes dropped to scan the child's face. "You injured so bad you cain't work?"
Lily caught her breath. But when she spoke, her eyes were flashing, and her voice was full of antagonism. "Yes, she is. Fenwirth had her under one of the old looms. It's been there since I worked there, and it gave way and trapped her. The doctor has seen her, but—" She paused in disbelief, when she saw the expression on the face of the woman she addressed.
The woman looked down, first at the child, and then at Lily. "She ain't no good to me, if she cain't work. Take her home with you."
Annie had turned her face into Lily's shoulder and was crying now. But another hand rested on the child's shoulder, and Lily looked up into her husband's face.
"Annie? Would you like to go home with us?"
The little head nodded, but she didn't look up, and Darby lifted her into his arms. "Thank you, ma'am." His voice was harsh.
They had almost made it to the carriage, when the woman called out, "Wait! Depends. How much would ye pay? T' keep 'er?"
The little girl's legs were wrapped tightly around his waist. Lily reached out for her, and Darby set the child on the ground beside her.
"Annie, I'm going to go talk to her for a minute. You stay here with Lily, all right? I'll be right back, and then Lady Lily and I will take you home with us."
Lily brought her close as he left and felt the little arms reach around her neck. "We want you, Annie. Come and stay with us?" She tried to keep up the chatter with the little girl while making an attempt to hear what Darby was saying as he moved toward the porch. He deliberately kept his voice down so Annie couldn't hear the conversation. But a moment later, the door shut.
Darby lifted her into his arms and put an arm around Lily, guiding her to the carriage. Lifting both of them inside, he addressed Jacob privately and then climbed inside.
"She sold me. How much?" the little voice asked miserably.
"Annie," Darby's voice was gentle. "She didn't sell you. I gave her enough to make sure she didn't ask for you back. That's all. I hope you like living with us. The house is big, and we'll get you some new clothes. It's not my house, it's my father's. You can go to school and learn to read and write, and if you like, you can have piano lessons."
The little girl's blue eyes were shining and filled with hope. "I can go to school?"
"Yes, Annie," Lily said softly. Both she and Annie were grinning from ear to ear as she listened to Darby explain all the things Annie would be able to do.
Lily watched, grinning as Darby completely charmed the child. When she glanced out the window again, she realized they were not going home but were headed back to town. The area was filled with smoke, but she could recognize the Tea Room as they passed it. Going down two more blocks, they stopped. Darby stepped out and reached in to lift each of them down.
"Lady Lily, I would like for you to go inside and pick out some dresses for this young lady, while I check on a certain toy train that I can see through the window."
It didn't take long. Annie stared at the dresses and the material goods that Lily had put on the counter. Her eyes were wide with disbelief.
"Those be…fer me?" she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"For you, Annie. You'll need new clothes to go to school."
Soon, Darby put them both back into the carriage. Annie was first, and he set her on the seat before turning toward Lily. His expression was deeply concerned.
Lily leaned her head back against the seat and fell asleep, listening to Darby's voice describing the house and wondering what she would think of it. She was hoping Annie would be happy there. But what would the countess say about them bringing home
a child? Especially an injured child? She hoped they'd done the right thing.
Annie was leaning toward the window, looking out with huge eyes as the carriage slowed.
"Annie? Would you like to go inside?"
She nodded but paused when he held out his hand. "Can…I tell ye something first?" She looked back and forth from Lily to Darby.
"Of course."
"My, umm…" She took a breath. "My name ain't Annie. That's what she called me."
"She?"
"Papa's wife. She never called me by my name."
Lily leaned forward. "What is your name, sweetheart?"
The child looked up. "I don't remember. I only know it weren't Annie. Papa even started callin' me that, when she did, fore he died. I hate that name. I think Papa was scared of her."
"Then, we'll have to come up with a new one for you, won't we? One you like?" Darby was flashing his huge grin, and she smiled back.
Lily watched as her husband led the little girl up to the house, and a worried look crossed her face. A child—a nameless child—dressed in rags, injured and covered in soot was going to live with them in the house of the countess and the earl?
Oh, dear, what had they done? What would the countess say?
She prayed as the countess looked out the window at them. A moment later, the woman appeared at the front door and began to descend the steps.
Lily need not have worried. She watched in absolute disbelief as the countess approached the child and leaned down to speak to her. Darby was speaking to his mother, who suddenly held out her hand. The little girl reached out to take it, and both of them entered the house together.
Lily smiled. She was utterly weary. She was hungry, too, but at the moment, too exhausted to eat. Her eyelids were heavy, and she closed them. Silently, she said a grateful thank you and drifted off to sleep.
When she again opened her eyes, Darby was leaning over her. "Can you walk, sweetheart? Or shall I carry you?"
She blinked and nodded. "I'm sure I can." A smile crossed her face and she pushed herself upward.
Darby's huge smile down at her was exactly as it had been the very first time she met him. "I want you to know, my love, how very proud of you I am. Here." He reached down and guided her up, lifting her out of the coach and setting her on her feet.
"Lillianna?" He paused. "Are you all right?"
His voice sounded far away, and she felt herself fading. She heard his shout, just as he lifted her into his arms.
A doctor's visit…
A serene, white light glowed around her as Lily slowly opened her eyes. Love seemed to surround her, wrapping her in its warm embrace. Was she in Heaven, then? "Welcome back, my lady. We have all been waiting for you to open those lovely eyes."
Lily frowned. God was a middle-aged man with a woman's voice? Forcing herself to focus, she concentrated hard. Another face slowly came into view. It was her mother-in-law, looking as grim as always.
Oh, no. Lillianna paled. She was not in Heaven at all. She must be in Hell.
"The angel is awake now!" another voice, that of a child, broke through her dread. "I told you God would keep her safe, my lady. He protects his own."
More conscious now, Lily looked toward the direction from which the little voice had come. The tiny child from the mill leaned against the countess' hip, patting her on the back. But she looked clean now; all traces of the soot and grime were gone. She was dressed in one of the dresses Lily had picked out for her, and she almost appeared a different child.
"So you did, you little cherub. Let us go and tell the earl. Maybe he will stop trying to get out of bed to check on Lady Lillianna, now."
"Can I tell him?" the girl asked shyly. Her little arm was tied up in a sling so it crossed over her chest, and a bandage now carefully covered the injured hand. Setting her down, the countess actually smiled. It was the first genuine expression other than gloom that Lily had seen since her arrival.
"Yes, my sweet Bess, but you must wait for me. I want to see his face when he hears the news."
The child grabbed the older woman's hand with her uninjured one and tugged her away toward the door.
Lily stared. "Bess?" she muttered, still feeling quite lightheaded. "Surely, I'm dreaming."
There was a knock on the door, and Winston put his head in. "A tray for my lady," he said, smiling. He brought it in and set it down at her bedside. "The countess ordered it."
"Thank you, Winston." Lily said softly. "It smells wonderful."
She watched as he bowed and moved away. "He smiled at me, Charlie. This makes twice! I remember thinking he never smiled, and now—"
But Darby was leaning over her, his hands cupping her face as if he could not believe she was finally awake. She reached up and moved his strong hand so it rested on her chest and stroked his jaw lovingly.
"Be it Heaven or a dream, it's perfect, so long as you're here with me."
Darby reached for her but was interrupted when another voice spoke from the doorway. "Don't touch the patient until after I examine her."
Lily peeked around her husband, seeing the doctor for the first time.
Darby completely ignored him and gathered her up in his arms. When she looked up, he was showing her the smile she'd come to love so much over the previous months. She glanced from one to the other, and the doctor chuckled. "Fine, my lord. Have your fill of your beautiful wife for a moment more, then kindly take yourself off so I can complete my task."
Darby sat down with Lily in his arms, but his reply was firm. "Sir, I refuse to let my wife out of my view for the next fortnight or more." He cradled her in his arms for a moment longer, before laying her back onto the bed. Gesturing for the doctor to go about his task, he grinned. "No more secrets, Lillianna. Do I make myself clear?"
Nodding, she snuggled deeper into the pillows, feeling life was perfect indeed.
The doctor, however, was not finished trying. "My lady, kindly tell your husband to leave the room? Surely, you can convince him that some of my…examination will be of a delicate nature."
Still lightheaded, Lily spoke without considering her words. "Sir, you know my husband has already examined every part of me. He knows my body better than I do, myself. I assure you, he won't be scandalized by anything you uncover."
An hour later, the doctor gave Darby a knowing grin. "I can see your husband is quite right about his suspicions of your—condition—my lady. Congratulations to you both. I shall leave you both alone to celebrate the joyous news."
"Before you go," Darby asked, gathering Lily back into his arms. "I have but one question."
The doctor turned and gave them both his complete attention. He had heard the same concern many times after husbands found themselves blessed with the news their brides were expecting. "Yes, Lord Darby, you and your wife are free to enjoy the pleasures of the marriage bed. Your heir is quite safe and in no danger of ill effects for many months to come. Ask me again, when she reaches her seventh month."
Lily blushed, but Darby gave a delighted chuckle. "That's nice to know, sir, but it's not the question I meant to consult you about."
Lily and the doctor both stared, and Darby grinned. "Is it all right to spank my wife in her condition?"
The doctor chuckled, while Lily groaned.
"Absolutely not!" she chided, her eyes wide and incredulous.
The doctor, however, nodded. "Absolutely. Especially if she goes running about in burning and collapsing buildings." He was murmuring unintelligibly under his breath as he left the room, only to plow into the countess as she came in. The little girl was nowhere to be seen.
Darby rolled his eyes at the entrance of his mother, and Lily grinned. For the first time, she thrilled at her mother-in-law's presence. Darby's inclination to address her transgressions would have to wait now.
The countess' expression, however, was grim. "Is the baby all right?" she asked, real concern etched across her face.
"Both the babe and my wife are well. Thank you for y
our concern." Darby gave his bride a wink. In a low whisper, he added for her ears only, "We will continue this discussion later, I promise you."
The countess failed in her efforts to push her son aside so she could better see Lily. In the end, she gave up the effort and went around to the other side. Lily noticed the tears, then.
"Countess?" she whispered, staring.
The countess was having trouble speaking. She gulped and took a breath. "I feared we almost lost you," she whispered. "You see, Jacob was doing my bidding those days when he offered to take you to the mill. He was keeping an eye on you for me. But today, when he came back and said it was on fire, I…" Her voice broke, momentarily. "I would never have forgiven myself if you had perished inside."
Her words and demeanor, however, left Lily speechless for a moment. She was unable to believe what she heard. "Excuse my bluntness, my lady, but I would have thought you would have celebrated my demise." She glanced toward Darby, who was frowning sternly down at her. Try as she might, however, Lily could not forget the weeks of indifference she'd suffered from his mother.
"I deserved that," his mother responded, holding up a hand toward her son.
Lily still felt guarded. "Where is the child Darby and I brought home with us?" The defiance stayed present in her voice when she continued. "I won't have her mistreated, my lady. She has already had such a harsh life."
"Indeed, she has," the countess said, taking a seat on the bed. "She and I have become quite close as we watched over you. She told me the woman who sold her to you was not her mother, by the by. Her own mother died when she was born."
"You called her Bess." The coldness in Lily's tone shocked even her, but she could not seem to control it.
It was the countess' voice that remained calm, as she tried to explain, "She's been called a multitude of names, from 'wretch' to 'orphan' and worse by her stepmother, since her father died. I offered to give her the name of my beloved, childhood friend, and she took to it instantly." She stared at Lily a long time without speaking, and Lily began to soften a little on the inside.
Conquered by the Commander Page 15
